right - all settled in? All ready to go? Let's get started. I want to let you know the secrets I've learned so far on getting going with BF3 on XBOX.
There are a number of things you need to acheive:
- Get the guide
- Connect up the headset
- Ensure you have an Xbox Live Gold Subscription
- Understand the controls on your xbox controller
- Campaign for a bit, but then go multiplayer
- understand the classes
- understand unlocks.
- work with a squad
- use cover.
And finally, I want you to join me and do better tactics so we kick butt.
Get the Guide
The manual from ea, such as it is, is a bit limited. The minimum facts. There are sites that offer great info. But, I game in front of a TV, without a computer nearby, so it is that I have purchased the excellent official guide:
The Prima guide is very comprehensive. It explains the structure of the game, and the detail of how you work the game for success. That is, it talks through multiplayer co-op and campaign modes, and it talks about the amazing amount of weapons, maps and vehicles that make up the amazing BF3 world.
It turns out that knowing the maps is vital, and if you want to understand the game, understanding the classes, the 'unlocks' and tactics are all vital to achieving anything in the game. Otherwise you run around and die and nothing much changes.
The number 1 thing you get from the guide is an understanding of how the game fits together. without that, you're running blind, and you'll die too many horrible deaths. Read it!
Get a Headset
I have purchased a headset - the plantronics Audio 355. This is a cheap analogue headset. But there's a problem! the 3.5" jacks don't match the 2.5" jack on the xbox 360 controller. So you need to purchase a bunch of cabling to fix the problem of headset to xbox 360 controller
Purchase a Live Gold Subscription so you can talk
Unfortunatley - you have to have it. party chat is how people talk on BF3 with an XBox. So, set it up and then understand how to invite people (gamer tags) to a party.
Understand the controls on your xbox controller
Very important you know how to run. Press LEFT Stick down and you run. Run between cover and through cover. RIGHT stick down to crouch and cautiously advance. Advance cautiously into rooms, and if you think there's someone there, lob a grenade in. If you're out of grenades, then have a support class guy around to give you ammo. VERY important that you go prone with Right stick down when you're in the open or on a roof.
right button uses a knife. these go through fences , and if you can creep up on an enemy (good luck) you can stab them in the back of the neck. it's been done to me heaps of times, but I don't get close enough to someone to do it.
the little four point control on the left side of the controller is REALLY important. left click and right click are for your 'gadgets' These can be provisioned in your soldier, but can be the defib for revival, or the missile launcher/RPG for the support guy. The recon guy gets a spawn beacon.
Campaign a bit, then go multiplayer
The story is great, and the movies between missions are very immersive. It's valuable to get your basic controls going for multiplayer, and it's fun to see the story play out. The car park killed me so many times it's not funny. Enjoy.
But the real meat is multiplayer. working in a team to overcome some objective. Move multiplayer when you can.
Understand the classes
when you deploy into a multiplayer game you have a choice of what class you can be. You can be assault - shoot with a good sized magazine, and then fix people with the med kit. You can be an engineer - you use anti-tank missiles in your gadget (see above), and you can repair things. You can be a support player (my favourite). You get a light machine gun and then you throw out ammo to people. finally you can be a recon player - a sniper rifle to spot enemies of your team, and a spawn beacon to provide a spot that people can spawn to.
So which of these to use? Why?
The needs of the mission, and where you are with unlocks. If there is a big tank knocking off all your team, then choose engineer and blow it up. If there are enemies coming out of the wood work and surprising everyone, go do a recon. if we're in the right space, but getting mown down, jump in as support and help mow them back. Finally if it's all about pushing through, then go assault and get out there and kill em all.
Unlocks
The secondary part of this is that you need to see where you are with unlock on each class. As you amass points in a particular class you progress towards unlocking the next gadget or weapon, or capability. These are all things that make your soldier more deadly. It's funny - they put you out there with a gun and your head to start with. You then grow up into having all the equipment a modern soldier has and discover you're more effective! surprise surprise. So - go for the unlocks - they help!
The unlock hierarchy is documented all over the place, and its far too complex. the guide says it all.
Work with a squad
when you jump in to a game you are put into a squad. this is a bunch of other players on your side. there are usually 4 or 5 squads. as a squad you move through the game taking on different roles to help each other. and heres where voice comes in. invite your squad to an xbox live party. (see above). put a voice message over as well to say your serious and you want to get tactical.
then work with them. discuss and plan your assault recon support and engineer actions. stick with your squad and cover for them. suppress the enemy with fire. heal each other and ammo up. you'll do way better
Use cover
finally, the open ground is a killing field. run off it and get away. run through underbrush. anything that makes you less visible.
thats about it. join me if you liked this. gamer tag: ideapod , and tell me you read my blog entry so i know how you found me.
all the best and good war fighting
