Part 2 - Advanced Online Multiplayer Tactics: Giving You The Advantage

Scoring, A Simple Numbers Game, That Many Don't Get

I remember reading about this in a Halo 2 strategy guide way back in 2004/5 and it was one of two strategy guides I bought for the game. The guide focused primarily on online multiplayer, detailing all the release maps and vehicles and weapon locations etc... but the logic and strategy and psychology that the guide taught me is equally as valid now.

One thing it taught me was how to monitor your team score and how your kills and deaths affected that score. It also showed how you can make a difference by paying more attention your team mates as well as the score board to improve and win more of your games.

Let's take a look at what I'm talking about.

In a standard 4v4 team slayer you have 50 kills to score. You have got to achieve those 50 kills before your team gives away 50 kills (deaths). Check. So this means each time you die you give away 1 point. Obviously.

So then you should be in the mind set of scoring 1 kill each time you die or better. Obviously you win if you do better and score a kill without dying or if you score at a ratio of 2 kills (or more) to one death. This means that on each spawn cycle you are scoring more than your opponents are. Which is better than both getting to 49-49 and it being a lucky last kill victory.

So how do you achieve this?

A large part involves

• staying together as a team, 
• controlling the power weapons 
• avoiding giving away your position, but ultimately 
• paying attention to how the game and score progresses.

Yes, you have to pay attention to the score throughout the game. You and your team need to get a feel for how the game is going, and make adjustments to the way you play.

If your scores are tied, then both teams are scoring evenly. Going back to the ratio analogy from earlier, you are getting 1 kill to 1 death. Which means you need to tighten things up. You need to pay attention to the weapons, enemy movement, their tactics and your teams overall effectiveness to the the advantage. 

How? COMMUNICATION!  (the second biggest point/problem in online gaming in that 2004 strategy guide I mentioned earlier on)


use your microphone and remind your allies to stop running at the enemy. Tell your team mates where the enemy are, what weapons they have etc... but speak calmly to your team and use their names to make things clear. People respond to calmness and respect better than hate, an upset tone or sarcasm.

Personally you will get a feel for how much you or a certain team mate is dying. Or you may notice that in the first few minutes a team mate already has 10-15 kills. It comes with practice. Commend good players, help weaker players.

When you do this you begin to score without giving away as many kills to the oppsition. You start drifting toward the 2 kills to 1 death ratio. And your team confidence will take a boost. You all realise that you can win if you work together better.

The next part in the series will look at player psychology and weapon feinting.