If you've spent any time on Metro or Warehouse, you've probably felt the frustration of getting hit by a phantom forces wallbang before you even saw an enemy. It's one of those mechanics that feels like a total mystery when you're new, but once you figure out how it works, it completely changes how you approach the game. You stop seeing walls as solid barriers and start seeing them as temporary suggestions of safety.
Let's be real—nothing feels quite as satisfying as tracking a red dot on your radar and spraying through a wooden crate to get that "Wallbang" bonus message. But how do you actually get consistent at it? It isn't just about closing your eyes and holding down the left mouse button. There's a bit of math, a bit of map knowledge, and a lot of intuition involved.
Understanding the Penetration Mechanic
The most important thing to wrap your head around is the "stud" system. In Phantom Forces, every weapon has a specific penetration depth measured in studs. If a wall is thicker than your gun's penetration value, your bullets are just going to disappear into the drywall. If the wall is thinner, your bullet goes through but loses some of its damage on the way.
Most SMGs and pistols have pretty pathetic penetration. You might get through a thin wooden fence, but that's about it. If you're trying to land a phantom forces wallbang with an MP5K, you're probably wasting your ammo. On the flip side, Battle Rifles, Snipers, and LMGs are the kings of this mechanic. When you're rocking something like an SCAR-H or an Intervention, those thin concrete walls in Desert Storm start looking a lot less solid.
You can check these stats in the advanced menu for any weapon. Look for the "Penetration Depth" stat. If it says 0.5, you aren't shooting through much. If it says 3.0 or higher, you're basically playing a different game.
Choosing the Right Tools for the Job
If you really want to lean into the wallbanging playstyle, you have to pick the right gear. Some guns are just built for it. The M60 is a classic for a reason—it's got a massive magazine and enough punch to tear through most cover. You just find a hallway, aim where you think they are, and let it rip.
But it isn't just about the gun; the ammo you use matters a ton. If you've been ignoring the ammo attachments, you're missing out. Armor Piercing (AP) rounds are the gold standard for anyone looking to maximize their phantom forces wallbang potential. AP rounds essentially double your penetration depth, but there's a catch: they kill your effective range. You'll be able to shoot through thicker walls, but you'll do less damage at a distance. For maps like Warehouse, that trade-off is almost always worth it.
Then you've got stuff like the BFG 50. It's a bit of a meme weapon, sure, but its penetration is terrifying. You can hit people through multiple walls and still get a one-shot kill. It's obnoxious to play against, but hey, if the game lets you do it, why not use it?
The Best Maps for Shooting Through Cover
Not all maps are created equal. If you're playing on a map like Mirage, wallbanging is a bit harder because the distances are so huge and the buildings are thick. But if you're on Warehouse? That map is basically made of paper. Almost every single wall on Warehouse can be shot through with a standard assault rifle. If you see someone run into a building, don't stop shooting. Just follow their path through the wall.
Metro is another great one. Those blue escalators and the pillars in the main hallway offer a false sense of security. If you know someone is crouching behind one of those pillars to reload, you can usually snag a phantom forces wallbang kill by aiming just to the side of where you last saw them.
Desert Storm is a bit more technical. You have to know which walls are thin enough. The little shacks and the edges of the stone buildings are usually fair game. It takes a bit of trial and error to learn what's "soft" and what's "hard" cover.
Using the Radar to Your Advantage
You don't need wallhacks to see people through walls; the game literally gives you a mini-map. This is where the real skill comes in. Whenever an enemy fires an unsuppressed weapon, they pop up as a red dot on your radar.
If you see a red dot sitting still behind a wall, that's your cue. You don't need line of sight. You just align yourself, point your barrel toward where that dot would be in 3D space, and fire. It's a bit of a guessing game regarding the height—usually, aiming at chest level is the safest bet—but you'll be surprised how often you connect.
Combine this with high-quality headphones. If you can hear footsteps on the other side of a door, you don't need to wait for the door to open. A well-timed phantom forces wallbang through the door frame will catch most players completely off guard. They'll probably call you a hacker in the chat, but that's just part of the experience.
Why People Think It's Cheating
Speaking of hackers, let's talk about the "salt" factor. Wallbanging is one of the most common reasons people get kicked from lobbies. To a new player who doesn't understand the penetration mechanics, getting killed through a solid brick wall feels like someone is cheating.
The trick to avoiding the "votekick" is to make it look intentional but not impossible. If you're spraying a wall for 30 seconds and eventually get a kill, people get it. If you're snapping to heads through walls perfectly every time, yeah, people are going to get suspicious. Just keep in mind that the phantom forces wallbang is a legitimate part of the game's design. The developers put those penetration values there for a reason.
Final Tips for Better Wall Pen
If you're struggling to get the hang of it, try this: go into a private server or a quiet corner of a match and just test your gun. Shoot a wall and see if the bullet hole appears on the other side. It sounds basic, but you'll start to develop a "feel" for what your gun can handle.
Also, don't forget about "probing" shots. If you think someone is behind a crate, fire a single shot or a short burst. If you see a hitmarker, you've found them. Once you get that white or red X on your screen, don't let go of the trigger. Keep your aim steady on that spot until they're down.
At the end of the day, getting good at the phantom forces wallbang is about being proactive. Don't wait for the enemy to show their face. If you have the caliber to go through the wall, use it. It forces the other team to play much more cautiously and gives you a massive tactical edge in almost every firefight.
So next time you're on Warehouse with an LMG, don't just wait for people to come around the corner. Give the walls a little taste of your ammo and see what happens. You might be surprised at how many kills you've been leaving on the table.