Three Ways to Destroy Your Opponents Online and Be the Best Gamer You Can Be

In the world of video games, there is little that matches the excitement of competing in the online arena. Whether it be against friends, foes or simply just casualties in the wake of your destruction, there is an extreme level of satisfaction to be had in knowing that you're not only better than someone at something, but that it took a great deal of experience for you to get there.

Unfortunately, such moments of victory are few and far between for many gamers, but it can all be corrected by taking note of these three easy ways to improve your gaming prowess.

Know Your Map

If you want to be an elite gamer, the first thing you need to do is understand the area in which you intend to conquer. Generally, in competitive online games there are many choke points and critical areas of control for each map, and the timing and difficulty for players to reach them can vary from level to level. Spend some time analyzing the crucial areas of conflict on your map of choice, and then figure out how you can best take advantage of it.

If you are playing a fast-paced death match game such as something from the Quake series, then decide which weapon would be most effective for the most common areas of conflict. If you're playing a more robust game such as Modern Warfare or one of the many war simulations out today, then focus more on areas of advantage you can hold to make it more difficult for your opponent to spot, or attack you.

 Stop Making Excuses

Excuses are rampant in the online world, but what many people don't realize is that while they make excuses to shield their egos, all they are really doing is putting a cap on the level of skill they can reach. When you stop making excuses for why you've lost, then you can get down to the heart of the problem and correct it.

One tip that I love to do when faced with a difficult situation that frustrates me, is ask myself "If the best player in the world was in my shoes right now, could the situation of gone any differently?" The chances are, no matter how "random" or "lucky" you think your opponent got, your mind will quickly open to the possibility that the game is in fact in your control, and with just a little more practice the tides could be turned.

 Think Like Your Opponent

In gaming, the two most important factors of a skilled player can be broken down into two simple things: aim, and brain. While there are plenty of quality ways to improve your aim, there is little information out there about what you need to do to improve your game savvy. When you're more than just a good player, but a smart player, then you can frustrate your opponents by making it difficult for them to hit you, or by catching them when they are least prepared.

While much of being a smart player comes with experience, one thing is for sure: You have to be able to think like your opponent, if you want to outsmart them. There are many ways to predict your opponent and it can be a very nuanced thing based upon the game, however the most important predictive elements tend to be centered around map positioning, and dodge movements. If you can hone in on where your opponent would prefer to be, and how he likes to evade attacks, then you can quickly turn a perceived advantage by your opponent, into one of his greatest weaknesses.