◈ Navigation Index ▼
- 01 Introduction to Duck Game
- 02 Basic Controls and Movement
- 03 Core Combat Mechanics
- 04 Weapon-Specific Tips
- 05 Essential Movement Techniques
- 06 General Strategies for Survival
Introduction to Duck Game
Welcome to "Duck Game," a frantic 2D action title developed by Landon Podbielski and published by Corptron. Set in a futuristic 1984, players control ducks in a battle for glory, utilizing a diverse arsenal of weapons from shotguns to magnet guns. The game features simple shooting and platforming mechanics, primarily designed for multiplayer combat with up to eight players locally or online. The core premise is straightforward: one hit leads to a quick defeat, and the last duck standing wins the round. Duck Game is celebrated for its fast-paced gameplay, varied map designs, and unpredictable, fun-filled chaos.
Basic Controls and Movement
Understanding your duck's fundamental movements and interactions is crucial for survival. The game utilizes a simple control scheme.
Movement: Use the left and right keys/inputs to move your duck across the map.
Jumping and Floating: Press the jump button to leap; holding it down allows you to float and travel further, with longer holds resulting in higher jumps.
Sliding: While moving, hold the "down" input to slide. This can be used to get lower to the ground or to break glass.
Quacking: Press the quack button (default 'E' on keyboard, 'B' on controller) to quack. Holding it down keeps your duck's mouth open.
Picking Up and Throwing Items: Use the pick-up key (default 'C' on keyboard, 'Y' on controller) to grab equipable items, weapons, and props. Pressing the interact key again will throw the item. Moving while throwing increases the distance, while holding "down" allows you to drop items at your feet. Throwing diagonally by moving and holding "up" can also result in further throws.
Using Items: The "use" key (default 'V' on keyboard, 'X' on controller) allows you to activate items, such as firing guns, equipping gear, or activating grenades.
Ragdoll/Tripping: Pressing the ragdoll button (default 'Q' on keyboard, 'RB' on controller) makes your duck go limp, dropping your weapon and hat/helmet, but not armor, jetpack, or shoes. While in ragdoll mode, other players can pick you up and throw you off the map. This can also be used strategically to disarm opponents by dropping your hat.
Core Combat Mechanics
Combat in Duck Game is quick and decisive, as most attacks result in a one-hit kill.
Disarming Opponents: Hitting an enemy with a thrown object, especially with enough force while you are moving, will disarm them, causing their weapon to fly away. Your hat can also be used to disarm others. Even dead bodies can be used to disarm opponents.
Instant Kills with Objects: Dropping a heavy object, like a crate, directly onto an opponent's head from above can instantly kill them if they lack adequate protection. To ensure a kill on a static opponent, hold "down" when dropping a crate.
Weapon Penetration: Be aware that certain weapons, such as snipers, AK47s, and magnums (blue pistol), can shoot through crates. Shotguns can also penetrate wood, including doors and crates.
Recoil Management: Using weapon recoil can be a powerful movement tool. Holding "down" while shooting will propel you significantly backward. With high-recoil weapons like shotguns, fluttering (holding jump) and turning in mid-air can point your gun downwards diagonally, allowing you to use the recoil for flight. The Virtual Shotgun (blue) is particularly effective for this due to its infinite ammo.
Armor and Protection: Helmets can serve as armor when ducking.
Landmines: You can safely stand on landmines, as they only explode when you step off them.
Faster Reloads: For weapons with longer reload animations, like the bazooka and blunderbuss, mashing the attack button can significantly speed up the reload process.
Weapon-Specific Tips
Each weapon in Duck Game has unique properties and optimal uses.
Grenade Launcher: Hold down the fire button to aim higher with the grenade launcher. Grenades can also be activated by striking them with a sledgehammer.
Fire Darts: If you walk up to a fire with a dartgun, the barrel will light on fire, transforming it into a potent incendiary weapon. Darts shot through existing flames will also ignite.
Suicide Pistol: When crouching, shooting the suicide pistol will make you slide and fire a shot behind you. You must return to a crouching position to fire again. An easier method is to fire it while gliding down, which directs the shot below you at an angle that is difficult for other ducks to counter. You can also shoot this weapon while ducking without dying, but this only works once per duck; you must stand up between shots to avoid self-harm. If you attempt an upwards 45-degree angle, it will surprisingly fire 45 degrees down in the opposite direction.
Sword: To perform a sword stab, crouch or slide down and aim backward. You can then press or hold the attack button to thrust the sword forward, killing anything on contact. Ducking with a sword puts you in a blocking stance that can deflect most incoming shots, except for those hitting your foot or back.
Chainsaw: Sliding while revving your chainsaw (and attacking) can propel you forward at a "ridiculously fast" speed, known as a chainsaw boost.
Essential Movement Techniques
Beyond basic controls, several techniques can give you an edge in mobility.
Ragdoll Grab: When jumping towards a ledge that's slightly too high, hitting the ragdoll button at the peak of your jump allows the top half of your duck to grab the ledge, helping you reach higher blocks. This is a simple and effective way to gain vertical height.
Gun Jumping: By repeatedly pressing the shoot button while jumping, you can utilize the knockback from your weapon to gain additional height. This technique is relatively easy to learn.
Ragdoll Jump (or Surge Hop/Double Jump): After exiting ragdoll mode, your duck will be slightly above the ground for a brief moment. There is a small window during this time where you can jump to gain an extra block of height. Moving faster before initiating a jump can increase the height gained. If performed precisely (ragdoll twice then jump), you can jump up to five blocks, or six in online play.
General Strategies for Survival
Mastering Angles: Prioritize learning how to execute angle shots, as they are fundamental to high-level play. There are three distinct upward and three downward angle shot positions. Be aware that some weapons, like the plasma pistol and grenade launcher, fire when the shoot button is released*, requiring precise timing for angle shots.
Mind Games: At higher levels, anticipating your opponent's moves based on their past actions is a key strategy. Thinking about their potential counters to your own strategies can often lead to a win.
Utilize Props: Props on the map can be used for concealment. For instance, hiding behind a desk with a long-barreled weapon allows you to shoot while remaining protected.
Don't Underestimate Any Weapon: Every weapon in Duck Game has potential if you know how to use it correctly.
Spike Immunity with Shoes: If you acquire shoes, you can safely stand in spikes without taking damage.
Environmental Interactions: Weapons can be launched by springs if they come into contact with them. Holding "down" while going off a spring can also increase your speed.
Throwing Opponents: Ducks in ragdoll mode can be picked up and thrown off the map, a tactic that opponents cannot prevent.
Strategic Fluttering: Fluttering (holding the jump button in the air) typically points your gun upward. However, fluttering with a suicide pistol will point the gun downward, allowing you to shoot without hitting yourself.
By mastering these basic controls, combat techniques, and strategies, new players can quickly adapt to the frantic and fun world of Duck Game.