Once they hit the center of your screen, fire.

In very close combat, where you are rolling and moving right next to the enemy, don't worry about aiming with the left trigger.

In tight quarters, the player with the best shotgun skills will always get the kill, and the extreme power of the gun in close-range means good players only need 1-2 shots to get the job done. Hands down, the most important weapon in Gears of War is the Gnasher shotgun. Learn to wield your shotgun with speed and precision. Simply point the way you want to move and hit A twice in rapid succession. This is good for a burst of movement in any direction. This is the most effective way to leave cover. Simply pull back on the control stick and you'll peel off cover without a big dramatic movement, letting you resume the fight in place.

Pull back on the stick to leave cover in place.

Once you left go of left trigger you'll automatically slide back into cover to reload or gain health. Left trigger lets you pop out, aiming your gun and shooting while staying partially in cover.

Hold left trigger to pop out and shoot.

Only useful with a shotgun, when an unsuspecting player is about to cross your cover. Without exposing your character, this fires your gun around or above the cover.

Press the right trigger to blind fire.

Good players will notice and take free shots. This is a risky move, as it is a set 1-second animation that you cannot move during.

Press A and forward to jump over the barrier and/or sprint to the next nearby cover.

Understanding these, and using them to your advantage, is vital to success: Once you're in cover and you character is pressed against a wall, you have a couple of options for your next move.

Gears of war 1 weapons