Where's the noob section?

[fysis 10]

This is my first time in the Arma series and i'm overwhelmed. So far i've only played a couple of the missions on offer.

I've watched a couple of YouTube clips and recognise that i need to spend a lot of time in the game but the keybindings seem confusing. How do i use the zoom scope? I've only been able to zoom using the top scope (red dot type thing).

Is there a section for noobs?

First impression is really that there should be an in game tutorial to help people with the keymappings - it's a complicated game, noobs need more help (or help to find help :P )

7 stances? lol :) Nice.

And another thing, is there a way to move over obstacles (jump)? I'm SO used to space bar being jump in other FPS games.

Cheers.

[Maio 293]

This is my first time in the Arma series and i'm overwhelmed. So far i've only played a couple of the missions on offer.

I've watched a couple of YouTube clips and recognise that i need to spend a lot of time in the game but the keybindings seem confusing. How do i use the zoom scope? I've only been able to zoom using the top scope (red dot type thing).

Is there a section for noobs?

First impression is really that there should be an in game tutorial to help people with the keymappings - it's a complicated game, noobs need more help (or help to find help :P )

7 stances? lol :) Nice.

And another thing, is there a way to move over obstacles (jump)? I'm SO used to space bar being jump in other FPS games.

Cheers.

By default you can switch scopes with the "/" from your numpad. You can also press CTRL+sec. mouse button (by default).

You can press "v" to vault over low obstacles.

[Smurf 12]

And yes, the game is missing an tutorial for commands and stuff, but it will be in the final game.

The "noobs section" could be this: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?148764-I-m-new-and-I-m-lost-Some-help-for-those-new-to-the-fold

Feel free to ask, most people around here are happy to help, but try to give a little search before.

[mecharius 2]

Having a look at the key bindings here http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=131026100 (or just search Arma 3 keybindings) may help as well.

[fysis 10]

Thanks guys, i have Googled it, but there's nothing like having ones hand held in the game. I found a pretty good clip on YouTube (/seeing/ it helps, reading it just doesn't sink in for me).

Good to hear there will be some kind of tutorial in the final game (maybe beta with any luck :) ).

Thanks for the SteamCommunity link.

Tell me, having never played Arma before, and only playing 'arcade' style FPSes like Battlefield (2, BC2, 3) and others, apart from the complexity and 'slowness' (misconception?) of Arma, what makes the online multiplayer so compelling? I'd like to convince a couple of friends to give it a go so i'm not alone. What's a great clip to "sell" them on? At the rate i'm going, it'll take a while for me to get online.

Cheers again.

[fysis 10]

By default you can switch scopes with the "/" from your numpad. You can also press CTRL+sec. mouse button (by default).

I've played a bit more now, sloooowly getting the hang of it.

This is very odd. It seems i have to click ctrl+r.mouse to change scopes /then/ click r.mouse to zoom. Is that expected behaviour? Why wouldn't it just be r.mouse for one optic, ctrl+r.mouse for the other optic? They seem to have added an unnecessary keyboard press (?).

I also don't like using space to select things, i'd rather use the l.mouse but by the look of the way the game plays, it doesn't look feasible (possible?) to change that. Comments on that?

[Tonci87 163]

CTRL+ R Mouse is for changing sights. R Mouse alone is for looking though them. You can also change sights while you are looking through them. I think it is a very nice solution. You can also use Middle mouse button to select things in the action menu.

[royaltyinexile 175]

And yes, the game is missing an tutorial for commands and stuff, but it will be in the final game.

I wonder if you've found the field manual? This offers some tips on topics associated with basic/essential controls/principles.

I've noticed we're missing some information about switching to alternate optics. The manual is still fairly WIP, so I'll make a note to expand an entry/add a new one, plus we might try to make the topics easier to find by chopping up big lists into more navigable chunks.

Best,

RiE

[Smurf 12]

I did but a dedicated hands on tutorial for basic stuff is more than welcome, more now with all those stances and possibilities. The field manual that pop ups during events is great and the "Community Guides" videos are not only helpfull but server as PR too. OA was way better than A2 in this aspect and A3 is way better than that.

There is any research to find out what are the most asked questions among newcomers to the series?

[On_Sabbatical 11]

The only help i can give you is : forget about the fast movements from the other fps games,don't think that pressing / on the numpad to change scope is a bit awkward ... just get used to it :D

[chortles 263]

This is very odd. It seems i have to click ctrl+r.mouse to change scopes /then/ click r.mouse to zoom. Is that expected behaviour? Why wouldn't it just be r.mouse for one optic, ctrl+r.mouse for the other optic? They seem to have added an unnecessary keyboard press (?).

The default keybinds put "aim through optics" on RMB click, zoom ("focus") on RMB hold and hold breath also on RMB hold; change them if you don't feel comfortable with them.

Tell me, having never played Arma before, and only playing 'arcade' style FPSes like Battlefield (2, BC2, 3) and others, apart from the complexity and 'slowness' (misconception?) of Arma, what makes the online multiplayer so compelling? I'd like to convince a couple of friends to give it a go so i'm not alone. What's a great clip to "sell" them on? At the rate i'm going, it'll take a while for me to get online.

I would admittedly suggest "ShackTac" videos; while 'arcadey FPS modes' such as TDM, DM (or "Free-For-All" as COD calls it), CTF, "BF Conquest"/"COD Domination" (aka "Sector Control") and so on are possible in Arma and there's plenty of videos for those or at least deathmatches (both team and FFA), ShackTac videos have a knack for showcasing what I call "only in Arma" moments... such as this clip from a "massive multiplayer online" co-op mission:

Be sure to point out that this was co-op... as in, players versus AI.

If your friends are willing to sit through an almost seventy-minute video for context -- and for it to be from a modified Arma 2 instead of Arma 3 -- then send them here:

I do not guarantee that any of your Arma experiences will be like either of these videos... only that your 'arcade style FPS' experiences won't be. ;)

[cifordayzserver 119]

Shocked this wasn't the first link given:

If you've got the time and interest... read this:

http://dslyecxi.com/armattp.html

Best advice I can give though... get on Teamspeak and find a friendly group... it's SOO much easier to just ask the questions you're having at the time, in game, and get the answers.

Our group expects Noobs to take about 2 weeks to even be up to the basics... and a month or 2 of regular play to be pretty well established...

Arma has an almost endless steep learning curve. There is ALWAYS more to learn. I feel like a complete moron and have been playing Arma 2 everyday (literally) for over 9 months. I've admin'd DayZ Servers, ported an Arma I map (with a team of much more talented people than myself) to Day Z, and help test the ongoing build of the official DayZ Mod.

I consider myself complete peon with almost no value to this community, and a terrible, inexperienced player by comparison to most here...

I really recommend watching a lot of gameplay videos too... feel free to check out my youtube subscription list:

http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCtIBkKQD1u7asfuRsqSLvYQ/u

http://www.youtube.com/user/CHKilroy/videos?view=0

http://www.youtube.com/user/OshiSeven/videos

Those 3 are really the best IMO. Great clear, concise, videos with lots of entertainment value and lessons to be learned.

[chortles 263]

Shocked this wasn't the first link given:

If you've got the time and interest... read this:

http://dslyecxi.com/armattp.html

Unfortunately these teach principles and tactics, which while valuable aren't what the OP was asking, but rather specific controls. As far as why I didn't link your choice of video, what the OP asked about was "a great clip to "sell" them on?" and "apart from the complexity and 'slowness' (misconception?) of Arma, what makes the online multiplayer so compelling?"... I believe that "only in Arma" videos are way better than "how to now that you're already here" videos for this purpose. Get 'em in, then teach 'em. :p

Best advice I can give though... get on Teamspeak and find a friendly group... it's SOO much easier to just ask the questions you're having at the time, in game, and get the answers.

Although you have the order reversed IMO the principle remains sound. ;)

[fysis 10]

I do not guarantee that any of your Arma experiences will be like either of these videos... only that your 'arcade style FPS' experiences won't be. ;)

That is awesome, but you know what my first thought is? "I'm a noob with no military training, these guys are serious. Is there a place for me in this game?" It looks like what i'd like, but it's also very intimidating.

[rye1 22]

Some groups put you through training. 99.9% of groups out there, you don't need Military training. As long as you're not a douche, you fit in anywhere. :D

[fysis 10]

Shocked this wasn't the first link given:

Thanks, i have seen that one already. I have done some research :) ;)

If you've got the time and interest... read this:

http://dslyecxi.com/armattp.html

Great! I've seen one of his guides re his recommended keymappings, good reading, i'll look into this link.

Best advice I can give though... get on Teamspeak and find a friendly group... it's SOO much easier to just ask the questions you're having at the time, in game, and get the answers.

Our group expects Noobs to take about 2 weeks to even be up to the basics... and a month or 2 of regular play to be pretty well established...

Arma has an almost endless steep learning curve. There is ALWAYS more to learn. I feel like a complete moron and have been playing Arma 2 everyday (literally) for over 9 months. I've admin'd DayZ Servers, ported an Arma I map (with a team of much more talented people than myself) to Day Z, and help test the ongoing build of the official DayZ Mod.

I consider myself complete peon with almost no value to this community, and a terrible, inexperienced player by comparison to most here...

Hmm... Teamspeak. I need some friends first :P Unfortunately, i don't seem to have friends that like the same games. They, like everyone else it seems, play 50 hours of WoW a week, and seemingly nothing else. :( I also have to commit to playing when they play, and with a couple of young kids, well, i play when i can. Kids come first.

I really recommend watching a lot of gameplay videos too... feel free to check out my youtube subscription list:

http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCtIBkKQD1u7asfuRsqSLvYQ/u

http://www.youtube.com/user/CHKilroy/videos?view=0

http://www.youtube.com/user/OshiSeven/videos

Those 3 are really the best IMO. Great clear, concise, videos with lots of entertainment value and lessons to be learned.

Great links, thanks.

Some groups put you through training. 99.9% of groups out there, you don't need Military training. As long as you're not a douche, you fit in anywhere. :D

Hahah, who says i'm not :) I'm not though, really :)

---------- Post added at 10:42 ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 ----------

Off topic, but why does my dude make grunting sounds every now and then. As far as i know i'm not injured. And the screen goes kinda blury at times, is that fatigue? If so, how long does it take to 'recover' from fatigue?

Edited May 14, 2013 by [FRL]Myke

[rye1 22]

Pretty sure it's a bit of a bug. Happens in ARMA 2 at least.... you're fine, but makes grunting noises. Gets annoying when you're trying to be quiet.

[chortles 263]

Some groups put you through training. 99.9% of groups out there, you don't need Military training. As long as you're not a douche, you fit in anywhere. :D

And thanks to the Editor some of that training can be done offline... for example, no needing to gently fly around a jet and land briefly on an empty BF3 server to get enough points to unlock Flares.

That is awesome, but you know what my first thought is? "I'm a noob with no military training, these guys are serious. Is there a place for me in this game?" It looks like what i'd like, but it's also very intimidating.

Just remember this and you'll be okay:

:lol:

I should add that their Arma 2 videos use mods, so thankfully default Arma 3 gameplay isn't that complex, but rather, such complexity is something that you have to knowingly opt into by getting/installing the mods, or play missions that make use of the possible scale and complexity... but you can however still do

just fine. Besides, sometimes lessons from more arcadey FPS games still apply... for example,

.

As some of the CHKilroy and Beagle240290 videos will show, that group are nowhere near super-serious at all times. I mean, when you're titling videos "

", "

" "

", "

", and in the case of Beagle "

", "

", "

", "

", "

", "

" and best of all "

"... :p Oh, and from Dslyecxi, "

"

Re: grunts -- to my knowledge the sounds are pretty work-in-progress.

[Flash Thunder 10]

Definitely hit up the Field Manual in the Main menu or ingame when paused for good references. This will help a anybody out greatly.

[chortles 263]

As said on the first page, the Field Manual is "fairly WIP", but Flash Thunder is right, it's one of the first places to look for your gameplay questions, and you don't even have to Alt+Tab out to Google it! :D

One nice thing about the Showcase missions is that the "hint system" is utilized -- occasionally you'll get a prompt saying "Press H for more info" and get a listing showing the appropriate Field Manual entry. :)

[jxjcksn 1]

but why does my dude make grunting sounds every now and then. As far as i know i'm not injured. And the screen goes kinda blury at times, is that fatigue? If so, how long does it take to 'recover' from fatigue?

The game is Alpha and as they introduce more things you may notice changes like the above. Yup you get tired now, more quickly if you loaded out like a truck

carrying RPG's and 15 rockets :-P Recovery doesn't take long .. but with the HOLD BREATH button being your RHMB you don't wanna be out of breath in a fight

with your Scope wavering all over the place.

BTW Welcome Fysis :-)

Yes you have noticed there are a lot more "Serious" player on here that play a more simulation style of game, but there are however groups and clans out there that play just for fun. My advice, join some multiplayer servers, join in, and see if you can find a group that suits you play style. Usually you can find a group of people that will help if you have questions, but yeah usually TeamSpeak / Ventrilo is used more often than ingame chat especially in Clans. Anyways what I tell people that are Mic Shy ... is .. "You don't need a Mic to listen to orders lol ! Hop on and listen in ! You get to hear what we are all about" Only so much you can figure out from typing :-)

Always glad to have another noob join the fray. I've been playing Arma3 for about 2 years now, and am still an utter noob

when playing, but play for fun and fun only. I convinced 3 of my friends to join when I started and often we just throw up a dedicated server on a Friday

Saturday night, have a couple friends log on and just blow stuff up. We're just waiting as Arma3 develops into a more stable game week by week.

What is awesome about this game for me, is it is NOT a FPS. Completing objectives takes time and planning ... MANY G&T's can be had in between ANY and EVERY JOURNEY. Interruptions can be many from kids to dogs to wife, but I find the graphics, the variety of user missions and mods in the game to be just perfect for my lifestyle.

Keybindings will come with time .. middle mouse as the enter or SELECT button is a Lifesaver.

Right Click to get into Scope/DotView then CTRL Right Click to go FULL SCOPE OPTICS .... right clicking then should alternate after that

Practice Practice :-)

I love complexity ... and this can be very much so ... great depth to the game.

And finally .. yes .. you may run into serious players ... that may float your boat ... however ..

there are plenty of idiots out there like me who casually play, to the best of our ability, when sober

Seriously NOT Serious Arma Out-takes (Apologies for language - but shows what a difference some good friends can make)

[chortles 263]

Re: "scope/dotview then full scope optics" -- think the COD: MW3 HAMR Scope/Black Ops 2 Hybrid Optic, it's even in Arma 3 as the RCO! Instead of "1st equipment" (D-pad Left or 3 on keyboard) or "Sprint" while ADS, here it's "/" or Left Ctrl+right click to switch. Also, here the default keybind has RMB click as ADS -- RMB hold is zoom (or "focus") but also hold breath, hence why some people here say that they rebind hold breath to a different key. :)

Fortunately, (I'll say this again even though it was said on other pages) this game has an in-game manual in its pause menu called the Field Manual...

[fysis 10]

BTW Welcome Fysis :-)

Thanks.

I played online for the first time tonight, i did get used to the scoping a bit. I still think it would be easier if RMB did one and CTRL+RMB did the other, but meh.

What i discovered was that i was completely and totally lost. I don't know what squad i'm in (is there a way to find out after you've joined?). I gather it's only when you select your role that you can see what squad you're in. I was running around trying to find my squad, or anyone in a group so i didn't get smashed by the AI. I killed two, died at least six times.

So apart from not understanding who or where my squad is and not really understanding the comms yet i slowly got used to the different stances and whatnot. But i have to go third person to tell what stance i'm in, which is a bit annoying. A small, temporary graphic would be nice.

I love the island. But my vision always seems blurry, not crisp. Is that because i'm not wearing sunnies and there is glare or something? Or is it just the way it is?

Overall, it was ok for my first outing. If i can figure out how to 'squad up', take orders, heal people or whatever, i think i'll enjoy it.

[k0rd 3]

One nice thing about the Showcase missions is that the "hint system" is utilized -- occasionally you'll get a prompt saying "Press H for more info" and get a listing showing the appropriate Field Manual entry. :)

Yep, I learned a couple of neat things when I finally got around to doing the showcase missions!

[Terremer 10]

I havent played arma3 much lately but ive been playing loads of arma 2 (all the missions and mods are hard to get away from). I had the same thing when I first started playing arma2, always being lost and not really knowing how to do anything. Learning all of the controls and weapon/vehicle systems comes with time, the best way to learn is to just experiment with all the weapons, attachments, etc and see how it all works.

I've gotten used to the scope selection hotkey being a toggle, but it is kind of weird at first. You just have to remember what scope you are active with and toggle before you need to use it. The hard part is remembering which scope, sometimes i shoulder my weapon in a building to have my magnified optics selected and cant see shit, lol.

If you want to look into it, there's mods in place to do some of the small things you said, like add a stance indicator, and there's the glorious Shacktac hud that shows a small 'radar' at the bottom of the screen that shows your nearby squad mates and their orientation using markers like on the map. The problem with mods is that you usually have to play on the same server or group of servers that allow said mods, or else you get kicked for mod mismatch.

You should try to familiarize yourself with your squad members in the mission screen before you join, and in game I beleive you can open your map and theres buttons for players, tasks, etc, where one should have your squad (i know you can in arma2 at least). Also, you should be able to see green diamond markers on your squadmates depending on the mission and mission difficulty. The marker with the chevrons is the squad leader.

As far as orders, using your Group voice chat is extremely useful, it only transmits to your squad so you can ask a bunch of questions without bothering the entire team. if you type instead while group channel is selected it will send a message to only your squad as well. you can change chat channels with the ,. keys. Direct is a local channel that simulates voice, so only close people can hear and it is directional. Voice over all channels is also direct(i believe, at least it is in arma2/mods), so even if you talk into global chat nearby people can still hear (this is very important to know if you ever play a PvP match!). I;ve found that most people are pretty friendly and helpful, and as long as you show youre willing to learn people will try to help out. If they complain about you being new or are just generally rude, you dont want to be in that squad anyways.

This is starting to get extremely long, oh well. The last thing i wanted to say is that you should use your map quite a bit at first to get your orientation, and to see where your team is. Again depending on the mission and settings, you can either see the entire team cross map, or only your squad, or only close teammates. Enemies that have been spotted or are close enough will show on the map(again kinda depends on mission/settings/mods), so you have a general idea of where the action is. An extremely useful thing to know is that you can shift-left click the map to put a marker there, that you can see on the map as well as in game. So you can put a marker at a town you are going to attack, and you get a 3d marker in game to see where it is and how far away (VERY useful for driving/flying where you cant exactly open the map all the time.).

Other than that just play around and have fun, and although it is a 'serious' game, it doesnt have to be taken completely seriously. The only time we play serious missions is when we plan an operation weeks in advance and set up squads and tactics ahead of time. Just try to stick with your squad or at least other friendlies if you cant find your squad, and just explore and have fun. Some of the best moments i've had in arma are from getting completely wasted by the enemy, such as wandering through a town and getting artillery'd or driving around in a light vehicle and running into a a few enemy tanks. The variety of encounters in the game is vast, and it throws you into so many different situations. Hope this giant wall of text helps you out in some way or another. The beta hype is wanting me to get back into the game, as well as everyone trying to relive all these awesome arma2 missions and mods while we wait...