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Getting the most from your client can give considerable advantages without [[Known Cheats|cheating]] and any [[Essential skills|skills]].
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This article discusses how to optimize a client to get the most out of it.
  
==Tune the graphics==
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==Graphics Optimizations==
First of all, disable rain and fog, so you will be able to see further. This is especially handy with laser flag. But remember, some maps (e.g. Desert War) have very slight fog, that doesn't affect gameplay, but makes the map much more nicer. And note, that in [[BZFlag 3.0|3.0]] fog is enforced.
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Clients that run older video cards or systems may experience problems due to low frame rate. Low frame rate ( less then 40fps ) can cause "fake" lag on the client and affect network performance. This in turn can and will affect gameplay.
  
Then decide about lightning and shadows. Do you really need them? These settings affect the image contrast. Lightning may distort the appearance of objects, enemy is less visible when he is in a shadow. The only use of shadow is that stealth tanks have one, so it might help you to identify them.
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Many of the graphics settings do affect frame rate. Users should attempt to change these settings in order to increase the frame rate. It should note that performance may '''degrade''' if some options are turned "down". One example of this is the texture filtering method. On any system with modern hardware ( from the last 8 years ) it should be set to '''LinearMipmapLinear''' as this is what most hardware is optimized for. This is mostly apparent on Apple's OSX operating system.
  
Now lets turn to textures. You need them, except of one case. If the game is about a dark (black) labyrinth, where you can't tell wall from the ceiling, turn off textures and turn on lightning --- that will help you greatly.
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Other settings such as lighting, shadows, and smoothing can assist in increasing frame-rate. As a last resort the overall resolution of the client can be lowered.
  
There is another setting that affects the image, but you can't set it once and for all --- time of the day. When you spawn on the server you will see the map at the server time. You have to use - and = keys to adjust time of the day and to make it actually day.
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It should be noted that BZFlag may not run on all hardware configurations. Some extremely low quality levels may not offer a playable experience on all maps, most notably those that use meshes.
  
==Tune the radar==
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===Time of Day===
You will find soon, that the [[radar]] is actually the most important part of the screen. So make it as big as possible and transparent. Also set it into Enhanced style. However, on some maps big radar will fool you, if the map author has left some huge unimportant objects visible on a radar, but such maps usually aren't very playable and unpopular.
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For instances of maps that are run at "night" it is possible to change the local time of day so that it is easier for a user to see opposing tanks. the '''-''' and '''=''' keys by default allow a user to change the local time of day. This change does not affect the server.
  
Shots must be clearly visible on the radar, so look at the settings "Radar Shot Size" and "Radar Shot Length"
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Some servers can enable options that override this ability and force a client to use the server's time of day.
  
==Other settings==
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==Radar Optimizations==
Set Display Threads to off to have larger visible area.
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===Size===
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Many players find it easier to concentrate on the radar when playing rather then the 3d view. Some users will attempt to make the radar as large as possible in order to see the most amount of detail in the game world. The overhead view of the radar affords the player a look at the entire game world in 360 degrees of detail.'''Radar Shot Length''' and '''Radar Shot Size''' may be adjusted to make bullets more visible on the radar, and therefore easier to dodge. The '''Enhanced''' radar option may be enabled to make buildings fade when on a different plane than the tank.  
  
Set Track Marks setting as high as possible --- that will help you to track cloacked and st tanks.
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It should be noted that there are cases where the radar may be misleading. Instances where objects are hidden from radar by the map maker, or cases where players or shots may be above or below the player's tank. Server owners also have the option of turning off the radar for specific games.
  
==Get the most information during the game==
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===Zoom===
Use look button (the same you lock with GM) to find what flag someone carries. This button is a great help on maps without radar --- use it to figure where other tanks are, especially cloacked.
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The use of the radar zoom is also advantageous with players that tend to stay in one spot, also known as "'''campers'''". By using the radar zoom keys ('''4''' and '''5''' by default) a player can quickly line up a long range shot (such as one provided by the '''Laser Flag''') and dispatch the opponent. Often these players have difficulty in reacting to such a long range shot, and fail to doge it.
  
Hear attentively the sounds to figure weather there is a stealth jumping. It works well if you are somewhere high, so the enemy needs to jump to you.
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===Transparency===
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When using a large radar size, it is often helpful to make the radar as transparent as possible.
  
As already mentioned, watch tanks marks to figure st's and cl's. Shadows from stealthed tanks can also help.
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==Gameplay Optimizations==
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Players that wish to have the maximum possible view in the 3d view often turn off the '''Display Treads''' option. Players also tend to turn the '''Track Marks''' option up as high as possible in order to better see cloaked tanks.
  
Listen for your teammates --- they provide some valuable information, e.g. enemy's st positions. You should be familiar with [[Jargon|bzflag jargon]].
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==In-Game Information==
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===Identifying Players===
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The '''Lock On''' feature is one of the most important features to use when a player has the '''Guided Missie''' Flag (GM). This alows the shot to seek out the target with out the shooter doing exact aiming.
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The same can be said for the '''Look''' feature, as it will identify the closest tank to a player. This is an extreme advantage in detecting cloaked tanks as they will be identified by name even if they can not be seen.
  
Use you radar against campers. Imagine there is a laser camper higher then you. Get laser flag, hide some where he cant see you and turn to him. Then use 4 and 5 keys (or shift + wheel) to make him coincide with a special tick on the radar. So now you are aiming at him. Then jump and when you'll see camper, shoot. If you are lucky he won't be able to react fast enough and shoot you.
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===Audio Clues===
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BZFlag uses 3D positional audio so it is also advantageous to listen for sounds around a player. All tanks, including stealth and cloaked tanks make sounds when driving and jumping. Attentive players often use the clues to assist in locating hidden enemies.
  
==Key mapping==
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Note that the sounds that come with BZFlag are found in a Data folder and are easily modifiable. Some players may increase the volume of certain quiet sounds and/or completely replace them with easily recognized sounds in order to get a better advantage in hearing hidden tanks.
There certainly must be a separate article. Players usually find there own input settings, however there are some styles and useful ideas.
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===Teamwork===
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A player's teammates are also excellent sources of information about a potential enemy's position. The Team-message function (by default "m" can send a message to just your teammates, as opposed to everyone on the server. Players well versed in [[Jargon|BZFlag Jargon]] can quickly locate stealth and cloaked tanks as a team.
  
 
[[Category:Tactics]]
 
[[Category:Tactics]]
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[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 17:44, 29 May 2012

This article discusses how to optimize a client to get the most out of it.

Graphics Optimizations[edit]

Clients that run older video cards or systems may experience problems due to low frame rate. Low frame rate ( less then 40fps ) can cause "fake" lag on the client and affect network performance. This in turn can and will affect gameplay.

Many of the graphics settings do affect frame rate. Users should attempt to change these settings in order to increase the frame rate. It should note that performance may degrade if some options are turned "down". One example of this is the texture filtering method. On any system with modern hardware ( from the last 8 years ) it should be set to LinearMipmapLinear as this is what most hardware is optimized for. This is mostly apparent on Apple's OSX operating system.

Other settings such as lighting, shadows, and smoothing can assist in increasing frame-rate. As a last resort the overall resolution of the client can be lowered.

It should be noted that BZFlag may not run on all hardware configurations. Some extremely low quality levels may not offer a playable experience on all maps, most notably those that use meshes.

Time of Day[edit]

For instances of maps that are run at "night" it is possible to change the local time of day so that it is easier for a user to see opposing tanks. the - and = keys by default allow a user to change the local time of day. This change does not affect the server.

Some servers can enable options that override this ability and force a client to use the server's time of day.

Radar Optimizations[edit]

Size[edit]

Many players find it easier to concentrate on the radar when playing rather then the 3d view. Some users will attempt to make the radar as large as possible in order to see the most amount of detail in the game world. The overhead view of the radar affords the player a look at the entire game world in 360 degrees of detail.Radar Shot Length and Radar Shot Size may be adjusted to make bullets more visible on the radar, and therefore easier to dodge. The Enhanced radar option may be enabled to make buildings fade when on a different plane than the tank.

It should be noted that there are cases where the radar may be misleading. Instances where objects are hidden from radar by the map maker, or cases where players or shots may be above or below the player's tank. Server owners also have the option of turning off the radar for specific games.

Zoom[edit]

The use of the radar zoom is also advantageous with players that tend to stay in one spot, also known as "campers". By using the radar zoom keys (4 and 5 by default) a player can quickly line up a long range shot (such as one provided by the Laser Flag) and dispatch the opponent. Often these players have difficulty in reacting to such a long range shot, and fail to doge it.

Transparency[edit]

When using a large radar size, it is often helpful to make the radar as transparent as possible.

Gameplay Optimizations[edit]

Players that wish to have the maximum possible view in the 3d view often turn off the Display Treads option. Players also tend to turn the Track Marks option up as high as possible in order to better see cloaked tanks.

In-Game Information[edit]

Identifying Players[edit]

The Lock On feature is one of the most important features to use when a player has the Guided Missie Flag (GM). This alows the shot to seek out the target with out the shooter doing exact aiming. The same can be said for the Look feature, as it will identify the closest tank to a player. This is an extreme advantage in detecting cloaked tanks as they will be identified by name even if they can not be seen.

Audio Clues[edit]

BZFlag uses 3D positional audio so it is also advantageous to listen for sounds around a player. All tanks, including stealth and cloaked tanks make sounds when driving and jumping. Attentive players often use the clues to assist in locating hidden enemies.

Note that the sounds that come with BZFlag are found in a Data folder and are easily modifiable. Some players may increase the volume of certain quiet sounds and/or completely replace them with easily recognized sounds in order to get a better advantage in hearing hidden tanks.

Teamwork[edit]

A player's teammates are also excellent sources of information about a potential enemy's position. The Team-message function (by default "m" can send a message to just your teammates, as opposed to everyone on the server. Players well versed in BZFlag Jargon can quickly locate stealth and cloaked tanks as a team.