RELAY RIOT: Quick Survival Guide
How to play the game without dying in the first 5 minutes.
1. How to Play |
2. Controls |
3. Game Rules |
4. Guns |
5. Cops & Heat |
6. Tips
1. How to Play (The Basics)
Your main goal is to capture 3 radio relays before the timer runs out. Here's how a run works:
- Find the marker: Look for the yellow dot on your minimap. That's your relay.
- Capture it: Just walk up and stand next to it. You don't need to press any buttons.
- Get 3 in a row: Once you capture 3 relays, the level resets with a new rule, and you get your health back.
- Watch the clock: If the timer hits zero before you capture the relay, you take damage and the cops will swarm you.
2. Controls
| Key |
Action |
| W, A, S, D |
Walk or drive cars |
| Mouse + Left Click |
Aim and shoot |
| Shift (Hold) |
Walk slower but aim way better |
| 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Swap weapons (Fists, Pistol, SMG, Shotgun) |
| R |
Reload |
| F |
Get in or out of cars |
| G |
Throw a firebomb |
3. Game Rules (District Modes)
Every time you get 3 relays, the map changes its rules. Pay attention to what mode you're in:
- Clear Channel: Normal mode. Good for practicing.
- Jammer Rush: The timer is super fast, but you get way more points. Use cars!
- Static Storm: Stealth mode. Guns cause way more heat. Try to be quiet.
- Slow Burn: Hard mode. Ammo and health barely drop. Make your shots count.
4. Guns & Gear
- Fists: Good for finishing off weak enemies so you don't waste bullets.
- Pistol: You start with this. It's actually pretty good at long range.
- SMG: Sprays bullets fast, but you'll run out of ammo if you just hold the trigger down.
- Shotgun: Kills almost anything up close. Useless from far away.
- Firebomb (G): Throws fire everywhere. Great for crowds, but don't walk into your own fire.
5. Cops, Gangs & "Heat"
There's a wanted level system (stars in the top right corner) from 1 to 5.
- Doing bad stuff = More stars. Shooting guns, hurting innocent people, or failing a relay makes the cops (Wardens) come after you.
- Killing Wardens = Less stars. Weirdly, the only way to lower your wanted level quickly is to kill the Wardens chasing you.
Who is on the street?
- Locals: Innocent people. Don't shoot them, it just gives you stars for no reason.
- Gangs: They will shoot you on sight. They drop okay loot.
- Wardens: The cops. They have good aim and show up when you have stars, but they drop the best health and ammo.
6. Pro-Tips
- Don't aim all the time: Holding Shift makes you an easy target. Only use it when you actually need to hit a far away shot.
- Run away: You don't have to kill everyone. If the timer is low, just steal a car and drive away.
- Combo your kills: Killing enemies fast gives you bonus cash. Throwing a firebomb into a big group is a great way to get rich quick.
- Look at the clock: Keep an eye on the relay timer. Failing a relay hurts a lot.
Updated 2026 // Relay Riot Community Guide