Improving Your Deathmatch Skills on Unreal Tournament III

As any gamer with half a brain knows, Unreal Tournament III rules. Once you start playing multiplayer online, however, it can become dangerously addictive (especially if you have actual responsibilities in the real world). If you're constantly getting savaged on deathmatch, then you may be either:

A) Massively frustrated to the point of stopping playing all together.

B) Convinced there's a conspiracy involving everyone else somehow cheating.

C) A staunch optimist who believes they can dominate the scoreboards soon enough.

If you can identify with any of the above, or you just want to boost your kill-count, then this guide is for you.

Move Your Ass!

Expert movement is one of the most underused skills in Unreal Tournament III. The game allows you to dodge, strafe, jump, crouch and even bounce off walls, so that's exactly what you need to be doing in deathmatches. To attain a higher skill level, you need to perfect the art of shooting enemies whilst dodging their shots. To do this, you have to move constantly. A high percentage of in-game frags come from inexperienced players getting killed whilst standing still, usually whilst aiming or camping (staying in one place), so always be on the move when possible.

When engaged in combat, you should be jumping up and down, turning/strafing to the opponent's blind side and closing the distance. This will both frustrate and disorientate them - usually causing them to misfire and leave themselves open to attack. This may all sound like a lot to think about at first, but once you practice these aspects of movement, they will soon become second nature and you'll be hopping over your enemies' bodies instead of stumbling into a noob's stray rocket.

Guns, lots of Guns

You should have a basic idea of the strengths and weaknesses of Unreal Tournament III's weaponry, but to improve you need to become adept at using all of them. Knowing when and how to use the secondary firing mode of the weapons will dramatically assist your proficiency. Here are some basic tips for using the game's arsenal:

Impact Hammer: keep it 'cocked' when in use and charge enemies into a corner or dead-end - be sure to cackle as they panic in terror before exploding in a gore shower.

Enforcer: try to pick up two for dual-mode, then go for headshots at long range and 3-shot bursts as you get in close.

Sniper Rifle: try to keep your distance and aim for the enemy's cranium for an instant kill. Failing this, two direct body shots will put most foes away.

Link Gun: the rapid rate of fire makes it a good all-rounder in most situations. Its alternate fire is one of the most deceptively deadly modes of fire in the game.

Bio-Rifle: vastly efficient if mildly irritating. Always keep a massive gloop globule on standby for instant kills or fire said globule at corners and walls to set up toxic traps.

Shock Rifle: normally takes three shots to put an enemy down. Use standard fire at mid-long range and alternate fire up close for the best results. Shock-combos should be used frequently, especially on groups of enemies, for maximum frags.

Stinger Minigun: focus on the primary fire when possible as the alternate fire is fairly slow and unsuccessful. Great for taking out multiple enemies at long range.

Flak Cannon: get in as close as possible before firing for an instant and bloody kill. Be very careful firing around corners as the flak has a nasty habit of rebounding straight back into your face. The alternate fire is highly effective when used from above on groups of enemies.

Rocket Launcher: as a general rule it's good to have three rockets ready to fire at all times. A direct hit will kill most opponents instantly whilst a partial hit will leave them close to zero health. The grenade mode of fire is generally underused but can be effective when shot around corners or from elevated ledges.

Redeemer: make sure you have adequate cover before firing! Be extra careful when pressing the trigger as I've often managed to clip a corner or ledge and instantly fried my precious molecules. Launch into populated large rooms or open spaces when possible. The alternate fire allows greater accuracy but bear in mind you'll be committing atomic suicide.

Map-knowledge is Power

Learn all the Unreal Tournament III deathmatch maps as soon as possible. If you want success, then you need to know the location of all the best weapons, power-ups and armour. It's no coincidence that the top players all seem to take extraordinary amounts of damage before they expire. They'll relentlessly hoard power-ups and armour in order to gain the advantage. There's a shield-belt on most maps - find it first! This hoarding may seem unfair or dishonourable at first but, in reality, all these items are there for a reason: to be used. Usually, there will only be a few players who'll hoard power-ups, and once you start going for them too, you'll frustrate your foes and spoil their game-plan.

Another factor to consider regarding maps is vantage points and narrow corridors. These locations can be great for getting easy kills - use long ranged weapons (rocket launcher, stinger) from higher ground and close range ones (flak cannon, impact hammer) for tight spaces. Once you become familiar with a map you'll soon discover the best and most effective places from which to attack. As a general rule, try to avoid camping as you'll usually be missing the bulk of the action and the ensuing fragging opportunities. You'll also become lonely and despised. Be sure to take special consideration with maps that have environmental factors such as Biohazard's gas chamber and Heat Ray's astonishing inclusion of a dark walker - you certainly don't want to be caught unaware on those maps.

If you want to win games then you need to know every single map thoroughly; concentrate on your worst maps as well as your favourites. Get to the stage where you instantly know exactly where you are after a respawn, where the nearest weapon/power-up is and where the action is taking place.

Deathmatch Tactics

There are effective tactics on every deathmatch map but most of them are best learned through experience and practice. In the meantime, here are a few pointers:

• Play as aggressively as possible
• Head towards the sounds of carnage
• Attack hard and fast with your best weapons
• Don't allow wounded enemies to flee
• Ambush, surprise and frustrate the opposition
• Aim for the head!

Playing aggressively doesn't necessarily mean charging directly towards a player wielding a rocket launcher (although that sometimes works) - you can be cautious whilst still being aggressive and going after players like a hell-hound. If, however, you find yourself with only a fraction of health remaining, then escape and rejuvenate. There's little point trying to fight whilst close to death, as you'll just end up giving an easy kill to the enemy. If you get badly damaged and are being pursued by an adversary, an effective tactic is to flee round a corner, then immediately turn and shoot them at point-blank range as they emerge. You'll catch them off-guard and either get them to back off or frag them outright.

Practice makes Deadly

In conclusion, there are only a few key areas you need to excel at in order to be a top player on Unreal Tournament III deathmatch. Once you learn and put into practice what I've suggested, I guarantee you'll rapidly improve and start to emerge victorious. The first time you hear the commentator utter the prestigious 'you have won the match', you'll know you've reached the next level.