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Gang Beasts Beginner Guide

A simple guide for new players on how to move, grab, lift, throw, climb back up, survive longer, and win more silly fights. Pick your control scheme below.

The Big Idea

Gang Beasts is not a precise fighting game. It is a floppy physics brawler. The best players are not always the ones who mash the fastest. They are the ones who understand grabbing, lifting, balance, ledges, and hazards.

Beginner rule: If you only learn one thing, learn how to use LB and RB. The bumper buttons control your arms. Holding them lets you grab opponents, walls, rails, doors, objects, and ledges.

Basic Xbox Controller Controls

Action	Xbox Input	Beginner Notes
Move	Left Stick	Push gently for small movements. Avoid running near edges until you feel comfortable.
Jump	A	Useful for dodging, climbing, and jump attacks.
Run	Hold A while moving	Running gives throws and attacks more momentum, but makes you easier to fling off the stage.
Kick	X	Good for quick disruption, but usually weaker than grabs and headbutts.
Headbutt	B	One of the best simple attacks. Great before grabbing.
Duck / Crawl / Lean	Hold B or use directional movement while low	Can help you wiggle out, crawl, or avoid some attacks.
Left punch / left grab	LB	Tap to punch. Hold to grab with the left hand.
Right punch / right grab	RB	Tap to punch. Hold to grab with the right hand.
Grab with both hands	Hold LB + RB	Best for lifting, dragging, climbing, and throwing.
Lift	Hold Y while grabbing	Use this after grabbing an opponent or object.
Change camera	D-Pad	Useful if the camera angle makes the ledge or hazard hard to see.

Important: Button behavior can feel different depending on whether you tap or hold. In Gang Beasts, holding buttons is often more important than tapping them.

The Most Important Skill: Grab, Lift, Drop

This is the beginner combo that wins lots of rounds.

Get close to an opponent.
Hold LB + RB to grab with both hands.
Hold Y to lift them.
Walk toward an edge, grinder, fire, train tracks, fan, or other hazard.
Release LB + RB when you want to drop or throw them.

Which buttons do you release? Release LB/RB to let go. You can often release Y once they are lifted, but keep holding LB/RB until the exact moment you want to drop or throw them.

Useful Beginner Combos

Headbutt then Grab

B, then hold LB + RB

Use a headbutt to stun or interrupt someone, then immediately grab them before they recover.

Two-Hand Lift

Hold LB + RB, then hold Y

Your most reliable setup for tossing opponents, moving objects, and controlling fights.

Edge Drop

Grab, lift, walk to edge, release LB + RB

Do not overthink it. Gang Beasts is often about removing opponents, not damaging them.

Run Throw

Grab, lift, hold A while moving, release LB + RB

Running adds momentum. Be careful: you can accidentally run off the stage too.

Jump Kick

A, then X

Good for surprise attacks. If you miss, you may fall down and become easy to grab.

Dropkick

Run with A, then press or hold X

A risky but funny way to knock someone back. Use it when there is space behind your target.

Flying Headbutt

Run with A, then press B

Can knock people down quickly. Try not to launch yourself into a hazard.

Cling to Survive

Hold LB + RB near a wall or ledge

When falling, hold both bumpers and push toward the wall. A lucky grab can save the round.

How to Climb Back Up

Climbing feels strange at first, but it is one of the best survival skills in the game.

Face the wall or ledge.
Hold LB + RB to grab the wall with both hands.
Keep holding the bumpers.
Press A repeatedly to pull yourself upward.
Use Y while grabbing to help lift your body.

Practice drill: Start a local game, walk to a ledge on purpose, hang from it, then climb back up three times. Do this before trying fancy attacks. It will save you more rounds than any punch combo.

Fighting Tips That Actually Help

Do not only mash punches. Tapping LB/RB punches, but holding LB/RB grabs. Grabs are usually more important.
Use headbutts up close. A quick B can interrupt someone long enough for you to grab them.
Stay away from edges unless you are in control. Beginners often eliminate themselves by fighting too close to the drop.
Drag instead of throw. If throwing feels hard, just hold LB + RB and walk backward toward a hazard.
Let the stage help you. Elevators, trucks, trains, fans, grinders, signs, and fire are more dangerous than your punches.
Grab rails and walls when chaos starts. If the floor moves, hold something solid.
Use objects. Barrels, boxes, signs, and doors can block people, knock them down, or give you something to hold onto.
Do not panic when knocked down. Wait a moment, then move away or grab something. Button mashing can make you roll into danger.

Throwing: Why It Sometimes Feels Weak

Throws in Gang Beasts are not huge wrestling throws. They are short, awkward, physics-based tosses. To get better throws:

Use both hands: hold LB + RB.
Lift first with Y.
Move or run toward the direction you want them to go.
Release LB + RB near the edge or hazard.
Try turning your body as you release to add sideways momentum.

Common mistake: Releasing Y but still holding LB/RB will not let them go. To drop or throw, release the grab buttons.

Simple Game Plan for Beginners

Survive first. Stay near the middle of the stage until you understand the map.
Wait for chaos. Let other players grab each other, then attack the distracted player.
Headbutt, grab, lift. Use B, then LB + RB, then Y.
Use hazards. Carry or drag opponents toward edges, fans, fire, grinders, water, or moving vehicles.
Hold on when things move. If the stage shakes, shifts, or collapses, grab a wall, rail, or object.

Beginner Practice Routine

Use this routine for five minutes before playing seriously.

Practice	Input	Goal
Move and stop	Left Stick	Learn how slippery your character feels.
Grab with one hand	Hold LB, then hold RB	Understand how each arm works.
Two-hand grab	Hold LB + RB	Grab walls, rails, objects, and opponents.
Lift	Hold LB + RB, then Y	Pick up objects or players.
Drop	Release LB + RB	Build the habit of releasing the grab buttons.
Climb	Hold LB + RB, press A repeatedly	Recover from ledges.
Attack into grab	B, then hold LB + RB	Turn a hit into control.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Letting go too early: Keep holding LB/RB until you are ready to drop the opponent.
Forgetting to lift: Grabbing alone is not the same as picking someone up. Use Y.
Running everywhere: Hold A to run, but running makes falls and self-KOs more likely.
Ignoring the map: Many rounds are won by hazards, not direct combat.
Not grabbing while falling: Hold LB + RB when falling near anything climbable.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

What You Want	What To Press
Join game / confirm	A
Run	Hold A while moving
Punch	Tap LB or RB
Grab	Hold LB or RB
Best grab	Hold LB + RB
Lift	Hold Y while grabbing
Throw / drop	Release LB + RB
Headbutt	B
Kick	X
Jump kick	A, then X
Climb	Hold LB + RB, press A repeatedly

Final Beginner Advice

Do not worry about looking graceful. Nobody looks graceful in Gang Beasts. Focus on three habits: grab with both hands, lift before throwing, and grab ledges when falling. Once those feel natural, start adding dropkicks, flying headbutts, run throws, and object attacks.

Control labels may vary slightly by platform settings or custom bindings.

The Big Idea

Gang Beasts is a floppy physics brawler. Keyboard play feels awkward at first because several actions require holding keys at the same time. Do not worry if your character looks ridiculous. That is normal.

Beginner rule: Learn the two arm buttons first. Use Left Mouse Button for the left hand and Right Mouse Button for the right hand. Holding both hands is the key to grabbing opponents, lifting them, climbing ledges, and surviving falls.

Keyboard Controls at a Glance

WASD
Move

Space
Jump

Space
Hold + move to run

M
Kick

M
Hold to lie down

Ctrl
Headbutt / duck

Shift
Lift / taunt

LMB
Left punch / grab

RMB
Right punch / grab

Good setup: Keep one hand on WASD, Space, Shift, and Ctrl. Keep your other hand on the mouse for left and right grabs.

Basic Keyboard and Mouse Controls

Action	Keyboard / Mouse Input	Beginner Notes
Move	WASD	Use small movements near edges. Do not sprint everywhere.
Jump	Space	Useful for climbing, dodging, and jump attacks.
Run	Hold Space while moving with WASD	Running gives momentum but makes you less controlled.
Sit	Hold Space while standing still	Funny, but not usually useful in a fight.
Kick	M	Good for dropkicks and quick disruption.
Lie down	Hold M	Can help you flop, dodge, or be annoying.
Duck / headbutt	Ctrl	Tap for a headbutt. Hold for duck/crawl behavior.
Crawl	Hold Ctrl and move	Useful when knocked low or trying to wiggle away.
Lift	Shift while grabbing	Use after grabbing someone or something.
Taunt	Hold Shift	Mostly for style. Not safe near enemies.
Left punch / grab	Left Mouse Button or ,	Tap to punch. Hold to grab.
Right punch / grab	Right Mouse Button or .	Tap to punch. Hold to grab.
Show nametags	Hold Q	Useful in crowded matches.
Scoreboard	Hold Tab	Checks match score.
Camera	Left Arrow / Right Arrow	Changes camera angle.
Menu	Esc	Pause or open menu options.

Important: Keyboard controls can be rebound in the game settings. If M, Ctrl, or Shift feels uncomfortable, consider changing them.

The Most Important Skill: Grab, Lift, Drop

This is the beginner combo that wins lots of rounds.

Get close to an opponent.
Hold Left Mouse Button + Right Mouse Button to grab with both hands.
While still holding both mouse buttons, press or hold Shift to lift them.
Walk toward an edge, fire, grinder, fan, train track, or other hazard.
Release Left Mouse Button + Right Mouse Button when you want to let go.

Do you release Shift or the mouse buttons? Release the grab buttons to let go. You use Shift to lift, but the hands are controlled by LMB and RMB. Keep the mouse buttons held until the moment you want to drop or throw.

Useful Keyboard Combos

Move	Input	Why It Helps
Two-hand grab	Hold LMB + RMB	Best basic grab. Stronger and more reliable than one hand.
Lift opponent	Hold LMB + RMB, then press/hold Shift	Sets up throws, drops, and hazard kills.
Throw/drop	Release LMB + RMB	This is the release point. Let go when they are over the edge or hazard.
Drag opponent	Hold LMB + RMB, then move with WASD	Great for pulling someone toward danger.
Headbutt then grab	Tap Ctrl, then hold LMB + RMB	Try to stun them before grabbing.
Dropkick	Move + hold Space, then press M	A beginner-friendly attack with momentum.
Jump kick	Space, then M	Good for knocking someone back, but risky near edges.
Flying headbutt	Run or jump, then tap Ctrl	Can knock players out, but can also knock you out.
Climb ledge	Hold LMB + RMB on the ledge, then press Space repeatedly	Your main recovery tool when hanging off the stage.
Hang on for survival	Hold LMB + RMB toward wall/ledge	When falling, grab anything you touch.

How to Climb Back Up

Climbing is one of the most important survival skills in Gang Beasts.

Face the ledge or wall.
Hold LMB + RMB to grab the ledge with both hands.
Keep holding both mouse buttons.
Press Space repeatedly to pull yourself upward.
Use WASD to wiggle toward the platform.

Practice drill: Start a private match and intentionally hang from ledges. Practice grabbing, holding, jumping, and climbing until you can recover without panicking.

Beginner Battle Plan

Start simple

Do not try every move at once. Use headbutt, grab, lift, and drop as your basic strategy.

Use hazards

Most wins come from the map, not from fancy punches. Drag opponents toward edges, fire, grinders, fans, elevators, and moving vehicles.

Do not overcommit

If you grab someone near an edge, they can drag you down too. Be ready to release and back away.

Stay low when needed

Use Ctrl and M to duck, crawl, flop, or make yourself harder to grab cleanly.

Throwing Tips

Grab first, lift second. If you press Shift without a solid grab, nothing useful happens.
Use both hands. One-hand throws are possible, but two-hand grabs are easier for beginners.
Walk before you release. Movement creates momentum, making throws stronger.
Release the grab buttons. Let go with LMB + RMB, not just Shift.
A knocked-out opponent is easier to throw. Try a headbutt or dropkick before lifting.
Do not throw from too far away. The safest beginner method is carrying them right to the edge and dropping them.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake	Why It Hurts You	Better Habit
Mashing every key	Your character becomes harder to control.	Hold grab buttons calmly and move with purpose.
Only punching	Punches are useful, but grabbing wins rounds.	Punch or headbutt to stun, then grab.
Running near edges	You accidentally launch yourself off the stage.	Walk near edges unless you are attacking.
Letting go while climbing	You fall before you recover.	Keep holding LMB + RMB until safely back on the platform.
Holding an opponent too long	They can wake up and drag you down.	Lift and drop quickly when you have the chance.
Ignoring the map	You miss the easiest ways to win.	Fight near hazards, but stay on the safe side.

Map Survival Tips

Trucks and trains

Do not stand between moving vehicles or near signs. Grab rails and walls if you start sliding.

Grinders and fans

Drag opponents close, then release. Do not hold them so long that they pull you in too.

Elevators

Stay near the center when the platform moves. Edges become dangerous quickly.

Rooftops and ledges

Use two-hand grabs for recovery. If someone grabs you, try headbutting or kicking before they lift you.

Keyboard Comfort Tips

Use mouse buttons for arms. They are usually easier than using comma and period for grabs.
Try rebinding awkward keys. Many players find default keyboard controls less comfortable than a controller.
Practice one combo at a time. Start with grab + lift + release before learning dropkicks.
Keep your camera angle comfortable. Use arrow keys if the stage becomes hard to read.
Expect chaos. Gang Beasts rewards timing and patience, but the physics will always be silly.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Goal	Input
Move	WASD
Jump	Space
Run	Hold Space + move
Headbutt	Ctrl
Kick	M
Grab both hands	Hold LMB + RMB
Lift	Hold grabs, then press/hold Shift
Throw/drop	Release LMB + RMB
Climb	Hold LMB + RMB, press Space repeatedly
Show nametags	Hold Q
Menu	Esc

Final Beginner Advice

Beginner guide for Gang Beasts keyboard and mouse play. Controls may vary if you rebind inputs in the game settings. Focus on the core loop — grab with both hands, lift, then drop near a hazard — and add fancier moves once it feels natural.