This entry is dedicated to:
New players starting FPS games. Tiffie. All of Mandy's L4D friends because you guys suck ass (except Mandy, you're pro).
Preparation
Depending on the system you are playing on, you will either be using a mouse or a controller. Now because I personally swap between the PC and the PS3, I will only make recommendations for these two.
Personal Computer
My own setup is: G15, G9x, Steelseries Experience I-2. Total cost...well over $200 CAD. For the sane, who are not willing to shell out 200 on peripherals alone I would suggest the following:
A laser/optical mouse.
Standard keyboard (seriously do not use laptop keyboards, they have the dumbest button setups near the left shift key)
A mouse pad. Depending on your own personal preference, you may need an oversized mouse pad. I definitely need an oversized one because I tend to use low sensitivities.
Playstation 3
FragFX. This is essentially a Wii Nunchuck and a mouse put together. When used in Modern Warfare 2 it's like playing Counter-Strike with wallhack and aimbot. I will explain later about these terms.
Oversized mousepad.
The total cost of equipment for PS3 FPS playing is WELL below a computer's. I got the FragFX for $40 (after shipping and taxes) and the mousepad for free (I was on a professional DoTA team at one point, and we got mousepads made for us).
What game is this guide focused on?
Modern Warfare 2
I guarantee after you read everything here you will be a better player. Now, I'm going to turn off my modesty meter completely and explain why I made that statement
I have 3 friends, who will rename nameless (and you know who you are due leaderboards), who have played 2 to 5 (yes, FIVE TIMES) times the amount I have on Modern Warfare 2. I have personally clocked 6ish hours and I know someone who has 30 hours under his belt. I am the highest on the world's leaderboard out of these friends and in my bracket I have the highest kills to death ratio (around 1.3:1...which, imo, is pretty damn bad). And honestly, I've always sucked ass at aiming compared to my brother and other friends. For anyone who doesn't believe me, bug me and I may be annoyed enough to post a screenshot.
So you're probably wondering "why?", "this guy's bullshitting", or "haha Vince you're a cocky jewbag". It's quite simple, every player vs. player game when stripped down to it's most basic fundamentals play exactly like poker. Don't believe me? I'm going to classify the 4 major types of players and you will be able to identify yourself as one of them.
Player Archetypes
Aggressive Tight
This archetype will almost always exist alongside with the defensive tight archetype. It is impossible for this archetype to exist by itself in a first person shooter game. Aggressive type players take the best of every possible player and put it together in one package. They camp when they odds are against them, strike when you least expect it. Flank you with a knife causing you to cuss horrible words that your mother would not want to hear. And are the ones who kill you after your screen turns white (flashbang or stun grenade). These players are aggressive as hell, yet act defensively constantly and always have the highest K:D ratio in the game. It's impossible to kill them because they are either camping, or never stop moving. In order to be this type of player you have to process EVERY SINGLE ACTION that you do and there has to be a reason behind it. If you are doing anything out if impulsive decisions, you are NOT this type of player. Needless to say, in order to effectively be an aggressive tight player you need to know whatever map you are playing like the back of your hand. Otherwise, you will not know where to camp, how to flank, and where someone might be hiding.
Aggressive Loose
Take the defensive part out of an aggressive tight player and this is what you get. In life, we would call these dudes suicide bombers. If you are red, you are dead. These players never stop moving and believe that "running and gunning" is the best strategy. If you combine this with map knowledge, these players can actually be a huge pain in the ass. The best way to deal with them? Camp. I've been this type of player before and know others who are, they run around and do not think much therefore get flanked a lot and sometimes even miss somebody proning in grass. These players also have a tendency to run into landmines (claymores).
Imagine you are this type of player, you've been killed by some asshole camping sniping whore and you finally respawn in a position to flank him. You notice that on your UAV (radar) that he is still staring out where he shot you and is picking off your buddies. You're ready to kick his ass, run through the door, and hear "BOOM". The killcam shows that you just ran over his claymore because you didn't think before you acted.
Defense Tight
This is my current archetype because I still don't know all the maps in Modern Warefare 2. These type of players move behind teammates to get a nice understanding of the current players and the current map (remember, EVERYTHING I say here applies to aggressive tight players). Once they hear enemy fire, the teammate infront of them is most likely dead (if not, then they're smart and hit the prone key which nobody does). The player than fires back and will 99% of the time kill the enemy player. From then on, they've located a hotpsot and finds a safe location to camp staring at their heartbeat sensor and UAV. Rinse and repeat the entire match.
The only way to counter this player is to use Cold-Blooded and the Scrambler perk. A defensive tight player most likely has those two perks as well and it is then a match of wits and mind fucking if you are specifically going after this type of player. However, a good defensive tight player will move around between camps and make it hell for you to locate him...hopefully, you're against somebody who is leaning towards the archetype below.
Defensive Loose
Too lazy, going back to MW2. Finish this shit later =P
Chatboard (0)