Instant-replay/review for self improvement

Racer1

Is there a way to determine (via mod or otherwise) rifle/pistol shot trajectory vs target? I can't tell if I'm aiming too far forward, behind, below, or if its a server timing thing. I'd really like to see some way to either do instant replay or tracers or something to show why I sometimes can't hit the broad side of a barn. Part of it is practice, I'm sure...but its hard to know what to do when you don't know what is wrong.

Ideally, I'd like to have the ability to go back frame by frame with regular models + hitboxes + tracers for my shots. It would be ok if this would have to be a mod running on a private server. I've seen some people do screenshots of hitboxes and such, but don't know if that would be enough.

Roobubba

Try some 1 vs 1 practice to get a feel for how your shots register. Shotgun vs fade is good for this as it's a large target. Make sure you have draw damage numbers on. You need to aim AT the target (don't lead or trail it).

joshhh

All marine weapons are hitscan so they hit what you are aiming at. All that changes is the server latency that gets added. Even when playing with >150ms ping difference, you still have to aim at the enemy model.

Ghosthree3

Shadowplay then play back at 1/4 speed?

SamusDroid

Cough console commands wiki cough
Not sure if they work still but they require cheats

Narfwak

As @joshhh notes the rifle, pistol and shotgun (as well as lerk spike and, to some extent, gorge spit) are all hitscan. To hit something you have to be aiming directly at the model. It's surprisingly easy to trick yourself into thinking you were on target when you're not actually right over the model. To the best of my knowledge the best way to review your performance right now is to record yourself playing and watch the recorded video so you can see if you were actually aiming the way you thought you were aiming. I don't do much (read: any) video recording myself so I'm not sure what the best software to use these days is. Twitch can be used to archive streamed content automagically so that's a solid option if you have enough upload to stream.

The demo system can be used, but it's not great and if you've got the bandwidth and/or disk space you're probably better off capturing and reviewing raw video.

Ghosthree3

Narfwak wrote: »

It's surprisingly easy to trick yourself into thinking you were on target when you're not actually right over the model.

The source of all shotgun user rage.

Roobubba

Wait, gorge spit is hitscan? This doesn't sound right, that's the only weapon with which I have to lead the target to make it hit...

Narfwak

Roobubba wrote: »

Wait, gorge spit is hitscan? This doesn't sound right, that's the only weapon with which I have to lead the target to make it hit...

It's a delayed hitscan. Basically it hitscans at the point in time where the spit "projectile" would be when it gets there. It also does a different hitscan at very short range and doesn't render the spit ball. The important distinction here are the quotes around "projectile," because it isn't actually a projectile. Hitscan is done on the client whereas projectiles - bile bomb, grenades, etc. - are done on the server (because physics).

current1y

Holy shit don't open that can of worms...

Narfwak

current1y wrote: »

Holy shit don't open that can of worms...

Yeeeaaaaah I hesitated a bit posting that reply. But, hey, you're the resident spit master, maybe you can field all further spit related inquiries!
)

xDragon

... you could just call it a predicted projectile, which is more accurate. You need to lead just like any normal projectile, its just there's no visible 'projectile' simulated server side. Gorge spit has become pretty ridiculous, mainly because like the railgun its been made way to easy to hit. The fact that the spit 'projectile' is almost a foot across and travels so fast makes it an amazing spam corners weapon. Buuuuut that's a different topic.

And as for hitscan, the client does 'predict' that logic for the local player, but that is in no way related to the actual hit confirmation which is handled by the server.

Runki

Record a demo, can be done on any server i believe, it's (was then) a requirement for playing in div games. Only bummer is that you cannot watch any recordings from another version is if theres an update you can no longer watch it.
Not sure what the command is, maybe someone here could help you out with it.

Soul_Rider

Narfwak wrote: »

Roobubba wrote: »

Wait, gorge spit is hitscan? This doesn't sound right, that's the only weapon with which I have to lead the target to make it hit...

It's a delayed hitscan. Basically it hitscans at the point in time where the spit "projectile" would be when it gets there. It also does a different hitscan at very short range and doesn't render the spit ball. The important distinction here are the quotes around "projectile," because it isn't actually a projectile. Hitscan is done on the client whereas projectiles - bile bomb, grenades, etc. - are done on the server (because physics).

You are aware that both the Grenade and Spit are predicted projectiles? And Hitscan is most definitely done on the server, or you'd write a piece of client code saying I hit everyone on the map everytime I fired a bullet, and they'd all be dead :P

Client effects and prediction are handled client-side, but the server decides if you hit something or not..

Narfwak

Soul_Rider wrote: »

Narfwak wrote: »

Roobubba wrote: »

Wait, gorge spit is hitscan? This doesn't sound right, that's the only weapon with which I have to lead the target to make it hit...

It's a delayed hitscan. Basically it hitscans at the point in time where the spit "projectile" would be when it gets there. It also does a different hitscan at very short range and doesn't render the spit ball. The important distinction here are the quotes around "projectile," because it isn't actually a projectile. Hitscan is done on the client whereas projectiles - bile bomb, grenades, etc. - are done on the server (because physics).

You are aware that both the Grenade and Spit are predicted projectiles? And Hitscan is most definitely done on the server, or you'd write a piece of client code saying I hit everyone on the map everytime I fired a bullet, and they'd all be dead :P

Client effects and prediction are handled client-side, but the server decides if you hit something or not..

I'm basing this off what Murphy told me when we had this discussion internally months ago. And, yes, the explanation is abridged, because this isn't a thread about hit detection, it's a thread about recording and reviewing your own play.

matso

Hitscan is done on both client and server; its done on the client to trigger client side effects in a timely fashion. The server determines if it was a hit or not and if you killed what you shot at.

There used to be commands that allowed you to see bullet and bite traces back in beta; I think those commands were commented out before release though.

You can probably write a mod inspired by that code - can't be too hard; I think it was one of my first patches I wrote.