Welcome to Gur Mat’s definitive rundown of weapons, stats, and practical fighting strategies in The Escapists. Whether you’re preparing for a guard takedown or just trying to stay alive during your daily routine, this guide will walk you through the crucial elements of combat effectiveness—from understanding your stats to crafting the best weapon for your playstyle.
Understanding Core Combat Stats: Strength and Fitness
Before diving into the arsenal, it’s vital to grasp what makes your character effective in a fight. The Strength stat doesn’t just determine how hard you hit—it also directly affects how much damage you can take. Think of it as your offense and defense bundled into one. High strength lets you punch through enemy health faster while soaking up more punishment yourself.
Meanwhile, Fitness governs how quickly you can swing your weapon. A beginner’s 30 fitness might have a medium-speed weapon swing every two seconds. Crank that up to 100, and you’re cutting the interval to a swift one-second cycle. This makes fitness an unsung hero in the realm of fast-paced skirmishes, allowing you to dominate foes through sheer speed alone.
Let’s visualize it: with a high fitness score and something like a bleach bottle (used here as a makeshift weapon), you’re landing blows twice as often—an enormous advantage in drawn-out fights.
Weapon Choices: Contraband and Non-Contraband Favorites
Not every fight ends cleanly, and when it doesn’t, your choice of weapon can determine whether you limp away or stand tall. Gur Mat favors two items in particular for daily use: bleach and the infirmary outfit. Why? Because they’re not contraband. You can fail, get caught, and return to fighting without worry—no heat for illegal items. Bleach even pulls double duty as a crafting component for makeshift infirmary gear.
But when you’re ready to bring serious damage, it’s time to break out the contraband.
Whips, Bats, and Nunchucks: The Heavy Hitters
If you’re into long-range melee combat, the whip (crafted with timber, wire, and duct tape) is a fantastic option. For those who want to upgrade to a super whip, add a razor and another duct tape—though finding a razor can be quite the task, making this weapon less practical on many maps.
That’s where the super baseball bat shines. Begin with timber and duct tape for the base bat, then combine with nails and more duct tape. The result? A high-damage, long-range bruiser of a weapon. Its speed may be on the slower side, but when you pair this with a run-and-gun strategy, it more than compensates. Land your hit, back off, repeat—just like Gur Mat does.
Still, no weapon balances range, speed, and damage quite like the nunchucks. With high damage, medium speed, and medium range, they’re Gur Mat’s personal favorite. Fast enough to keep pressure, strong enough to end fights fast, and balanced enough for most scenarios.
One-Hit Wonders and Quick Crafts
Sometimes you don’t want a fight—you want a statement. That’s when the cup of molten chocolate comes in. Made with a bar of chocolate, a lighter, and a cup, this item is a guaranteed one-hit knockout against guards. Perfect if you’re after a key or trying to disrupt guard patrols without a prolonged scuffle.
Equally handy is the often-underestimated sock mace. Everyone knows about the sock + soap combo, but Gur Mat also points out the super sock mace, made using a battery and a sock. Medium damage, high speed, low range—ideal for tight quarters where movement is restricted.
When space is tight and you’re playing it stealthy, the humble comb shiv is your friend. Just attack a wall with a comb, and you’ve got a quick, disposable weapon. Low damage, yes—but with high attack speed, it’s often enough to drop a guard in just a few hits.
Fighting Style: Run-and-Gun and Stamina Control
The run-and-gun approach is Gur Mat’s signature. Lure your enemy into a chosen space—ideally indoors, where you’re not in sniper range—and stay mobile. Circle back, bait their attack, then land your hit. Rinse and repeat. This method controls the tempo, lets you avoid hits, and gives you the upper hand.
But when you do get hit, blocking becomes essential. Block as needed, but remember: each block drains 10% of your stamina. In long fights, stamina is as valuable as health. Stock up on adrenaline shots beforehand to replenish energy mid-fight. This little boost can be the difference between victory and getting dragged off to solitary.
Don’t forget to manage your heat. After a fight, lie low and let the heat drop—go outside while your heat is high, and you’ll be sniper fodder in seconds. Gur Mat wisely avoids outdoor combat unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re socking inmates in the shower or taking down guards for keys, choosing the right weapon and strategy makes all the difference. Combine high strength with solid fitness, keep a reliable weapon at hand, and fight smart—run, block, strike, and retreat. That’s the Gur Mat way.
Now go out there, down those guards, secure your loot, and most importantly—make your escape. Good luck. You deserve it.
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