One-line tips for new NS2 players. Add, steal or correct please.

SupaFred

I run a couple of NS2 servers and I know how difficult this game can be for new players so I have written some one-line tips that are shown every other minute in the chat field. I have tried to come up with things that are not covered by the tutorial or the short help videos that are played to new players. Can you help me come up with things I haven't covered and that are commonly asked or misunderstood? Keep it as short as possible as they are shown in-game and max length is around 75 characters.

If you run a server, feel free to use the entire file or whatever parts you like.

Regular NS2 tips:

{
"Interval": 60,
"Adverts": [ {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Welcome to The Thirsty Onos.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Turn on Physics Multithreading in Options -> General (improves late-game fps by up to 20%).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Specify your amount of video RAM in Options -> Graphics (reduces hitching).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "What is the commander researching? Press J.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Skulks: avoid the floor at all times. Jump on walls for a speed boost. Sneak, ambush and attack in groups.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "An exploding mine can set of other mines. Place them a few meters apart.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Marines: when the commander is using ARCs, your job is to guard them. Don't overextend and die.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Aliens: protect your gorges. They are important to your team. And cute.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Rule of thumb for marines: build the powernode first, then the structure.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Don't go commander until you are familiar with the game. Help inexperienced commanders.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Evolving to a higher life form? Q to request mist that will speed up the gestation.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Want the marine commander to drop an extractor? Press H.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "If your teeth are flashing white you are in range of a scan or an observatory.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Red mist is enzyme, a drifter ability that increases movement and attack speed.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Yellow smoke is umbra, a lerk ability that reduces damage taken by 33%.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Green mist is mucuous membrane, a drifter ability that heals aliens' armor.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Flamethrowers can burn away lerk spores, lerk umbra and gorge bilebomb projectiles.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "A destroyed powernode is rebuilt faster if you use a welder.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Mines detonate if infestation spreads onto them.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Exos can step on eggs to destroy them. The exo's railgun pierces through multiple targets.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Whips and hydras survive without infestation. Whips will not attack when off infestation or on fire.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "You can queue a jump (press and hold jump before touching the ground let's you instantly jump again).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "You can determine the level of marine weapon upgrade by the sound of their rifles.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Join The Thirsty Onos Steam group! And chat with us regulars in the group chat.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "When marines have no armor upgrade they can be killed with 3 skulk bites or 2 skulk bites + 1 parasite.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Gorge: use bilebomb to destroy dropped marine weapons (400 hp).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Gorge: look below you at the floor when heal spraying, you will regain twice as much health. Nothing around you will be healed.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Flamethrowers disable passive abilities of alien structures when setting them on fire.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Gorge: healspray can instantly extuingish flames on a burning lifeform or structure.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Spores prevent sentry guns from targeting. Exos are immune to spores.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Lerk: if you want to descent very quickly while flying, you can press duck.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Watch out for traps. Check your back whenever you proceed a possible hiding spot (corners/doors/high ceilings etc).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Onos: stomp detonates mines and it briefly stops sentries from fireing.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "When finished building, alien structures increase their max hp and armor over time until they are mature.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "When fully matured, whips gain bile bomb with longer range than the whip's slap.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "There are different damage types (normal, light, heavy, bio, corrode, flame, gas, puncture, splash, structure and nerve gas).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Observatories can beacon all living marines to the nearest completed command chair, even if in another room.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Comm: recycle refund is 75% of structure cost. Refund is reduced proportional to the structure's total health.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Comm: selecting a parasited arms lab will show what the marines are currently researching.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Communication is the key to everything teamplay related. Report important things you notice.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Tell your team about partially damaged RTs/structures so teammates nearby can take over when you've died.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Watch out for traps. Check your back whenever you proceed a possible hiding spot (corners/doors/high ceilings etc).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Aliens: Tired of choosing upgrades on spawn? Bind \"evolve last upgrades\" to a key in Options -> Bindings.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "RTV = Rock The Vote = vote for a map change.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "NS2Stats tracks detailed statistics. Find yours at ns2stats.com",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "\"bind F5 j1\" in console. In the ready room press F5 to join marines.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Switch between TTO servers by pressing M -> Switch Server.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "In console: \"sv_handicap <0.1-1>\" to reduce damage output. 1 = 100% damage.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Visit the NS2 wiki at wiki.unknownworlds.com for detailed info about structures, weapons, damage types and more.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "TTO servers are not listed as rookie friendly but rookies are welcome. Help them learn.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Donations? No thanks. Contribute by teaching lesser skilled players how to play.",
"G": 160
} ]
}

CompMod:

{
"Interval": 120,
"Adverts": [ {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Welcome to The Thirsty Onos # CompMod. Friendly fire is on (bile and spores are excluded).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "All alien lifeforms (except gorge) are 5 res cheaper. Aliens start with 5 less p-res.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "When dropping gorge tunnels you can choose if it’s an entrance or an exit.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Alien comm can no longer drop lifeform eggs. ",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Each alien ability is researched individually in the hive (research no longer require other structures).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Cross spawns are enabled. 33 % friendly fire is on.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "New fade abilities: metabolize and advanced metabolize (regenerates energy).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Muccuos membrane heals HP only (instead of armor).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Marine comm can manually target ARCs.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Jetpack double jump removed, total fuel reduced, acceleration improved.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Hand grenade throwing animation time significantly reduced.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Switch between TTO servers by pressing M -> Switch Server.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Like/dislike the server? Feedback in The Thirsty Onos Steam group please.",
"G": 160
}
]
}

Faded:

{
"Interval": 150,
"Adverts": [ {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Welcome to The Thirsty Onos # Faded.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The Faded gets more health the more marines there are.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The meter on the lower left of your screen represents your sanity. When low you will start to hallucinate.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "To get your sanity back up turn on your flashlight. The Faded is easier to see with your flashlight off.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The grenade launcher has alternate fire (right mouse button).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The Faded can use Growl by pressing the use button (default: E).",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The time limit will increase by 30 seconds for every marine.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "If there are more than 10 marines there will be two Fades.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Switch between TTO servers by pressing M -> Switch Server.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Stay to long in one place and aggressive babblers will spawn.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Dead marines will decompose and give off poisonous gas.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "If you survive a round as a marine you will spawn as an elite marine the next round.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Did you know that NS2 is the best game ever?",
"G": 160
} ]
}

Marine vs Marine

{
"Interval": 120,
"Adverts": [ {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Welcome to The Thirsty Onos # Marine vs. Marine.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "TTO servers are not listed as rookie friendly but rookies are welcome. Help them learn.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "The number of structures a team can have is limited by Team Supply points.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Get more Team Supply points by capturing resource nodes and tech points.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Ammopacks and medpacks are neutral. They can be picked up by both teams.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Dropped weapons cannot be picked up by the enemy team.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Commanders: power nodes must be scouted to be visible and selectable.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Commanders: MACs can be recycled.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "What is the commander researching? Press J.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Rule of thumb for marines: build the powernode first, then the structure.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Don't go commander until you are familiar with the game. Help inexperienced commanders.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Want the commander to drop an extractor? Press H.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Switch between TTO servers by pressing M -> Switch Server.",
"G": 160
}, {
"B": 160,
"Type": "chat",
"R": 160,
"Message": "Did you know that NS2 is the best game ever?",
"G": 160
} ]
}

Edit: Forgot to add that I use Shine admin to display these. Save the files as Adverts.json in your Shine/Plugins/ folder and activate adverts in Shine config.

CCTEE

"Lerks, fades and onii are expensive alien lifeforms, choose your battles wisely and survive"

"Always rush bilebomb when modest mouse is marine commander, he is a turret-troll"

I'll add when i can think of more.

dePARA

tallhotblonde

Most of the time you are heard before you are seen. Play smart.

McGlaspie

Here's another one for MvM:
"Press and hold your Movement Modifier (default is Shift) and strafe left or right to perform a quick-dodge"

And this one is no longer true: "Ammopacks and medpacks are neutral. They can be picked up by both teams.". Droppacks are team specific now.

Btw, good call on adding these, thanks!

SammyG

I actually think this is a great idea. Nicely done.

halfofaheaven

We had a tips system on the YOClan NS1 server that displayed random tips at a certain interval. Surprisingly much of it is still relevant. Fun to read anyway.

http://pastebin.com/pcwQDm9r

amoral

Umbra only blocks bullet damage.

J2 for alien team

Ever popular press shift to be quiet as skulk.

C for command map

Left alt for voice

Tab click to mute

B to evolve

Bite red if you don't know what you should be doing

SupaFred

I have updated the the list of tips now. A lot of the new additions are from @Laosh'Ra‌ excellent list of hidden mechanics.

As before, feel free to use the list on your own server or in any other way that's helping new players learn the game.

One-line tips for NS2

Cannon_FodderAUS

@SupaFred you can point new players to the game manual (see my signature). It gives hints and tips in the story, and mechanics in the tech corner. Its a hefty read (60 pages A5).

gj with the server btw. I will have to go on to play some time (you will have to excuse my 400 ping - Australian).