What Factor(s) Determine(s) Skill?

[decoy.]

What Factors Determine Skill?

This is a question that I have pawend off a couple of times, maybe not in the forums but still. Discarding individual factors that may stand out like skill or incredible accuracy with the rugar and sniper, what factor or combination of factors do you think determines that one has skill?

Aim?
Is it score?
Is it timing on shots?
Is it well placed grenades?
Is it catching onto opportunities?
What other factors should be recognized?

The lot of times that I have played among team members to see good thought out actions in little achievements. For example, in capture the flag, I figure that those capable of returning the flag are due recognition, just as much as those who are able to live and hold onto the flag long enough. If one sprays in a certain direction then there is certainly some good purpose about it. Camping to snipe does promise a better aim than being immobile as well as a good spot for defending the flag or flag carrier.

I only provided the example from CTF because that is what I am use to playing. But what other displays of skill can you think of that do tend to go unnoticed? I would provide examples of my deeds but it would seem like boasting to me. And that's one thing I try and keep from doing, except when it is to taunt in game and throw off a couple of people's priority in team competition.

[Crimson Goth]

Attack, Defence, and Teamwork.

[decoy.]

Attack, Defence, and Teamwork.

Ones efficiency of attack and defensive tactics with the ability to interact cohesively with team members, do you mean?

[Vilho]

At first teamwork pops in my mind but it you must also handle defending the flag, as well snatching it without getting killed.

[8th_account]

According to wiktionary, skill is "capacity to do something well; technique, ability."

Thus a soldat related skill would be any ability to do something well in soldat, like having a good aim or being able to read peoples' moves in advance. Skills would be a bundle of these abilities, which could consist of any combination of skill.

[mar77a]

Timing, rushing, using the map in your advantage, grenades, good control of one auto, one semi and a one-hit, teamwork, flag throws, hiding, spraying. If you've all those right on, you are probably the MASTER of Soldat.

[Mitak]

Skill = Luck applied at the correct time.

For me, the "gut feeling" is included (when knifing).

[BondJamesBond]

Positioning.

[Demonic]

First of all you need to be a good player individually. This means that your aim must rock with most weapons, making you versatile and capable on all maps and in most situations. The use of grenades is probably the most important, as they compliment all guns and provide boosting capabilities when used right.

The second would be being 'smart'. This means that you keep an eye out for the death console, can take a good hunch on where your enemies are going, where are your teammates. With this, you can taunt effectively, providing information, and you can sneak past opposition to get the flag or kill the enemy flag carrier. You also have to pick your battles: at some times it's better to avoid combat, and in others ( like at a flag raid ) it makes more sense to take up a good, heightened position and going for double-triple kills as support. Then come the little but effective tricks, like stealing all the grenade / medpacks, hiding behind scenery for a surprise move, moving in unusual routes ( like luring your enemies to chase you up, and you turn back and escape alt way ), etc.

Rather simple, 'innit?

[Zamorak]

When you first start a game, you know nothing about it and have little skill for that game, in the case of soldat skill cannot be defined as potential to do well.


As you play the game and learn more, you start playing differently. For example, beginners will not know how to achieve the maximum jump height and speed (D+D+D+D etc), whereas a more experienced player will. As you spend time playing the game, you pick up traits and habits that will overall benefit your playing. In soldat, it's not all about aim, there is a large portion of tactics and strategy. Strategy stays somewhat more static than tactics, tactics tends to evolve and adapt to every game given the opposition and objective.

After playing for year(s), a player will find himself subconsciously doing things that a new (or unskilled) player would have to do consciously, and these subconscious reactions greatly benefit the player, making them more adaptive and intelligent. As one progresses to higher levels of play (SCTFL etc) the most skilled players will not only aim well,  but they will adapt and work together to defeat a situation.  Higher-level Soldat, in my opinion, requires a player to be well versed with the capabilities of himself and his team, knowing when to do what in whichever situation.

The ability to develop and adapt to different situations combined with technical prowess is what makes up an extremely skilled player.

[ElGato]

Demonic + Zamorak = End of thread.

[Mangled*]

What factors determine skill:

Understanding how each weapon works is essential and using opponents disadvantages to your advantage. For instance... it's essential if you're going up against a skilled sniper that you understand that shooting him first will degrade his accuracy. So if you have an automatic you're going to want to hit him with a few shots before really going in for the kill.

Being one step ahead of everyone else is important above all, if you can predict where someone is running to then you can intercept them. If an enemy is running to your flag you can drop a grenade onto the flag and it will at least slow him down, if he's not very smart he'll run over it and blow up.

Thinking tactically is the best way to survive. If you're carrying the flag and you're injured you can't go running about guns blazing. You need to stay under the radar, be quick and move evasively and if someone poses a real threat you need to either lose them or take them out.

Experience. When you've played Soldat for as long as me you understand how the game works, the fastest way to get across each map. Speed running, jet-rolling and backflipping are essential maneuvers that you will grasp over time.

Surprise! Yes taking people by surprise and spontaneously doing unexpected things really shocks people and they don't get a chance to react. Think outside the box and try new techniques. Using grenades to suppress an enemy in a narrow tunnel and then running away... and as they take chase you run full pelt back at them guns blazing when they're expecting to slowly gain on you and hunt you like a deer.