The intricacies of the game

I've played this game during it's beta stages, dropped it for ca, then came back to it when i realized I suck at ca. During the course of almost 3 years now I have learned many a great tips and small little details that you rarely hear about on the forums or otherwise. So I thought I would compose a list of these things. I would like to note that I am by no means a great player, but I am definitely an experienced one. So here it is:

THE CROSS HAIR
1. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the game is how one should place their reticule on a target in order to achieve the quickest kill time possible. One of the key aspects of knowing where one should place their cross hair on a target is knowing how your gun reacts to firing a certain amount of bullets. For example, the AK-47 usually has the spray pattern drift to the right, so in order to gain the most out of a 5 shot burst you would want to try aiming a bit to the left. Assuming you're not absolutely pro at aim for the head, this technique is what most players should be trying to do.

2. When covering a doorway, cross hair placement is absolutely the difference between getting the kill and getting killed yourself. I find that many players preach that one should allow leeway between the cross hair and the spot you are covering in order to compensate for the amount of time it takes for you to react. While this may garner some success I myself advocate putting the cross hair CLOSER to the entrance that I'm guarding. This is my preferred method because so often players only peek just enough to reveal only half of their body. While you're there trying to swing you're cross hair in an attempt to kill, they have already done damage and escaped without a scratch. By putting the cross hair closer, you are able to eliminate the swing factor and just fire based on reaction, which can mean saving those vital milliseconds that could cost you the game.

3. I wont talk about which type of cross hair to use simply because I think the matter is completely arbitrary. I've seen great players use the often spit upon 2nd cross hair to great success and I think it just matters what you are comfortable with.

4. malte[gr] touched upon this one, but I believe that it is just so vital that I can't possibly leave it out. MOVE YOUR CROSS HAIR WITH CONVICTION. What I mean by that is if you're trying to aim at someone you shouldn't lazily move your cross hair over to their hitbox. You should violently swing it at them. This is the equivalent of drag scoping in sniping, which is much more effective then slowly moving the red dot to their body.

5. Find a sensitivity right for you. Don't buy into the "lower the better" because it's not always true. If you're someone who is more of a rush oriented player then you should definitely have a sensitivity that affords you being able to turn around quickly and swiftly aim at multiple targets. If your someone who is more of a passive players then a lower sensitivity might do you the most benefit, but again it all comes down to what you're comfortable with.

BREATHING
1. Rarely discussed, but I feel that it deserves a mention because by giving the brain a more steady flow of oxygen one is able to think more clearly, react faster, and aim better. The most efficient breathing method is the one where a person inhales through his/her nose and exhale through his/her mouth. All while using the diaphragm to control the air flow. This method of breathing is taught in acting classes and general fitness and health courses throughout the world and for good reason.

EYES
1. Make sure your eyes are properly cared for and if you have contacts or glasses make sure they are not going to bother you during gaming because without vision your pretty much helpless.

2. Always try to keep the target that your.....well....targeting in the center of your vision. Focusing on your cross hair and using an approximation of the distance between the target and your cross hair will surely result in a miscalculation because your peripheral is much less accurate at judging colors and shapes then the focus of your vision. By swinging the cross hair until the it is on your target, you're able to more accurately judge the distance you need to swing your mouse.

NOISE
1. I wont address footsteps because I'm pretty sure almost every player knows by now that footsteps are very loud, but i will note that the switches of guns can be just as revealing to position as footsteps if the other team is perceptive and can communicate well.And the worst part about switches is that they can be heard from long distances. So before you switch your guns around and think that you are some sort of good player because of it, THINK AGAIN.

2. Avoid water as best you can, because many players will know where that water is located on the map, making you very easy to locate.

COMMUNICATION
1. I feel that noise and communication are pretty much in lock step with each other, because if you can't communicate where you heard those noises at, then the information is pretty much useless to your team. So purchase a headset(don't get the 20$ one from wal-mart it breaks within weeks for no reason trust me) and learn to act as a unit.

2. BUT DON'T OVERDO IT, so many times I see people abuse the mic with tons of information about the enemy team, only for every one to just talk over each other and in the end no information is gained. Think out what you're going to say and say it in a calm manner when everyone has stopped talking. Unless of course they are talking about things that are not game related, in that case tell them to shut up.

Comments

  • 3. While planning your strategies for maps before games is the most effective method of playing as a team, sometimes this isn't an option. In this case a team has to pick a leader to call out what the team is going to do and who's job is what. This is important because having two conflicting strategies WILL confuse you and your team and can lead to a swift defeat. Usually the leaders of both teams will control how the game plays out and it is important to pick someone that you trust will make smart decisions.

    TAKING SITES
    1. One of the more complex points of the game is how a team should go about getting into a site and planting/defusing the bomb. The team that has the bomb site has the overwhelming advantage that could allow 3 players to win again 5 based on the fact that they have the luxury of being able to let enemies come to them. As you can ascertain, planting the bomb is a very important part of the game.

    2a. Taking the bomb site as a BL member is the easier thing to do, because usually the bulk of their team won't be hunkered down in the bombsite that you and your team decided to attack unless you somehow gave away your position or your leader made an obvious move. So when attacking on BL one must be aware that there should be some GR members in the site, either keeping their distance and softening your team for the eventual push or campers waiting to strike a deadly blow to your team by taking your squad by surprise. To counter this a combination of smoke and flash grenades are often the most effective method of dealing with these threats. Smoke for making the long range shooter unable to pinpoint and flash to blind those potential "behind the corner" threats. This with a combination of well coordinated aggression should be able to take a bomb site with ease.

    2b.If BL was able to successfully enter the site, GR must communicate if they: 1. Did any damage 2. How many players were rushing and from where. 3. If they saw anyone taking up a camping spot. With this information in tow GR should be able to come up with a counter to this BL menace with a combination of the same tactics that BL used. Although I would be more hesitant to throw smoke because of the likelihoods that BL members are holed up in camping positions and that concealing their charges could mean bad things for GR members trying to overtake the site. This is of course a harder task than BL had, but if GR can effectively cover each others blind spots and communicate effectively then they stand a good chance at gaining victory.

    THE BOMB
    1. Watching the bomb location and playing around the bomb is one of the most basic elements in the game of crossfire. If GR is able to kill the bomb carrier and set up a "crossfire" around it, then all might be lost. So it is important as a BL member to always make sure that the person carrying the bomb isn't trying to be a hero and go lone wolf because it can definitely turn out bad. As a GR one has to call out the bomb's location and the other members have to regroup to where the bomb is located if it was dropped by a BL member. In addition to this the bomb is visible on the leg of the BL member, so if the bomb is spotted on a player's leg, it can be safe to assume that they are going to try and plant in the site where the bomb carrier is headed.

    DISTRACTION
    1. The use of decoys can be one of the most effective strategies in S&D on BL side. By making the GR team think that the BL team is going to plant in one site, but then take a completely different site completely throws off the flow of the GR team as now they have to rush a bomb site that has a team that is at full hp and have to deal with a player who can possibly flank them if they turn back and try to take the site. That's why on GR it's important to not make hasty decisions like "I heard footsteps B so everyone come rotate here".

    USING TIME
    1. The GR team can play the clock in a way where it forces the BL team to make a move and force their way into a site which can be a dangerous move since players who are more rushed and worried by time have to rely on just their skills and not strategies, which can prove fatal.

    2. On BL, when the bomb is planted it is best to avoid confrontation and just let the bomb explode. This puts GR in the same position as the BL team would be if the time was near running out.

    3. Time can also be used as a bait for BL to trick GR into playing into their hands. For example, the team leader saying "We're going to wait it out until 1:23 seconds and then we will rush site X". By doing this BL can make a GR player get restless and peek out of his position, thus making him an easy target for you team to pick off. Then with numbers advantage, Taking a site and holding it is an easier task.

    Conclusion: There is so much more I can discuss, but unfortunately I'm too lazy to proceed further, but i sincerely hope that this guide helps a team win more often and get a better experience out of their game
  • This will surely help a lot of good players.
    I did many of these tactics you mentioned and they really work.
    Good job mate.
  • Wow, looks like you put much effort into this! I almost knew all of this but some great tips there are.
  • Freaking amazing guide

    These tips are great for experienced and in-experienced players!
  • Thanks man this really helped clear up somethings. I definitely think that this should be stickied
  • Great tips! As a somewhat "seasoned" player myself (although not really a WOGL player), I have done a good number of scrims and pugs so I knew most of these although I'm curious as to see the other ones you've withheld from us =o
  • Maybe i'll make a follow-up, but as of now I'll keep learning new things