The Bears Pit: JA2UC Tips & Tactics » How the hell do you guys even play??

Home » PLAYER'S HQ 1.13 » JA2 Complete Mods & Sequels » JA2UC Tips & Tactics » How the hell do you guys even play??

Show: Today's Messages :: Polls :: Message Navigator

How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96198]

Thu, 29 January 2004 07:24

raging_gnome is currently offline

Messages:2
Registered:January 2004

needless to say, i was eagerly awaiting UC like everyone else...i was a wee bit disappointed, though, at its insane difficulty. Honestly, would merce arrive in a battlezone without a weapon? doubtful...Similarly, it seems to me liek the enemy soldiers have a marksmanship of 129 or so, because they never seem to miss, and the low ap weapons help enemies more than friendly squad members...i've had to play in cheat mode using the random weapon cheat in order to get weapons, as on normal or tons o guns, i usually only find 1 or 2 more guns (albeit rather crappy ones) in the first town. Also, even after equipping my mercs with the best weapons in the game, i have to use the heal merc cheat, as the enemy soldiers seem to be able to see twice as far as any of my mercs can...

anyway, that's about all i have to say. I still love the idea of the mod, but as i said before, i find the difficulty deterring. I spent 15 hours downloadign on my 56k dialup connection, and i'm thinking of going back to gool old JA2

Report message to a moderator

Civilian

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96199]

Thu, 29 January 2004 07:30

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

Uh, if you cheated and still think the game is insanely difficult... what can I say :whoknows: Perhaps you need to refine your tactics?

Low-tech start etc is intentional, so if you don't like this, I can't recommend UC to you.

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96200]

Thu, 29 January 2004 07:30

wudu is currently offline

Messages:56
Registered:September 2002

Well, UC is made for skilled JA2 players who want some challenge. If you can't manage UC, go back to JA2, play it on expert a couple of times while refining your tactics. Then try UC. Hide behind things. Try to improvise a bit.
:axe:

Report message to a moderator

Corporal

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96201]

Thu, 29 January 2004 07:31

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

Gotcha wudu Smile

Smile

Also make sure you try Novice.

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96202]

Thu, 29 January 2004 07:47

Uninen is currently offline

Messages:21
Registered:January 2004
Location: Festung Europa, Finnland

A hint..

From the map you arrive in.. go to the subway..

Kill those gang members and loot the sub way.. you should find a CAR-15 from there.. from a metal create..

:naughty:

And some other useful things..

:naughty:

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96203]

Thu, 29 January 2004 08:16

slayer is currently offline

Messages:105
Registered:July 2002
Location: Mtn. View, Ca. Silicon Va...

As everyone said.....its a bitch in the beginning but it will get better! Wink

Wink

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96204]

Thu, 29 January 2004 08:23

Tinitha is currently offline

Messages:23
Registered:January 2004
Location: Barcelona (Spain)

It's a big idea to start without weapons. At least, your mercs arrived inside a regular flight... and I don't think that will be very easy to smmuggle weapons through customs...

I enjoy this mod because is very challenging... Personally, I started playing experienced level because I finished JA2DL... This level of challenge is that I find really good in this game.

As a personal opinion, I think that cheating like this is only a way to deceive yourself. But you, obviously, are free to do what you want.

But remember ony one thing... you play for fun... and if you don't like this game, you are free to play ARKANOID with 500 free lives.

(There are also challenging levels there Very Happy

Very Happy

)
Tin.

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96205]

Thu, 29 January 2004 08:59

Majek is currently offline

Messages:437
Registered:January 2003
Location: Slovenia

How i play it? Simple. I go in, get a gun, get close to the enym any kill it. get a better gun adn kill ithe enym froma distance. Get some armor and kill the enemy from close range again. Smile

Smile

Report message to a moderator

Master Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96206]

Thu, 29 January 2004 09:09

Khor1255 is currently offline

Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ

@ Gnome
It seems from you're post that you already know about the built in Proedit feature of the mod.
But, if not this feature allows you to equip you're team however you like and even adjust their stats if you are so inclined.
With this in mind, why complain that you start with no weapons? Just give them what you think is fair and be on with it.
Also, if you aren't very well practiced in regular Ja2 try Novice (as someone suggested). It's just a game, you don't get prizes for finishing on Expert level with no cheating.
As for myself, I shamelessly changed Len's stats evolution so he now gains experience. It's great! I started a game where two of my people started with M4s but the game I'm on now only has Len's experience modifacation and a few sleepyheads are now nightowls.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant Major

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96207]

Thu, 29 January 2004 12:29

DaethWalker is currently offline

Messages:98
Registered:September 2003
Location: Rocky Point, NC

This last game ... I think I started whatever the default was ... I kinda rushed. Very Happy

Very Happy

But, ya ... I had to change my tactics a little at 1st ... until I was at higher lvls and better equipped.

Right now I usually send out a stealthy sniper with a backup crew of 2 ... sniper clears ... until wounded ... trades off with one of the backups ... game continues.

I've actually found it to easy from the roofs at night and have started running daylight operations ... for more of a challenge. :bandit:

My IMP's at lvl 10 and I'm only on about day 35 or so. So, I'm starting to consolidate my holdings and have begun lvling up my squadmates.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96208]

Thu, 29 January 2004 17:31

jan175 is currently offline

Messages:111
Registered:October 2001
Location: S'pore (formerly Hobart, ...

I've had to adjust my tactics as well. No doubt it's more challenging, especially with the predominant urban CQB combat situations. But this can be to the player's advantage too. Here's my two cents' worth of tactics.

Meld your disadvantages to your advantage. Initially your weapons suck (short range, low damage), so take the first few sectors on night ops. Crouch and crawl on stealth mode, pause every few squares and listen for movement/sounds. Always pause before you turn a corner, walk past an open doorway etc; anywhere where's there's a possible line-of-sight for hidden enemies. When you see an enemy and they dun see you, don't attack immediately but observe if they have others nearby. Melt back into the shadows and bring up the rest of your squad to support or flank the enemy. Always move mercs in groups, so they can support one another in a sudden firefight or ambush (it happens, despite the best precautions). Do not rush to hit an enemy in a turn but have no more APs left after that to prone or withdraw back into cover. An enemy left 'standing' still is very dangerous. Instead, with your mercs in support of one another, the combined fire should be able to bring down a few enemies in a round or at least impede them. Also use grenades liberally if u have them; smoke to obscure the battlefield (to escape, create confusion, create more time for your mercs to take cover etc.), tear gas/stun grenades to take out their energy.

er,.this is all i can think of now..hope it helps if u are still continuing with your game..cheers!

@DaethWalker, that's close to how I have been doing too. Once i got good sniper and assault rifles, I began to stage day ops.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96209]

Fri, 30 January 2004 02:47

Rude Dog is currently offline

Messages:467
Registered:March 2001
Location: Chasing Pussy

@ raging_gnome,
I too hated the beginning of the game, but that only means the initial sector. I am a hands on player and, while it is entertaining to watch red shirts and militia fight each other, gunrunners, and bloodcats, it sucks to not be in on the action.
I go straight to the cargo manager to get my Makarov and commence the fighting. I am definitely in favor of the new tactics needed to survive in Danubia.
Give it the old college try with this in mind.
You aren't going to Sly/Rocky/Rambo your way through this place like Arulco and Tracona buddy boy. You walk your happy *ss down the middle of the street in broad daylight with your guns ablazing and you are going to get punched full of more holes than a hunk of Swiss Cheese. Carry on with JA2 tactics and get carried home in a body bag with a flag draped across what's left of your chest.
I have to tell you one major thing, RESPECT. Respect your enemy, respect the gunrunners, and especially respect the amount of cover and sh*t you can hide behind, because this is the only way to survive in this world. The tagline reads,
"We're not in Arulco anymore"
Heed my warnings or get packing before the Rude One watches your brains turn to cherry custard all over the wall.

I am playing right now on a solo type mission and only employing AIM or MERC members to train militia and be mules. I will only use RPC's from in country to attack and fight (unless defending a militia training zone).
It is hard as Hell, but I love it this way. If it were a walk in the park we'd have half of the world down our throats because they waited for two and a half years to play a freaking pea shooter game.
I know, if it's too hard, maybe we should just have us a spelling contest!

Report message to a moderator

Master Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96210]

Fri, 30 January 2004 04:01

wsmithjr2004 is currently offline

Messages:7
Registered:January 2004
Location: Rockland County, NY

I play on Novice cause it kicks my butt on Experienced. The thing that strikes me as odd, in JA2 I much prefer night ops. However, with UC, I do almost all attacks during the day and prefer it to night attacks. I think the big reason for this is that there's a ton of places to hide behind, so I'd rather have the normal vision and just hide rather than relying on darkness to shield me. Also, built up areas are a pain to search at night, especially if you aren't familiar with the terrain. In JA2, I'd fight at night because no matter how I hid behind trees, I always managed to get my butt shot off. I will attack some sectors at night, if recon shows not a lot of terrain to hide behind, but otherwise, I'll stick with the day for UC.

Warren

Report message to a moderator

Private

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96211]

Fri, 30 January 2004 06:01

KIA is currently offline

Messages:92
Registered:November 2002
Location: Virginia (USA)

On novice level you can accomplish things like
going hand-to-hand with the first and second sets of gunrunners (I could spoil this by giving the sectors - but I won't) to steal their rifles. Going hand-to-hand with police (they're tough!) to steal their stuff - tho it is usually relatively poor quality in the early sectors. The gunrunners are the toughest but by far the most lucrative. If you can take out at least a handful of the gunrunners in the second camp hand-to-hand, you'll wind up with a bunch of Car-15s and sniper rifles. You can also take out the militias in the first sector and snatch their weapons too.

This is improvised resistance 101. Get weapons. Employ weapons. Get better weapons. Repeat as necessary.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96212]

Fri, 30 January 2004 10:56

Rokkr is currently offline

Messages:50
Registered:December 2003
Location: USA

I play sitting on my cottage-cheeselike ass mainly.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96213]

Fri, 30 January 2004 12:37

markpoll is currently offline

Messages:101
Registered:November 2002
Location: sydney

All of that's sound, but I don't think there's any one right way to play JA2 (there are quite a few wrong ways though). Everyone seems to have his own way of doing things.

The best tip is probably just to play and play some more until you figure what works (and doesn't) for you. I had terrible trouble initially with JA2. Now I play it expert, no reloads, with casualties rare (I take plenty in Rubicon and UC though and I wouldn't play DL no reloads given the "surprises"). I'm not particularly good at it; its just matter of figuring out over time what is safe and what risks getting a merc killed.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96214]

Fri, 30 January 2004 14:09

tbird94lx is currently offline

Messages:682
Registered:April 2002
Location: ohhhhhh canada

you've arrived inna country the has a functioning police force..you think if you came armed..they'd letcha in?...nawww...so it makes sense ya came empty handed :moosegrin:

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96215]

Fri, 30 January 2004 23:24

Capt. Roach is currently offline

Messages:23
Registered:February 2002

Say some of your mercs came from Germany or America. How would they manage to get their AK-47 through the airport???

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96216]

Sat, 31 January 2004 04:46

Gallagher is currently offline

Messages:85
Registered:October 2002
Location: CANADA

If you play on novice the goodies come pretty quick. In one of my campaigns it's day 32, and I have conquered less than 1/3 of the nation and only 3 cities and 2 SAMs. I have 11 setups of NVG, extended ear and gas mask. I also have a similar number of R+S, though I have only attached 2 so far. It is worth it to stick it out through the first 6 battles, IMHO.

I am a decent player, and I could be better. Anyone can get a better result through patience and the liberal use of smoke and breaklights.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96217]

Sat, 31 January 2004 07:50

SpaceViking is currently offline

Messages:751
Registered:January 2004
Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Quote:

Originally posted by Gallagher:
If you play on novice the goodies come pretty quick.

In the original JA2 one of the developers said that he thought novice was TOO HARD because enough good stuff didn't drop. That was my experience when I tried it. Yeah, the bad guys are tougher but you get a LOT better equipment at higher difficulty levels.

Was this tweaked for UC somehow?

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96218]

Sat, 31 January 2004 14:58

Di^^^ is currently offline

Messages:38
Registered:June 2003
Location: Grass Valley, CA

Well, I've taken every city but Adrian, and every single sector except those in the extreme south... and although I really did not enjoy the opening battles of UC, I'm having great fun now. It's not an easy mod, but not as difficult as, say, VietNam SOG in Cambodia. Very Happy

Very Happy

Things I love about UC are the new mercs, the fun armor upgrades, new types of weapons, and exploring the new terrain. Nearly every sector has something to explore. Of course, some of the cities are a bit cluttered, and looting them can become tedious. But I can truthfully say that although I started out feeling dubious, even slightly disappointed, in this mod, after 40-50 hours of play I can confess that I'm enjoying it every bit as much as I enjoy JA2 itself.

All in all, an excellent game. Stick with it. You'll find terrific weapons soon, and fun new armor upgrades to play with. Word to the wise: Do NOT end a turn with any merc in eyesight of an enemy unless he/she is hunkered behind an impenatrable bolder. Said merc WILL die ugly. Those Danubians are eagle-eye markspersons.

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96219]

Tue, 03 February 2004 09:30

raging_gnome is currently offline

Messages:2
Registered:January 2004

thanks for the tips, guys...i gues my tactics from ja2 (expert level with auto weapons expert, though not crazy, imp merc running around firing bursts at anythign that moves with system of a down playing in the background) don't work that well for UC...i tried some of the suggestions, but it seems that even on novice difficulty, i have trouble...9 times out of 10, i don't even get a gun after the first sector except for the one you get from the clerk...just some ammo that i can't use...ah, well...guess i'll keep trying...

Report message to a moderator

Civilian

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96220]

Tue, 03 February 2004 10:03

HexRei is currently offline

Messages:21
Registered:April 2003
Location: portland, OR

i think if system of a down were playing in the background during one of my IMP's missions, he'd end up blowing away the MP3 player.

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96221]

Tue, 03 February 2004 17:16

cdudau is currently offline

Messages:22
Registered:December 2014

... this is worrying. i listen to soft rock and trance while playing. system? god no. you need to have considerable patience to play JA2. i used to listen to Rage Against The Machine and more recently Audio Slave, Manson and NIN, but it doesn't help me keep a cool head when things go wrong.

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96222]

Tue, 03 February 2004 19:27

Sweeper is currently offline

Messages:99
Registered:March 2002
Location: Namsos, Tr

Well, I know the start was a pain in the ass, no guns, you had to go and get some.
But I got a little bit mad on it after my first run, and I decided to do something else the second time, Arming myself using cheats, I know, probably a bit unfair but I wanted the experience if I had RPK's AKM's AWM's from the start.

That actually made me grin all the way.
Just so fun after having the pain in the ass the first time, and this time it felt like sweet vengeance.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96223]

Tue, 03 February 2004 21:13

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

Gnome, some general guidance for your start:

First of all, avoid getting involved in the first battle. The militia should handle it by themselves. Then you should have one Makarov from the Claim Manager, or another one if you're lucky. Then go to the subway, where is a hand-to-hand battle. You have Rosebud; you don't need guns yet. In that sector you can find a sawed-off shotgun and a CAR-15!

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96224]

Tue, 03 February 2004 21:50

El_slapper is currently offline

Messages:31
Registered:March 2001
Location: Taverny, France

In that sector, I also managed to steal a weapon from a stunned(by Steroid's fists) BG. I don't remember wich, but it helped greatly. Though it was really tricky...

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96225]

Wed, 04 February 2004 00:13

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

A boxcutter?

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96226]

Wed, 04 February 2004 05:19

Aecho is currently offline

Messages:261
Registered:August 2003
Location: The Netherlands, Europe

@Trailblazer

:placard:

Might aswell throw rocks at them, they'll probably do more damage Very Happy

Very Happy

Report message to a moderator

Master Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96227]

Wed, 04 February 2004 05:51

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

Never throw rocks at a man who has a machinegun Wink

Wink

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96228]

Wed, 04 February 2004 09:43

Khor1255 is currently offline

Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ

It's really not too hard to beat the gun out of at least one bad guy before the end of the first battle. The trick is to have at least three mercs hiding behind the first truck, wiat until a lone bad guy appears and fires at one of the locals, run at him, beat him unconcious (with one extra punch to keep him down) and take his gun.
Repeat this whenever you get a good oprotunity. I've gotten a Tokarev and Scorpion in this battle and they really came in handy.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant Major

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96229]

Wed, 04 February 2004 18:11

jan175 is currently offline

Messages:111
Registered:October 2001
Location: S'pore (formerly Hobart, ...

For those players who are not inclined to steal, use a HtH or martial arts merc. I've used Grizzly and Skitz and more times than not, they can swat the weapon out of a BG's hands when that BG goes down.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96230]

Wed, 04 February 2004 19:12

markpoll is currently offline

Messages:101
Registered:November 2002
Location: sydney

I like the beginning, like most JA2 games. I find the start, when you're working against the odds, struggling to survive, finding better guns and mercs, the most exciting phase of the game.

Report message to a moderator

Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96231]

Wed, 04 February 2004 19:16

Sweeper is currently offline

Messages:99
Registered:March 2002
Location: Namsos, Tr

Quote:

Originally posted by TrailBlazer:
Never throw rocks at a man who has a machinegun

That depends, you can do it if Rude Dog (Man with the MG) is out of ammo, but if you don't knock him out, you better run, because that guy is a mad dude...

Report message to a moderator

Corporal 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96232]

Wed, 04 February 2004 21:38

TrailBlazer is currently offline

Messages:511
Registered:September 2001
Location: Athens, Greece

Very Happy

Very Happy

Well I expect Rude Dog would throw his Machine Gun to you... which is a lot heavier than a rock...

Report message to a moderator

First Sergeant

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96233]

Thu, 05 February 2004 03:46

Sixpack is currently offline

Messages:8
Registered:September 2003

I found the beginning to be overly difficult and pistols are insanely powerful in the hands of some of these badguys who seem to have no difficulty pulling off headshots from 20+ squares away. It does get better though. Just remember a few important things...

This mod is much like a fantasy rpg and Crepagens are healing potions.

Save every round and alternate with 2 or 3 save slots.

Somewhat of a spoiler....

Easy way to get some equipment... Don't shoot any cops in Calisto till you have militia. Finish off the army types, train up your militia then go back to the tactical map and engage them. Voila... your squad and 20 militia can now easily seperate the cops from their equipment.

Report message to a moderator

Private

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96234]

Thu, 05 February 2004 15:06

Ninth Hour is currently offline

Messages:33
Registered:January 2004

Even with the best tactics, the beginning can be a reload-fest if you're plain unlucky...and I say this as a veteran who has played every single JA game (on Expert mode) since JA1, and quite a lot of mods. There isn't much you can do about it. You may be crouched behind solid cover and someone out of range can still hit you in the head with a pistol. You can be camoflagued and crawling (stealth on) between positions, and someone can still interrupt you with lethal force.

ALT-S and ALT-L are your friends. Use them. No one will think less of you. And alternate between several slots. (also quicksave at the same time...having two copies of your latest save at any time may be redundant, but will save you much pain if you mess up badly...and you will).

By the time you get past the first two towns, the frequency of reloading will diminish (somewhat)...then the real fun begins. Oh, did I mention...save frequently?

For more specific advice, check out the stickied tips on starting out.

Report message to a moderator

Private 1st Class

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96235]

Thu, 05 February 2004 22:31

Dagger is currently offline

Messages:58
Registered:January 2003
Location: Brazil

Quote:

Originally posted by drop bear:
I like the beginning, like most JA2 games. I find the start, when you're working against the odds, struggling to survive, finding better guns and mercs, the most exciting phase of the game.

Me too !

Report message to a moderator

Corporal

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96236]

Thu, 05 February 2004 22:43

Dagger is currently offline

Messages:58
Registered:January 2003
Location: Brazil

I use the crepa boosters to increase the APs of 2 mercs. These 2 mercs must have busters. They must run to a single elite and knock him/her down. Then they steal his/her weapon and kill him/her with bare hands in order to improve Dex/Str. Then, I sell the stolen weapons to Tony, make money and hire better mercs.

Report message to a moderator

Corporal

Re: How the hell do you guys even play??[message #96237]

Fri, 06 February 2004 01:29

Rude Dog is currently offline

Messages:467
Registered:March 2001
Location: Chasing Pussy

Quote:

Well I expect Rude Dog would throw his Machine Gun to you... which is a lot heavier than a rock...

You're close man. I'd swing it like it was a Louisville Slugger.
Hell, I might be rounding third base by the time your cranium finally hit the ground. I love this game.
I find it funny (not laughing at you funny just odd) that the amount of people that are having troubles with the beginning of the game haven't explored all of the possibilities. No, I'm not talking about CHEATING like that. I do cheat to a degree. I repair my weapons and heal my squad with JAPE only because I don't seem to have the time to play that I used to and I find it B-O-R-I-N-G to sit and wait for them to heal a dozen hit points and repair a boxcutter that you found in the trash can.
Think outside the box kids. You know there has to be a way to get weapons and an edge in every situation.

Report message to a moderator

Master Sergeant

Pages (2): [1 2 › »]

Previous Topic:	Vlad?
Next Topic:	Bug?

Goto Forum:

-=] Back to Top [=-

Current Time: Fri Jan 24 00:35:51 GMT+2 2025

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.02894 seconds