Is it a good idea to...

[Mr. Stimpson]

complete the entire single-player campaign before I try online, co-op campaign missions?

Also, should I practice on normal difficulty, or higher if I plan on going online? What is most used difficulty for online co-op campaign missions?

[Restless]

I would play a few campaigns on Single-Player until you're accustomed to the game mechanics, then feel free to jump into Normal Co-Op games to start learning map layouts. Its really hard to fail on Normal and once you get bored of how easy it is, then you can move onto Advanced Co-Op campaigns. Most campaigns are played casually on Normal and Advanced and later more seriously on Expert mode. Normal and Advanced are both actually very easy once you're somewhat experienced.

[Mr. Stimpson]

Ok, word. Thanks for the info, Restless.

[Bikes]

You could proabbly play co-op right away as long as you stick to normal/easy. The only exception is if you're really bad at shooters in general. Advance/Expert/Other game modes need a far amount of practice though.

[Mr. Stimpson]

I guess I'm worried about learning levels while doing co-op. I'm not sure how the community responds to someone doing that. But, I have a handle on the basics of all of the unique zombies and weapon roles. So I think that I'd be fine overall.

I think I'll read a few more co-op campaign guides just to make sure I have a solid grasp on all of the multiplayer mechanics/etiquette/tactics, then head into a couple co-ops on normal.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Mr. Stimpson]

Sorry for the double post, but instead of creating another thread for a single question, I may as well ask it here.

I've been looking through weapon tutorials and it seems like shotguns fit my play style. From what I understand, having a pistol as my secondary is good because it gives me a ranged option. But, all I've seen referenced is dual pistols and the DE. Is there no advantage to running a single pistol over duals? I was thinking that logically, it would give you better accuracy for head shots and shorter reload times, but I may be over thinking the situation.

I've done a forum/google search and can't seem to find a comparison on dual and single pistols.

[Restless]

The starting pistol is awful. Switch to a deagle or melee weapon as soon as you come across one. There is no 'advantage' to using a single starting pistol over dual-wielding.

[bear]

Originally posted by BloodyBartuc:

I guess I'm worried about learning levels while doing co-op. I'm not sure how the community responds to someone doing that. But, I have a handle on the basics of all of the unique zombies and weapon roles. So I think that I'd be fine overall.

First off bless you for actually being a considerate newcomer to the game. If all the newcomers thought like this the forums wouldnt be so tear filled. Honestly if you're sticking with normal I wouldnt be worried about learning the maps in co-op aslong as you stick with your team and dont run off on your own to explore and shop when you dont need to. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone has to check every single room when they've got near full health/ammo and just want to a find a pipebomb they'll just waste when it isnt actually necessary.

After a certain point with campaign playing with only bots wont help you grow as a player. As stupid as bots are their auto aim when it comes to SI is absurd and you wont get nearly enough experience with deadstopping, skeeting, dodging, ect. I recently got my girfriend into playing on the pc and after she got down the basics I started playing with her on normal, killing off the bots, and virtually making her rush levels as fast a humanly possible. Not everyone likes that playing style but I feel it will bring out your potential faster and force you to learn higher level tactics at a much faster pace. Also only having two people forces you to react quickly to pins which is key not so much to co-op but definitely versus.

As far as shotguns and which secondary to use I always go melee the second I find virtually anything other than the tonfa. Pistols in l4d were amazing but theyre so nerfed in this game I find them entirely worthless regardless of which ones you have. Even if youre completely horded after a boom. A few swipes and pushes and some 180 turns and youre back to moving where as for me with pistols thats usually hardly the case.

[Mr. Stimpson]

@Restless

Nice to know. Thanks again.

@Mad Jack

Everything helps, Mad Jack :)

I'm just glad to see that there is so much to learn in this game. I put off getting it because I thought it was just another FPS with zombies in it. I wasn't aware of all the dynamic mechanics and the level of skill involved. Coming from so many hours of MvM, I'm excited to get my hands dirty in L4D2.

@LaserDicks

Hey no problem bud. I have a pretty large history with the Monster Hunter series, so I know what it is like to be a veteran of a game that is team work/skill based and the potential frustrations of needing to be a teacher ten minutes into a hunt. Doesn't make for good first impressions, or a fun time.

I'll have to mess around with more melee weapons and see how they feel.

Thanks again guys.

[Grampa Slade]

Just remember that no matter how good you are, when you get into versus games, some prima donna with a better plan will vote kick you.

[Mr. Stimpson]

It's going to be a very long time before I step into a verses game :)

[flyinghitcher]

meh, don't go mad. co op is friendly as long as you listen. The bots will not teach you tactics ect. So just jump in a co op n explain your new. I'm always happy to help new people that join my public games. I always go for a magnum over the starting pistol, but occasional go for a Katana / Machete over duel pistols. Most annoying thing I find new people do, is blow up gas cans at inappropriate places. So rule of thumb, if you don't put a gas can down, don't shoot it. Second would be going AFK without pressing Escape and choosing "Take a break" to put the AI in charge of your charactor

[Mr. Stimpson]

Thanks for the advice flyinghitcher.

I didn't even know about the "take a break," feature.

[Dr Chaos MK]

I am surprised no one mentioned this element in this thread yet. Friendly fire. Learn to bring it to near zero. Friendly fire is never acceptable on any game mode. And any difficulty for that matter. In any case, here is what friendly fire does to teammates...

1) The obvious.... damage. Even on Normal you should not be hitting teammates with friendly fire. DESPITE what people may say here on the forums. And / or in game. Damage is STILL damage & it can quickly add up. Even on Normal. On Expert, shotguns can potentially incap anyone in 1 shot. Even from 100 HP !

2) Disrupting people aiming at targets. Close and / or far away. ( For example. Shooting a teammate while he / she is trying to shoot down a distant Smoker. ) If a shot from a teammte hits another teammate, it causes there aim to " distort ". Meaning the victim of friendly fire will have there screen move around randomly when shot by a teammate.

There maybe more to add to this. But these 2 points are things I see in public games so much. And it has really got to be toned down. And / or stopped altogether.

[Mr. Stimpson]

With the shotgun, I've been practicing staying in front of the group, somewhat off to the side and almost always in a crouch position when in combat. What else could I practice to insure my FF is a non existent?

Also, when dealing with an infected that mounts another player, is it best to always switch to the Deagle and precisely shoot the infected off, or just rush the player and get a nice point blank shot off with the shotgun?

I know that these things are very subjective, so I'm really just asking for general advice on dealing with infected that mount other players. Because so far, that is where most of my FF is coming from.

[JAIR BOLSONARO]

must finish it on normal and advanced single player, befoar jump to online game campaign. versus is sad, no training available.