ATTN NOOBIES! - New to ArmA II or OA - Here's the place for your questions

[wraith_v 11]

Hello, I recently bought this game and i have a couple of questions about how things work

How do i get down ladders? every time I try my character just falls to his death

Are the bombs on aircraft all GPS guided or something, they always seem to find their target.

Is there any way to fire single rockets from aircraft (rocket pods) it currently fires 2 per trigger press.

Are there no radar/missile lock warning on aircraft? its kind of annoying being suddenly swatted out of the sky because you didnt know there was a missile after you

Warfare Mode

How do i rearm my squad in warfare mode - tell them all to refill their ammunition

Is it possible to destroy the enemy HQ? In the 'war welcome' single mission i've captured all objectives but it still does not complete. The only thing left standing is the enemy HQ that i've bombed, mortared, rocketed and fired shells at, and enemy units keep spawning there indefinitely - bug?.

I somehow managed to 'distance' myself from my squad is there anyway to get them back. By 'distance' i mean on my portrait on the bottom left it has STOP, and when i tell everyone to return to formation it issues the orders, "ALL FOLLOW ALL" or "ALL FOLLOW 4". They will still respond to my commands but they won't follow me and it sill has STOP on my portrait. (in warfare mode)

Is there anyway to create a new 'element', for example i build a new AH-1Z that is currently attached to my squad, can i make it a separate unit that is not in my squad?

[jakerod 254]

About the STOP one. There is a command under either Status ( 5 ) or Reply ( 0 ) that says something like "Ready". Whenever you have STOP, MOVE, or WAIT above your name that should get rid of it.

[wraith_v 11]

Thanks! that fixed it

[MujaheD 10]

Well, I just got arma 2 and I'm still very new. I've searched all over the internet but despite that, I couldn't fix all of my problems. The sole reason I got arma 2 is because I'm obsessed with FLIR. ANYWAY, here are my questions:

- When in an aircraft (e.g Apache) how do I switch to the gunner seat? Note: I am playing through either the armory or in preview mode through the map editor.

- How can I zoom when I'm using the UAV? How can I fire the hellfire missiles on a particular spot on the ground? (without locking on to a particular target, some sort of way to get it to follow a laser pointer?)

- How can I create targets for the UAV through the editor? I've got my UAV setup (MQ-9, UAV station, player etc.) I just need to create some targets to play with.

Also, In what other game modes can I play with FLIR aircraft systems? (Any particular campaign, mission etc.)

Oh and I'm not too familiar with the controls either :j: so please tell me what buttons etc. to press. Thankyou!

[zdavid99 10]

Well, I just got arma 2 and I'm still very new. I've searched all over the internet but despite that, I couldn't fix all of my problems. The sole reason I got arma 2 is because I'm obsessed with FLIR. ANYWAY, here are my questions:

1.When in an aircraft (e.g Apache) how do I switch to the gunner seat? Note: I am playing through either the armory or in preview mode through the map editor.

2. How can I create targets for the UAV through the editor? I've got my UAV setup (MQ-9, UAV station, player etc.) I just need to create some targets to play with.

1. scroll the mousewheel and select "switch to gunner" or something like that.

2. simply add "opfor" units / groups, Click the units or group button on the right hand side of the editor and double click on the map where you want the units.

[Scrub 0]

Well, first off MujaheD, welcome. Second, people will be able to help you, but prepare for a lot of effort on your part.

For issues like keys, I'd recommend you open options/controls up and browse for some time to acquaint yourself wih what is here.

For the Editor, I'd suggest mr. Murrays editor guide (or search these forums for editor GUIDE). These two things will give you a solid foundation, and the tools to answer many of your own questions..... Or like many, causing you to dig in so deep into editing all you have IS questions. Lol.

Welcome again.

[Alex72 1]

MujaheD: FLIR you will get for the first time in Operation Arrowhead wich is the ARMA2 expansion (also works stand alone). That FLIR comes from VBS2 wich is what the military use. ARMA2 FLIR is not proper and very simple.

[Bulldogs 10]

When you approach a ladder, scroll the mouse wheel and you should see and option for "Climb Down", alternatively it should come up for you to select with middle mouse wheel when you look at the ladder.

[myshaak 0]

Hi,

- about the unguided rockets, I think they always fire in salvo mode.

- about the ladder, be sure to point a cursor (if you are playing with it) directly on the ladder, sometimes it could be tricky

- some sort of radar warning receiver will be presented in Operation Arrowhead, some addons (like Mando's missile) have it, though

- and about the War Welcome mission, yeah, this is a bug, happened to me once too.. very annoying

[W0lle 1050]

Since we got countless threads from newbies with questions in the past, this thread will now become the one and only thread for newbie questions about the game.

Please no editing questions here, for this we have the Editing forums.

Also please refrain from spamming this thread with nonsense. If you have nothing constructive to add, then don't post at all.

[OldFossil 0]

When you approach a ladder, scroll the mouse wheel and you should see and option for "Climb Down", alternatively it should come up for you to select with middle mouse wheel when you look at the ladder.

Pay attention to some steep ladder (not the vertical ones, for which you already got the suggestion) usually located in the interior of buildings, you can climb it up only if you are into a stand up position.

[walker 0]

Hi all

Like many others in this community I have answered this "I am new what do I do?", question so often that I now just copy and paste the answer :)

Start here:

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA_II_Hints_and_Tips

The ArmA triumvirate. Key things to know:

1) The editor is the place to learn and is probably the greatest things about ArmA as it is the source of thousands upon thousands of new user created content missions, and is expanding exponetialy. Some people never do anything else but create missions in the editor for them selves. People have played this game engine for a decade, and never played the same game twice, there is not another game that can claim that.

2) The next big thing is MODs no other game even approaches the Real Virtuality Engine (RVE) the core engine that runs ArmA and all its cousins, for modability, there are thousands of addons the key one you will need is ACE 2. And ArmA has a suite of tools for making mods the likes of which no other game can boast. Have a look at the Addons and Mods Complete as well as ArmA II editing section of this forum and do not forget that BIS Wiki

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Main_Page

there are also several Mod web sites and news forums:

3) Multiplayer is the final part of the ArmA triumvirate. There is an introductory manual linked on this page of the Forum:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=93078

I suggest you down load Yoma's addon Synchroniser. It will take most of the geek work out of insuring you have the right addons and that are up to date.

http://dev-heaven.net/projects/list_files/yoma-addonsync2009

Do not expect DM and CTF they exist and there are masses of PvP missions of those types but unlike other games ArmA is not limited to them, so it tends to get swamped in the mass of other game types. The easiest way to find specific game types is to join a community that specialises in that game mode. This section of the forum deals with finding a community of like minded people to play with:

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

But all of us have been homeless ronin at times and just wonder the open public servers. Be aware much of the ArmA community is hidden and locked there are several big communities that do not show up on the Game Spy Browser though most such communities run a public recruiting server as well; those that do not will just run a single server which they may well lock and password on community nights.

This thread deals with some of the many different MP questions people have:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=79628

Because of ArmA's mission editor and modability peoples imaginations have run riot, most everything you can imagine has or is being created in ArmA. This can be a bit daunting at times but if you can think of something new, that ArmA needs there is an experienced community that can help you realise your dream.

Oh and welcome to the ArmA community. :)

Kind Regards walker

Edited July 23, 2010 by walker

[MujaheD 10]

1. scroll the mousewheel and select "switch to gunner" or something like that.

2. simply add "opfor" units / groups, Click the units or group button on the right hand side of the editor and double click on the map where you want the units.

Wow thanks, that worked great. However this leads me to another question, how do I command the pilot to fly etc while I'm the gunner?

Well, first off MujaheD, welcome. Second, people will be able to help you, but prepare for a lot of effort on your part.

For issues like keys, I'd recommend you open options/controls up and browse for some time to acquaint yourself wih what is here.

For the Editor, I'd suggest mr. Murrays editor guide (or search these forums for editor GUIDE). These two things will give you a solid foundation, and the tools to answer many of your own questions..... Or like many, causing you to dig in so deep into editing all you have IS questions. Lol.

Welcome again.

Thanks for the warm welcome Scrub. I'll be sure to check out that editor guide! Oh and as for the keys, you're right about the options menu being the best place to go. It's just that there are so many controls on this game that I just had to ask about a certain few things. Thanks again man!

MujaheD: FLIR you will get for the first time in Operation Arrowhead wich is the ARMA2 expansion (also works stand alone). That FLIR comes from VBS2 wich is what the military use. ARMA2 FLIR is not proper and very simple.

I was in the process of downloading VBS2 (LITE lmao...) but i got disconnected when it was almost done:p.. hehe.. I'll give operation arrowhead a go whilst I try to download VBS2 again. Thanks dude.

Edited March 26, 2010 by MujaheD

[forteh 11]

Is it possible to dictate how an AI chopper pilot flies or to give him waypoints?

Currently re-running through harvest red (now I have the hardware to run it at decent framerates + freetrack:D) and at one point in razor2 I call for extraction by starforce21, because of the silly altitude he flies at he gets taken down by a shilka in the next town. If I could command him to fly low altitude he could approach under cover of a hill and not get shot down.

On a side note, one time he got shot down not far from my position, went to investigate the wreckage as maddox is supposed to survive the crash, the wreck was just a blackened heap next to some scorched grass. As I was walking away from it a secondary went up and the pilot jumped out the wreckage on fire running around, screaming and rolling on the floor. Tried to heal him but no joy, he eventually died after about 30 seconds.

Put a massive smile on my face :D

[RedCanoe 10]

I did search for this for a while. I feel dumb asking, but how so I switch between the kinds of grenades I have (e.g frag and smoke).:confused:

Thanks do much

Rob

[maddogx 13]

If you have two different mags for the same weapon, you can usually find a "Reload xxx" in the action menu (scroll the mouse wheel). So if your M203 is currently loaded with frags, there should be a "Reload Smoke Shell" option. Of course this will only be the case if the smoke grenade isn't one of the throwable ones.

[RedCanoe 10]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not used to that action menu yet, still learning the ropes.

[EricM 0]

Is it possible to dictate how an AI chopper pilot flies or to give him waypoints?

If the AI is under your command, you can give hime waypoing like any other guy. If he's not, you can't unless you script it like in Razor2.

If you want to tell him to go higher or lower, however you have to create small radio triggers (see the wiki for "flyinheight" command) and use them to do so, as there is sadly no standard command in the menu to do it.

To make the chopper actually "land" without creating a special trigger/waypoint/script, you have to order the pilot to get out.

[jakerod 254]

If the AI is under your command, you can give hime waypoing like any other guy. If he's not, you can't unless you script it like in Razor2.

If you want to tell him to go higher or lower, however you have to create small radio triggers (see the wiki for "flyinheight" command) and use them to do so, as there is sadly no standard command in the menu to do it.

To make the chopper actually "land" without creating a special trigger/waypoint/script, you have to order the pilot to get out.

An alternative to having him under your direct command is to use high command and have him under your command that way. That works too although it is more limited.

[forteh 11]

If the AI is under your command, you can give hime waypoing like any other guy. If he's not, you can't unless you script it like in Razor2.

If you want to tell him to go higher or lower, however you have to create small radio triggers (see the wiki for "flyinheight" command) and use them to do so, as there is sadly no standard command in the menu to do it.

To make the chopper actually "land" without creating a special trigger/waypoint/script, you have to order the pilot to get out.

Right call me stupid....

How do you give AI under your control a waypoint? Looked all through the command menus but could see anything. Must have missed it somewhere.

Im talking about issuing waypoints realtime in game, not in the editor :)

[EricM 0]

select the guy, click on the map...

[forteh 11]

I know how to issue move orders like that, I was meaning actually a chain of move orders/waypoints/path that I want him to follow. I dont think arma2 supports realtime waypoints like that, or at least Ive not found it yet.

If I give a move order form A -> B the units will travel as the crow flies (depending on combat status) but if I want them to travel from A -> C via B I cant do it without issuing a seperate move order at each destination.

[t1337Dude 10]

I used to love Operation Flashpoint and played it with friends all the time. I convinced a few friends to buy ArmA 2 due to its high replay value (and I have spring break starting after today). But we're having a lot of trouble here and there and we need a little advice/help to get more out of the game. First problem we had were the controls. Aiming in this game is much more difficult than it is than other games. There seems to be a combination of inherent input lag (I'm guessing ~70 ms) and mouse acceleration (which can't be turned off). After that, we had problems fighting through the difficulty and content. Anyways, enough with petty complaints, we need help.

1) Are there wave defense-type maps out there?

2) Is there any mod which makes the medic smart enough to heal people once they're injured? Earlier me and my friend were playing and it came down to me and my friend injured on the ground with a Corpsman just sitting around, enjoying the scenery. We have the ACE 2 mod installed and neither of us could give orders on the ground.

3) How do you sneak up on the AI? We played a stealth mission which takes place at night. It seems like the AI magically knows where we are and they treat visibility no different than day time. We could be crouching in the trees 100 yards away and they would go into alert mode.

4) How do you engage the AI in combat? If you prone, your face is going to be full of foliage, meaning that prone is only useful if taking cover - and not for actual combat. If you crouch, the AI will seem to shoot you dead between the eyes. It's difficult to get the element of surprise in this game and long-ranged combat is too hard with the funky aiming problems in combination with the ballistics.

5) How do you face vehicles? They seem be armored, mobile snipers. In fact, it's more often that these things will sight us and take us out before we can even figure out where the shots come from.

[Pulverizer 1]

To get more responsive mouse control:

-Disable v-sync! (gfx card control panel)

-Disable mouse acceleration etc (mouse control panel)

-Set smoothing to a very low level (arma2/options/controls)

-Disable floating zone (arma2/options/game)

-Set graphics quality to Very Low (arma2/options/video)

[dmarkwick 261]

The medic can be controlled and ordered to administer first aid. This is of course dependant on you (or another player) being the leader.