Mplayer Demo Deathmatch Hintbook # Page 4 of 6

Begin by locating every door and lift in each of the two levels. When you’re familiar with their locations, use each several times until you can mentally link the specific sound of each mover to its map location. For example, if you hear the sound of a lift rising on e1dm2, your opponent is most likely accessing the lift leading to the upper hallway containing an Ion Blaster.

Finally, you must master player sounds. Players make a specific, recognizable noise when they jump, fall from a considerable height, or run quickly down a flight of stairs. Sounds can put you hot on the trail of an escaping opponent. Players can make these sounds in a limited number of areas on each level, so hearing one of them can lead you in the right direction. If you hear a player’s bones crunch as he or she hits the ground, run to where that enemy is most likely to fall from a height.

These sounds are tough to master, but with practice they can be an essential part of controlling the game.

movement: Fluid, well-planned movements will give you an edge over your competition and make important maneuvers easier to execute. Learn and become comfortable with strafing left to right. When you’re comfortable with straight-line, left–right strafing, practice strafing in circles around your enemy so he or she is always in your view. Done smoothly and correctly, smooth circle-strafing will disorient the enemy and keep your foe under your control.

Practice tough jumps over and over until you’re comfortable with them and can complete them every time without error. Well-timed jumps can help you avoid the blast radius of rockets shot at your feet. Beware, however: too much jump can disorient you! Keep your character under control, and jump to avoid blasts only when you must. Repetitive practice will help you develop smooth movements.

Above all, think and plan ahead to avoid getting caught off-guard.

breaking your opponent’s pattern: All players tend to follow a specific pattern of paths through a map. Each will have favorite areas, escape routes, movements, and items and weapons to collect. Don’t run blindly through the map searching for the bad guy. Take mental note of where you most often see your opponent and his or her favorite weapons and items. Focus your attention on the areas your foe frequents.

With enough mental effort, you can even determine which direction and down which hallways your foe will run to get from place to place. Once you discover this pattern, your goal should be to throw it off and surprise your victim. Often your opponent will set a pattern early in the match, based on your pattern and movements. Making a sudden, drastic change to your own pattern will catch the foe off-guard in areas where he or she doesn’t expect you.

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