Fehmart

I was really bored while I was stuck in traffic, and I got to thinking about 2142 (shock). I had a couple thoughts about the handy mini-map, and decided that I may as well take up a little more space on the TG forums.

1) Though the game defaults to having a non-static mini-map, i.e. the map continuously rotates so your icon on the map never rotates, I found that from way back in BF2, I preferred the static mini-map, as it allows me to reference enemy positions very quickly if called over VoIP, because north is always "up".

2) Zoom in and out of your map constantly (bound to N by default, I think) to maintain situational awareness. Max zoom is great for infantry combat, less so for vehicle-heavy combat. And so on.

Bommando

Excellent advice.

I am almost constantly using my minimap both in mini-zoom mode and expanded. I tend to prefer the non-static version, since I seem to be able to assess which way to turn much faster that way, but I'm sure it's a matter of getting used to it. I use the markers at the top to determine enemy compass direction.

Which brings me to a little gripe about people not using cardinal directions to describe locations. Left and right just don't cut it guys. This should be obvious, since we are not always looking in the same direction. So many times I hear people describe a contact as being "over there" or "to the left". This is about as useful as telling me what you had for breakfast (which some people incidentally feel the need to describe in great detail while I am getting killed by the enemy).

It's pretty easy to do one of two things:

If you know where they are, instantly try to spot them with the commo rose and say "Contact. North East." for example.

If you are taking fire, just say "Taking fire." Your team mates will just assume you don't know where from and be more alert.

Just a couple of hints to improve overall communication in relation to the map

Eroak

I also went to the static map. I found it very difficult to tell which way was north and so on. I was calling out bad directions to my teammates which usally proved fatal. Now the only problem is my bearing in relation to the map. If I see a "baddie" and I need to face him, It's a tad hard to grasp how far to turn. I think in time I'll get more used to this map. It's already proved to be much more usefull this way.

__________________

Revark

Static Map tip:

You can tell enemy positions with the mini map even without "spots" and uavs. Watch where your friendlies are dying at. I can not tell you how many times I have seen someone run into a spot with alot of blue X's.

If you watch the pattern how the blue X's are forming you can get a good feel for enemy direction/size.

__________________
Battlefield 2: Battlefield 2142: WoW: Oblivion: NWN2

perry

Blue X thing is only for assault, but good to keep in mind. I even used the man down symbol in BF2 to look for hotspots when I was playing medic.

Static mini-map for me all the way. I've tried the rotating one a couple times and have had a hard time with it. If someone tells me "contact north east" I find it easier to use to turn that way if my map isn't moving.

Seems that they still haven't gotten the minimap to stop zooming in and out on its own. Wish the darn thing would stay at the zoom level I set it at no matter what vehicle I hop in.

__________________

Revark

Forgot that part, but everyone plays a bit of assault here and there.?

__________________
Battlefield 2: Battlefield 2142: WoW: Oblivion: NWN2

Yoyi

I have to make my map static. After all this time playing with it I still have issues sometimes calling out directions.

__________________
I Hate Rockets
I Hate Rockets
I Hate Rockets

SaladFork

I prefer the rotating (non-static) minimap for the reasons that Bommando stated. I can quickly glance at it, and with all the practice I've had with it, quickly know where things are in relation to me. If I see an opponent I want to engage, I can react and turn to the appropriate side much quicker than if the map was always facing the same direction all the time, and my little arrow was turning. It might be minor, but could be the difference one battle.

Regarding North, South, etc., I completely agree. I much prefer others to use "North" as opposed to "up" or "to the left," and I can quickly use the compass to determine where exactly that is (in relation to me). For example, you guys probably see directions as North, South, or whatever, but when you say "North", I glance at my minimap, convert it to "to my left," and adjust accordingly.

When I SL myself, I avoid both of these phrases, and try to appeal to both groups of players. For example, rather than use "there's an opponent to the north" or "to your left," I'll say "in the forest!" or "on the hill!" Basically, I use landmarks to describe locations. In most maps, there are unique landmarks that make this quite simple if your SMs have a basic knowledge of the map.

~Salad

__________________

|TG-9th| By Any Means!


- [ Creator of the Battlefield 2 Localization Files ] -
- [ Creator of the Battlefield 2142 Localization Files ] -