I would like to take a minute to share with you some tricks that I found has increased my performance since I started playing this game.
-Video settings
1024 x 768 resolution or greater....many folks don't think to mess with this but it makes a profound difference in making out friend from foe and makes up for the lower settings mentioned hereafter.
All other quality settings are either low or off expect for effects (medium) and geometry (high). The effects help you make out bursts and the high effects helps mostly with vehicle and boat trails. We have tested almost every combo and this works best. Not much eye candy but it makes for a brighter and usually faster play style.
-Audio Settings
HEADPHONES HEADPHONES HEADPHONES ...sound is a greater detector of enemy intentions than sight at times.
FORIEGN LANGUAGE SETTINGS ALWAYS ON This allows you to identify your enemy more efficiently.
-Targetting
"The black dot" Carried over from AA and CS this trick is almost universal for fps. You simply put a felt-tip marker dot on your screen right int he middle of the cross hair. You should make it as small as you can to the point where you can see it. This helps you fine tune your aim, "pre-aim" whilst running, and "hip shot" the AT rocket without locking on to armor. It takes some getting used to but will improve your sighting over a short time. I know that there is a program that places a red dot on your screen and saw that a number of you consider it a hack but I equate this to getting a g15 or laser mouse in terms of augmentation.
"Left side" Notice that EAs hit boxes that everone complains about is real. Try aiming slightly to the left of targets when using all rifles expect snipers. This applies to leading targets as well. Try it and you will see.
-Recoil Discipline
Its a game but if you want to get better you have to discipline yourself. KEEP YOUR RIFLE ON AUTOMATIC OR GROUP. NO SINGLE SHOT. but.... when you fire it at mid and long range learn to tap it for no more than two or three shots. You don't want to get used to using single shot as it leaves you at a dire disadvantage if you are surprised close range. That fraction of a second between bursts is the difference between hitting and missing.
-Threat detection
Again this takes some patience and discipline. When you come upon a group of enemies learn to rapidly determine which of them is the greatest threat to you and engage that enemy first.
-Go for medics assault and support first in that order....leave the juicy sniper for last.
-If you are "on" a target and you notice that another enemy sees you instantly move to that threat.
-Break Away
Understand that you have a limited supply of ammo and health. It is best to run away and fight another day at times instead of going headlong into a group of enemies. When you enter a skirmish think of your way out first and dont forget to break off and use it.
-Commitment
If you plan on traversing an open distance that will exceed five seconds take one extra second to check both the HUD and your flanks before running out. All the jumping and running in the world will not help you if you are caught out in the open by a (good) enemy that you have not spotted. Keep in mind many good players camp long expanses waiting for you to make this mistake.
-Feint
Alot of times you will see me attack and shift back around a corner or cover without finishing a target if I am seen. I usually let them get a few shots off and when I hear them stop there is a great chance they have broke off to pursue. Use that fraction of a second to turn back and surprise them for a second, and usually final, sortie.
-Kneel
Try to kneel instead of proning as it gives the same advantages without the intterupt in mobility.
-Nade rush
When an enemy has you zeroed in a one on one situation and you hear or see them start to throw nades a good trick is to go opposite of your usual first reflex and instead of running away run towards them for 5 - 10 meters and set up your target once again. They will almost always overshoot and leave themselves open for a finishing sortie.
-Short Camping
When facing a clan or a more teamwork oriented squad make an attempt to hold back and let them make certain moves. The most productive is when you witness a "medic rush" whereby you take one down and see that they have astute medics in tow that follow up and attempt (usually) to instantly revive their fallen mate. When you recognize that you fell one of those members stay put and watch the body....wait for the medic and finish him. This could take up to 5-10 seconds. Be patient or you will face that same number of enemies shortly thereafter.
-Teamspeak Environment
Try to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts and try to shape your TS environement, at least while playing, to lend itself to improving all participants. We don't have many rules in TOP but our unspoken TS rules are fairly strict.
-NO BITCHING not only does this cloud the TS with useless noise but it actually has an ill-effect on the video gamer's version of morale. This should not be tolerated in any form. Bring up negative experiences as challenges or assignments rather than complaints and they will be more productive.
EX (bad): OH I CAN"T BELIEVE I GOT SNIPED....OH JESUS CHRIST WTF WHY ALWAYS ME ......
EX (good): We got snipers camping the security station. I got hit from the south somewhere.
-Compliments When you see a member make a good shot call it.
-Focus (always try to win, forget about your score) If you are losing take a moment to draw the teams attention to what you think needs to be done to change things for that round.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is my favorite tactic
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-Quick switch
I don't remeber where the default key for picking up a kit is but mine is set on "c" so I can easily reach it. I use my pick up button almost as much as my run, jump, kneel, and fire buttons. If you find yourself in a pitched battle which happens frequently in IO take a fraction of a second to notice enemies that you have killed in your vicinity. Make note of what kit they had and if they had a chance to use it fully. Instead of reloading get in the habit of picking up their kit and using it instead. This may explain why it seems that I can kill four or so people on one clip....its usually not one clip....its not even the same kit. (Trivia: If you see someone in the leaderboards on a round that seemed to use all seven kits you can bet that player employs this tactic)
-Video settings
1024 x 768 resolution or greater....many folks don't think to mess with this but it makes a profound difference in making out friend from foe and makes up for the lower settings mentioned hereafter.
All other quality settings are either low or off expect for effects (medium) and geometry (high). The effects help you make out bursts and the high effects helps mostly with vehicle and boat trails. We have tested almost every combo and this works best. Not much eye candy but it makes for a brighter and usually faster play style.
-Audio Settings
HEADPHONES HEADPHONES HEADPHONES ...sound is a greater detector of enemy intentions than sight at times.
FORIEGN LANGUAGE SETTINGS ALWAYS ON This allows you to identify your enemy more efficiently.
-Targetting
"The black dot" Carried over from AA and CS this trick is almost universal for fps. You simply put a felt-tip marker dot on your screen right int he middle of the cross hair. You should make it as small as you can to the point where you can see it. This helps you fine tune your aim, "pre-aim" whilst running, and "hip shot" the AT rocket without locking on to armor. It takes some getting used to but will improve your sighting over a short time. I know that there is a program that places a red dot on your screen and saw that a number of you consider it a hack but I equate this to getting a g15 or laser mouse in terms of augmentation.
"Left side" Notice that EAs hit boxes that everone complains about is real. Try aiming slightly to the left of targets when using all rifles expect snipers. This applies to leading targets as well. Try it and you will see.
-Recoil Discipline
Its a game but if you want to get better you have to discipline yourself. KEEP YOUR RIFLE ON AUTOMATIC OR GROUP. NO SINGLE SHOT. but.... when you fire it at mid and long range learn to tap it for no more than two or three shots. You don't want to get used to using single shot as it leaves you at a dire disadvantage if you are surprised close range. That fraction of a second between bursts is the difference between hitting and missing.
-Threat detection
Again this takes some patience and discipline. When you come upon a group of enemies learn to rapidly determine which of them is the greatest threat to you and engage that enemy first.
-Go for medics assault and support first in that order....leave the juicy sniper for last.
-If you are "on" a target and you notice that another enemy sees you instantly move to that threat.
-Break Away
Understand that you have a limited supply of ammo and health. It is best to run away and fight another day at times instead of going headlong into a group of enemies. When you enter a skirmish think of your way out first and dont forget to break off and use it.
-Commitment
If you plan on traversing an open distance that will exceed five seconds take one extra second to check both the HUD and your flanks before running out. All the jumping and running in the world will not help you if you are caught out in the open by a (good) enemy that you have not spotted. Keep in mind many good players camp long expanses waiting for you to make this mistake.
-Feint
Alot of times you will see me attack and shift back around a corner or cover without finishing a target if I am seen. I usually let them get a few shots off and when I hear them stop there is a great chance they have broke off to pursue. Use that fraction of a second to turn back and surprise them for a second, and usually final, sortie.
-Kneel
Try to kneel instead of proning as it gives the same advantages without the intterupt in mobility.
-Nade rush
When an enemy has you zeroed in a one on one situation and you hear or see them start to throw nades a good trick is to go opposite of your usual first reflex and instead of running away run towards them for 5 - 10 meters and set up your target once again. They will almost always overshoot and leave themselves open for a finishing sortie.
-Short Camping
When facing a clan or a more teamwork oriented squad make an attempt to hold back and let them make certain moves. The most productive is when you witness a "medic rush" whereby you take one down and see that they have astute medics in tow that follow up and attempt (usually) to instantly revive their fallen mate. When you recognize that you fell one of those members stay put and watch the body....wait for the medic and finish him. This could take up to 5-10 seconds. Be patient or you will face that same number of enemies shortly thereafter.
-Teamspeak Environment
Try to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts and try to shape your TS environement, at least while playing, to lend itself to improving all participants. We don't have many rules in TOP but our unspoken TS rules are fairly strict.
-NO BITCHING not only does this cloud the TS with useless noise but it actually has an ill-effect on the video gamer's version of morale. This should not be tolerated in any form. Bring up negative experiences as challenges or assignments rather than complaints and they will be more productive.
EX (bad): OH I CAN"T BELIEVE I GOT SNIPED....OH JESUS CHRIST WTF WHY ALWAYS ME ......
EX (good): We got snipers camping the security station. I got hit from the south somewhere.
-Compliments When you see a member make a good shot call it.
-Focus (always try to win, forget about your score) If you are losing take a moment to draw the teams attention to what you think needs to be done to change things for that round.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is my favorite tactic
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-Quick switch
I don't remeber where the default key for picking up a kit is but mine is set on "c" so I can easily reach it. I use my pick up button almost as much as my run, jump, kneel, and fire buttons. If you find yourself in a pitched battle which happens frequently in IO take a fraction of a second to notice enemies that you have killed in your vicinity. Make note of what kit they had and if they had a chance to use it fully. Instead of reloading get in the habit of picking up their kit and using it instead. This may explain why it seems that I can kill four or so people on one clip....its usually not one clip....its not even the same kit. (Trivia: If you see someone in the leaderboards on a round that seemed to use all seven kits you can bet that player employs this tactic)
Last edited by NASTY_BUTLER (2007-04-21 15:01:10)
