Tactics

[Santa Coder]

Tactics

To compete successfully online, there are a few things you should know. Consult this section for information on how to play the game effectively.

SPRINTING
Double tapping "w" (or whatever else the move forward key is), you can dash at a faster pace than normal. This makes you a harder target to hit and means you'll cross dangerous terrain more quickly. Dash across areas where you may think you'll be under fire.

However, you do not want to abuse sprinting. The downside to sprinting is that your weapon will not be drawn and ready for firing until you stop. This means that when coming to a doorway, corner, tunnel, or any other place an enemy may be nearby, you do not want to be sprinting. Use sprinting to get across areas you can see, but don't use it to go into places where you're not sure who's waiting.

CROUCHING AND PRONE POSITIONS
Crouching and lying down (prone) will provide many benefits for certain circumstances. They're great for hiding behind objects when you're under fire or just for general cover. Crouch when there are significantly raised objects, like rocks around. Lie down when there are only hills to protect you.

You can still move around while crouched or in the prone position, but your rate of movement will be much slower. While you can still crouch and get around, don't even thinking about crossing large distances while in the prone position.

These positions are also helpful for when you're taking a post and not straying far from it. Lying down will make you harder to notice when someone comes by your post.

Being a smaller target is to your benefit, but oftentimes speed is more important. Keep what you're trying to accomplish in mind.

FRIENDS AND FOES
In the battlefield, it is imperative that you can distinguish enemy forces from others on your team. For some missions, this is quite easy. In Insurgent Camp, for example, the opposing force will appear as turban-wearing arabs. Sometimes, though, it's more difficult, like in MOUT McKenna Training, where both teams look identical.

Therefore, your first goal should be to try to learn the visual differences between the teams. If that still is too difficult, you'll have to rely on your aim. The little aiming dot will turn red if pointed at an enemy, or green if pointed at a teammate. The problem is that this doesn't function until you're fairly close to the person.

In general, always be cautious when firing. Don't start shooting the moment you see something moving. Confirm whether it's the enemy or a friend as quickly as you can, then take appropriate action from there. A cool thing that I should note: the green/red aim will work through doors.

COOPERATION AND COMMUNICATION
Your missions are a team effort; one man (or woman) can't do it all alone. You'll need to work with your teammates to complete the mission. Don't have everyone go in the same direction or to the same location. Split up and try to make it clear who has what things to accomplish. Talk to your teammates if you need to know or need to tell something.

A good, quick way of communicating is by using some pre-set phrases that are just a few keystrokes away. You will be able to say things such as "cover me" or the very necessary "hooah." To do this, simply hit the "g" key. This will bring up a list of messages, each with a corresponding number. Hit the number to say it, or press "0" to cycle through to more speech.

GRENADES
Grenades can be incredibly useful if you use them right. Since oftentimes players travel in groups, if you can land a grenade next to a few opponents right before it explodes, you can rack up massive damage to the other team.

Don't use grenades whenever you can though. Use them only when you know someone is around. Say, you've retreated from a firefight with another person. Chuck a grenade in their direction; cooking it is excellent if you have the time, because they won't be able to run from it. Try banking grenades off of walls or sliding them into a doorway so you don't need to get into the view of the enemy.

Be cautious when using grenades; you're incredibly vulnerable to attacks with guns, as yours is away while your grenade is out.

Don't use grenades whenever entering a new area; it just wastes time and leaves you open. Unless you know or have a reason to believe there's danger around and about, keep your gun up.

CAMPING
Ah yes, camping. For those unfamiliar with the term, camping is staying in one spot/area in hopes that it will help you get the jump on enemies that are passing by the spot/area.

Camping can be effective to a degree, but it needs to be in an area where you can conceal yourself and/or be able to get the jump on someone that's coming through the location.

Many people who play online first-person shooters aren't particularly fond of campers; for me, I just find that moving about is a more effective tactic, because then you can hunt who you're looking for, rather then waiting for them to fall into the trap. In some situations, though, it is useful.

STRAFING
In many first-person shooters, you usually move at the same speed (or sometimes even faster) while strafing. In America's Army, however, you move more slowly. Strafing is still an important part of movement, but don't expect to get around as fast.

TRACKING
By keeping an eye on your environment, you can follow the trails of the enemy and find where they are. There are many things that can clue you in to where they are: reports that the opposing force has completed some objective, dead bodies, open doors, smoke grenades, spent clips, etc. can all tell you that someone has been through a certain place recently.

GET TO KNOW THE MAPS
When you're playing a level for the first time, don't expect to be good right away, regardless of your skill level. It takes some games to get used to the layout, learn where certain rooms or landmarks are, and to get an overall feel for the area. If you know the level well, it's definitely to your advantage, because you can find a route to where you want to go faster and more efficiently. When you die before the game is over, go through the cameras and look around.

THE COMPASS
The compass is a vital tool that will help it make easier to find things in a match. More than just a fancy-schmancy way to find out which direction you're facing, the compass also shows which direction objectives are in, as well as certain officers. Knowing which way to go is very helpful, especially when you're just learning a map.

PARACHUTING
Parachuting is essential if you're going to want to play the airborne missions. The assaulting team will have to drop into the battlefield, and if your landing skills aren't up to snuff, you'll end up "making a small crater", as the game likes to say.

You can direct your landing zone by using the standard movement keys while in the air. Your movement can change most drastically when you're higher up; as you approach the ground, it's harder to move.

The part of parachuting that will take some practice is flaring at the right time. Flaring will slow your decent, making sure you don't crush every bone in your body upon landing. Try flaring only moments before you come to the ground. Tap the flare button if you're further up, or hold it if you're really close. You can't flare too much, so don't start doing it too early in your fall.

As final advice, practice the two Airborne School missions to refine your parachuting skills.