**OFFICIAL** AT Battlefield 3 FAQ and News Thread

[acx]

What the game needs is a team shuffle at the end of the round.

This is an existing server option that some servers turn on. If one team wins by a significant ticket margin it will scramble teams for the next round. But this option is not used by most servers I've been on.

 

[Arkaign]

I'm done with this game. I'm just not getting any enjoyment out of losing again and again and again, constantly getting baseraped, etc. And I don't want to join a clan where I would be the team doing the dominating, shooting fish in a barrel, that's not fun either. I was finally on a team today that was working well together and winning. Got autobalanced after glitching through a rock and dying.

I've just had it, there's plenty of games out there that are just more fun, or offer any fun at all. Only half the people playing this game at any given time are actually enjoying it.

It's not that I only enjoy the game when I'm winning, but in this game, there's no such thing as a close game, or evenly matched teams, and if you're playing by yourself you are doomed to lose, get dominated, and get stuck with incompetent team mates. Maybe there are plenty of good players on my team, but with a lack of voice chat, there's no way to properly work together unless you've already set up some kind of third party voip outside of the game.

What the game needs is a team shuffle at the end of the round. If you want to play with your friends, then play in a server without shuffle, but it would greatly increase the enjoyment for those playing by themselves to have teams randomized before every match. There is just no incentive to leave your team if it is winning, because it will continue to win round after round because the people on the winning team don't leave at the end, while the losing team ragequits and gets filled with more randoms. I realize this is the same as any other game with dedicated servers, but I've never seen it get so bad as this. I suppose it's the stat tracking and stat whoring.

I could write a novel on the problems with this game, but it's just not worth my time anymore.

I hear ya, if you look at my stats, I've got about even win/loss records. If I'm on a team that is just horribad, I fight the round out and leave. If I'm on a team that's ridiculously dominating, I finish the round and then leave. Once in a while, I'd say every 10 rounds or so, I find a match that's really even and a real battle to the last point. One time I remember coming back from 150 tickets down to win by either 1 or 2 tickets

Add me, I love teamplay and communication, and I'm not afraid of stats, I think my biggest awards are in flag attacking/defending right in the mix. You can always tell the statwhores as they always seem to be on a team full of dominating players, and seldom get many flag ribbons. You can also tell if they have a suspicously high quit %. My quit % is about 14%, but a lot of that has to do with being a dad, sometimes you're on a very high ticket server and you just need to take off because you have responsibilities to take care of that are more important than a 2+ hour match. I'd say anything above 20% is a little suspicious, and I've seen statwhores that have 40%+ quit rate.

Ask moonbogg, we finally got some rounds in, and even on horrible teams we were able to have fun and make a bit of difference by really being there for each other. One round was a total domination by the other team on Oman, but Moon was able to quickly jump to the top spot on our team despite coming in super late (it was something like 1050 to 190 when we joined up). The next round was a similar beatdown on Firestorm, but I was able to pull off a 27-10 tanker/flag cap run despite absolute air domination and total superiority by the other team (it was a blowout of 700+ tickets in their favor, and besides Moon and I, EVERYONE on our team had a severely negative KDR).

In BF3, it's more about mindset and finding a good group of people to work with to have some fun. It greatly helps mitigate the problems you describe, which are very valid and I agree with you 1000%. Most of those problems, I might add, are due to the incredibly overpowered nature of air assets. The most powerful thing on the ground, a well equipped tanker team, is nowhere close to as versatile as air power. A tank is pretty slow, and can only affect things fairly close to it, while a heli or jet ace can be anywhere on the map raining extreme death in seconds. The worst is when the other team has 1 or 2 jet aces, along with an elite attack heli. You're lucky to make it two steps from spawning without being spawnkilled at that point.

 

[coldmeat]

I don't have any of the DLC. I imagine that would create issues when trying to play with you guys, eh?

 

[chimaxi83]

I don't have any of the DLC. I imagine that would create issues when trying to play with you guys, eh?

I personally never bothered with Close Quarters. Armored Kill though, I'll definitely pick up. I'm not a Premium player unless the other players are always on DLC maps, there wouldn't be any issues.

 

[moonbogg]

They were SCREAMING hacker at me hard core for this round. I am considering getting my own server because screw these noobs.

"he always knows where i'm at"
"Noway could he hit me first shot at that distance, hes hacking"
"I shot him multiple times in the head and he didnt dies!"

One of them gets pissed and says i'm hacking, then several other random people start to agree etc etc. It really is getting old. Dice needs a damn spectator mode ASAP for this stupid game. Its not like im the best either, not by a long shot. I bet all the top class players have their own servers, otherwise they would get banned from everywhere.

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf3/#!/bf3/battlereport/show/42987704/1/189857281/

 

[sigurros81]

They were SCREAMING hacker at me hard core for this round. I am considering getting my own server because screw these noobs.

"he always knows where i'm at"
"Noway could he hit me first shot at that distance, hes hacking"
"I shot him multiple times in the head and he didnt dies!"

One of them gets pissed and says i'm hacking, then several other random people start to agree etc etc. It really is getting old. Dice needs a damn spectator mode ASAP for this stupid game. Its not like im the best either, not by a long shot. I bet all the top class players have their own servers, otherwise they would get banned from everywhere.

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf3/#!/bf3/battlereport/show/42987704/1/189857281/

Brool story co.

 

[Childs]

I don't have any of the DLC. I imagine that would create issues when trying to play with you guys, eh?

A lot of people are still playing the original maps and B2K. It shouldnt be a problem, until Armored Kill comes out. Then a lot of people will probably play those for a few weeks like the other DLC and go back to the original maps.

 

[Nintendesert]

Well GMG has Premium for 37.50, I guess that's not a bad deal if you are going to get the DLC anyways. Saw it on Slick deals just now.

 

[Arkaign]

If anyone's up, I could use some help, this team I'm on is goddamned horrible, I'm the only one with a positive KDR. The other team isn't that good, but they're organized and actually trying, unlike the jackasses on my team right now :

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf...HT-HOSTILE-TAKEOVER-9-24-7-ADAPTIVE-FLY-MAPS/

 

[darkewaffle]

My friend and I finally picked this up during the Origin sale a few weeks ago, having an absolute blast. I only played BC2, but as far as I'm concerned BF3 is a worthy successor. The only problem it's been so long that I suck again, having a horrible time learning to deal with tanks again and learning the new maps lol.

 

[moonbogg]

Are you guys ready for Bandar Desert? I can't wait to snipe people at ludicrous ranges on that map. It looks really really good. I see this map as going down as a real classic.

 

[chucky2]

moonbogg, question for you:

How do you judge where to put the sniper recticle when sniping? And also, if you turn the detail down to everything low but draw distance, is it as easy for you to shoot people?

I'm just wondering how much better sniping is going to be for me now that I'm about to get a 7950 (play at 1600x1200 on a 19" CRT) and will be able to max the detail levels, rather than play at low everything except for draw distance as I have been doing.

Do you just inately know where to put it, or, do you shoot, judge bullet drop/impact point, and shoot again? Seems from what you say you inately know, since you've got a lot of one shot kills...

Chuck

 

[moonbogg]

moonbogg, question for you:

How do you judge where to put the sniper recticle when sniping? And also, if you turn the detail down to everything low but draw distance, is it as easy for you to shoot people?

I'm just wondering how much better sniping is going to be for me now that I'm about to get a 7950 (play at 1600x1200 on a 19" CRT) and will be able to max the detail levels, rather than play at low everything except for draw distance as I have been doing.

Do you just inately know where to put it, or, do you shoot, judge bullet drop/impact point, and shoot again? Seems from what you say you inately know, since you've got a lot of one shot kills...

Chuck

After getting thousands of kills with the same weapon, you get a good feel for how to aim. It is simply the same reason that a pool player knows where to hit the ball to make another ball bounce in, or how a golfer is able to judge the distance to a hole. It is not a thinking process, but a reactive reflex. Even so, however, often times if I am shooting from an unfamiliar distance, then I almost always have to shoot at least once to know how to correct the height. This happens all the time so you have to shoot quick before they can run away.
Also, shooting people when they are on the move is an art that involves no thinking at all. If you are too mechanical and think about it then you will suck. Just practice, get the feel for it and be agressive.
Also, I see snipers getting shot all the time and they wonder why. The reason is that they seem to have forgot that they can MOVE between shots. Don't stand still for crying out loud if the heat is on.
Also, you get familiar with landmarks on the maps. If you are at a familiar spot and an enemy is at another familiar spot, after killing hundreds of people in that same situation then you remember the general height to compensate for.
Regarding playing on low details, I wouldn't know as i've never tried.
By the way, I have tried playing with other sniper rifles and its a no go. I would have to relearn how to shoot with that rifle since the drop is so different from the M98. I am married to the M98B now.

EDIT: I forgot to mention a really damn important factor. Do NOT stay scoped for too long or you will suck. Scope in for no longer than it takes to take the shot and see where you hit. Sometimes, not even that long if the heat is on. Just scope, shoot and then run and repeat.

Another thing, lol. Play with friends. It is important. On team speak, I have a buddy and often times he will see someone that I don't. He tells me where they are, especially if he is pinned, and I kill them. Its just that simple. Being able to verbally communicate with other players virtually gives you eyes on other parts of the map. I don't know how many times I would be snipping down below, and he would be higher up and he would say "Turn around!!!" and I turn around and pistol the fool to death. To the enemy it looks like I am psychic or something, lol. But thats just the benefit of teamwork.

OK, the edits are non stop, but heres another important tip. This is about doing well in medium to close quarters as a sniper using the M98B. If you are close or semi-close, shoot them once with M98B and instantly switch to an automatic pistol and spray them. Don't risk missing by going for a close range headshot when the guy is moving in on you unless you are very confident. Just aim for the body. One or two pistol bullets will finish them off and its much faster than trying to take a second shot with the rifle. This combo has really served me well at closer ranges. If you are VERY close, then forget the rifle and use an automatic pistol. Its your best hope at point blank ranges and when moving around corners and to be honest, the G18 (I think it is) is really effective.

My god, another edit. If you are starting out, get a buddy and go on an empty server. I did this with a noob friend to help him unlock weapons and to learn to judge distance without pressure. Also, do this for long range practice. It helps a lot and is lots of fun. I'll go with you if you want.

 

[Canbacon]

Its your best hope at point blank ranges and when moving around corners and to be honest, the G18 (I think it is) is really effective.

The G18 suppressed is nice, but I like the 93R more as it is good for 10+ m engagements.

Do you play in hard core mode? Running with rifle out is nice as it is one shot kill at close range.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Are you guys ready for Bandar Desert? I can't wait to snipe people at ludicrous ranges on that map. It looks really really good. I see this map as going down as a real classic.

Doubt it. Large maps in Battlefield were never that popular for snipers. There isn't enough target density to make it worth it. Snipers are almost always worthless anyway.

Also, there is no way that it's going to be a classic. Just being "large" does not make it good. It's desert and rocks and mostly flap. Compare that map with a real classic like Kubra dam and see why its such a good map.

This is Kubra Dam.

This is the Desert

Bandar Desert is so flat. Uninteresting. From the ground you see just flat ground and control points. I mean look at it. There are SEVEN control points viewable and its all flat empty ground.

This is Kubra Dam


Just from LOOKING at it, you can see a difference. This was a GIGANTIC map. The control points are at interesting places. They're interspersed in the middle of entire mountain ranges. Look at the minimap. The American uncap spawn is well protected, but a squad can traverse the right hand mountain and wreck havok on the jets and the assets of the US team from long range because the entire area around the uncap is completely traversal from anyone. Same with the MEC spawn. With some effor, you can get behind the enemy spawn and wreck everyone who is camping the airplanes and more or less looking in one direction. The map is INTERESTING to fight in. It's not open ground.

This map had an extremely heavy armor presence because the area around the dam had armor spawns and with many mountain roads. The game naturally gravitated toward the center making for many firefights, but it didn't literally put everyone in the same tunnel like in all the BF3 maps. There were many routes around the dam.

The sheer map making quality and heart of these classic maps are completely gone from the new ones.

 

[chucky2]

My god...manual laze and upped SOFLAM range would make the Recon role be awesome. Too bad they just keep resisting to do it...

 

[moonbogg]

@ NikolaeVarius

I stand corrected. I am still excited as hell about it. Maybe you see flat, borring terrain, but I see cranes, hills and buildings with lots of space for a round to travel through to its target. This map will be a classic in Moonbogg's Historical Battlefield Catalog.

I would love to see a remake of the dam. I miss flying through that thing.

Also, sniping wasn't popular on large maps in BF2 because draw distance was limited and hazy. BF3 you can see clear across the whole damn thing.

You can't argue with this. This is my 666 post. Don't mess.

 

[hondaf17]

My god...manual laze and upped SOFLAM range would make the Recon role be awesome. Too bad they just keep resisting to do it...

What do you mean manual laze? You can manually laze targets with the soflam now. After you deploy hit your action key to look in your little viewfinder and move the soflam around. Best part is you can set the soflam, run to safe spot, and manually run the soflam. That what you're talking about?

 

[Termie]

Now that BF3 is available on Origin with Premium included for $60 (http://store.origin.com/store/ea/en_US/pd/productID.255751200), what are the chances that EA will drop the price of the Premium membership from $50? Assuming the game is worth $30 list, I'd say Premium shouldn't cost anything more than $40.

In fact, my guess is that after each DLC is released, Premium will go down in price. Or at least it should. The value of previously-released map packs drops as players move on to other map packs.

 

[chucky2]

What do you mean manual laze? You can manually laze targets with the soflam now. After you deploy hit your action key to look in your little viewfinder and move the soflam around. Best part is you can set the soflam, run to safe spot, and manually run the soflam. That what you're talking about?

By manual laze I mean I put the crosshair on what I want to paint, and hit say the left mouse button, and the SOFLAM lazes where I've pointed.

I don't know what you mean by the action key. You're saying I can do what I just said above now? If so I'm a huge idiot, and have wasted massive opportunities the past few months... :|

 

[DeadFred]

By manual laze I mean I put the crosshair on what I want to paint, and hit say the left mouse button, and the SOFLAM lazes where I've pointed.

I don't know what you mean by the action key. You're saying I can do what I just said above now? If so I'm a huge idiot, and have wasted massive opportunities the past few months... :|

yes, pretty much.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR_D_sKaHzQ

 

[DeadFred]

Doubt it. Large maps in Battlefield were never that popular for snipers. There isn't enough target density to make it worth it. Snipers are almost always worthless anyway.

Also, there is no way that it's going to be a classic. Just being "large" does not make it good. It's desert and rocks and mostly flap. Compare that map with a real classic like Kubra dam and see why its such a good map.

Snipers, worthless??? Have you looked at Moonbog's stats?

Nik, you are hopeless.... SMH

 

[NikolaeVarius]

@ NikolaeVarius

I stand corrected. I am still excited as hell about it. Maybe you see flat, borring terrain, but I see cranes, hills and buildings with lots of space for a round to travel through to its target. This map will be a classic in Moonbogg's Historical Battlefield Catalog.

I would love to see a remake of the dam. I miss flying through that thing.

Also, sniping wasn't popular on large maps in BF2 because draw distance was limited and hazy. BF3 you can see clear across the whole damn thing.

You can't argue with this. This is my 666 post. Don't mess.

There are cranes, hills, buildings in the direct area where the control points are. The 800 meters between those points are empty.

The cluster of buildings are next to 3 points that are each 75 meters away from each other.

Sniping is also mostly inconsequential. I, as an engineer, could hit far targets better than snipers with my launcher and yet I was actually useful to the team.

If snipers were inconsequential in BF2 of all places, with 20 second respawn periods and squad leader only respawns. Why do they matter at all in BF3 where half the players have defibs, you can spawn on anyone, which means that killing spawn leaders means nothing, and you respawn in 3 seconds.

Snipers, worthless??? Have you looked at Moonbog's stats?

Nik, you are hopeless.... SMH

Having a high KDA and actually being useful are completely different things. In BF3, dying has just as much as an impact as dying in COD, very little. You respawn so fast and so easily near the action that snipe kills mean very little because it doesn't have the power to actually stop pushes. In BF2, you kill squad leader and medic, you've effectively throttled the push, in BF3 none of that actually exists.

Dying to snipers in BF2 is aggravating because you're out for 20 seconds. That's really the only reason they were useful, and you had to be GOOD as a sniper because getting headshots in BF2 was pretty damn hard in a regular basis. In bf3, you die, you can more or less respawn twice on the point and contest it while the enemy is capping. "I died to sniper? Damn" Proceed to respawn 5 seconds later, kill capper, and then hide, preventing sniper from doing anything and wasting the next 6 minutes of his life as he looks for you. So useful.

And getting high sniper kills in BF3 is already a function of the fact that everything is so clustered together, enemy players are pretty densely packed, players respawn so quickly, and snipers are simply much easier to use than in BF2.

 

[chucky2]

yes, pretty much.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR_D_sKaHzQ

I can't watch yt at work, and the suspense is killing me. Are you saying pretty much I'm an idiot, and manual laze has been available all this time?!!? I'm seriously going to go cry if that's true...

Chuck

 

[moonbogg]

Hey Nik, we should play sometime. I'll be on tonight around 9pm pacific time. You can't make me emotional by criticizing snipers, because I play enough to know my contribution to the team. I'd like to see if your comments have any teeth to them however. Friend "moonbogg" in origin and we'll get it on. Make sure you are on my team...