You’ve heard the expression “life imitates art”, but the games you play could have huge influences on the way you live too. Here are five lessons we’ve learned from Arena of Valor (AoV) – and they’re just as useful in the game as they are in real life.

AoV’s 5v5 skirmishes are best played with a mishmash of complementary heroes. For instance, tank heroes can head up attacks and make way for damagers such as assassins and mages. Then support players can trail behind to heal the team and get them ready for the next bout of action.

The key to building a cohesive team is to know your strength and playing style. Try out different roles – just like how you’d take on internships and job placements – until you find one that you truly shine in. Once you find your niche, you’ll be one step closer to that next win.

Taking down opposing heroes, shutting down red towers, besting creeps and dragons… there are plenty of ways to contribute to that team win in Garena AoV. To make sure each team member stays on their task without taking over someone else’s, you’ll need to compromise and plan ahead.

While loading a new game, you’ll find in-game prompts that help you connect to your team and come up with a strategy. If you want to go deeper, a group call can really make a difference. That’s when those communication skills you picked up at school and work can come into play.

Before going into a scrum, check the green bar above of your character. If it’s looking a little short, that means your health has taken a hit. And when you’re not feeling your best, it’s generally a good idea to relax and regroup before pushing on.

Hide in a bush, follow your creeps or retreat to your base for a spell. Having that time to recover your strength will help you stay and fight another day.

The world of AoV is filled with jargon, strategies and buzzwords that can be intimidating to newbies. But too many new ideas and tips can actually be a distraction. If you’re new to the game, why not start with the game’s preset skills?

One of the best starter heroes is Valhein, who’s quick on his feet and can freeze his foes in their tracks. Another one you might consider is Violet, a sharpshooter who deals decent damage. Once you’ve mastered these two, you can then build on your experience with more complex heroes and team-ups.

Your personality, quirks and style are what makes you stand out from a crowd, so go on and show off that singular side of you with AoV’s extensive skin wardrobe.

There are, of course, the usual fashion items, but look out for seasonal collaborations too. The game likes to go big, and you’ll find references to everything from a local female idol group to a ’90s Japanese anime.