Tips for a CS n00b

[Nocashvalue]

Lo there.
I've only played CS:S for about 6/7 hours, and am getting consistently owned, with the odd kill sparsley scattered around here and there.

So chaps, do you have any advice for me?

[Jack Bauer]

of course the silenced M4A1 Carbine is any n00bs friend. Sticking around in groups is always effective as you may manage to kill, but no doubt you will be accused of kill stealing

[Marlowe]

There is only one way to get good at this game. Practice constantly against very good people. It will be an exercise in pain, but after a month you should be able to hold your own, and after two be owning totally.

Learn the maps inside out, learn other peoples little tricks. Observe, copy, and formulate your own tactics. Pratice certain skills like snap shots and circle strafing. Try and anticipate your enemies next move. Think ahead and don't just react.

[Lewiji]

Yep, it is all about practice. However, the most useful tips are:

Keep yourself covered. Use boxes etc effectively and make sure there's always another person near you for backup.

Crouch when shooting-increases accuracy loads, and make you a harder target to hit.

Burst fire with most (if not all) guns-Shoot off 3 or 4 bullets, move behind cover, wait for crosshair to realign, shoot off another 3, perhaps move the other way so it's unpredictable.

Spraying is a necessary skill to learn, but only ever use it in close quarters-if the entire enemy team is coming at you down a narrow tunnel, a skillful spray can take them all out. Although, I wouldn't reccomend spraying with the AK - You can get some flukey kills but it is shite when spraying, I use it more as a single shot sniper weapon.

Psychology-Put yourself in enemy shoes. This goes from basics like "camping" a spot near an enemy to make them come to you if they've seen you, to running round the long way after they've seen you (an example of this is Italy when you come out the house near the T spawn, if they see you and you have no chance, flash them, hop over the fence and rush to the ramp-They won't expect it usually).

Related to that, use nades effectively. A well aimed nade can throw the enemy right off. When running past a spot where it is common for the enemy to go, throw a nade and run right past it - They'll pause because they think someone will run in. When they don't, they'll get confused and nervous.

Always watch the best players on a server in first person death cam. It helps no end to see other's techniques.

Jumping round corners and spraying into common camping spots can save your life many times. If someone hears you coming when they're crouching in a corner, if you fly past them mid air they're less likely to be able to aim at you, allowing you to take careful aim and pop a bullet into their head when you hit the floor.

Always watch all your sides. You never know where the enemy is hiding and they could be running around anywhere. If you run past a tunnel, look down it. If you come out of a building, look around the area and look back to make sure noone's running after you.

Sound is a very important factor. I'd reccomend getting headphones, you can pick up on ever minor footstep etc. and accurately pinpoint where the enemy is with a bit of common sense.

That's about it. It may seem like a lot but it's a bit of common sense really and once you've started playing you'll pick it up properly. Good luck, and you're always welcome on my server (although playbus will probably come on and own us all :ninja: )

[pebble_rebel]

Follow someone good, make a note not to shoot them. You dont want to be ge hated by L337 like lewji or playbus or anyone with a kill rate in double figures. You did suck a bit lewji even i was beating you on de_cbbles....

i hate that other map though...

[Lewiji]

Were we playing de_cbble? I thought it was that bloody spetnaz map, then italy. You beat me on italy :p

[Timmeh]

When you fire, learn to pull your mouse down... it'll let you fire off a lot more accurate shots in one go if you do.

[pebble_rebel]

or just pulse, always pulse...

[Lagmeister]

Short bursts are the win, also notice that the smoke grenade makes the same sound as a flashbang when it hits the floor, that little trick has saved my life plenty of times.

[Nocashvalue]

Okay, cheers guys :)
Managed to get an okay-ish score this morning, which made me happy :)
http://img139.echo.cx/img139/1985/csoffice00011lw.th.jpg (http://img139.echo.cx/my.php?image=csoffice00011lw.jpg)

Yeah, I tend to use a combination of the 2nd SMG down (no idea of the name) and the shiny silver pistol, and I sometimes use the bullpup or terrorist equivalent.

[Jack Bauer]

The Bullpup (a.k.a STG 77) is the most effective assault rifle in the current PS2 equivalent SOCOM II. Leading on from that this hint works in SOCOM II and works in Source also and that is quite simply, take the time to line up headshots, i tried it today and got 83 deaths and 17 kills which is absolute brilliant play for me! Taking a few seconds to get headshots as opposed ot putting tons into someones back is brilliant!

[Lewiji]

MP5 + Deagle = winning combination.

Yes, be patient when aiming, try not to pre-spray as it lets your accuracy down. Take time to stop, burst while crouching (this seems to get a lot of headshots), move, jump, jump back...etc.

The FAMAS (Clarion, top CT rifle) on automatic is a great way to learn to control your bullets. It is a hugely accurate burst weapon, but if you spray it goes out of control. It's also got a large recoil so if you train your burst effectively you'll get a hell of a lot of headshots (aim for chest, squeeze off 4 bullets, WINNAR!)

[pebble_rebel]

or just a shotgun and click and point....

[da-geezer]

never run away from the spawn without buying a grenade. Doesn't matter what it is; it's handy for a distraction device though. If you can master quick weapon changes, it's the grenades that give you that aiming and surprise advantage when you're rushing from a standoff.

Also, don't be afraid to experiment! I'm only just rising above n00b status, though I'm still pretty shit. Whereas the M4 and MP5 are pretty handy if you like them, I prefer to stick with the C90. Great for a n00b in the respect that it holds 50 per clip (though you can only buy three clips).

When I say experiment though, I don't mean just try different weapons. Use different weapons in different ways, and use the secondary function of a weapon. For example, the default terrorist pistol is a bit shite, but stick it on "burst fire", and you've got a lifesaver if you're moving in enclosed spaces such as vents. Another example relates to the CT's M4; it's incredibly powerful close-up, but the gun is also very accurate long range. Fuss about with the different weapons, and you'll find one that works for you.

If you're in a heated battle; try your best not to reload. By that, I don't mean conserve your primary ammo, but be ready to change to your pistol rather than fanny about reloading. If you're up against an inexperienced player, they'll tend to try and reload their uber-sexy-styleé-powerful-as-sin weapon while you've started shooting with a pistol. Those extra fifteen or so bullets will save you a lot of frustration.

Finally, don't underestimate the importance of shooting through walls. The Desert Eagle can do it, so can most rifles. This is especially true towards the end of the round; if an enemy is low on health, a few bullets sent towards a door or prominent box could kill them off. If it doesn't but they're still there, chances are it'll freak them enough to move.

Werd.

[Timmeh]

Learn to be a slag with one of these babies:

http://img101.echo.cx/img101/9712/decbble00005np.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Good ol' awp, wait 'till you have $7k, buy an awp (bugger ammo unless you're loaded, you practically can't miss), kevlar + helmet, a HE 'nade and a USP with ammo if you're terrorist.

Go sit somewhere three miles away from people, zoom, point, click, laugh as the server cries.

:)

[Mooselord]

Could somebody try and describe the actual goal, because the lack of directions make me cry. I've tried just playing the game and figuring it out from experience, but I die somewhat instantly when just trying to learn. I know the original CS had directions, but my PC was too shit to play the game.

It's sad, yes, but I learn best when there is actually information presented.

Edit: I went back in and played some more, some games with just me and bots, and it's actually just as straightforward as it seems.

[Redux]

Try and aim for the face.

Grenades of all kinds are your friends. Learn how to use each expertly.

[Twatybollocks]

Fire up a local game, set sv_cheats 1 in your console and sv_showhitboxes 1. Experiment with each gun. The above setting will show you where you bullets are going so you will get an idea how accurrate each one is at different ranges. For example with the AK 47 you'll see how good it is at long ranges firing a few shots at a time but if you spray up against a wall you'll see just how crazy it gets very fast.

Use flashbangs! If you are near a corner, learn to listen for footsteps and check your radar to see where your mates are. If none of them are near you an enemy is there. Lob a flash and waste them. If you die in a round and you still have a nade and two flashbangs then you've wasted them, so use them!

Don't be afraid to walk or crouch walk occasionally People use sound so much these days that if you walk around a corner they simply are not expecting you because they didn't hear you coming!

Also, if you've had a few rubbish rounds and have little cash it is sometimes actually a wise thing to not spend a penny. Stick with the basic weapon and head on out. There are loads of opportunities to pick up weapons in the game so as long as you don't rush headlong into the enemy you should do ok and then next round you'll have money to spend. This may sound wrong, but the alternative is having little cash for several rounds and getting killed very quickly.

The key to being good in this game is HEADSHOTS! When you spawn, line your crosshair up with your teammates heads and then train yourself to try and maintain this line as you rush around the map. It makes it quicker and easier to get headshots if you do. Also if you do encounter an enemy and you aim is off...too low or whatever, try to train yourself not to panic and hit any part of their body, still go for the upper chest and head area. This is extremely difficult to do and I am still trying to achieve it but I got this advice off an pro who spent ages training himself to do just that and now he's pretty invicible!

In the end the only way to get good is to practise (A LOT) and watch others play.

[Timmeh]

People seem to have a horrible idea the deagles are a good weapon to buy if you're running low on money. Hell no. A deagle + ammo + 'nade = $1300-ish, and if your team lose the round without you getting a kill, you'll be making $1400. That's a profit of $100 per round. Bad idea. Always, always, always keep with your USP or glock unless you're loaded and looking for something to blow cash on. Deagles have a clip of 7 bullets, the smallest clip of any pistol... and in all honesty, it's not that good. Powerful, yes, each bullet does roughly 27 damage. So you're gonna need to hit with 4/7 bullets to achieve a kill. The range and recoil on them is dire, unless someone's up pretty close you're not gonna hit with anything other than the first bullet. A USP has a 12 bullet clip and does roughly 22 damage per bullet. 5 bullets to kill people. You only need to hit with 5/12 achieve a kill, it's much faster firing, more accurate, less recoiled... oh and it's free. Glocks are equally sexy on semi auto... aim for the head and you can't go wrong :).

Another common misconception is that sillenced colts are more accurate than unsillenced. Not true, the rate of fire on them is slightly slower, the recoil is slightly greater and the damage inflicted is slightly less. You can pretty much spray with a colt at any range unsillenced and, as long as you control the recoil by pulling the mouse down a bit, you'll kill someone in a 10 bullet spray. The only real advantage of a sillenced colt is that when you sneak up on someone and start shooting them, the muzzle noise is muffled and you can't hear where you're being shot from properly.

Another great way to practice head aiming, as Twattybollocks said is to find an AFK on your team, and at the start of the round, go round a corner so you can't see them, take a running jump at the corner and try to have your cursor on their head by the time you land. Repeat 500 times and you'll be a headshot god. I got banned from a 1.6 server for "hacking" the other day for jumping round a corner and headshotting someone like that :/.

I'll think of more :)

[pebble_rebel]

getting your mouse sensitivity correct is useful.... experiment. i am still changing it....

[Oooh Yeah]

don't act cocky, and don't play music down the mic when you kill someone who is good. it's extremely untasteful.

don't stress either. if you do then get a cup of tea/intoxicant of choice and relax.

you will improve much faster if you do these things.. the rest will just come with practise (aiming, storming etc..) however if you can specialise in a weapon and practise throwing HE grenades properly. that is a dieing art which can give you a serious edge.

[Lewiji]

Learn to be a slag with one of these babies:

damn you and your fast AWM killing, i barely saw anyone to kill :p

An important tip that indirectly helps you: Radio commands.

Memorize where the most useful radios are (enemy spotted, need backup, follow me, etc) and USE THEM. It was no end of help in that match with plash where the 2 firestorm guys came up near CT spawn while plash was a mile away covering the other side. Quick enemy spotted, scout to the head on one, whyplash pops out of nowhere and BLAM we win.

I had something else important to say but I forgot it :(

[Timmeh]

getting your mouse sensitivity correct is useful.... experiment. i am still changing it....

Low sensitivity all the way. Even if you've got a really, really unsensative mouse, anything above 6 and you won't be able to aim properly. Idealy you want a very, very low sens for when you're sniping, a medium one for rifles and a higher still one for SMGs. I have a very scary config that I've made over too many years of playing CS that adjusts my sens and rate with what gun I buy :)

bind f1 "ak47; m4a1; vesthelm; primammo; rate 20000; cl_cmdrate 101; sys_ticrate 100; cl_updaterate 101; sensitivity 3"
//
bind f2 "awp; primammo; vesthelm; secammo; rate 16000; cl_cmdrate 60; cl_updaterate 60; sys_ticrate 200; sensitivity 1.6"
//
bind f3 "mp5; primammo; rate 25000; cl_cmdrate 95; cl_updaterate 95; sys_ticrate 100; sensitivity 4.8"

there is no one sensitivity that'll work for all guns.

[pebble_rebel]

jesus christ that is quite nerdy.... personally id stick to one setting that you find comfortable (dont worry about it being under 6 it depends on your mouse and mouse settings actually in control panel) you "just" need to be able to turn 180* with a flick of the wrist.... once you find a setting that you like try and get use to it. i currently suck at the mo as i lowered my sensitivity so im currently shooting past peoples ears....

Also be CT if you can teh colt is a much better gun for noobs than teh AK...

[Lewiji]

Jumping can save your life.

In that game with monsieur whyplash above, the two guys caught on that whyp wasn't going to be parted with his beloved cannon.

So they both bought the AWM, and shot him to bits. I was guarding A, he was guarding B.

Shit, I thought as I ran towards B, armed with only a pump action shotgun, a USP and a bit of kevlar.

I could see them both nearing the bombsite and I sprinted and jumped behind a crate.

BOOOM I heard as they both fired simultaneously at where my body had just been half a second ago. I jumped out, aimed a shot and fired off. Didn't hit, but I was taken down to 12HP as a bullet skimmed my arm.

That was it.

I jumped, ran, bunny hopped, shot all the way across to the crates by the bombsite, getting a headshot halfway there on one of them-all the time the AWPs BOOOOMing around me. I jumped out from behind the crate and avoided yet another shot.

And headshotted that guy.

Map ended, quoth the "y" button of Lewiji.DiA//:

yay

[Twatybollocks]

People seem to have a horrible idea the deagles are a good weapon to buy if you're running low on money. Hell no. A deagle + ammo + 'nade = $1300-ish, and if your team lose the round without you getting a kill, you'll be making $1400. That's a profit of $100 per round. Bad idea. Always, always, always keep with your USP or glock unless you're loaded and looking for something to blow cash on. Deagles have a clip of 7 bullets, the smallest clip of any pistol... and in all honesty, it's not that good. Powerful, yes, each bullet does roughly 27 damage. So you're gonna need to hit with 4/7 bullets to achieve a kill. The range and recoil on them is dire, unless someone's up pretty close you're not gonna hit with anything other than the first bullet. A USP has a 12 bullet clip and does roughly 22 damage per bullet. 5 bullets to kill people. You only need to hit with 5/12 achieve a kill, it's much faster firing, more accurate, less recoiled... oh and it's free. Glocks are equally sexy on semi auto... aim for the head and you can't go wrong :).


Don't dis the Deagle. It can be amazing. You just need to pick the right time and map to use it on. I find if I am going to use it then it will be in the first round. You can buy the deagle and extra ammo and a lot of the time you'll be up against basic pistols and some people will have armour, but not all. This can make a lot of difference.

In the first round there will usually be some long corridors or big open spaces, e.g. Bridge in Aztec, Side Corridor in Office and most of Compound. The Deagle is superb at shooting long distance in my experience and I've also gotten a lot of head shots with it.

And of course if your up to AWP or Autosnipe weapons the Deagle is essential for running around with and up close combat.

[Huh?]

Me and a friend came up with the following Counter-Strike "etiquette" rules for pub (public server) gaming.

---

Thou shalt not guneth thy neighbour down if he/she hath his/her knife out.

Thou shalt not lobeth a flash nade into thine own brethrens eyes during the heateth of battle.

Thou shalt strive to follow the commands set down by thoust brotherhood, for instance ‘rusheth bombsite A brethren’.

Thou shalt not downloadeth skillz from 16 year oldeth nerds or any other source of proclaimed twatishness

Thou shalt not purposefully steal thine own neighbours’ frags, unless thine neighbour is a tit.

Thou shalt not decree that the fellow who hath gunned thee down is a "n00bish lux0r" witheth "download skillz(eth)”.

Thou shalt not continually camp, roundeth after roundeth, residing like a sacketh of bountiful potatoes that the Lord hath provided.

Thou shalt not be a selfish whore of the awp, most importantly whilst thou is on the winning teameth, unless thou haveth the pitiful score of 0-5, you most lowly n00beth.

Thou shalt not use the words 'n00b' 'suck0rz' or other ways of the 1337 seriously, unless thou would stireth up the wrath of our God, and have it rain down upon their souls, whether thou is wearing thoust kevlar or not.

[Nocashvalue]

Tried to use a bit of your advice with the nades and stuff, which worked pretty well I think, you'll have to ask whyplash, heh.

[Timmeh]

Me and a friend came up with the following Counter-Strike "etiquette" rules for pub (public server) gaming.

---

Thou shalt not guneth thy neighbour down if he/she hath his/her knife out.

Thou shalt not lobeth a flash nade into thine own brethrens eyes during the heateth of battle.

Thou shalt strive to follow the commands set down by thoust brotherhood, for instance ‘rusheth bombsite A brethren’.

Thou shalt not downloadeth skillz from 16 year oldeth nerds or any other source of proclaimed twatishness

Thou shalt not purposefully steal thine own neighbours’ frags, unless thine neighbour is a tit.

Thou shalt not decree that the fellow who hath gunned thee down is a "n00bish lux0r" witheth "download skillz(eth)”.

Thou shalt not continually camp, roundeth after roundeth, residing like a sacketh of bountiful potatoes that the Lord hath provided.

Thou shalt not be a selfish whore of the awp, most importantly whilst thou is on the winning teameth, unless thou haveth the pitiful score of 0-5, you most lowly n00beth.

Thou shalt not use the words 'n00b' 'suck0rz' or other ways of the 1337 seriously, unless thou would stireth up the wrath of our God, and have it rain down upon their souls, whether thou is wearing thoust kevlar or not.

Quality.

Thou shalt not be a selfish whore of the awp

*cough* I may occasionally be a little guilty of that one *innocent look*


Tried to use a bit of your advice with the nades and stuff, which worked pretty well I think, you'll have to ask whyplash, heh.

yeah you played pretty well :) I didn't awpwhore too much :rolleyes:

[Lewiji]

Thing I've found with CS is the learning curve is so steep, it's more like a right angle.

You'll be playing one day and BANG! You'll suddenly be on a winning streak and something clicks. Of course you'll still have bad days (I'm currently having a bad CS week from playing too much Q3 :p) but it really does work like that. So keep at it!