Saints Row: The Third Early Combat and Weapon Upgrade Guide

To survive and win early combat encounters in Saints Row: The Third, replace your base sidearm immediately by looting rapid-fire weapons from fallen enemies, invest your initial cash into weapon reload speed and magazine capacity upgrades, and maintain constant mobility during firefights.

Early Firepower and Weapon Upgrades

Standard starting pistols are insufficient against aggressive Syndicate members who flank and utilize cover. Transition to automatic firearms or shotguns early to suppress enemies and clear groups quickly.

• Looting Enemies: Defeated Syndicate targets and elite foes guarding objectives frequently drop submachine guns and shotguns. Pick up these weapons immediately during early missions to boost your damage output.
• Upgrade Priorities: Spend your mission earnings on weapon upgrades before buying cosmetics or vehicles. Focus on reload speed and magazine capacity first to minimize downtime during combat, then invest in raw damage output for your primary automatic weapons.

Combat Positioning and Movement

Standing still during firefights leaves you exposed to enemy grenades and concentrated gunfire. Continuous movement is your main defense in urban combat.

• Relocate Constantly: Rotate positions regularly so hostiles cannot flank your cover. If an enemy throws a grenade, abandon your position immediately rather than returning fire.
• Objective Defense: When holding an area or defending a point, position yourself near the perimeter of the zone. This forces approaching enemies into predictable lines of sight.
• Environmental Hazards: Shoot explosive barrels or fuel tanks near clustered enemies to clear groups without spending excess ammunition.

Managing Vehicle Combat and Pursuits

Many early campaign encounters involve vehicle chases and hostile reinforcement waves. Handling these situations effectively requires active target selection and vehicle management.

1. Target Pursuit Drivers and Tires: Use your sidearm while driving to target the tires or engines of pursuing vehicles. Disabling hostiles forces them into spins and creates temporary roadblocks.
2. Select High-Durability Vehicles: Choose durable vehicles for escape missions. If your transport smokes or takes heavy damage, replace it immediately to prevent your health bar from being exposed.
3. Control Reinforcement Choke Points: When a wanted level triggers waves of enemy vehicles, take cover near spawn choke points to eliminate drivers before they exit their vehicles.