Overview
Good timing is very important for both teamplay and DeathMatches. Learn how to take advantage of everything that can be found on map and get more chances to defeat opponent(s).
Introduction
Hello everybody, this little guide will help you learn some advanced ways of playing UT2004 (might be actual for UT3, not sure yet). This guide is recommended for players, who know the game basics. If you don’t, I strongly recommend at least reading a basic guide first.
While playing all of the game modes you will keep finding various power-ups. Each one of them makes your life a lot easier. But most of them can turn out to be missing when you come to pick them up. Here I’ll tell you how to know if the blue healing cross is there when you need it.
Notice: In-Game Time
All the time numbers in this guide are told in in-game seconds. This is an important disclaimer, because UT2004 is coded to play at 110% of real time speed, so DD, which lasts for 30 in-game seconds actually lasts 27 real-world seconds. Do not use real world timers 😉
Timing
Every picked up item respawns after a period of time (from the moment it was picked). When you pick it up or at least see someone pick it up before you, if you can, (and only if you can – it’s very bad if you get distracted) you should take a second to look at clock and keep in mind respawn time for this item. So here’s all periods:
- 27.5 seconds: +50 shield, ammo, health pack(+25), health vial(+5), adrenaline and weapons (if game setting allows weapon respawn)
- 55 seconds: +100 shield and Big Keg’O Health(+100)
- 82.5 seconds: Double Damage
- 110 seconds: Super Weapons
To make things little easier – there is 1 period. 1prd = 30 – 2.5 = 27.5 sec. So respawning will be in 1, 2, 3 and 4 periods.
Also keep in mind, that shields, +100 medkit, DD and SW spawn after 27.5 secs after round start for great justice, so no-one gets an advantage at very beginning of game.
How To Actually Use Timing
While playing, from time to time you should look up to your left top corner of screen to see the timer. You should count and remember time of next spawn of some item and try to get to the place just in time. Time is counting down, so when you pick up a +100 shield at 17:30, do a quick-maths 17:30 – 60s + 5s = 16:35 and remember to be here at next respawn. Picking the Redeemer at 19:32 (on first spawn) will make it respawn in 4 periods on 19:32 – 120s +10s = 17:42.
Keeping in mind numbers while in DeathMatch is pretty simple, and most of the time you just follow the rhythm without these calculations. So let’s see, what we can do in more complicated Game Mode – ONS. Here’s example of building tactics, basing on timing. Try it with bots. Set bot number “default for map” and round time to “20 minutes”.
At the start of the round you should jump in Raptor or Cicada as fast, as you can. The bots will get all the other vehicles. If you spawned near Hellbender, just try to get to Manta (the bots will land aircraft on Main PN). Fly to the Main power node and begin capturing it and helping with Link Gun. Watch the timer as you build the power node: you should get to the top of central tower to the first spawn of Redeemer, in 19:32. When you get it, just subtract 2 minutes and add 10 seconds to that time – 17:42. Now you can either wait until side tank node is built, or fly to it and help it up. Now fly across the map to the enemy tank node, try to destroy it with your air vehicle if it’s possible. If there are more than 1-2 enemies, jump from aircraft and just make the power node go to dust. Destroying it with aircraft is more valuable, as if you manage to build it yourself, you will just bring death from above to their main power node, which makes A LOT of time for the rest of the team to capture center and move to main enemy node.
1. Capture Your Main Power Node
2. Get Redeemer
3. Capture Their Tank Node
4. ??????
5. Profit!
Instead of Epilogue
Well, I don’t know, what else to add here, it’s been a while since I actually worked on this guide. So if I didn’t remember anything yet, I won’t be able further. I would like to thank my friends and my team {Okay, bro} for trying this out and helping to create this guide. Also I would like to give my thanks to Tetra for his help, he is awesome guy.
SO
That’s all, thank all of you, good luck in your future games!