Comm Tips
Commando1
Join Date: 2003-10-10 Member: 21562Members
Join Date: 2003-10-10 Member: 21562Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Tips for commanding.</div> Could someone give me some tips for being a good commander. When I try to comm the team im on usually loses. <!--emo&::sentry::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/turret.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='turret.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::sentry::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/turret.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='turret.gif'><!--endemo-->
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Comments
If you an obs, hot group them to 5 and 4 so you dont have to scroll all the way back to your base to scan.
Another guy asked for tips in <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=17&t=45458&hl=' target='_blank'>this thread</a>, you can check out some of the advise if you want. For more advanced stuff like map-specific strategies, I recommend you browse the frontiersmen strategy forum for posts.
Good luck, and please feel free to post more specific questions if this is not helping. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Anyway, if you want my best tip then it's learn all the commander hotkeys, ao when a guy wants medpack (E, S) or ammo (E, A) then press space to goto him and then the appropriate keys to give him the stuff he needs. And it makes dropping res towers, turrets, guns etc much quicker if you don't have to goto the corner of the screen each time.
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Ok, i'm not the best of commanders, but i'll offer some advice.
<li> First and foremost, <b>have fun</b>. Don't be like me and let your marines stress you out. Who cares if you win or lose, it's a game, enjoy yourself. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<li> Always keep an eye on your outposts, nothing sucks worse than finding out that while your attention's been elsewhere you've lost an important outpost or hive location.
<li> Know who your competant players are. Don't go sending nubcaek's to a particulaly dangerous area to do something vital, send your best players who you know won't fall at the first sign of a skulk.
<li> Learn misdirection. While it may be a bit frustrating for the marines you're sending, i've managed to capture several key locations by sending a misdirecting attack on another hive / location but sparing one competant marine to build a phase right outside a hive.
<li> Learn the maps. Get to know where your seige locations are and get to know where it's easiest to defend. The fewer entrances the better and the less skulk friendly the better. The best example of this is the top platform in Waste Handling on ns_tanith. Both main enterances extremely slow the Onos down and with turrets lining the edges of the platform it will take forever to take it down.
<li> Protect your investments. If you spend res, expect to keep your buildings or weapons on the field. It doesn't help whatsoever to build a res node only to have it chewed down within 30 seconds of it being built. So this means turrets or electrifying them. Or possibly both. Also, if you drop some high-powered weapons, make sure that if the marine carrying them dies someone is right behind to pick it up, it's not good to waste res. Also, make sure you keep your HA's healed.
<li> Assess and re-assess your situation frequently. For example, if you have two hives locked down and you're about to drop a res node, only electrify it, it will take a lot of work to take that node down for a 1 hive skulk, and a good amount of times they won't bother. But then again, if you see they have two or three hives, a TF and a few turrets may be a little wiser.
<li> Reward good marines. If you've got some marines that have followed your orders to the letter, whether or not they're actually that good, reward them. Be it medpacks, better weapons or HA / JP. Moral is a good thing, and it really helps to have the team on your side.
<li> Learn building placement. There's no point in building a base or outpost right beneath a vent entrance, it'll just get bilebombed, learn places that are out of range or that you can get the maximum distance advantage over your enemy. One of the marines' biggest advantage is their ranged attacks, utilise this fact.
<li> Learn to cut your losses. If you're losing an outpost and you just can't save it, there's no point in waypointing random marines in the hope they'll save it. Recycle what you have and assemble a party of marines to go retake the area. If it's literally just been taken down, the chance of there being alien defences up is very slim.
<li> Hotgroup your obs. Nothing's more infuriating than having to constantly scan a hive but keep on having to go back to the obs to select it. Make sure that as soon as possible you've got it in one of your groups to make scanning easy.
<li> Communication is key. Let everyone know what's going on. Don't leave your marines in the dark. If you start neglecting your marines they start to go rambo and not obey your orders. Keep everyone up to date with the current situation.
<li> Assign defenders. If, like me, you don't like to waste res on a tf and turrets for marine start, make sure you have one or two marines defending base (The amount can vary as to the size of your team.). Marines are a lot cheaper than a turret farm, and all that saved res can go on upgrades. However, if you are taking a beating, consider extra defences.
<li> Upgrades. Don't keep your marines waiting, especially if the enemy has defence chambers. You're going to need that extra firepower. Also, think as a new weapons upgrade or armour upgrade as a way of buying your marines' favour.
<li> Use your res. Nothing sucks like having your marines constantly saying "OMGZ! COMM! WE R HAV 2000 RES FREEe!!!11". Use your res, upgrade your structures. If you're sitting on 100 res and you're not saving for anything specific, get some upgrades at either the proto lab or arms lab.
<li> And finally... <b>have fun</b>!
To help learn commanding a bit more, load the maps up and go commander, put on "sv_cheats 1" and "bigdig" and start building. Use "spawnhive" to make an alien hive and "givepoints 99999999" to give yourself a bit of extra res. Because of "bigdig" you won't be required to build your structures so you can place outposts and see if they work and also test your siege ranges.
Oh well, i've gotta run now, but hope some of them help. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Be harsh. Tell your marines to listen to you, decisevely. Don't say "Can you follow my orders please?", say "Follow my orders!". Yes, it's more rude, but it gets newbies and non-listeners moving.
Always make sure the Marines think you know what you're doing. They will listen to you more if they think you're a good commander <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I don't know about most other players but I'll do as the comm instructs/asks but the minute they scream something like that at me (I've yet to do anything to genuinely merit it) they can shove their rank =3
I don't know about most other players but I'll do as the comm instructs/asks but the minute they scream something like that at me (I've yet to do anything to genuinely merit it) they can shove their rank =3 <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Exactly, that's the response i've always got from "my marines" if i bark orders at them. Although, most do tend to listen when they get the "Jesus f**king Christ, phase now, we're gonna lose it, PHASE! PHASE!".
I still do get stressed as hell and annoyed with the team a lot, which is why i try not to comm if i can help it, since i irritate a lot of people. But what i've started doing as of late is rewarding good players and if someone screws up or dies, whatever, i just say "Don't worry mate, it's just a game". <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Anger management really does help for getting your team on your side. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
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Like someone said up there (cant remember and cant b bothered to re-read). Learn the hotkeys.
You type them in at the console (Bring it down with the '~' key) and type them one at a time.
And as for commander hotkeys in your post before this one, as it stands the default hotkeys to drop a res node are 'q' to select the buildings group and then 'a' to select the res node building. Or this could just be my set up, i can't remember if i changed it. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'.
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definately a good point. Voice communication is nigh on critical for being a good comm. Typing not only means your orders are going to be delayed, it also means you have to stop commanding to type. It's a major hinderance. However, with using voice comms, you just have to hold a key and you can keep dishing out those medpacks whilst you order your lackeys around.
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definately a good point. Voice communication is nigh on critical for being a good comm. Typing not only means your orders are going to be delayed, it also means you have to stop commanding to type. It's a major hinderance. However, with using voice comms, you just have to hold a key and you can keep dishing out those medpacks whilst you order your lackeys around.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And don't worry too much about what kind or how much it will cost if you don't already have one. It is so easy to get an affordable good-quality microphone I am generally surprised when I don't see people using them. I recommend CA™, I have never had any serious trouble with the microphone of theirs that I bought. And if you have problems with feedback, do what I did; Take a large sponge, cut it into Four equal parts, tear a hole in the bottom, and stick it on the microphone. It works wonders, believe me.
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definately a good point. Voice communication is nigh on critical for being a good comm. Typing not only means your orders are going to be delayed, it also means you have to stop commanding to type. It's a major hinderance. However, with using voice comms, you just have to hold a key and you can keep dishing out those medpacks whilst you order your lackeys around.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And don't worry too much about what kind or how much it will cost if you don't already have one. It is so easy to get an affordable good-quality microphone I am generally surprised when I don't see people using them. I recommend CA™, I have never had any serious trouble with the microphone of theirs that I bought. And if you have problems with feedback, do what I did; Take a large sponge, cut it into Four equal parts, tear a hole in the bottom, and stick it on the microphone. It works wonders, believe me. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heh. I'm using the headset off of a Microsoft Game Voice. It cost me nothing and it's still going after all of these years.
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Definately a good point. Voice communication is nigh on critical for being a good comm. Typing not only means your orders are going to be delayed, it also means you have to stop commanding to type. It's a major hinderance. However, with using voice comms, you just have to hold a key and you can keep dishing out those medpacks whilst you order your lackeys around.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And don't worry too much about what kind or how much it will cost if you don't already have one. It is so easy to get an affordable good-quality microphone I am generally surprised when I don't see people using them. I recommend CA™, I have never had any serious trouble with the microphone of theirs that I bought. And if you have problems with feedback, do what I did; Take a large sponge, cut it into Four equal parts, tear a hole in the bottom, and stick it on the microphone. It works wonders, believe me. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heh. I'm using the headset off of a Microsoft Game Voice. It cost me nothing and it's still going after all of these years. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mine originally cost $20, but there was a sale and it was quarter off. Then I had a coupon for $6 off. Then there was a rebate for $6.
Leaving me with a cost of $3. Not 0, but certainly not $20... <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Thats the best advice I can give. Dont rush. Always get upgrades, and always be placing the RT's. Always do <i>something</i> but never idle. Stay steady.
Thats the best advice I can give. Dont rush. Always get upgrades, and always be placing the RT's. Always do <i>something</i> but never idle. Stay steady. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes and no. If you're too slow the aliens end up having too much res and take control of the map too easily. If you take your sweet time, you'll find 3 hive aliens coming your way in no time and that makes your job all the more difficult.
But i agree, you should keep a steady pace. IF you're expanding, keep moving, keep in your momentum and push the aliens back.
Now, the remaining nodes are being capped by the aliens, but usually they are weakly defended. So you want to have an offense squad of troops attacking enemy nodes, so that the Aliens don't have income. Your goal is to buy enough time for you to get to the higher tech levels, especially HA/HMG. Once that level is reached, just 3 or 4 loaded Marines will win the game.
Most other strategies are more complicated and require a great deal of skill and coordination on the part of your Marines. I think the above plan is the simplest and easiest way to win
I've never really seen that strategy lose outright, unless the marine players are bad shots.
Which half of who? I am confused.
How would we use those commands (sv_cheats) could we run a server on our pc? or can you do it on any empty server? If we have to run a server on our pc how??
Thanks
Upgrade your armory EARLY. That thing takes forever to upgrade and once you need it you really need it and don't want to have to wait for it.
Give marines individual assignments. I've found this helps their morale. Examples: "ok some_guy, i want you to guard this hallway with your life... NOTHING gets past you, got it", "listen up some_guy, i have an important job for you, sneak into some_place and do some_task", "hey some_guy, i need you to do a special mission for me" and then send him off to do whatever the task is. Marines will do any menial task if they think it's a "special mission".
upgrade early upgrade often. In the heat of the moment you can forget to upgrade and then you find yourself outgunned later. set your armslab to a hotgroup and whenever you have a second go to it and see if you can upgrade anything.
Ask your marines for intel. Often they have a pretty good idea of whats going on. Marines can usually tell what upgrade chamber the aliens have which can then help you decide on your strategy. They can also see motion blips and be able to tell you if there is a gorge/onos somewhere (gorges move slow compared to everything else).
If the base is under attack don't get out of the chair unless you really thing you can kill the attacker. Otherwise just tell someone to come back to base or start preparing for a relocation.
Win/lose with honor. There is a definite point where you know the game is won or lost, don't drag it out any longer than you have to.
Give credit, take blame. when you win say "thanks guys, great job", when you lost say "sorry I let you down guys".
Always go after RTs. Whenever you aren't sure what to do next go for capturing RTs. Whenever you find an enemy rt, kill it.
Don't have your troops attack the hive at point blank, always stand off and shoot it from a distance or siege it from around the corner. Your troops will get slaughtered within healing range of the hive.
If they go sensory on the first hive then grab up the other 2 hives.
In the opening minutes don't spend a lot of money on your base, try expanding right away. Try to buy at least 1 rt with your first 100 res.
Thats about all I can think of now.
Along these lines, it's good to have a microphone headset. Few things can be more frustaring than typing out 'WATCH OUT THERE'S A FADE BEHIND YOU' only to have your marines dead by the time you hit 'enter'. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You can order good, cheap headsets online at www.cyberguys.com. (I just got a half-dozen because they keep getting stepped on or sat on, or the wires break inside the cord.) <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
"If your army is tired after a days forced martch and the enemy are in a well defenced stronghold with lots of food and better weapons, it may not be a good idea to attack".
Take note comms who keep sending LA/LMG marines one by one into the OC nest saying "OMG J00 N00BZ!!!!!11!!!1GET DOUBLERES".