How To Emote In Once Human: Express Yourself in the Apocalypse

Once Human throws you into a strange and dangerous post-apocalyptic world. Surviving against Aberrants and other players is tough, but sometimes you just want to express yourself. Whether you're celebrating a hard-fought victory, coordinating with your team, or just goofing around, emotes are a vital part of the Once Human experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about emoting in the game.

Emotes are more than just cosmetic fluff. They can be used for quick communication, especially when voice chat isn't available or convenient. Imagine signaling "danger" to your teammates without having to type it out during a heated battle. Or expressing gratitude after someone revives you. Mastering emotes in Once Human can significantly enhance your gameplay and social interactions.

So, let's dive into how to unlock, use, and customize your emotes in Once Human.

1. Accessing the Emote Wheel:

The primary way to access your emotes is through the emote wheel. By default, this is bound to the "B" key on your keyboard. Pressing "B" will bring up a circular menu displaying your currently equipped emotes.

  • Controller Users: The emote wheel is typically mapped to one of the D-pad directions or a combination of buttons. Check your in-game control settings to confirm the exact binding.

2. Using Emotes from the Wheel:

Once the emote wheel is open, simply move your mouse (or joystick for controller users) towards the desired emote icon. Releasing the "B" key (or the corresponding controller button) will then activate that emote. Your character will perform the selected action, and a visual indicator will appear above their head so other players can see what you're doing.

  • Quick Tip: Get familiar with the location of your most frequently used emotes on the wheel. This will allow you to react quickly in dynamic situations.

3. Unlocking New Emotes:

The starting set of emotes in Once Human is fairly limited. To expand your repertoire, you'll need to unlock new ones. There are several ways to do this:

  • Leveling Up: Some emotes are automatically unlocked as you progress through the game and increase your character level. Keep an eye on the level-up rewards as you play.

  • Completing Missions and Quests: Many missions and quests throughout the game offer emotes as rewards. Pay attention to the quest descriptions and prioritize those that offer emotes you want.

  • In-Game Store (Optional): While most emotes are earned through gameplay, some may be available for purchase in the in-game store using the game's premium currency. This is entirely optional and not required to enjoy the emote system.

  • Events and Promotions: Keep an eye out for special in-game events and promotions. These often include limited-time emotes as rewards for participating.

4. Customizing Your Emote Wheel:

The emote wheel isn't static. You can customize it to feature the emotes you use most often. This allows you to quickly access your favorites without having to scroll through a long list.

  • Accessing the Customization Menu: The emote wheel customization menu can usually be found within the game's settings or character customization options. Look for a section labeled "Emotes," "Customize Wheel," or something similar.

  • Assigning Emotes: Within the customization menu, you'll see a visual representation of your emote wheel, with slots for each emote. Simply drag and drop emotes from your available collection into the desired slots on the wheel.

  • Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different emote configurations. Find a setup that works best for your playstyle and communication needs.

5. Understanding Different Emote Types:

Once Human features a variety of emote types, each with its own unique animation and purpose. Here are a few common categories:

  • Social Emotes: These are used for general communication and interaction, such as waving, clapping, laughing, or crying.

  • Combat Emotes: These emotes can be used to signal tactical information or express your feelings during combat, such as taunting, celebrating a victory, or signaling danger.

  • Dance Emotes: These emotes allow your character to perform various dance moves, perfect for celebrating with your team or just having some fun.

  • Item-Related Emotes: Some emotes are tied to specific items or actions. For example, you might have an emote that allows you to show off a weapon or resource.

6. Using Emotes Strategically:

While emotes are primarily used for self-expression, they can also be used strategically in certain situations:

  • Non-Verbal Communication: Use emotes to communicate with teammates when voice chat is unavailable or when you need to be discreet. For example, use the "point" emote to highlight a location of interest or the "danger" emote to warn of approaching enemies.

  • Mind Games: In PvP situations, emotes can be used to taunt opponents or throw them off their game. However, be careful not to overdo it, as this can backfire.

  • Building Relationships: Use emotes to express gratitude, offer assistance, or simply show camaraderie to other players. This can help you build positive relationships and form alliances.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Overusing Emotes: While emotes are fun, spamming them can be annoying to other players. Use them sparingly and appropriately.

  • Using Inappropriate Emotes: Be mindful of the context and avoid using emotes that could be considered offensive or disrespectful.

  • Ignoring the Situation: Don't get so caught up in emoting that you forget to pay attention to your surroundings. Always prioritize your safety and the needs of your team.

8. Staying Updated:

The emote system in Once Human is likely to evolve over time, with new emotes being added and existing features being refined. Stay updated by:

  • Reading Patch Notes: Pay attention to the official patch notes released by the developers. These often include information about new emotes and changes to the emote system.

  • Following Community Forums: Join the Once Human community forums and social media channels. This is a great way to learn about new emotes and share tips with other players.

  • Experimenting: Don't be afraid to try out new emotes and features as they are added to the game.

Express Yourself and Survive!

Mastering emotes in Once Human is a great way to enhance your gameplay experience, communicate with other players, and express your personality in the harsh world. By following the tips in this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming an emote pro. So go out there, unlock new emotes, customize your wheel, and start expressing yourself! Just remember to stay vigilant and survive the apocalypse while you're at it. Good luck, and have fun!