Rather than lecturing and going on and on about this or that, I will simply provide you with the tools you need to improve on your own. This lesson then will be about what you can do to work on your own specific weaknesses.
I have had many fun duel matches, but I also encountered quite a few, who in principle are interested in duel, but think they'd just get owned and wouldn't enjoy playing. Maybe they're good in CA but think duel is too difficult or too confusing. All they really need is an easy entry point. Pair up with some other 'noobs', watch pro replays or ask the duel regulars for feedback.
What I want you to do:I want you to record demos of yourself when you think you're doing really really well - you play your very best, but you lose. Since this is hard to know beforehand, I use these two binds:
- bind x "toggle cg_autoaction" //autoaction really is a bitmask, but toggle conveniently switches between off and 1 (only demo, which is what we need)
- bind z "stoprecord"
If you already use autoaction for something, then just use the appropriate value instead of toggle. I like switching it off for other game modes since I don't want to record every single game I play.
Anyway, you lose a game in which you try really hard, keep that demo and just let it sit there for a couple of days. When you've mentally distanced yourself from that game enough, watch the demo and identify your mistakes. It might look really weird and some mistakes might be cringe-worthy. But that's a good way of learning not to make those mistakes again.
The next step: breaking problems down into simple fixable chunks.
- Timing: Basic Timing Guide
- Aiming: LG tutorial
- Combat situations: Improving at Quake
Homework assignment: learn cpm24fIt's a small, fun map, it teaches you shooting at powerups from a strong position above, you can have nice comebacks, and it's fast-paced and there's no rail whoring. Make sure you have cpm24 (no f) present as a pk3, just callvote it first or download it from q3a.ath - you'll need it for the textures.
This map is not as 'hard' as ospdm8 or pukka3tourney2, but it'll still reward you if you apply clever strategy (timing, denying, control) and tactics (positioning, clever spam shots, prediction) and rocket skill. Usually I provide an overview screenshot, but frankly, the map is so small and easy to learn, just pick someone roughly your level and hop in. You'll learn it in no time.
A few pointers:- Pay attention to your opponent's health total. Know it, or at least have an educated guess. Decide whether to charge in or just deliver a rocket from a distance based on that knowledge.
- GL is there to spam RA or MH without being hit back. As soon as your opponent is in view, switch to a proper weapon and fight or run! Picking GL is not an excuse to not pick up other weapons immediately. Especially since LG is just a jump away.
- That 50h is a pretty important item. If you know your opponent is low, you can get an almost guaranteed kill if you ambush them from above while they try to heal up.
Just as a side note: There's still an all chS duel Championship going on. All of you 'losing is no fun and therefore I don't play duel' people: have some fun matches with one another or train with me. Practice now, before it's too late to challenge light while his hand is still not fully healed