[DiM]

This is coming straight from my blog. Being my first post, I thought I'd make it a good one. Enjoy!

With the release of the all mighty Duke Nukem 3D on Xbox Live Arcade, I've been enjoying quite a lot of nostalgic gaming. Even today, there is nothing like a eye drying, leg bouncing, palm sweating, adrenaline fueled Dukematch. It's been far too long since I've seen some gibs fly through the air curiosity of a well placed pipebomb. On that note, I consider myself an above average Dukematcher, as a result of countless hours of Dukematches back in the 90s. So I can't help it but feel disappointed and downright bored when I face an unworthy opponent over Live, who is undoubtedly a young gamer being exposed to Duke3D for the first time.

Well fear not, I am here to share some Dukematch tips of the experts to help you become the better, more well rounded Dukematcher I need you to be to keep me on the edge of my seat!

1) Know your level. There's nothing worse than facing a player who knows every inch of the level, where every RPG, medkit, atomic health is, and you don't. This leaves you at a huge disadvantage and you will find yourself facing your opponent, wielding an RPG while you still carry a pistol. Along with knowing item placement, learn all of the level's secrets. Along with holding valuable items, most secrets provide shortcuts and great hiding spots where you can camp and/or scout out your opponent.

2) Turn Run Mode off. If you find yourself having difficulty aiming and pulling off those precise shots, turn Run Mode off. Run Mode is great when navigating through the level, but can hurt your precision as you over compensate your aim as you battle your opponent. Become a master of enabling and disabling Run Mode when necessary.

3) Turn the music down. One of the great things about Dukematches is that you can hear what your opponent is doing regardless of where they are in the level. Turn off the music so you can better hear the sounds of your player, potentially giving away their location. You'll be able to hear them go underwater, crawl through an air duct, unlock and open doors, etc.

4) Avoid giving away your location. As I pointed out in my previous tip, you can hear your opponent, and your opponent can hear you. Unfortunately, you can't hide the fact that you are going underwater. However, you can mask the sound of going through an air duct by using a jetpack. Your opponent will know you're using your jetpack, but will be unable to pin point where. So whenever you need to go through an air duct, use a jetpack and possibly sending your opponent on a wild goose chase.

5) Set traps. Don't underestimate the value of laser trips. They can provide easy frags if used correctly. Use them to block off certain areas where valuable items are located, such as atomic health. Your opponent may notice them before setting them off, but if they don't have a way to disarm them, you prevented them from obtaining useful and valuable items. Also, it's best to apply two laser trips, one while standing, and another one while crouching, directly underneath. This will prevent your opponent from by passing them. Most importantly, don't accidentally set them off yourself!

6) Pick it up every item you see. If you pick up an item, that's one less thing your opponent will have access to for the time being. Even if your at 199 health, pick up that atomic health. If I'm at full health and near an atomic health, I try to damage myself a little so that I can pick it up anyways.

7) Use your inventory. Some people may find holodukes and night vision goggles useless, but they are not. Many levels have dark spots and night vision goggles may determine who gets the jump on who. Holodukes are great distractions and can be used to setup a trap or just delay your opponent, if only for a second. Steroids are great for a quick getaway when your health drops too low. And the number one best item that you could possibly have, and should always have at all times, is the portable medkit. I usually try to keep it as the selected item at all times when possible.

8) Use security cameras. Security cameras are bitter sweet. They can give away the location of your opponent, but they also give away your location, especially if you are playing on a level that only has one or two. Whether giving away your location is worth the benefit of possibly learning that of your opponent is a judgment call.

9) Out of bullets? Use your foot. Your foot can provide a quick manage if you manage to get close enough to your opponent to land a deadly blow. It requires good precision to land one successfully, but will yield you a satisfying frag.

10) Keep an eye on those respawn markers if they are enabled. They can tip you off if your opponent may be near by or where they are going.

I hope my 10 tips help the Dukematchers of the world, young and old, to sharpen their skills and become worthy opponents for all the old school players who remember all too well the days of TEN and Heat.net, IPX/SPX and TCP/IP, Stealth2 map, and fighting with your parents to let you tie up the phone lines for just one more match. You damn young kids have it good with your broadband and 32+ matches!