Mastering Looting in PUBG Mobile: Grab Gear Faster and Smarter

Looting efficiently in PUBG Mobile can be the difference between an early exit and a Chicken Dinner. Wasting precious seconds on unnecessary items or fumbling with your backpack mid-fight can cost you the match. Whether you’re a casual player or pushing for higher ranks, optimizing your looting strategy will give you an edge over the competition.

While smart looting helps you get better gear faster, having enough in-game currency can also enhance your experience. If you want to grab premium items or skins, using PUBG Top-ups can help you get the customization and battle pass upgrades you need. But even with the best cosmetics, your survival still depends on how quickly and efficiently you loot in-game.

In this guide, we'll break down the essentials of fast and effective looting—from drop locations to inventory management. Let’s dive in.

The First Few Seconds: Where and How to Drop

Landing in the right spot is half the battle when it comes to looting. If you pick a poor location, you’ll either struggle to find good loot or get eliminated before you can fully gear up.

Hot Drops vs. Quiet Zones

Some areas are known for high-tier loot but come with the risk of early combat. Hot drop locations like Pochinki, Sosnovka Military Base, and Hacienda del Patrón are great for players who thrive in chaos. If you can loot quickly and survive the initial skirmish, you’ll have excellent gear.

On the other hand, quieter zones like farmhouses, small clusters of buildings, or remote edges of the map offer slower but safer looting. These areas give you more time to loot systematically without immediate pressure.

Prioritizing Loot on Landing

Once you hit the ground, don’t waste time searching for specific items. Pick up whatever weapons, ammo, and armor you find first. Even a pistol is better than running around unarmed. From there, you can swap out gear for better alternatives as you go.

Inventory Priorities: What to Loot First

1. Weapons and Ammo

Your first priority should be grabbing a primary weapon with sufficient ammo. Ideally, you’ll want an assault rifle (AR) or a submachine gun (SMG) to handle early fights. If possible, pick up two different weapon types to cover close and long-range encounters.

2. Armor and Helmets

A level 2 vest and helmet provide solid protection. If you find level 3 gear early, you’re in great shape, but level 1 armor is still better than none. Never skip armor just because it’s not the highest tier.

3. Healing Items

Health kits, bandages, and energy drinks can turn the tide of a battle. Always have at least one first aid kit and a few boosts on hand. If you have to leave some behind, prioritize painkillers and energy drinks over bandages.

4. Attachments

Attachments can improve your weapon’s performance, but don’t waste too much time searching for the perfect setup right away. Grab suppressors, compensators, and extended magazines when you find them, but keep moving.

Optimizing Your Backpack: Avoid Clutter

Drop Unnecessary Ammo

Carrying too much of the wrong ammo type is a common mistake. Stick to the rounds you actually need—if you’re using an M416 and UMP, there’s no reason to hoard sniper rifle ammo.

Limit Throwables

Grenades can be game-changers, but carrying too many eats up space. Stick to one or two frag grenades and a smoke grenade for emergencies.

Manage Your Healing Supplies

Two first aid kits, five bandages, and a few boosts are usually enough. Anything more than that becomes excessive unless you’re playing a squad match where extra supplies are shared.

The Fast Looting Technique: Speed Matters

Use the Auto-Pickup Feature Wisely

PUBG Mobile’s auto-pickup feature is great, but it’s not perfect. Customize it in the settings to prioritize your preferred weapons and gear so you don’t waste time manually picking up everything.

Use Quick Swaps Instead of Dropping Items Manually

If you find a better weapon, pick it up directly instead of manually dropping your old one. This prevents you from standing still and making yourself an easy target.

Loot While Moving

Always stay in motion when looting, especially in high-risk areas. Crouching and strafing while picking up items makes you harder to hit.

Smart Looting Under Pressure

Check for Danger Before Looting a Crate

After a kill, don’t immediately rush to loot the enemy’s crate. Look around for potential threats first. If possible, throw a smoke grenade before looting to create cover.

Don’t Get Greedy

Only take what you need. If you already have solid gear, looting for an extra few rounds of ammo isn’t worth risking your life.

Listen for Footsteps

Enemy players might be waiting to ambush you while you loot. Keep your volume up and listen for movement nearby. If you hear footsteps, disengage from looting immediately.

High-Level Looting Strategies for Competitive Play

Loot Sharing in Squad Matches

If you’re playing in a squad, communicate with your teammates about loot distribution. There’s no point in hoarding healing supplies when your teammate is running low. Sharing gear keeps your whole team stronger.

Loot Traps and Baiting Enemies

You can use loot as bait. Drop a high-value item like a level 3 helmet in an open area and wait for unsuspecting enemies to grab it. This tactic works best in high-traffic zones.

Late-Game Loot Adjustments

As the match progresses, shift your loot priorities. In the late game, having excess healing supplies and smoke grenades is more important than carrying extra ammo. Prepare for final-circle encounters by keeping enough utility items on hand.