Newbie here, Tips?

[Alpha MaysJedi]

So I bought this game a while back on sale and haven't installed it yet for the other computer in my house since I can't run it on this one since its not very good at playing high end computer games. Any tips you can give me whenever I get the chance to play it? :/

[GhostyGG]

Firstly, take the time to look up the controls and the feel of the game. I dunno, I just don't like how some people pick up the game and not know how to open up their map.

Get a mic, its the best way to coordinate with your team. Type if you can, interaction with your team is what this game is all about. If you don't know how to talk or type look up the controls.

"Before you command you must learn to obey"

Try to get the hang of the commanding tech tree, both marine and aliens. There's a sandbox mode that allows you to explore this, just don't play a bot game as a commander (you will always lose). Just experiment with stuff in sandbox before you jump into a real game or you won't know what to do.

Marines, when it comes to marines the worst you can do is bunch up and block each other's sights. Make sure to keep your distance and watch each other's backs, because when the skulks close the gap they are faster and can avoid your fire. It's easier to see where they are and where they'll be when you are watching a skulk fighting your buddies (so help them and shoot it). The best way to play any game is to learn how to stay alive, it doesn't matter how many kills you get or what you do, just keep yourself alive. When a skulk attaks you and it's close range always lead your shots and circle around their bites. If they manage to get too close as you circle or you can't maneuver, you should start jumping.

DON'T buy shotguns until you're sure you can aim well. You've got six bullets and if you can't learn how to aim properly or engage you'll just end up wasting your res when you could've gotten a grenade launcher or flamethrower. Always save your RES, its like ingame money, so you can buy the higher tier stuff.

Aliens, when you start as a skulk it's more or less about hiding and ambushing marines. Again, always keep yourself alive and retreat when needed. Don't always try to engage and don't spam bites. During a fight you should always conserve your bites for precision, 3 bites takes down a human. When you're close enough you can see where they're aiming and don't always be in front. Close the gap, run around them and behind them and bite.

Gorge is an easy going class, since all you need is to heal everyone and help the commander bulid structures. You can build clogs which wall off, and hydras that attack enemies (they aren't that powerful). Building gorge tunnels is crucial to alien's mobility around the map, so build those near priority targets (such as tech points). Once you get bile bomb you can destroy bases, but you're still easy prey.

Lerk is a harder class so I don't think you should try it unless you can get the hang of shooting while flying, biting while flying and staying alive.

Fade is much easier and one of the better classes, it's easier to survive and deal damage at the same time. Make sure to always kill marines with shotguns, jetpacks, or other advanced weapons. Never prioritize the marines with assault rifles unless they're the only target.

Onos is pretty easy. Lots of health and armor, so unless you run in alone you won't die. On some maps you can kill jetpackers (due to amount of space in rooms). Whatever the team needs destroyed its generally up to you or a gorge to do it.

[Jackson7th]

Goods tips. We (the vets) have been repeating them a lot, most of them are good and we are willing to help people who want to get better. Congrats you're one of them.

First thing, get a microphone.
Then, lurk on steam, youtube and google to find guides and tutorial. I recommand you watch / read about two or three hours of them (I know it's long but it will save you from painful dozens of hours and you'll get better faster).
There are plenty of "newbie to veteran guide" / "NS2 for the rookies" / "Noobies guide to NS2" on steam, read them. Then watch tutorial videos on youtube to get the feel of the game, watch a bit of gameplay.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAwy04eq2AQtn1Jsqfseg4b5u77oYwqaZ
Watch this one. A few videos are a bit old (but still relevant!), nevertheless this is still the best tutorial channel about NS2 ever atm.

EDIT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGGA8S5t990lGnpqG8VQQjg
Here is a channel of competitive games, try to watch and learn from the pros.

[Pielord]

Wallet Jr. eredeti hozzászólása:

During a fight you should always conserve your bites for precision, 3 bites takes down a human.

In the beginning of a game tagging a Marine with parasite and then only biting twice will kill, and after they finish all armor upgrades it will take four bites. Parasite is useful, but shouldn't be used more than once for target as it deals no significant damage. It is best to shoot while running towards them, and don't use it if you could be getting a bite in.

I also disagree with Fade being easier than Lerk, especially as it is more expensive so you may not get a second chance.

[GhostyGG]

well I find fade easier because you not only have more health but you don't have to get used to the mechanics of flying. Lerks are very squishy but if you're good enough you can dodge a lot of damage. So I guess it just depends on how good you are at it.

[100% Recycled Awesome]

Go to the guides section in steam. There are plenty of beginner tips that will help you.

[Warforce17]

Feel free to join my group "Ns2 Rookie Camp". It collects many of the great tutorials and tips.

[Pielord]

Wallet Jr. eredeti hozzászólása:

well I find fade easier because you not only have more health but you don't have to get used to the mechanics of flying. Lerks are very squishy but if you're good enough you can dodge a lot of damage. So I guess it just depends on how good you are at it.

It seems easier to move a lot as Lerk and avoid damage to me than to play Fade, I always run out of energy so quickly, and sometimes get stuck on objects. It probably varies by player though.

[Alpha MaysJedi]

Warforce17 eredeti hozzászólása:

Feel free to join my group "Ns2 Rookie Camp". It collects many of the great tutorials and tips.

I will if ever get the chance.

[Prydzen ᛋᛟ]

The first thing a rookie should do is log in to the command chair. Stand on the platform with the screen and press E. Next thing you do is build about 2 or three extra infantry portals. Dont forget to spam med packs when your team gets attacked. Whatever you do do not build an armory first always build a robot factory first and make about 6 macs for your team.

[Mephisto]

Start off with marines. Always move in groups, check corners, vents and ceilings. Try to keep in the open, the idea is that you position yourself so that aliens have to run a large distance without cover to get to you, giving you more time to shoot them. Check your map (C) regularly to see if any buildings are under attack. Shotgun is the best weapon to take out most lifeforms, though it also takes careful aiming. As a beginner, Grenade launcher is probably the better weapon. Also, listen to your commander or other players. Coordination is key in this game.

Once you are more or less familiar with the maps you can try aliens. You will be spending a lot of time as a skulk, so learn it well: Always try to parasite (2, then LMB) marines. Parasited marines can be tracked through walls and take less bites to kill. Try to stay undetected and in cover. Sneak with shift. Only engage when the distance between a marine and you is very short e.g. around 2 meters, otherwise stay in cover.
Once you get to the higher lifeforms, not dieing is priority number 1. So always stay on the safe side (e.g. retreat with half health). Aliens are a lot about hit and run. Generally speaking, if there are more than 2 marines, you should be very careful with engaging on your own. Every time you go in, you should already know how you plan to retreat.
As a lerk, try to fly in patterns that are hard to follow, e.g. fly up and down or in medium sized circles. Try to use bite primarily. The ranged spikes may seem kind of nice, but you will get more kills with the bite(though it is also more risky). Once the marines have shotguns, keep your distance and shoot with spikes.
As a fade, try to learn the movement first (jump, blink mid-air for a short burst, jump, blink, and so on). Then, try to hit marines while moving. Retreat when your adrenaline gets low. Remember, an alien not moving is a dead alien.

Good luck and have fun with Natural Selection 2! :)

[Mephisto]

ChrisPlaysLinux eredeti hozzászólása:

The first thing a rookie should do is log in to the command chair. Stand on the platform with the screen and press E. Next thing you do is build about 2 or three extra infantry portals. Dont forget to spam med packs when your team gets attacked. Whatever you do do not build an armory first always build a robot factory first and make about 6 macs for your team.

Not sure if troll or just...

[Warforce17]

Goron eredeti hozzászólása:

ChrisPlaysLinux eredeti hozzászólása:

The first thing a rookie should do is log in to the command chair. Stand on the platform with the screen and press E. Next thing you do is build about 2 or three extra infantry portals. Dont forget to spam med packs when your team gets attacked. Whatever you do do not build an armory first always build a robot factory first and make about 6 macs for your team.

Not sure if troll or just...

Sarcasm!

[Pielord]

Goron eredeti hozzászólása:

Parasited marines can be tracked through walls and take less bites to kill.
As a lerk...try to use bite primarily. The ranged spikes may seem kind of nice, but you will get more kills with the bite(though it is also more risky).

Parasited Marines will only take less bites if the 10 damage brings them down, such as at the start of the game.
As Lerk against a single Marine it is best to harass with spikes then dart in and finish him while he reloads. Against multiple a new player probably shouldn't risk bites.

[Keijo]

Its important to think about map control. Count the rts and cc/hive locations the enemy has. If you have 2/5 tech spots or 4/12 rts your oblviously not weak but the enemy is mega strong.

So while trying to figure out how to kill the enemy it's more important to keep pressure and not kill the enemy. Lets say you attack enemy rts near the base you will most likely draw 2 enemies there, so it helps to win map control and more rts for your team.

So always think who is going to win with rts/research slots, if you have less you need to attack before its too late, if you have more you can defend.

The reason is like if marines have 3 bases and aliens 2 it's really bad for aliens, if aliens have 3 and marines have 1 its really bad for marines, if marines have 2 rts and aliens have 2 rts its good for marines but if aliens have 5 and you have 4 its bad for marines.

So basicly the game is fought on a certain rooms on every map, because losing a tech point/rt only not makes you lose one but it gives the enemy one more, so every rt/base kinda counts not only because you get one, but the enemy will lose one, so it has double benefit.