Upping our skills

[J_Th4ng]

Back in the day, I made a post for CODWaW, that concerned all of the things that we should be doing, outside of clan practices, in order to improve our COD skills in a competitive manner.

Now, with the recent announcement of the lack of dedicated server support in MW2, it seems that COD4 is going to be the flavour of competitive COD for some time to come. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions that I'd like to make, so that we can get upskilled in the Promod COD4 methodology as quickly and effectively as possible.

1. Avoid Hardcore servers - The gameplay mechanics are completely different in Hardcore mode. Try and avoid this if possible
2. When you're jumping on to a public server for some COD, join the [grrr] COD TS channel first. That way, and of your clan mates that plan on a little gaming can find you and joint eh same server. You can then help each other by means of advice (if on the opposition team), or planning moves (if on the same team).
3. Play Search and Destroy as much as possible. This game mode is what is played competitvely, this is what we should be playing. Yes, TDM can be fun, but it's not really going to help your competitve COD skills. When doing this, stick to weapons and perks that are available in promod
4. There are a few promod public servers out there (IIRC, the SGS Tactical servers run promod). Try and play on these as much as possible. Observe how other people play, and learn those all important 'first nade spots'.
5. Once you have got reasonably comfortable with your style of play, try joining pickup games. Pickups are like clan matches, but they are open to all. Basically people join an IRC channel, and sign up for the next pickup. Once ten people have signed up, team captains are chosen, they pick teams, and a match is played. This must be the best way to learn the clannie dynamics. Details of the IRC channel and joining instructions should be available on SGS.

Guys, if we are going to compete seriously in COD, we need to be doing the above as much as possible. We are two years behind in this game, so we have a lot of catching up to do. I'd like to see everyone doing these things on public servers a few times a week if possible, whenever we don't have organised praccies/clannies.

One other thing that we need to do is to pick specialised roles, and practice these as much as possible. For example, one role that we desparately need is a sniper. I see that Daz has taken this on for the moment, but it would be good if we could get a couple of people practicing this role and honing their skills. If we can't find top notch snipers from within our ranks, we may well have to recruit for this position down the line. Think of this role as one that could almost guarantee you a place in the starting line-up if you need an incentive.

Anyway guys, that's about all I can think of for now. Anyone got any other ideas?

[AuRoRa]

I love the idea of dedicated roles - That means every person can completly focus on what they need to in any given situation , or map...

So how bout we have trails - 1 vs 1 on every position - SMG and Assault... and sniper vs team. This could give us a better idea of who plays what better , and who play what role better..

If u play on the open servers alot , u'll see this , the same guy always does the same thing , or on the same spot.. It siply means that u can get to know ure position and attack/defence of it in every situation possible..

So who is keen for this idea ? Sheri , is it ok???

[NiteShade]

Jarrod, you read my mind. I was going to copy that WAW post of yours

Jean, the testing of roles sounds good to me. Jarrod makes a very good point about needing a sniper tho.
All of you please keep your eyes peeled on da servers. If you see a good sniper not in a clan, tell him 'bout grrr !

[J_Th4ng]

Testing of roles is a great idea Jean, but can I suggest that we give ourselves some time to familiarise ouselves with the different weapons first? I for one have never played promod before last week (and very little COD4 recently either), so I need time to figure the weapon classes and how best to use them.

Anyone internal interested in trying out the sniper role before we start recruiting?

[Jackal-GI]

I am always up for anything

[NiteShade]

I am always up for anything

Kinky!

[SloDaz]

Good email - i dont want to be the sniper. I originally tried it but it is sooo difficult to practice on the PROMOD server and i sort of suck at it. Its like being a JET whore on BF2 - there is only one sniper allowed per game and you have to beg and beg the guys to give you a chance. I have seen a few good guys on the PROMOD server that we could start talking to - i am giving it 2 more weeks and will then let you guys know my recomendations - only issue is that most of the guys are in clans - they just change thier nicks a lot. On the other hand, i constantly see guys asking for frendlies... so we could too

[Stu]

thanks for the above advice. I will start to join the TS channel more often. I would have to agree with dedicated roles. I would be a heavy and or Assault that's all I'm really good for.

[J_Th4ng]

Heavy? There is no Heavy in COD4. If you mean LMG user, all LMGs are removed in promod.