Newb's First Impressions

[LoneCrow66 10]

Well I'm not a newb really, I used to play Operation Flashpoint, and I've played a lot of first person shooters in the past. I'm more of a simmer than a call of duty wanker. So I know this is not a first person "Shooter" really.

I am impressed and also frustrated so far with Arma II. I have track IR and it runs pretty well on my GTX 250 actually in pretty high rez.

The voice comms are all over the place and quirky, especially the Russian. The actual head bob I had to turn off because although it is realistic, it isn't that disorienting in real life. I can run and still see things clearly in the distance in real life. This head bob makes it impossible to know whats going on.

The controls are pretty good, however the key mappings and comms, and all that is really really counter intuitive. I just don't like it. It really slows things down.

As much as I like the fact I can have a chopper come pick me up at a designated location, the AI is pretty stupid in many many cases and will fly into a tree or won't use the terrain properly if the ground isn't level. I even choose a clearing and he'll find that one tree. Then we fly around and are getting hit by bullets on the ground and nobody says anything until you are dead. You basically can hear for 30 secs straight someone is hitting the chopper, he's not taking evasive or anything.

The AI is horrible. My team members can see stuff 20 miles away and will shoot at it. The enemy gets a bead on you so fast that it would make Clint Eastwood jealous. It is soooo difficult to see the enemy even sometimes I pull out binoculars to check ahead and don't see them but somehow they are able to see me and be accurate.

I bought the Arrowhead expansion and this one seems to be a little better mainly because there is less foliage to deal with. But in the original one with the woods .. the graphics and SOME of the physics are bar none AWESOME.

I'm just ticked off that you almost have to have super x ray vision to spot anything but the AI sees all, and are crack shots.

I'm not whining either. It pretty much is a fact. I plan out our approach but in the thick of woods and cover they always seem to be able to see me at 500M or more and shoot. It just gets extremely frustrating and almost unplayable.

As much as I want to enjoy this game.. I just can't yet.

I have heard there are some ai and reality mods.. can someone recommend some?

[Cyteless 10]

Yeah, Arma 2 certainly is a quirky game :p Regarding spotting the enemy, I guess it just takes practice. If you're under the control of an AI squad leader, I'd recommend you use the Space Bar menu to respond. If one of your team mates calls out, "Covering, go!", respond with Space by saying, "Copy." Once you reach your destination, press Space, then hit, "Done." This seems to speed up decision making with the AI and their response time increases.

Regarding AI mods, there's several to choose from. Zeus AI bumps up the AIs ability, and GL4 bumps up the AI, gives them different tactics and routines, and also adds some new features, if you're going for more than an AI mod.

[maturin 12]

Make sure you patch everything and use beta patches as well. I'd also recommend turning down enemy accuracy to make firefights longer and maneuvers more practical. Many popular mods do this already.

Believe me, in ten hours you will be better at spotting AI than the AI are at spotting you. Helicopters are retarded. Always will be.

[LoneCrow66 10]

Hmm I used Steam so it is all up to date. But I'm not sure about beta patches.. I'll ahve to look into it.

I mean don't get me wrong. So far I love what these guys are doing. Its exactly what I want in an online sim. Just want to go through it single player first. It's just frustrating.

Even Arrowhead I climbed up a mosque's tower and killed a sniper up there.. I hadn't even popped my head up for more than 1 second before someone on the ground across the town with an AK47 shot and killed me.

Its just insane. I can pop my head around a corner and they always get me before I get them, even using the Track IR ability to sorta look around corners.

I've probably played it so far on the weekend a good 4-5 hours and I'm much better in Arrowhead than in the original so far.

I imagine with real people online this is probably the cat's meow. I need to get better before I attempt that though.. (plus I have a GTX560Ti coming in the mail)

---------- Post added at 06:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

How do you turn down the AI accuracy?

[ACPL Jon 68]

Your game config. Should be something like

My Docs\ArmA 2 (or ArmA 2 Other Profiles)\Your_Nickname\Your_Nickname.arma2oaprofile

and you search for something like this:

};

skillFriendly=1;

skillEnemy=1;

precisionFriendly=0.69999999;

precisionEnemy=0.2;

};

and You do set

precisionEnemy=X;

to

precisionEnemy=0.3;

or slightly higher (0.3 was good for vanilla A2)

for each difficulty level (recruit, regular, veteran, mercenary).

Remember to also set the other parameters so it's an even or better-for-your-team fight. Skill parameter should be always on 1.

You save the file and You live happily ever after (You can always get ACE mod to be even happier)

Edited February 14, 2011 by JonPL

[Kramxel 10]

Hmm I used Steam so it is all up to date. But I'm not sure about beta patches.. I'll ahve to look into it.

I mean don't get me wrong. So far I love what these guys are doing. Its exactly what I want in an online sim. Just want to go through it single player first. It's just frustrating.

Even Arrowhead I climbed up a mosque's tower and killed a sniper up there.. I hadn't even popped my head up for more than 1 second before someone on the ground across the town with an AK47 shot and killed me.

Its just insane. I can pop my head around a corner and they always get me before I get them, even using the Track IR ability to sorta look around corners.

I've probably played it so far on the weekend a good 4-5 hours and I'm much better in Arrowhead than in the original so far.

I imagine with real people online this is probably the cat's meow. I need to get better before I attempt that though.. (plus I have a GTX560Ti coming in the mail)

---------- Post added at 06:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

How do you turn down the AI accuracy?

The AI doesn't make a perfect spotter...

I once tried a tool from this forums, where you had a mission and you had a visual demonstration (position marker and area) of what the AI thought it was your position.

Individual soldiers are easy to fool, squads are pretty effective at locating your area (the number advantage), but you can still fool them.

The issue with areas with vegetation is that it doesn't matter that much to the AI (they probably have a low penalty, if any at all)... while it visually hampers you.

P.S: Sounds are taken into consideration.

Edited February 14, 2011 by Kramxel

[MissionCreep 12]

Another spotting tip ... press the space bar and use the on-screen rangefinder reticule at the middle of the screen to scan your environment. Enemies (usually) show up in red lettering (friendlies green, unknown grey). It seems like cheating, but believe me, this will put you on par with AI spotters, especially if you (like me) play in low-res or have a screen that is smaller, dimmer or less contrasting than you would like. If you are a squad leader, you can also assign targets (or tasks) to your squad or squad individuals by painting a target with the on-screen rangefinder. Be ready to hit the spacebar any time to exit ... you are vulnerable and can't move or return fire in rangefinder mode.

Don't worry about "counterintuitive" key mapping. If you become addicted key mapping will become second-nature, you will adapt, and the rest of the world will be "counterintuitive". You'll find yourself hitting the "]" key when you want to pull up a menu or scroll down in every other application. :)

BI's default AI sucks big time. But AI can be dramatically improved with add-ons (eg Zeus AI or other mods built into free community realism mods).

Edited February 14, 2011 by MissionCreep

[Rail82 10]

I had some trouble spotting AI when I first started playing. But way back in the day I used to play Ghost Recon, which the fighting in that game, and this are at similar distances.

Playing GR I got used to recognizing small odd movements when scanning. Once your eyes pick up what they are supposed to be looking for, scanning becomes smoother and faster, speeding up decision making and maneuvering.

As far as the head bob, I left it on it's default setting, and while at first it was disorienting, now I don't even notice it.

[LoneCrow66 10]

Awesome thanks for the tips.

Its just staring waiting for movement looking around and not seeing anything, telling my squad to hold fire (when they are spotting him) I get up move over to where they are look even with binocs I can't see them. Its just unrealistic.

Even enemy AI wouldn't shoot at anything that moves. How do they know it isn't a comrade? How can they tell those pixels are enemy uniforms? I certainly can't tell and I'm playing at over pretty high resolution!

Now if they hear the chopper that dropped me off of course t hey'd be on alert. Or hear gunfire or anything like that.

Ghost Recon, that takes me back. Anyone else remember "Delta Force" ? That was another pixel watcher.. :)

I'm going to look more into the rangefinder.. I know at points a red diamond would be over them but doesn't seem to happen when I'm the leader. I guess my squad leader is designating them for me.

That Arrowhead mission where you took the airfield was pretty fun but you couldn't tell who was who running around.

[Undeceived 392]

It's interesting to read about how new people experience the game. Thanks for the input and good luck and fun with Arma!

[SPC.Spets 21]

about the addons to try, I recommend you the ACE 2 and Zeus AI

[Beagle 684]

about the addons to try, I recommend you the ACE 2 and Zeus AI

I recommend 1.57.78188 A.I.. enhancement with some custom config tweaks like:

skillFriendly=1;

skillEnemy=1;

precisionFriendly=0.5;

precisionEnemy=0.5;

no mods needed since mods often screw up the game and do not keep up with official beta updates.

Edited February 14, 2011 by Beagle

[LoneCrow66 10]

I hate posting from work and not being able to try this stuff out.. can't wait to get home :)

I think I'm going to get a 27 inch monitor next.

[Rail82 10]

Awesome thanks for the tips.

......

I'm going to look more into the rangefinder.. I know at points a red diamond would be over them but doesn't seem to happen when I'm the leader. I guess my squad leader is designating them for me.

That Arrowhead mission where you took the airfield was pretty fun but you couldn't tell who was who running around.

Yeah that red circle around the enemy is when your team leader designates him as your target. You won't see it as team leader.

Another tip for spotting enemies, is to pay attention to your team when they call out enemies. They'll say like "enemy man, 12 o clock 200 meters." Now this isn't relative to YOUR position mind you, but of the position of the soldier calling out the enemies.

So if soldier1 calls out enemy 12 oclock 200 m, and he is positioned 100 m east and 100 m north of you, you can guesstimate that the enemy is between 3-400 meters northeast of your position. Now if soldier 1 is right next to you, and calls out the same thing, then you know there are enemies 200m north of your position.

And believe me man, I was feeling a lot of the same things you were when I first started playing ArmaII. I've had the game a little more than 2 months, and I'm still learning new things, but the fighting isn't such a shock to the senses anymore, and you start "seeing" things the right way. Trust me, it felt like I had tunnel vision when I first started playing, it felt like such chaos was going on that I had no idea what to do, or even which direction to face.

I also struggled at first with the navigation, and the controls. Add all those things together and I spent the first few weeks extremely frustrated with this game.... But I'm glad I stuck with it, as it is everything I have ever wished for in a military sim.

[dmarkwick 261]

The problem with the clock system is that it changes for each unit depending on where he is looking. Should really be locked to direction of travel/next waypoint/leader designated waypoint IMO, that clock reticule turns entirely too much during even a few seconds.

[Rail82 10]

The problem with the clock system is that it changes for each unit depending on where he is looking. Should really be locked to direction of travel/next waypoint/leader designated waypoint IMO, that clock reticule turns entirely too much during even a few seconds.

Really? I thought it was fixed to cardinal directions? Is it not?

[LoneCrow66 10]

Yeah that red circle around the enemy is when your team leader designates him as your target. You won't see it as team leader.

Another tip for spotting enemies, is to pay attention to your team when they call out enemies. They'll say like "enemy man, 12 o clock 200 meters." Now this isn't relative to YOUR position mind you, but of the position of the soldier calling out the enemies.

So if soldier1 calls out enemy 12 oclock 200 m, and he is positioned 100 m east and 100 m north of you, you can guesstimate that the enemy is between 3-400 meters northeast of your position. Now if soldier 1 is right next to you, and calls out the same thing, then you know there are enemies 200m north of your position.

And believe me man, I was feeling a lot of the same things you were when I first started playing ArmaII. I've had the game a little more than 2 months, and I'm still learning new things, but the fighting isn't such a shock to the senses anymore, and you start "seeing" things the right way. Trust me, it felt like I had tunnel vision when I first started playing, it felt like such chaos was going on that I had no idea what to do, or even which direction to face.

I also struggled at first with the navigation, and the controls. Add all those things together and I spent the first few weeks extremely frustrated with this game.... But I'm glad I stuck with it, as it is everything I have ever wished for in a military sim.

Thanks for that info - but that is my frustration.. if I'm leading at the point I should be spotting people before they are. But they spot things hundreds of meters before me.

But I will take your advice and stick to it. I remember Operation flashpoint was kinda the same at first. Can't wait to get up to speed and get online. I've got the hotas all set up so it'll be fun.

[dmarkwick 261]

Really? I thought it was fixed to cardinal directions? Is it not?

Nope. Targets are yelled out relative to the unit who spots it, and his direction. The clock reticule will show where his 12 o'clock is, sometimes it's close to yours, but more often it's not. It doesn't make too much sense to use a clock system, seeing as you cannot use it yourself. Better to stick to compass directions I think.

Edited February 15, 2011 by DMarkwick

[MissionMaximus 10]

Yeah I'm going through the same things you are LoneCrow66 but as I continue to play I'm getting better and better. My 1st problem like you was seeing enemy before they see you but after getting over my furstration and resuming/after short hiatus because of furstration it kinda opens up. You start seeing movement, become alot more PATIENT(it's hard to shake the COD habits) and continue to get more familiar/ better with the game.

The AI are super accurate too me but like what was previously stated lower their accuracy but not their skill. That make for alot longer and enjoyable, realistic firefights.

PS hey guys when adjusting the enemy precision what is high and what is low scale wise.

[Rail82 10]

Nope. Targets are yelled out relative to the unit who spots it, and his direction. The clock reticule will show where his 12 o'clock is, sometimes it's close to yours, but more often it's not. It doesn't mae too much sense to use a clock system, seeing as you cannot use it yourself. Better to stick to compass directions I think.

Wow, thats just crap. What the hell kind of useless system is that? That's what they mostly shout out, and it's a fluid directional system? I'm stunned.

[maturin 12]

I get up move over to where they are look even with binocs I can't see them. Its just unrealistic.

Unrealistic how? There's guys in camo lying on the ground somewhere. Sure, your resolution is crappier, but the world is about fifteen times less cluttered and 'blended' than a real-world environment.

You will get used to it. Trust me. There will always be situations where the AI are better spotters, but I usually have the advantage.

Also, just because your squad thinks an enemy is in a given direction, even if they are hosing a whole treeling with rounds, even if your team leader has given you a tight little red circle to attack, DOES NOT mean there is anyone there. It could mean a variety of things:

-There was someone spotted there a minute ago, and they moved away unobserved.

-Gunfire was heard and someone in the squad made a best guess.

-Someone ran out of sight behind and bush, building or ridgeline and an AI guessed their current location based on their last-known speed and heading.

So if you're wondering where the hell the fellow is, he may not be there at all.

Edited February 15, 2011 by maturin

[Imperator[TFD] 444]

In time you'll learn to be able to spot the AI in a heartbeat from kilometers away, without binocs.

[msy 22]

If you are team leader. When your subordinate calls "enemy, x o'clock, y meters", it means that the enemy is at the location, the coordinate origine of which is where you are and at that moment the 12 o'clock is your front. Once you turn arround to another direction, the enemy's direction will change as well. you can practice it by pressing "2" key to see how the enemy direction changes.

---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

Maybe you can play as recruit level first so that you can find the enemy easier and be familiar with AI's tactical action.

And to make images more clear, I recommend you keep the video setting option "3D resolution" on 100% or higher, and turn off posteffect.

[SteveJA 12]

One thing i thought i would just add.

The AI on this game is designed differently to most other games (from what i see) The AI has been designed to provide a realistic challenge. Just like IRL you wont see, soldiers running around like headless chickens, mowing down every single pathetic enemy in sight, because that will turn you into a red mess pretty quick. Also just like IRL, AI dont want to be shot, so they'll try and fire from cover, flank and cover eachother.

The AI dont cheat (AFAIK). If you died, 99% of the time its your fault. And remember, most of the time, if you get shot at first and you cant see them, you are at a disavantage and therefore there is no shame in pulling back and trying again at another angle.

AI play to win.

Edit: Remeber to cover your retreat (section/fireteam bounding) or at least throw a couple of smokes! to avoid getting shot in the back)

Edited February 15, 2011 by SteveJA360

[dmarkwick 261]

Wow, thats just crap. What the hell kind of useless system is that? That's what they mostly shout out, and it's a fluid directional system? I'm stunned.

Yeah it is pretty annoying, and I've raised the issue in the suggestions forum, but at least you do get an onscreen reticule showing you that unit's current clock direction. I'm of the opinion though that it's up to the leader to designate clock direction, which is why I mentioned using either the leader's current direction, direction of travel (averaged over several seconds say), the leader's next waypoint direction, or the leader's user-placed waypoint direction. I think those 4 covers just about any state the leader can be in in the game, as at the very least he has a direction.