- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
FIRST: know the level, know superior positions to hide and from which to fire.
SECOND:
It's not about tricks. It's about lethality and momentum, killing well and using movement to both get stuff you want quickly but also stay unpredictable, while being able to predict where the enemy will be.
Like everyone has said, learn ALL the weapons. Know them in and out. You can't rely on having your precious little pistol everytime, so what are you going to do when you don't have it? In a long game to 50, I'd bet pure LETHALITY over WORKING THE LEVEL every time. People who work a loop of say, rocket and invisibility on Damnation will get dismantled if you can recognize their precious little pattern because you can take them out of it. All you have to do is set up a trap near the item they so desperately worship.
You have to be dangerous with every weapon, know how to fight depending on how your opponent is armed.
Know when to start shooting - do you have the drop on them? A melee in the back of the head is humiliating, a sniper headshot lets you stay put because they won't be able to tell where the hell it came from. Know when to start shooting to minimize their ability to react. Be a sneaky bastard, but don't rely on hiding, because then you aren't moving.
Plasma Pistol - Charge shot first to knock down the shields, then machine-gun the trigger or else move in for a melee. Don't forget it stuns, so wait til you are behind someone to start shooting if you can. It also is a good harrassment weapon, breaks up sniping.
Plasma Rifle - This is a good stunner, a standoff weapon for someone with a highly lethal weapon, like a shotty or a rocket. Don't go up against a sniper.
Needler - You'd better only shoot this at someone who won't know you're shooting it at them.
Pistol - lead ahead and high, with the edge of the reticle touching the head, compensating for distance. Don't zoom in unless they're really far away, it only disrupts you when you take a hit.
AR - This is close range, or desperately breaking the aim of a sniper trained on you. Pump it.
Shotty - A lot of people rely too much on this weapon, but it is pretty solid. Know the shotgun can only kill you if it is aimed at you. Out turn, sneak up on enemies with the shotgun. When you have it, work the enemy with a steady trigger pump or bullrush to get close for that one shot kill. This works well against shotgun toting enemies, they often shoot sooner, giving you an opening between shots to get a close one if you do it right.
Rocket - The old jump backwards and shoot behind an enemy works well for an enemy trying to get in your face when you have the rocket. Always aim for splash damage.
Sniper Rifle - the longest weapon to master, in my opinion. It is a for the true lethality conniseur, and she is a fickle beast indeed. Head shots are the name of the game. Not because they are so cool, but they protect your position, as mentioned above, and the less you die, the more you win. Short range desperation, a shot to the chest pointblank and quick melee have gotten me out of many a pinch. Mid-range, you're gold, but if your target has a pistol, make sure you have the drop on him or else don't use the sniper at all, because you'll get killed. Longrange, lead and don't give away your position with a mess of crappy shots. Zoom out frequently and check your backside. Snipe and then move.
Grenades-- Human, throw first, then shoot for quick kills and excellent morale-draining harrassment. Plasma, you know what those do. For special situations only.
Last thing: Set your sensitivity to 10 and then get used to it. You will be able to out turn people in close fights, and it is a huge advantage (shotgun, plasma especially). For aiming in general, you just have to get used to it.
--If you have the chance, take time to watch your enemy without shooting. Where is he going? If he's doing -blam!- item loops, out-wait him. If he's got a precious little position all decked out, make him come to you. Then you will humiliate him by taking away his initiative. I come from behind to win virtually every game I play on XBC, when I do win, that is.
[Edited on 10/5/2004 12:35:14 PM]