- vballryan
- |
- Exalted Heroic Member
Here are some basic tips that can help you out while playing Reach. The tips can be used in either default or in MLG. Its a bit of a read but it does give useful tips. Big thanks to Sanuel Jackson for some of the points.
TL;DR : If you arent already good, read this
General Tips
Timing the power weapons/power-ups
Power weapons are a must if you want to succeed in Reach. always time them. They could mean the difference between a win or a loss, especially during the last 10 or so kills. Generally, they spawn every 2-3 minutes but vary according to the map. Learn them. Know how to get them as quickly as possible off starting spawn. An early advantage makes it much easier for the rest of the game.
Movement (when and where)
Seems like the same thing as pushing up. I am more referring to setting up around the map. People should learn the spawn systems for the map to get a general idea of where the other team will spawn after you kill them. This is crucial to King of the Hill variants. The spawns in KoTH gametypes can either win or lose you the game. You must control the spawn system in order to be succesful. To do this, you must be in certain spots on the map to block any spawns. If you get an unlucky spawn (opposite side of the map), and your teammates are at hill side, push up and get out of that location. Your team can block spawns and get you a good spawn if you die on your way there. In many games of Nexus and Oasis (at high level), many people still do not block spawns. Personally, I get frustrated when you have to walk for 15 seconds across the map just to get 3 seconds of hill. A good team will force spawns so that the other team has a disadvantage at all times. Movement is also very important in flag gametypes. In this case, its about running flags. This also has to do with the spawns. If you just killed the other team, run the flag through where they just died. It will be the safest route since they have to spawn on the opposite side of the map.
Master the DMR
Get good with this thing because it'll be the most effective and versatile weapon in your arsenal (aside from power weapons of course). Personally, I like to spam the first few shots to the body, pause for a short while to let the reticle reset a bit, then go for the headshot. However, if you know that you're going to die anyways with no option to flee the battle, you should spam as many shots to the body as possible to weaken them. That way, you can call them out and a teammate can potentially clean them up. In MLG since it is now no bloom, it is not spamming. None the less, still try and get better with the DMR. Putting shots on anybody is very useful to your team. Keeping people weak is very useful in objective gametypes while trying to capture an objective or in 1v1s. The more of a disadvantage the other team is at, the better
Choose your encounters
Plan Ahead
You can tip the scales to your favor as much as possible. This could mean dropping a nade under their feet before you fire your gun or having a teammate nearby so you can double-team them. It's all just a matter of engaging primarily in battles when you have the upper hand until you get good enough to fight practically anybody at any given time.
Know when to fight
Like I mentioned above, always try to stay and fight whenever you have the upper hand. If you have a teammate standing there with you, help him shoot the guy so that you can kill him faster instead of just crouching around some random corner trying to get a cheap kill. Being aggressive can be useful but dont get too pushy or it may cost your team in the long run.
Know when to back down
If you are down a couple of shots, chances are you won't be able to win your next encounter. If somebody is on your tail, book it out of there and try to run towards your teammates to let them cover you. Don't ever engage in a fight when you are at a disadvantage because you're essentially giving the other team a free point.
Chasing
God this is one of the most annoying things ever. The rule of thumb here is to never do it unless you know you can get the kill. Letting them get away is a bit disheartening at times, but it's better than giving the other team another point if you somehow end up dead. The best thing to do at this point is to call them out, and maybe chuck a few nades for good measure, then continue on your way. If you yourself are being chased, try to get behind corners and walls to minimize the amount of shots you take. Toss a few grenades around the corner to slow them down or stop them completely. Or, if they still chase you after you hit them with those grenades, they'll hopefully be weak enough for you to be able to clean them up.
Setting up and obtaining map control
Remember those games where no matter where you went, you always got shot at or even killed? That's when the other team has taken map control. That means that your team needs to coordinate a push to take them down. You usually want to take out the guys with the power weapons first (sniper, rockets, etc) to make the job a little easier. This is where teamshooting comes into play. Learning the spawns is crucial to getting and maintaining map control.
Coordination with your team
In Reach, teamwork is more important than individual skill. You should always be close enough to some of your teammates that they can put shots on somebody that you are also shooting at. If with you play certain people enough, you get a sense on how they play, so you know what they are going to do in certain situations (pushing up.backing down,flanking,whatever). If you are just playing with anybody really, make sure everybody knows what is happening on the map.
Callouts
I cannot stress this enough. Call out everything. Weapon spawn times, enemy positions, how many there are, what weapons they have, how much shields and health they have, etc. Not only should you call out everything, you should focus on responding to those callouts as well. Every map has callouts for virtually every location. Learn them.
When to push up
If your team is up a man, make the right decision (push up). In any gametype, if your team is up a man, you should try and gain control (middle of the map, or their base). In flag gametypes especiialy, if your team is up a man and your team can move into their base, push up. Being aggressive when your team is up can be very effective. Keeping the enemy team trapped at their base makes it much easier to kill them and get a good setup going. Timing power weapons is important. Just because a weapon spawns, doesnt mean you have to go for it. A circumstance is when your team has complete control over the map and is going for a flag cap. DO NOT go back on your side of the map to get a weapon. It will dissapear in 1 minute so theres plenty of time to get it later. Theres also time when you shouldnt do these things.
General knowledge of basic things can make the game much easier. Time weapons, know spawns, and make smart choices.
[Edited on 01.06.2012 8:22 AM PST]