How to Play Attack on Titan 3
Beginner guide to Attack on Titan 3 — ODM basics, squad commands, mission flow, combat tips, and everything new players need for Winter 2026.
Getting Started
Attack on Titan 3 is Omega Force's third action game based on the Attack on Titan anime, launching Winter 2026 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. You create a custom Scout, join the Survey Corps, and fight Titans using vertical maneuvering equipment across Story Mode chapters and Exterior Scouting Missions.
If you are new to the series, start on Casual Mode for forgiving combat while learning ODM mechanics. Veterans of Attack on Titan 2 will find familiar concepts rebuilt with faster traversal, aerial combos, and a reactive weak-point system. Read our controls page for platform-specific bindings.
This guide covers the fundamentals you need before your first deployment beyond the walls.
ODM Gear Basics
Your ODM gear is your lifeline. Press the hook button to launch a wire toward buildings, trees, or Titan bodies, then hold gas to boost along the wire trajectory. Release at the right moment to slash past a Titan's nape — the only lethal weak point on standard Pure Titans. Missing the nape gives Titans time to swat you out of the air.
Gas and blade durability are limited resources. Monitor both meters during combat. Resupply stations appear in mission zones, and base camp upgrades extend maximum capacity. Efficient routing — hooking between multiple anchors without touching ground — conserves gas and maintains combat momentum.
The new weak-point highlighting system marks vulnerable areas beyond the nape. Destroying limbs slows Titans and opens tactical advantages. Practice in early Story Mode chapters before attempting Exterior Scouting missions where multiple Titans patrol simultaneously.
Squad Commands and Team Play
You are never alone. The squad system lets you deploy allies from the playable roster and issue commands during combat. Use the command wheel to direct allies to flank, defend objectives, focus fire on marked targets, or retreat for resupply.
Higher affinity makes allies respond faster and unlock combo attacks. Deploy characters you are actively befriending to accelerate bond growth. Pre-mission squad selection matters — match character specialties to mission objectives.
During Nine Titans boss fights, squad roles shift to support: distract smaller Titans, deliver thunder spears, and protect civilians while you engage the primary boss.
Mission Flow and Progression
Each mission follows a loop: briefing at base camp, squad selection, combat deployment, objective completion, grade evaluation, and return to camp for dialogue and upgrades. Main objectives advance the story; optional sub-objectives boost rewards and friendship points.
Between story chapters, tackle Exterior Scouting missions for materials, experience, and affinity growth. Upgrade ODM gear at base camp using collected resources. Visit our items page for equipment details and the walkthrough hub for chapter-specific guidance at launch.
Mission grades from S to C affect material drops and experience gains. Faster clears, fewer casualties, and weak-point precision bonuses push grades higher. Replay missions to improve scores once you have better gear and higher-affinity squads.
Tips for Success
Learn dodge timing before attempting high-difficulty content. Circle/B dodges with invincibility frames save you from grab attacks that instantly kill on higher difficulties. Casual Mode extends these frames significantly.
Stock thunder spears before armored Titan and boss encounters. Standard blades cannot penetrate hardened skin. Smoke signals distract Titan attention, giving you repositioning windows.
Invest in friendship early. The affinity system rewards consistent squad deployment with combat abilities that matter more than incremental gear upgrades in mid-campaign. Read our squad building guide for priority targets.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Attack on Titan 3 beginner-friendly?
Casual Mode provides an accessible entry point. Standard difficulty expects action game experience with ODM traversal mechanics.
Do I need to watch the anime first?
Story Mode follows anime events. Prior knowledge enhances enjoyment but is not required to learn gameplay mechanics.
What should I do first in the game?
Complete character creation, play early Story Mode chapters to learn ODM, then begin Exterior Scouting for materials and friendship growth.
How important is squad management?
Very important. Squad composition and affinity directly affect combat effectiveness, especially in late-game content.
Where can I find advanced guides?
See our features deep dive, Exterior Scouting guide, Nine Titans boss guide, and squad building guide for advanced strategies.