Tips for a New Schooler?

[SPECOPx 10]

I hate to go on a server without knowing how the game works. What do old schoolers reccommend a new schooler to do before going on a server? If you guys say read the manual how can i find it via steam version.

Edited June 27, 2009 by SPECOPx

[nocturna 10]

play the singleplayer ? :P

check this thread: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=74994

Edited June 27, 2009 by nocturna

[walker 0]

Hi SPECOPx

Stickied in the general section of the forum is this post

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=74994

That is the bible for playing ArmA II: Read, digest, employ.

I am afraid that every other FPS you ever played trained you wrong. There is no getting away from this, it is just a fact. And you are going to die, you are going to die a lot.

This game will not stroke your ego. It will instead kick your teeth in and then dispassionately execute you time, after time, after time, BUT you will learn.

You will learn to crawl, you will find every patch of minuscule cover the good earth can give you.

You will skulk and sneak and yes crap your pants but, you will learn to weigh every shot and every move you take; and one day you find your self with some buddies hunting down one of those T90s that have made your life a misery. You will hunt it and you will kill it. And it will feel good. BUT mostly you will crawl.

There is a list of ArmA MP mission types in this thread, it is by no means complete:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=75001

there will be one that matches the game form you like, but try to be open and try out some of the other game modes, ArmA has a habit or rolling over peoples preconceptions and you may be pleasantly surprised.

I would suggest you join one of the many clans. ArmA II is an excellent MP game there are already many servers and new ones starting every day. Have a look here to find one that suits you but wonder around a bit just to get the lay of the land:

http://forums.bistudio.com/forumdisplay.php?f=90

The top stickied thread has a directory of clans, but read the threads that each clan you are interested in has started and follow the link to the clans website to get extra info.

Be aware that; that the nice facilities like map markers that follow your opponents round and things like cross-hairs and third person view will probably not be available on veteran servers.

Please be aware that many of the people you will be playing with are serving or former military, act accordingly.

Kind Regards walker

Edited June 28, 2009 by walker

[jusk 10]

Please be aware that many of the people you will be playing with are serving or former military, act accordingly.

Hi Walker - nice post - but what do you mean by the above? Seems completely irrelevant to me. Some 14 year old kid could be very good at the game and take it seriously, and some military guy could enjoy TK'ing and crashing heli's. :j:

[walker 0]

Hi Walker - nice post - but what do you mean by the above? Seems completely irrelevant to me. Some 14 year old kid could be very good at the game and take it seriously, and some military guy could enjoy TK'ing and crashing heli's. :j:

Hi jusk

More about the facts that: the military training is more effective in giving you an advantage in ArmA and that all those hours of playing COD were a waste of time. And that there are a lot of former and serving military who play ArmA compared to other games.

On your point; my experience is that most former serving military I play with tend not to TK. Just personal experience, not saying it is certain or anything, and of course now they are going to TK me just to prove a point. :(

Kind Regards walker

Edited June 28, 2009 by walker

[Alex72 1]

Hi Walker - nice post - but what do you mean by the above? Seems completely irrelevant to me. Some 14 year old kid could be very good at the game and take it seriously, and some military guy could enjoy TK'ing and crashing heli's. :j:

And the point of this post was? Walker tried to help the OP wich you clearly didnt intend to.

On topic: Get a hang of it in SP and make some friends here on the forum or by playing easier games in MP like DM etc. The best thing is that even though this is more realistic slower tactical combat you can still play it as you want. Find like minded people and take it from there. If you want to play tactical and use real world tactics then search for a team and ask to join. Many of them will train you in the game -teach you how it works and how to play effective.

There is tons of options for this game. And youll find your spot soon enough. ;)

Alex

[hund 0]

Walker does have a point there, at least to some extend. Certain things are just drilled into your head, like making sure that you identify your target as best you can, keeping your finger off the trigger until you are ready to use said finger and never, ever pointing the muzzle at someone unless you mean business. Consequently, ignoring those things make you feel wrong somehow, so you don't do it.

That said, I am sure that some of the worst TK'ers out there are ex-military, so it is by no means a universal rule, more of a rule of thumb.

However, I don't think it is fair to say that people can't use their Leet gaming skills in Arma. Military training brings awareness of your environment, but being well versed in first person shooters does give you an edge when it gets down to doing the deed.

My advice to a newcomer, when working in a team would be:

A) Follow your team leader - do what he does. If you are given a verbal command, make sure that you acknowledge that command.

B) Cover a direction that no-one else is covering - this is true for both movement and stops. If everyone in a team does this correctly, the enemy will find it hard to sneak up on you.

C) Know where you are going before you move.

D) In a sharp situation, move from cover to cover, in overland movement, make sure your route includes nearby cover that you can use if the situation does turn sharp. However do not fall in love with your cover, but shift location often when it is safe. the enemy will amass and finish you off if you do not do so.

E) Never move into an unknown enemy position unless you are reasonably sure that you will survive. "A" overrides this, of course. Instead, move back, consolidate and either wait for the enemy to show weakness, or flank them before they flank you.

F) Amass firepower, one rifle is ineffective, a whole team firing is devastating. This means not firing immediately upon seeing an enemy, if the enemy poses no threat to you.

G) Forget about kills. Hunting for that elusive extra kill is liable to get you killed instead. Instead, focus on the mission and the objectives.

H) Call out target by range and direction, and possibly mark them on your map as well.

I) Keep your wits about you when firing, and make sure to check your flanks. Enemies will be attracted to the sound of a gunfight, and they will not be liable to show up in front of you.

Edited June 28, 2009 by Hund

[jusk 10]

Hi jusk

More about the facts that: the military training is more effective in giving you an advantage in ArmA and that all those hours of playing COD were a waste of time. And that there are a lot of former and serving military who play ArmA compared to other games.

On your point; my experience is that most former serving military I play with tend not to TK. Just personal experience, not saying it is certain or anything, and of course now they are going to TK me just to prove a point. :(

Kind Regards walker

Don't get me wrong Walker, I take your points completely - I'm sure people with a miltary background do have better instincts for this stuff, and I'm sure 99% don't TK or anything stupid. My point was only that I wouldn't "act accordingly" because of their military background. I'd judge a player on his behaviour in game, not his occupation. But enough about that.

Alex - sorry if I went off topic slightly - just having some discussion. Forum, etc. No need for the sarky tone - I wasn't attacking Walker or anything.

As for helping the OP - I'm no expert, but I would 2nd Walker & Hund's advice, practice offline, try find some helpful people online and follow their lead, and have a read of Dslyecxi's guide.