Leeches, and LMG, and ultimate abilities enter the fight.
Gears 5 Escape has been our first chance to get a look at some of the game’s newest weapons, character abilities, and enemies. While there will surely be more surprises in store for us in the campaign, versus, and Horde, here are the new features we’ve found so far.
Gears 5: Character Abilities
The characters you use in Escape and Horde are called Hero Characters. Each of these characters is equipped with a passive and ultimate ability. We only know about the following three characters who have a unique connection to Escape, but The Coalition said more will be added to Escape. We have yet to see who will be playable in Horde.
Below are the in-game descriptions for the three known Hero Characters along with information about their abilities.
Lahni
Role: Scout
Starting Weapon: Talon autopistol
“Equipped with a custom Talon autopistol and super-charged blade, Lahni’s role is to get as close to the enemy as possible and disable them to allow her team to advance. She can sustain a fight using the extra ammo that drops from executions.”
Ultimate Ability: Electroblade
Passive Ability: One in five executed enemies drop pilfer pickups.
Keegan
Role: Support
Starting Weapon: Snub Pistol
“Ever team needs support. When Keegan activates his Resupply ability, he can replenish his team with much needed ammo. Before the team rushes into combat, Keegan can mark targets to help guide the fight. Anyone killing those targets will help recharge Keegan’s Ultimate.
Ultimate Ability: Resupply
Passive Ability: When enemies marked by Keegan die, his Ultimate ability will recharge a bit.
Mac
Role: Tank
Starting Weapon: Boltok Pistol
“Mac is equipped with a powerful shield ability that he can activate instantly. It can be used to advance, or retreat when necessary. With skill cards, the shield can be upgraded into a powerful tool for the team.”
Ultimate Ability: Barrier – Deploys an invulnerable shield in front of Mac that moves with him.
Passive Ability: Damage Mac takes recharges his Ultimate ability.
Learn more about each of these new Gears 5 characters in the Escape story feature.
New Gears 5 Weapons and Equipment
There have been five new weapons and a grenade confirmed so far for Gears 5:
Talon Autopistol
This new automatic pistol is Lahni’s starting weapon in Escape. It’s best at close range.
Cryo Cannon
The Cryo Cannon can freeze enemies if they’re in the Cryo Cannon’s short-range blast long enough.
Breaker Mace
This Swarm melee weapon is a powerful tool. As far as we’ve seen it’s dropped by a Warden. Though he carries two Breaker Mace, you’ll only be able to carry one. The Breaker Mace’s melee is a faster attack, and it’s RT attack is a heavier, longer strike. Unlike the Cryo Cannon, it can be stored in your weapons menu.
Claw LMG
This is a “hard-hitting heavy rifle” created by the Swarm. IGN was told that the crystals lining the bottom of the LMG can stop a Lancer’s chainsaw.
Flashbang Grenade
As you’d probably expect, this is a “concussive grenade that stuns and blinds enemies.”
Lancer Grenade Launcher
This is described as a “modern tactical variant of the COG assault rifle equipped with mortar.”
New Gears 5 Enemies
Swarm Flock
This new Swarm enemy is a tanky terror. Made up of a bunch of Leeches, the Flock travels as a pack and charges as a pack. One of their moves is a disturbing flesh vortex that can pull unsuspecting players into their grasp.
Leeches
The flock is made up of tons of Leeches. If some break off from the Flock, they’ll chase players and explode.
We’re sure to see even more new enemies and weapons as more is revealed about Gears 5. If you’re looking for more on Escape, be sure to read our hands-on impressions with the new mode for this Xbox One game and PC game and check out the IGN First for Gears 5 hub for even more coverage. Gears 5 has a scheduled release date of September 10, 2019.
Miranda Sanchez is an executive editor at IGN. You can chat with her about video games and anime on Twitter.
