Yeah, and if you're like me, who manages some nice airborne headshots in UT98 even today
You mean UT
99?
It thought it was 98. Well, anyway, the game is only called Unreal Tournament, without a date. Yeah, I mean that. I was pretty skilled a few years ago, but the I started playing more tactical FPSs and with the advent of the easy-FPSs like... well, like all of them nowadays, I lost a bit of touch. I still play FEAR online from time to time, and it's good fun.
If you're struggling in any kind of FPSs, I recommend the following, as an experienced FPSer.
- If you're used to sit in your computer chair in the right way (aka upright back, horizontal arms and so on), try leaning forward a bit (some chairs are better for this than others, generally any one that doesn't support your lumbar region is good) and put your feet (and lower legs) in a way that's hard for you to move them if you innadvertedly try to during gameplay (crossing my lower legs works great for me, but I sometimes spread them and put them under the desk).
- The way your arms are is crucial for FPSs. It doesn't matter how used to a certain position you are, and while you may play fairly well in any other position, due to habit, it's ALWAYS better if you have both your hands at the same level (keyboard and mouse), and as symmetrical to your body as possible. This (and the previous point) is to prevent you from becoming self-conscious about your body. Also, if possible, spread your arms so that your hands are just a bit off your shoulder width, and it's not good that they are very close to the screen, height-wise. Around your belly is a good position, as it also helps with circulation and so on (also, be sure that your arms are comfortable - they will possibly be being supported by your hands alone, and that's a good thing - so that there are no complications from extender periods of time).
- Get your left hand used to the keyboard. Know where each key is and learn to assign each finger to a certain number of keys, including key combinations. This is mainly a matter of habit, since different people have different hands, but for a man with manly hands like myself, use the following guide-line: middle finger is used for W and S, for control, also used for 2 and 3 when forwards/backwards control isn't needed. Index finger is primarily used for D, but also many other support keys, very important, mostly F, E, R, T, G, C, V, B and sometimes X (when your only using A, W and/or X for directional control). Ring finger is usually hard to master, and is used only for a few keys, but may require training to be controlled with effectiveness: it's used for A, for directions, and Q; also 1, and 2, sometimes; also don't forget the upper left key of the keyboard (console key, changes depending on the language), tab-key and caps lock. The little finger is very important for shift (pressed with the tip of the finger) and control (pressed with the palm of the finger). It's also important to support the hand on most keyboards, along with the thumb. The thumb is generally on the space bar, but is also used on the alt key and the windows key. All fingers are used all over the keyboard, depending on what you need.
- Use the mouse in a way that you can move it as much as possible WITHOUT moving your wrist. Supporting your right hand on the arm isn't very good when playing, albeit being better healthwise. Don't forget that each button of the mouse is pressed by a different finger. The left and right buttons, I mean. The scroll butten is generally used by the index finger, or the middle finger if you're using the left button. The thumb is reserved for additional buttons, or picking up he mouse. Be sure NOT to use any mouse with additional buttons on its left side if your used to using the thumb to pick up the mouse, as you'll be pressing those additional buttons all the time.
- Use as better a mouse as possible (optic mouse is a MUST, you CANNOT play FPSs with a ball mouse) to allow for more precision with small moves, so you don't have to use a slower configuration, that would require you to move the mouse more. Remember: the less you move your mouse, the better. Also, I find mouse acceleration quite helpful, but that's a matter of taste.
- Learn to pick up the mouse when you can't bend your wrist anymore, instead of moving it to the side endlessly. That's not good at all, and you WILL run out of table.
- Don't look too much at your crosshair when playing. Learn to look all over the screen and moving your mouse only to allow you to see stuff that's outside the screen. Move the mouse to put the crosshair where you want it, and not to look at where you want to look. Also, learn to memorize where your crosshair is in the screen (the center, duh), so you can easily and intuitively aim it at where you want. Inexperienced players will actively look for their crosshair when their trying to aim. This cannot happen. In time, you will learn to play WITHOUT a crosshair in most FPSs
It's actually pretty awesome.
- Using strafe is a must in most FPSs. It's advantage is sometimes misunderstood, however: it's imperative that you use strafe to simulate head (and arm) movement that is independent from where you're heading. Strafe is very good to do those run-towards-over-there-and-shoot-towards-your-half-flank. It's also very good to use when your running alongside a wall, for example.
- Jumping and strafing is also very important (also crouching) online.
- Never forget to reload before possible action. DO NOT make an habit of always reloading after each burst, as you'll end up finding yourself reloading and an enemy opening fire on you. Remember: the ammo clips are usually large enough. Also, save ammo whenever possible. A precise shot is much better than a burst, most of the times.