New to ArmAII - need some help

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There,

Been playing ArmA II (patched to 1.05) for a few days now and am still finding my way around.

But how do the levels work (Recruit, Regular and so on)? I mean, does the AI get bonuses as the levels increase? How is this whole 'level' thing handled? Just curious! Thanks in advance for help.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There,

I'm new to this game and am starting by playing the scenarios. My question is: is it possible to re-equip my squad with different weapons or are the weapons fixed for each scenario? Is there any way to customize your choice of weapons or add ammo? Thanks in advance for help.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There,

I'm new to Arma II. I'm playing the scenarios. I like the way you can switch from the map screen to the terrain/action screen. This made me wonder how experienced players use this facility? I'd be interested to hear of people's playing styles with regard to using the map.

For example, does anyone play totally on the map? Or do people usually switch back and forth?

I know this is a basic question, but I'm interested to learn more about how players utilize this screen-switching facility.

Thanks in advance for replies.

[11aTony 0]

Hi there and welcome!

First of all, you dont need to make 3 threads for 3 different questions. Just say "Newbie with 3 questions" or something:).

Anyway, how much you look at the map usually depends on what role are you playing. If you are commander you should then stay back and find safe place to be while giving commands via map.

Otherwise, if you are regular infantry then you should play like a shooter except if you cant find someone check the map if there is any red spots left on it.

If you go into difficulty options you can see what is the difference between them. You can totaly customize your difficulty levels. AI skill and accuracy to various other aids.

On begining of some missions you can choose different weapons for you and your team. Not all missions have this option but no worries. Usually when mission starts (espacially user-made and online missions) you have ammo crate near you where you can rearm. To tell your AI squadmates to go in gear menu send him to ammo crate and pres "F-his number" then "6" and find "gear" from menu.

Good luck and maybe admin can merge your 3 threads into one.

[wamingo 1]

Goto the Game Options > Difficulty menu and then press Edit and you can see what you get from each mode.

Perhaps most notable, on recruit/regular you can take a little more damage and on veteran/expert you lose target info, crosshairs and such.

There are no technical benefits from higher difficulty so just choose whatever you're comfortable with.

[instagoat 133]

It really depends on the mission/campaign. Some missions allow you to change your gear by clicking on the gear tab in the briefing, and some don´t, for various reasons.

Often you will find that after starting the mission, you can look around in the starting area and find ammo crates with new kit to give to your team. That´s certainly true in some missions of the Harvest Red campaign.

Hope this helps

Insta

[Javolenus 10]

Hi and many thanks for this. I appreciate the info and will put it into practice. Thanks again and all the best.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There and many thanks for this - I'll certainly check that out. Thanks again and all the best.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There,

Many thanks for this. I'll be sure to look out for those ammo crates in future! Thanks again and all the best.

[CarlGustaffa 4]

In the campaign and other singleplayer stuff, I use the map with extended map info turned on, as a tool to try to get what the hell my team mates are talking about.

For multiplayer, it depends. It always help convey to others a plan, using the map and map markers you place. In coop as a non leader, the map is rarely used outside the base or while relocating or looking for or adding new markers. Never (ehem...) while scanning during a hot situation.

In some realism based missions, you don't even get to have your own map. Better stay visual with your team leader :)

As a sniper, scout (recon role), or FO, the map is probably your best friend. You'll use it for a long while (getting reference positions and distances), before any shooting starts.

Edited March 15, 2010 by CarlGustaffa

[cm. 10]

you can also order your troops to take weapons from dead soldiers... i thinks it in the action menu somewhere and will appear when you are near one.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi CM - thanks for this. That's a useful tip. All the best.

[Javolenus 10]

Hi There,

I'm new to ArmaII (patched to 1.05) and have been playing a few days. It's an amazing game and I'm very impressed.

I thought I'd learn the basics by playing through the single-player scenarios. Although this is enjoyable and the game is brilliant, I've got real problems when it comes to getting a good result. At the moment, I'm just kind of admiring the scenery while waiting to get shot.

And so I'd like to ask for some advice, some simple pointers. Here's what I've been doing so far:

Plan 1: I keep my Squad Leader back, under cover, and direct my teams from the map. Then I keep switching, trying to improve the position of each team. But when contact is made and the action kicks off, I find it hard to keep my teams safe. Soon my teams take casualties and the game is over.

Plan 2: I get my Squad Leader active, in order to better see what's going on. I try to arrange my teams to give support, trying to get good line of sight for each team. But while I'm busy arranging this, I get incoming fire on my Squad Leader from some unseen source. Even through my gunsights, I usually can't see much. Next thing my Squad Leader is hit and the game is over.

Plan 3: Switch to a team member with a telescopic sight (like a scout or sniper) and try to engage the enemy on my own. I usually manage to drop a few enemy troops but eventually get shot. If I don't get shot then one of my squads will - either way, I lose the scenario.

I rarely get chance to achieve the mission objectives. I replay the scenarios over and over but can't improve my performance. And so I think that I must be missing some important/obvious point. That's why I'm here - to ask for some advice!

When I move, I try to make use of cover, running in short bursts. I go prone or kneel when scanning for the enemy. If I get incoming fire I try to roll out of danger. I try to avoid bunching my teams but keep them close enough to offer support. I try to outflank/surround known enemy positions. Trouble is, despite my preparations, as soon as firefights begin, I seem to lose. Maybe my reaction time is too slow? Maybe I need to switch teams more often? Maybe I need to be more cautious about getting into firefights? I just don't know! Any advice welcome.

Thanks in advance for replies . . .

Edited March 15, 2010 by Javolenus
update

[TimRiceSE 10]

http://ttp2.dslyecxi.com/ read this.

And dude, stop making new threads for every question that pops into your head. You can just use one and people will still read it.

[ast65 10]

Hi Javolenus,

the key to success in this game is patience and to spot the enemy before u r spotted. If u r spotted, it´s most times already too late; try to cover your movements with smoke then, and change position asap.

Spotting the enemy without gettin spotted yourself can be made easier by using the 3. Person View (a little bit like cheating, though) and goin PRONE, so u wont be seen while havin a good overview urself.

And don´t forget: the tree is ur best friend;)

[Javolenus 10]

OK, no more questions. Thanks for the support - bye.

[Bulldogs 10]

There's a few vid's around by one community member (can't remember who, was it Zap?) that are very good on detailing good tactics in controlling your squad.

Other than that, a good rule is to always scope the area first and then tell your squad to hold fire while you get into position. Then set your machine gunner in a good, safe position with a good overwatch on the approach.

After that, tell your machine gunner to go prone and put him in danger mode (a well placed MG can fend off an army). Keep your other team mates back behind him in order of sniper and yourself behind the gunner (if you find good cover, use that) and your medic behind you so he'll be the last to get hit and can save everyone when the action go's wrong.

[Javolenus 10]

Bulldogs - many thanks. That's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. I'll also check out the vids and the tactics guide mentioned above by TimRiceSE. Thanks again and all the best.

[Placebo 29]

As has been said already there is no need to spam these forums with thread after thread, one thread with all your questions will get the answers without annoying everyone as your multiple threads is likely to do, I've merged them together now.

[Bulldogs 10]

Heh, excellent sig update placebo.

Anyways javo, if ya need more help let us know.