Extreme case of being crap :( please help!

[Drakensteyn]

Hi,

I recently stated playing Soldat again - I usually play with my friends but because I seem to be more fanatic I started trying out some public servers when none of them care to play.

Now, my problem is that I'm really crap. When I play with my friends I win a lot but I guess that doesn't mean anything. Online things happen so fast that I don't even understand what's going on hehe, and then I get into that stage where you use different weapons each spawn cos you cant use any of them properly. :p

So I was wondering if anyone had any useful tips, or could point me towards good guides. I shouldn't be a lost case, I've always been good at MMO gaming in general (Planetside, DAoC), and I have a good PC and connection (30/30 mbit fibreoptics line).

Mainly things that seem obvious to hardened players, such as (key)settings, will probably prove to be of great value to someone overlooking them like me.

Thanks in advance (hopefully) and also, hi.

Drk

[Demonic]

Various tips:

1) Use grenades. A lot. Really. They are instant kills most of the time ( when hitting injured people or on the feet ), and you get a lot of them.
2) Lower your mouse sensitivity. I play at 35%, some of the best players use 30%-50%. The lower the sense, the more accurate you are. Make every shot count, and follow your crosshair, not the soldier.
3) Jump a lot. Practice kick jumps ( when you keep tapping jumps9 on slopes, then release the side movement key at the final jump ), grenade boosting ( every box makes grenades explode instantly, and you get boosted ).
4) Ditch your secondary for a primary. Two barrets are better than a barret and a knife.
5) Try to be unpredictable: change your course of direction in battle, back off from the enemy if you must, or just rush passed him instead of stopping.
6) When you start dessimating publics, join quakenet, and Soldat gather. Now THAT will toughen you up.

[swebonny]

Just play I´m sure you will get better, like someone said practise makes perfection.(think it was like that)
Practise aim with bots.
Shoot everything that moves...

[Radical Terrorist]

4) Ditch your secondary for a primary. Two barrets are better than a barret and a knife.

Umm, What if you run out of ammo on both? Then you're screwed. I pack a Socom backup. It can be devastating in the hands of the right person. And it has a low reload time.

[BondJamesBond]

I mean, is there anything more than practice? Demonic has some good hints, but those are all techniques you develop with some experience anyway.

EDIT: Radical Terrorist - then instead of picking up a second Barret, grab an auto.

[Chakra]

Ever played quake, where you circle-strafe one another to make aiming harder? Just because Soldat is in 2 dimensons doesn't mean the same theory doesn't apply here. Moving very fast in parallel to your enemies position (vertically when your opponent is horizontally opposite you for instance) will give you that initial edge, especially if you're moving above the enemy. The jump-then-jet-to-get-higher-faster thing helps there. You'll learn in time to extend that into fancier maneuvers and such.

Also, practice patience with your weapons. Don't rush to fire off every round, or spray every bullet. Take the care and time to aim, and remember that certain or most weapons aim better when you're not pushing one of the movement keys, Barrett being a fine example. You can 'float' in mid-air, maintaining a strafing movement while allowing that more accurate shot.

Thats the utmost basics there. You might be able to find some info and such on http://wiki.soldat.nl , but otherwise you're better off listening to experienced players.

[mar77a]

Or playing with them:

http://sctfl.soldat.nl
http://fracs.net/bbs
http://tnl.org.uk
http://nagather.u13.net
http://gather.soldat.nl

[Drakensteyn]

Thanks for the responses guys!

Quick Q: I installed my logitech mouse drives yet am unable to use the buttons on the side in Soldat, is it even possible to use them?

[Twistkill]

Quick Q: I installed my logitech mouse drives yet am unable to use the buttons on the side in Soldat, is it even possible to use them?

Unfortunately, no. They are not programmable for use in Soldat.

[Predator0520]

You just have to play, play, play and play. You will get used to fast tricks and movement and yea, follow tips above.

[6th_account]

I'm not sure about logitech, but razers' are able to bind a key to the extra buttons. So one could both press F or use the thumb to throw a knife. Check if they offer something like that.

If you want to master Soldat you need to master 1) Speed - Skipping, mid-air prone+jet, backflip forward for even higher speed, moving around without looking at the soldier too much, 2) Agility - Backflip, kickjumps, slowing down/tapping jet to land in the best spot for the next skip, 3) Dodging - Basic holding down jump-key against semiauto users, mid-air backflip, multiple mid-air prone, quickly shift between left and right movement when enemy is above.

If you're unsure how to do any of these, ask Demonic.

[jbigz]

My favorite tactic is backflipping. You can do it pretty much any time, and you get out of an area vertically fast. Also, accuracy is key. Not quantity, but quality. I recommend AK74 to practice doing single or just double shots to a target. The hits are strong, and they go a long ways. If you like that slower method, start using Ruger. If you like being able to let off afew more bullets, keep with the AK74, AUG, or Minimi. They are all good guns if used properly: Shot about 3 times, then let off for a split second and continue. 3 shot bursts.
If you want a challenge, try using Deagles. They are tough, but worth it if you can master the unique arc.

[Wormdundee]

Just being in agreement with some of the other people here, movement is the absolutely most important thing in soldat. More important than accuracy even. If you can move well, you won't get hit nearly as much.

As mentioned above, one tactic that is extremely useful is the moving perpendicularly to how the other person is moving. However, another variation on this that I use all the time is to run straight at someone as fast as you possibly can, firing as you go. Just before you reach them jump into the air over them and keep twisting and firing to keep hitting them. By the time you land on the other side of them they should be dead. If they're not just fire a couple more shots into them. Many people seem to have a hard time following someone who is moving over them extremely fast.

I like to mix this maneouvre up by perhaps throwing a grenade at their feet just before I jump over them, so that if they die from the grenade you can keep going without stopping.

Note: This tactic is usually a fairly bad idea if the person you're going for happens to have a chainsaw out.

[Splinter-Snake]

Just practice. That' all. It doesn't matter how. Eventually you'll start playing one day and realize you're suddenly pwning.

[excruciator]

1) Use grenades. A lot. Really. They are instant kills most of the time ( when hitting injured people or on the feet ), and you get a lot of them.

Ohh man there it is, THE tactic that I hate the most. almost all player in SNA use it
I bet if there was no nades you guys would probably lose to anyone

you are new and your gun still isn't good yet, so don't start with a grenade.
sure yo can kill faster that way but you are training, and I recommend to use your gun as much as possible

[InfS]

Try to always be above the enemy, you'll land more headshots, and take less damage that way (just beware of enemy nades, they will kill you if they throw them from below), try to refrain from using M79, Barrett, LAW for now, use Deagles, AK74, Minimi, etc to get your aim better. Having the right controls also helps, so make sure you know where each key is and what it does without looking... Personally I use left click to shoot, right click for nades, middle mouse scroll button to changes wep. Some people also use middle mouse click to throw. Make your jet button something else. Try out some different configs and see what feels most natural.

You can throw nades while shooting... a nade + bullet = instant kill... This works really well with the MP5. try to stay off the ground when you can.. thats where all the nades will fall. Avoid camping, it doesnt help you against anyone with skill. try to look far away when running, if you see the enemy first you can get a little extra edge on him.

Try using the chainsaw + nades only, its a good way to practise moving and nade aim... play on u13 or fracs.net deathmatch servers, there are usually good people there.

Lastly, watch what the good players do, and try to imitate them. If they can do it, so can you.

[Gortaak]

To be honest, there is a reason that the default keys are the way they are. There is no need to change them at all. I have used default the entire time ive been playing.

Speed. Speed is life. If you cant get moving, you are cannon fodder. The faster you move, the harder you are to hit. Move oddly. If you move the way they think you will, you will die.
Learn to dodge. If you are on the ground,and they are in the air, you are a sitting duck. Instead of jetting slowly up to them, and getting killed, Get vertical to them and move back and forth in little leaps, till most or all of thier ammo is out. You dont need to shoot, as you need to pay more attention to thier bullets to dodge them. When they reload, smokem. Works great against ruger.

When shooting, try and stay diagional to your target, as they are the easist shots to make. When using an auto remember that the faster you move, the more damage your gun does. Also works with deagles.

If you use the knife, throw in the opposite direction you are moving in. Like you are running left, throw your knife right. It moves faster and is a gaurenteed kill. You can also throw it farther.

Learn to use grenades. Learn how to throw them in odd places, through little holes on ash. learn how to get the most distance out of them. Learn where you can spam blindly to get the most kills out of. Toss nades in peoples faces as you shoot them with your guns.

[GhettoSlayer]

1 tip...Only thing that helped me. Start off by camping w/ your favorite gun. once you feel you're good with it, start moving around. Not far, but keep using that gun. Then try flying and shooting while moving, after while you'll be killing really quickly.

Once you've mastered that, try different guns.

[Wormdundee]

In my opinion ghetto, that's a terrible way to learn how to use a gun. Not all guns are created to be used for camping, in fact, only one of them would be even considered for camping, which is of course the barret. If you're going to try and learn how to use deagles (for example) by camping with them, you'll be in for a lot of frustration.

[jbigz]

1) Use grenades. A lot. Really. They are instant kills most of the time ( when hitting injured people or on the feet ), and you get a lot of them.

Ohh man there it is, THE tactic that I hate the most. almost all player in SNA use it
I bet if there was no nades you guys would probably lose to anyone

you are new and your gun still isn't good yet, so don't start with a grenade.
sure yo can kill faster that way but you are training, and I recommend to use your gun as much as possible

You play a shooting game, and you are dissing grenades? Lol.


If you are an auto kind of guy, start out with the AUG. Do 2-4 shot bursts. That way, the shots stay straight. AUG is a good balanced weapon, with the fire rate similar to the MP5 and distance similar to the AK74. Also, you can try the Minimi, but it doesn't seem to do the same kind of damage. Once you get comfortable with the AUG, pull out the AK74 when your playing with some easier foes. Practice. It shoots slow, which means aim each shot. Each shot does heavy damage, so aim for the head. Maybe 4 hit kill if its to the head.


If you are a click-and-shoot kinda guy, i recommend using the Spas12. That gun is extremely fun to use and versatile. I recommend a Socom as a secondary for middle-range though. Once you get a hang of the arc and use of the Spas12, you might want to try Desert Eagles. They have actually similar arc, just keep with the arc and don't slow down with the wind.


If you started out using a Barret and find out the reload time is an ass pain, switch to Ruger. Ghetto sniper rifle, 2-3 hit kill. Just pray the shots REGISTER.


And if you want to get good with an M79... don't.


Also, i highly recommend getting good with the knife. It is a life-saver.
Or, for some less-serious fun, pull out a chainsaw when you are going thru tight tunnels or enemy-dense areas. Rack up some multikills x]

[Xxypher]

Play in servers... Thats it... Just play in servers until you get better.

[SirJamesaford]

3 on 1 some bots in single player... thats how i started out years ago.  It will improve your aim.

[Xxypher]

Bots are bad for getting practice, they suck horribly, they can't aim, and they get stuck.
And you need to learn how to dodge, not stand in one place so you wont be hit by bots.

[SirJamesaford]

I said it helps with AIM... it also helps with controls.

[CheeSeMan.]

"The more you spray...the more you get! -The Axe effect" NONONO Don't listen to the damn commercial! xD Being an expert means knowing what to do in every situation, you just need to play as much as possible and soon Soldat will be like motor muscle memory

[Chakra]

Dunno what bots you've been playing... I find bots better than most human players. They've a great aim if you're not moving extremely fast (kinda forces you to make the most out of strafing). Only problem is they can't move as fast as a human.

The 0 ping against bots might have you picking up some bad habits though... you'll notice a big but subtle difference when playing on a 33 ping server compared to a 100 ping server, especially with the more accurate weapons. Personally I find if I play too much on american servers, I lose my aim on european ones...and vice versa.

[Drakensteyn]

Thanks again everyone for the input.

I followed jbigz's post and started using the spas-12 with socom backup on public servers. Whilst it is hard to get the hang of at first it becomes great fun. Knife throwing as secondary is also really cool. I noticed I prefer playing midfield on CTF games with these weapons. My goal is to mainly play with the spas and deagles, as those weapons are not only appealing in general but they are similar to what I prefer in other games.

Another quick Q though; do you guys use sniperline? I can't really decide as to whether I find it helpful or distracting for target aligntment.

[Toumaz]

Another quick Q though; do you guys use sniperline? I can't really decide as to whether I find it helpful or distracting for target aligntment.

It's disabled in most leagues and gathers, if not all of them. Don't even bother getting used to it, as I find it to be rather shit anyhow.

[Drakensteyn]

Kk.

[jbigz]

Another quick Q though; do you guys use sniperline? I can't really decide as to whether I find it helpful or distracting for target aligntment.

It's disabled in most leagues and gathers, if not all of them. Don't even bother getting used to it, as I find it to be rather **** anyhow.

That's true. It is a bad habit. But when you join a pub with it on... ohhh its so easy hahaha. x[)


EDIT: Also, thanks for taking some of my advice. I appreciate getting feedback after writing all dat stuff.

[Spec. Ops]

What i do is go in a pro server or someplace where theres great players. Even though your getting owned just look at how they play and what they do. Try it out yourself and you'll see improvement.

[Horang]

Going high on maps will usually be better than low because of player positions, for two reasons. 10 points for the first person to guess why.

[edit]

Doesn't make you better, just makes it easier to survive.

[Gortaak]

And if you want to get good with an M79... don't.

Question. Why? The m79 is a fantastic gun, if you are good with it. Truly good with it. Ive had that gun save my ass many times on Ash and Nuubia. If you are good with it, and can make good long distance shots, its a gun that never stop kicking. Not to mention boosting helps to cap alot on a ton of maps if done right. (Getting out with the flag on ash, kampf, boosting from flag to flag on viet with a 10 second round trip for a cap) The m79 is an execellent gun, that people hate cause they cant beat it, and get pissed off when noobs kill them with it.

Ill have to demo the next time I play ash or nuubia in a gather/ scrim and show you how powerfull that gun can be in the right hands. Im also not claiming to be the best with that gun, not by a long shot.

[Illuminatus]

When using an auto remember that the faster you move, the more damage your gun does. Also works with deagles.

really? 

[Twistkill]

When using an auto remember that the faster you move, the more damage your gun does. Also works with deagles.

really? 

Yes. Actually, this works for every gun, but it's more noticeable with the autos. Try shooting bots from a medium distance and kill them. Then, try shooting them while proning and jetting towards them. The speed of the bullets will be increased, and thus, will cause more pain.

Or, if a person is flying very quickly towards you, if you hit them, you will do more damage than if they are moving slower towards you because the bullets take less time to hit the target.

[Illuminatus]

The speed of the bullets will be increased, and thus, will cause more pain.
[...]
the bullets take less time to hit the target.

thats alright...
I thought the bullets themselves would cause more damage

[TBDM]

play vs allot of bots that are pretty hard to kill on small maps.

then play on servers with less people in it and then more and more...just build it up, don't expect to be PRO or great after playing it for a while jus eb patient and train, stay focused..

[iDante]

I would suggest u13 servers, there are ususally good people on and they are also usually helpful. They were the first pubs I tried

[Xxypher]

Going high on maps will usually be better than low because of player positions, for two reasons. 10 points for the first person to guess why.

[edit]

Doesn't make you better, just makes it easier to survive.

I say stay low with explosives, thats what I do, I have nades, M79, and LAW, and lets see them get through a low tunnel with you standing there loaded.

[Gortaak]

When using an auto remember that the faster you move, the more damage your gun does. Also works with deagles.

really? 

was more noticable with 1.3 deagles, you could get 2 shot head kills if you were moving fast enough.

[Lord Frunkamunch]

The speed of the bullets will be increased, and thus, will cause more pain.
[...]
the bullets take less time to hit the target.

thats alright...
I thought the bullets themselves would cause more damage

They do. It's actually possible to get a 1-hit-kill with the spas if you're running fast enough and get 8 point blank head shots.

[Wormdundee]

A 1-hit kill with 8 shots? Do you mean with all the pellets hitting the head?

[Drakensteyn]

Is it just me or are deagles really quite difficult to be good at? :S

[excruciator]

Is it just me or are deagles really quite difficult to be good at? :S

its not you, its the gunz. its just that hard.
I dont bother with deagles

[Gortaak]

Ive been playing for 3 years, and I cant hit shit, with the deagles.

[Drakensteyn]

What would you suggest to begin with? :p I'm having a hard time finding a gun I like :S

The deagles seem hard, spas feels nice but it's a bit of a struggle. The MP and Steyre I find it hard to aim with, even if i tap the mouse a lot of bullets are shot, the AK and Ruger however are great but rely too much on good aim hehe. I get nervous/excited and then its all over. The last 4 weapons i dont really care to use.

[Chakra]

In soldat, its important to keep your cool. Practicing your aim and practicing your aim while being shot at are two different experiences.

[excruciator]

In soldat, its important to keep your cool. Practicing your aim and practicing your aim while being shot at are two different experiences.

lol ye, especially against minigunners

[jbigz]

What would you suggest to begin with? :p I'm having a hard time finding a gun I like :S

The deagles seem hard, spas feels nice but it's a bit of a struggle. The MP and Steyre I find it hard to aim with, even if i tap the mouse a lot of bullets are shot, the AK and Ruger however are great but rely too much on good aim hehe. I get nervous/excited and then its all over. The last 4 weapons i dont really care to use.

Hahah, i have the same freakin out problem when i am aiming with the Ruger. I can shoot my Ruger perfectly, but in the heat of battle, i get nervous and miss horribly.

And the deagles are probasbly not a good gun to start with. Odd arc, and low ammo.

[Wormdundee]

I think your best choice would probably be the mp5 or steyr. Just keep working at them and you'll get excellent aim in no time.

[Horang]

Having a good aim in my opinion is less than half of what's needed to be good.

[SirJamesaford]

Ill take good strategy over god aim any day.

[NinjaGimp369]

Ive been playing for 3 years, and I cant hit ****, with the deagles.

Same. I've been practising with them for ages aswell.

[Wormdundee]

Well aim is a necessary part of the game though. If you can't hit anything, you're not going to get any points now are you?

However, I do agree that high speed movement and agility is very important, as well as being able to tell what somebody is going to do, predicting movements and stuff like that.

[Drakensteyn]

With regards to that, the hardest I find to do is to jetpack and aim/shoot at the same time. :p

I noticed u13 are US servers, are there any EU servers of similar quality?

[Demonic]

Honestly? No, there aren't. Us euros are mostly bent on #soldat.gather, but I take it that's a bit farther away from you for now ( or to be blunt, you'd get raped ). Just slay the randoms, and when you can't get worse than the top 3 on any scoreboard, PM me on the forums, and I'll tell you all about soldat gather.

[-Major-]

well in realistc mode the sensety is depending on what weapon you use and what kind of mouse and pad you are using. so dont lower your sensety because you think you will get better. if you want a low sensety you need a good pad (a large one) with really good mouse pads (those located under the mouse). also to have two barretts is a really dumb idea if you aint the really defensive guy because of the bink.