The Best Openings for Beginners: Mastering the Early Game in Popular Games
When it comes to gaming, the opening moves can make or break your chances of success. For beginners, understanding the best openings is crucial to setting the tone for the rest of the game. Whether you’re diving into a strategy game, a role-playing game, or even a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), the early stages are where you establish your foundation, gather resources, and prepare for the challenges ahead. In this article, we’ll explore the best openings for beginners across various game genres, helping you get a head start and improve your gameplay.

Why Are Openings Important for Beginners?
In many games, the opening is the most critical phase. It’s where you set the pace, gather resources, and determine your strategy. For beginners, a strong opening can help you avoid early mistakes, build confidence, and create opportunities for growth. A poor opening, on the other hand, can lead to a uphill battle that’s difficult to recover from.
For example, in strategy games like Chess or Starcraft II, the opening determines how quickly you can develop your pieces or economy. In MOBAs like League of Legends or DOTA 2, the opening minutes decide how effectively you can farm, harass, or secure objectives. Even in RPGs like The Witcher 3 or Dragon Age, the opening quests and choices shape your character’s progression and story.

1. Quick Development: The Key to Early Success
One of the best openings for beginners is focusing on quick development. This means prioritizing actions that allow you to build momentum early in the game. In strategy games, this could mean rapidly producing units or constructing essential buildings. In RPGs, it might involve completing introductory quests to unlock key abilities or equipment.
Case Study: Starcraft II
In Starcraft II, new players often struggle with managing their economy and production. A popular opening for beginners is the “Quick Command Center” build, which allows Terran players to expand their base early and start generating additional resources. This opening is simple to execute and provides a solid foundation for future expansion.

2. Control the Pace: Dictate the Flow of the Game
Another effective opening strategy is to control the pace of the game. This involves taking actions that force your opponent to react to you, rather than the other way around. For beginners, this can be as simple as securing key objectives, harassing enemy units, or disrupting their economy.
Case Study: League of Legends
In League of Legends, controlling the pace often means focusing on map dominance. For example, champions like Ryze or Anivia are great for beginners because they have strong early-game abilities that allow them to harass enemies and secure minion kills. By controlling the laning phase, you can deny gold and experience to your opponent, giving you an advantage as the game progresses.

3. Economy First: Build a Strong Foundation
In many games, the key to success lies in building a strong economy. This is especially true for beginners, who may not yet have the mechanical skills to outplay their opponents in direct confrontations. By focusing on economy-first openings, you can gather resources, produce units, and prepare for the mid-game.
Case Study: Age of Empires IV
In Age of Empires IV, a common opening for beginners is the “Fast Castle” strategy. This involves quickly advancing through the ages while maintaining a strong economy. By focusing on resource gathering and building essential structures, you can create a robust foundation that allows you to transition into the mid-game with confidence.

4. Stealth and Deception: Outsmart Your Opponent
In some games, the best openings involve stealth and deception. By hiding your intentions or misleading your opponent, you can gain a strategic advantage. This is particularly effective in games like Among Us or Deception.
Case Study: Among Us
In Among Us, the opening rounds are all about blending in and avoiding suspicion. For beginners, the best strategy is to focus on completing tasks and avoiding drawing attention to yourself. By staying under the radar, you can reduce the chances of being voted off early in the game.

5. Flexibility: Adapt to the Situation