sanguinius

Lovely story from earlier today, truly shows the ingenuity of some people. Today, I was playing with my band of Bandits on Epoch, and we were thinking of what to do. We had 5 people (including me) and a Blackhawk, who's pilot is just insane. He's got the full load - Track IR, Rudder Pedals, Flight Stick and Throttle, and practises whenever he gets free time. That means we can use him for fast extractions and what-not. The resident opponents, who's names I do not embarrass, were cruising around in their GPK, getting building supplies for their base. Normally, a Blackhawk DIES when it gets into an engagement with a GPK - Yes, if aimed correctly, it can kill the important people in a couple of seconds, however most people suck at aiming during flight. Therefore, it must be stationary. However, if it is stationary, than chances are a few M2 shots near the cockpit or engine will wreck it. And if it is moving, it still can be hit. So, you need a way that only you can have a shot on the GPK. A bit difficult. We identified a main route they were using, due to careful flying. They knew the possibility of them being followed, so they took a different route every time, varying from the relatively straightforward to almost impossible to follow routes. However, we identified one road they always used, and luckily this was surrounded by practically impenetrable woodland, to a GPK travelling at high speed. We gathered 8 of the tank traps at base, and moved there once they'd gone back to Stary for supplies. We laid down three on the road, and the rest on the sides, which would initially prevent them from turning left or right. Two (me and another) were on the ground, with an M14 and an M249. The rest were in the chopper, crewing or piloting. I took up my position, and waited. Sure enough, they came blasting down the road, so fast they slammed into the Tank traps at maybe 50 km/h? Somehow, the Humvee wasn't totalled, however fire directed at it's wheels made sure it couldn't move. We then fired at the occupants exiting, however we were on the wrong side. They took up defensive positions, and withered us with the M2. Then, of course, the Blackhawk came in - on the OTHER SIDE of the forest. With both guns firing THROUGH the trees, it decimated the defenders and the gunner. We then teased them on side, got some gold and cinderblocks, got the keys, repaired the Humvee, and ran away with an awesome gain. We left the tank traps there, so it'd annoy other people :)

I'm intrigued as to what my targets generally look like. I know they usually have the skin, but what weapons do you generally observe them using? Most of the time I see them with shotguns, on my server. Of course, you see the rare few with an LMG or a sniper rifle, but that doesn't usually fit their role. By hero, I mean people who genuinely go out of their way to help somebody, like going to them after help has been asked for on side. I do too. But I usually don't help...

Indeed, FAL or SA-58 are both terrific guns; I melt when I find an SA-58 in the firestation. FAL is probably the best iron-sighted gun you can get in the entire game, due to it's power, low recoil, and accuracy. I once knocked a player out at 600-ish meters with a single shot. Love dat low recoil. Definitely the best night-sniper, if you manage to get a PVS-14.

I've encountered far less KOS lately than I used to. Of course, you get the people that drive up and slaughter hatchet-bearing spawns, but that always happens. But out of the 17-something encounters I've had in the past few days, I only had 2 instances where they shot on sight. The rest we just had a short chat and went out separate ways. My way being following them if they look as if they may have a base.

Exactly, my dear Liftcore - exactly. Besides, you're giving them back the excitement and intensity of being a newspawn!

That's good, however it either has to be a steep rise, or you have to rely on the driver not using 3rd person; if he does use it, he will probably slow down and not damage it badly.

That reminds me of an interesting post I read on the BIS forums: "It is funny to see features that gamers want to see to make a game more "realistic" compared to what the military wants in a simulation to make it facilitate real life better. Deploy-able bi pods are a perfect example. Gamers, as we can see here, would love to see us press a button to deploy the feature. The visuals of the weapon animating are cool to look at, and like you said it would ease the human (gamer) mind. The game would feel more realistic to gamers if we could see the bi pod deploying in the prone and get the recoil reducing effects than if we just got the effects from going prone. But if you put that into VBS2, the customer base will complain because it is an unnecessary extra step. They would argue, "If a soldier goes prone they will by nature automatically deploy their bi pod, so why should we have to learn to press the button in game?" Deploying a bi pod is not the purpose of the simulation. There are bigger things the simulation supposed to help teach a soldier." Food for thought :P A valid point, IF bipods could only be used while laying prone. However, in reality, they can be used while crouching, or even standing up, if there is sufficient ground/space to lay it on. That is why a button is better than automatically deploying; we aren't restricted to using a bipod on the ground, and we don't have to deal with having your weapon deployed every time you pass near a suitable object. The VBS2 community may not like it, but it is just straight up simpler to press a button.

Do you play on some sort of ACE-modded DayZ, like some people have made? Because bipods don't work in Arma... But yeah, M249 is great.

Nice story Rossums, completely indicative of high geared players. :) I guess some may find this story morally disturbing... Anyway, I was heading to my base, when I came upon a player running across a field. He was heading to the Stary Trader, conveniently in a straight line across the field. I had my Mk12 SPR, and so I took him down. Simple, right? Well, since death messages weren't enabled, I headed over thinking I had took him down with a double tap. (I actually missed on the second one.) I saw he was still alive, and felt like a monster, so I took everything off of him, including a nice M14, and epi'd him. He was annoyed. I laughed, and walked slowly into the distance. A few minutes later, I heard him asking for help on side. I would have too, as it's just plain annoying. I saw a hero respond, they both got on TeamSpeak together, in the same channel, and I guess they worked it out. So I came back, and set up camp in the ruins. (We were at Kumyrna). Ten minutes later, I see a Blue SUV pull up, and the hero go and heal him. I waited until they were both up, and took 'em both down with the M14. Aah, a beautiful trap it was.

This, except mostly stupidity. I haven't seen many heroes for a while though, so it may be that now heroes are commonly rocking silenced guns and M14s. I think the M1014 is a very good hero weapon, because, as has been said before, with pellets it's an excellent bandit killer.

In my experience, most usually don't survive long enough to get a suppressed gun. Maybe my server sucks...

It seems to me that lately survivors are a lot more friendly, nowadays. Or is it just the Australians I play with? Anyhow, I became a bandit when I was walking (well, running) down the streets of Elektro, having just completed my third run of Balota-Cherno-Barn-Prigorodki-Barn-Elektro when I came upon a hero with an L85. I considered the options... Should I kill this man for his gun, or run around with him, and have him killed by the endless snipers? I chose to do the honourable thing, and save him from a broken leg and waiting for his knockout to complete. I killed him. Have led a successful life since, without dying once. Except for hackers...

Got to be the M24/M4A3 CCO Combo, with a PDW SD. The M24 is my favourite sniper in the game, principally because of its accuracy, power, and style. A nice bolt action always makes you feel cool. Also, ammo is rather plentiful, and if you need more room, you can make your spare mags a DMR mag, at most making three slots free. That's pretty good. M4A3, because of the low recoil, CCO, and flashlight, just in case you don't have NVGs. Ammo is rather plentiful as well. PDW SD, because why not? If your stuck sniping, full auto+sd means you're safe from zombie or player attacks.

Excellent guide, Gews. I've always preferred the ACOG to the others - it's just better. You don't have to switch out your weapons and run the risk of making a mistake and losing it, because you already have a medium-range weapon. Can even be long range, if you're especially proficient. It's a shame you can't use the secondary sight. Mayhaps a comparison must be made between the SA58(vanilla) and the AKM. Or even an SVD, M24, and DMR. That would be quite interesting; it'd remove some of the prejudices people have.

Nice, a good ACOG story. Treasure your treasure son, for it may not remain with you for long. Hunters prowl in the night; and just as you take out another server hopper, I shall congratulate you on side, and then promptly shoot you from the OTHER side of the airfield with my professional M40a3. And I shall feast off your corpse... But seriously mate, ACOG skills should be admired. It's a beautiful scope, and it has never failed me. At night though, you need to go pro and get a FN-FAL AN/PVS14.

FN-FAL AN/PVS 14 (Awesome for Night work. However however however, if in day, use the regular. Or just the crosshairs, if it's an easy server.) M40a3 (Finally got one! Excellent for standard engagement range (for example, pops them at 800 meters easily. 1000 with some preparation. No more.) Ammo is plentiful, especially cause M24 ammo can be broken down from DMR. It's got a good camo, which is something that a sniper can attest to; it saves lives. And finally, it's more challenging and fun than the DMR.) M1911 (Eh, it's goodnuff.) Hunting players? Well... Lets see, if you have a ghillie suit, that loadout will work perfectly. You have an awesome sniper rifle, an awesome main rifle (with no day optic, however) and a decent sidearm. HUNTING players. If you're just plain ol' sniping on the Elektro Ridges, or the Cherno Hills, or the NEAF Valley, take a bloody AS50, for gods sake. For anything else, I prefer mine. DMR is a DECENT player hunting weapon; it's probably one of the best out there. You can take them out with a quick double tap, or if they start running away. Ammo is plentiful, scope can be used with NVGs. Semi-automatic, but it's a bit on the loud side. Also, it's rather inaccurate for actual sniping. I've found the bullets go in a 45-centimetre circle at around 800, and for me, that's definitely not good enough. M40a3 fills the role of the small rifle with plentiful ammo and devastating power, but it also works as a sniper rifle for pretty decent ranges. And lastly... it just looks cooler, alright? Deal with it, matey.

This is exactly why I like having a hero skin. Betraying that trust.

Agreed.

I was watching Elektro with my trusty CZ when I saw a commotion. Indeed, it was the famous Afro brothers, who frequently talked on side chat as if they were in a normal conversation. Cute, eh? I thought it was. Then, suddenly, the biggest pile of zombies came into the church, and a hailstorm of gunfire flared out. It was amazing to watch: Fully automatic AK-74 fire, for about 5 minutes intermittently. The gunfire stopped. I then heard a mixture of Enfield and Winchester shots, and marvelled at the skills of these guys, and their dedication. As time went on, even as more zombies flooded in, their gunfire became more accurate. The firestation ceased to be hit by stray shots, and zombies dropped down fast. They switched to their sidearms. They valiantly continued on, as the zombies ceased to end. The gunfire ended. I felt a small feeling of apprehension. Grenade explosions. Seriously, they were using grenades! The explosions ceased, and yet they still survived for ten more minutes. Then, a wave of M240 fire smacked the church, and killed the entire zombie horde, and one of the survivors. A ghillie man entered the building, and I felt a strong feeling. That man was going to kill him! After that extroadinary display of kills. I decided to get the SUV and drive down there as fast as I could. I heard a single shot. In dread, I jumped out and shot down the ghillie man with no less than 7 shots from my AKM. I patched up the man, dropped the AKM (I had an M4A3 anyway) and food and drink. I dropped him off at the North East Airfield, and departed. I picked up the survivor that died with him, and took him to the NEA. You may think that it's nothing special holding off a horde of zombies, but it was for something like 20 minutes. They had inherent badassery in them.

My favorite? Well, it's not my best, but it's the most memorable... He he. So, I had spawned a couple of hours ago and nabbed myself a nice CZ550 and an AKM. I was repairing an abandoned SUV (wtf?) when I looked at side chat. Hmm, Demon and Ethan, it seemed, were talking about meeting together in Elektro. I considered stalking them for a moment, but then they asked if I wanted to come . (HOW DID THEY KNOW I WAS AT THE FIRESTATION???) I agreed, and hurriedly finished the SUV and rolled it up on top of the north hill. I posted up, and watched Elektro. I waited. Noticing the dinnerbell had been rung, and finding it irressitable, I found the pair. They actually had a really good bit o' gear. I saw an M4A3 once they came closer, and the beauty of a CZ550. MORE AMMO! How lucky was that? My second favorite assault rifle, and my current sniper rifle, also one of my favorites! I spied a good sized backpack on each, and imagined in delight the golden treasure within... Anyway, they went to the firestation I had occupied only a half hour ago. Being fools, they immediately got into a heavy firefight with zombies, as they could not even lose the zombies they took from Electro. I needed a face palm anmiation. However however however, they did some smart things that made them actually seem human. For one, they lost the zombies after a while. Secondly, once they started moving to the West hill, they split up. One of them went before the other, and they waited until they were both together to continue once they were at the treeline. They never went ten metres near each other. I was impressed. I subsequently hiked down the North Hill, and started the very slow crawl to the West Hill. I spied them in the barn there, and guessed they were taking a break. Excellent. I finally crawled up to them, and started hearing them on direct. One of them said he was going to relog (to replenish his magazines), and I prepared. When I saw the message, I darted in and shot the other in the chest with the AKM. He logged. Frustrated, I got the SUV and came back.I left the AKM there as a distraction outside for Demon (and Ethan, they would come in together) I took the SUV, went out a couple of hundred meters and waited. Sure enough, they came back after ten minutes.One sprinted to the AKM, did a dolphin-dive thing, and in that instant I took the shot and nicked him in the face. He died. The other one bolted. Bugger! I saw him run away, and I swore. He went East. I typed coldly in side "One does not enter the spider's web unless they are sure the spider has left." I told them of my observation of their direct conversations, and they called me a hacker. I took the SUV to the barn, and looted the corpse and stored the surplus in the SUV. I Left it there, and followed his path. He wasn't in town, because there was no crazy zombies. And he had definitely run east, so I assumed he was somewhere... east. Suddenly, a burst of automatic fire spattered the ground - ten meters below me. He must have been on the North hill. There was movement, and more fire hit the area around me. 5 meters up from my position. I found the source, zeroed roughly, and ended his pitiful logging life. I took the SUV up there, promptly looted the corpse (which had the CZ550 - why the hell wouldn't you use a sniper rifle at that range!) They called me hackers the rest of the day. Lesson Number 1: Do not try and log out to a dedicated hunter, then log back in ten minutes after. Seriously! I don't know, go watch Jurassic Park or something, and THEN come back, together. Or even better, leave for the rest of the day! God! Lesson Number 2: Use a long ranged rifle for your long ranged engagements. Lesson Number 3: Don't call the person who legitimately deceived you, then legitimately stalked you using your direct communications, then found you because you sprinted around when you changed positions, a hacker!

Need any more bandits? Would 1 bandit per five players be good? The ecosystem must be balanced, me laddy. We don't want Jurassic park happening again... The books.

It's a shame the CZ ingame doesn't actually use the 9mm Mauser. Then I would use it all day. In terms of performance, M24 beats CZ. Every time. It's more accurate, slightly more powerful, ammo is more plentiful (especially since you can split down DMR mags... Which are as common as people's opinions.It's easier to adjust if you have the skills, and... it's camouflaged. And it shares ammo with the M40a3! But I still choose the CZ if I can. Why? Because... I have no idea, but I'll get back to you on that. Of course, once I get an M40a3, all shall pale in the light of my orgasmic happiness...