Dukematch tips from the experts!

[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!

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by DiM

10) And my last tip isn't really a gameplay tip, but a suggestion to help you have the best Dukematch experience. If you notice ANYONE, especially the host, with a poor connection (3 bars or less), it's best just to leave the lobby and find another game with better a connection(s). If you play against someone with a bad connection, the lag will be unbearable and you'll just frustrate yourself.

The host moreso, but this is not a global issue. I've played many games against seven other players where everyone was 3 bars or less, and haven't had a problem. You can't condemn every match just because of that.

[DiM]

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

The host moreso, but this is not a global issue. I've played many games against seven other players where everyone was 3 bars or less, and haven't had a problem. You can't condemn every match just because of that.

Got it. I was just reiterating what I personally noticed.

[Steve]

What's your gamertag, DiM?

[DiM]

Originally Posted by Steve

What's your gamertag, DiM?

I sense a challenge coming

Gamertag: FreakyNipples69

[Steve]

Originally Posted by DiM

I sense a challenge coming

Gamertag: FreakyNipples69

Maybe

And lol at your GT

[DiM]

Thanks

I'll go load up Duke now if you want to do a quick match.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by DiM

Thanks

I'll go load up Duke now if you want to do a quick match.

Wife is playing sponge bob

[TheGreatCleotis]

those are not bad hints but they are not complete. and NO pro uses cameras...seriously have you ever watched like dork-holly play? pros can move from one end of a level to the other within seconds. they will hear that u r using a camera and boom u r dead. they roid like all the time. if you want ALL the pro hints, just go to duke3d.org . there you will get full tutorials!

[Sharpie]

Well i always have run mode on and i have precise aim. It took a little to get used to but its worth it.

I have a couple of tips of my own that should help out some people:

1. Try and corner someone with a shotgun. While running towards them shoot and kick at the same time. Instant kill.

2. In an 8 player deathmatch and there is a massive battle in the middle of a level, grab a decent weapon (devestator, Shotgun, RPG etc) and wait for people to be at their weakest and bunched together. A couple of well placed shots can give you a massive amount of kills.

3. Always carry around a medical kit with you. Especially during one on ones. Having that extra health at times is critical to grab that kill.

4. Once you start firing at one person, stick to trying to kill them. If someone else comes along and you decide to shoot them instead it puts you in a difficult position. The other person is in a critical state and they might end up killing you instead.

5.Use Holoduke! Even if it fools your opponent for 5 seconds thats all you need to blast a few easy rounds into them.

I know they arent exactly great tips but thats what i use when i play online and i have been successful while using them.


EDIT: I am playing online now. I hope to run into some of you soon

[oak man]

Man I need a 360!! Good tips, I can't count how many I made for my old Clan site!

[Poda]

Originally Posted by TheGreatCleotis

those are not bad hints but they are not complete. and NO pro uses cameras...seriously have you ever watched like dork-holly play? pros can move from one end of a level to the other within seconds. they will hear that u r using a camera and boom u r dead. they roid like all the time. if you want ALL the pro hints, just go to duke3d.org . there you will get full tutorials!

Thanks for the support. I planned on doing more a few months ago, but I've been burnt out by school. But, Duke is still alive in my mind! Anyway, here are some things I agree and disagree with on the tips:

1 is obviously good.
2 isn't so good. I'm not sure how the game moves on Xbox, but, in general, you should never turn runmode off.
3 is a good one.
4 depends on the situation of course.
5 is a good one.
6 is situational, but is a common tactic by expert players. I have a different view however. Sometimes, you may want to keep something visible for yourself if you anticipate getting hurt in the near future.
7 is good. I don't use night vision or holodukes, but nightvision is useful (I just don't have a button for it).
8 is historically never done by good players. But, I started incorporating it not too long ago. A better idea is to "pre"set a monitor to a specific location. Then, assuming it's never messed with, all you have to do is get your body close to the monitor to see a preview of the area. This lets you avoid having to make camera sounds each time. Try this one: preset the monitor up the vent in hollywood to the bathroom. You can watch for them arriving in the bathroom and coming up the vent.
9 isn't so good. The foot is useless as an attack. It's only useful to quickly knock out things like window glass and vent shields.
10 isn't so good either. Crouch is useful. Sometimes it helps you line up a shot better if you're moving too fast (like on roids). In a more general sense, crouch is useful to duck behind things (I know, duh!) and perform warps. Not sure if the Xbox version has warps.

[Metal Boss]

Good tips, but I usually always leave the music on, it gets me pumped.

[coolwickidninja]

I don't remember who it was but.......... I ws playing on the stadium 1 on 1, and I got owned pretty bad it was like 12 to 0 Maybe it was you DiM LOL. I could not touch the guy at all.

[DiM]

Originally Posted by Poda

Thanks for the support. I planned on doing more a few months ago, but I've been burnt out by school. But, Duke is still alive in my mind! Anyway, here are some things I agree and disagree with on the tips:

1 is obviously good.
2 isn't so good. I'm not sure how the game moves on Xbox, but, in general, you should never turn runmode off.
3 is a good one.
4 depends on the situation of course.
5 is a good one.
6 is situational, but is a common tactic by expert players. I have a different view however. Sometimes, you may want to keep something visible for yourself if you anticipate getting hurt in the near future.
7 is good. I don't use night vision or holodukes, but nightvision is useful (I just don't have a button for it).
8 is historically never done by good players. But, I started incorporating it not too long ago. A better idea is to "pre"set a monitor to a specific location. Then, assuming it's never messed with, all you have to do is get your body close to the monitor to see a preview of the area. This lets you avoid having to make camera sounds each time. Try this one: preset the monitor up the vent in hollywood to the bathroom. You can watch for them arriving in the bathroom and coming up the vent.
9 isn't so good. The foot is useless as an attack. It's only useful to quickly knock out things like window glass and vent shields.
10 isn't so good either. Crouch is useful. Sometimes it helps you line up a shot better if you're moving too fast (like on roids). In a more general sense, crouch is useful to duck behind things (I know, duh!) and perform warps. Not sure if the Xbox version has warps.

I disagree hugely that the foot is useless. In some last desperate attempts I've managed to win a battle using the foot. It's a quick kill if you use it right.

Having runmode on with a mouse is a lot different than having it on with a controller.

I changed 10. Using crouch is too subjective.

[DiM]

Originally Posted by coolwickidninja

I don't remember who it was but.......... I ws playing on the stadium 1 on 1, and I got owned pretty bad it was like 12 to 0 Maybe it was you DiM LOL. I could not touch the guy at all.

nah I doubt it. I'm good, but not that good And I personally never play on Stadium.

[Stevey Boy]

Yeah theyre pretty good, but dont agree with turning run mode off, if you cant get a shot on target with run mode on, you should play a different game

[General Kitsune]

I have to disagree with the run mode opinion, The best way is to just get used to running and gunning in run mode 24/7. It's really not as hard as you suggested it be if you put the time and effort into learning how to pull it off.

I also have to largely disagree with whoever said the foot is useless lol. I believe it just takes 2-3 kicks to kill a person, but I've often won matchs with all of my health because I've kicked and shoot them to death.

[rfisher983]

That DORK~hollywood fellow was pretty good eh?

So Duke Nukem is out of the xbox 360 now? I would love to start playing again but don't own an xbox.

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by rfisher983

That DORK~hollywood fellow was pretty good eh?

So Duke Nukem is out of the xbox 360 now? I would love to start playing again but don't own an xbox.

Eh....i remember him being alright.... ;P

'Bout TIME i see another DORK, or hell, ANYONE from Kali on here.

I'm going to warn you though, there are only a handful of good players on xbox live, and NONE of them are in the same league as what you may remember.

That being said, i'd LOVE it to finally get some competition....It's lonely at the top

I'm not a tenth the player using the controller as i was back in the day on mouse+keyboard, but that's not stopping me from playing. Duke's in my blood

DORK~Memphis

GT: ImmortalI

[rfisher983]

hello memphis

Speaking of memphis last i heard from kgoat is that hafiz lives in your city.

[Memphis]

I don't live in Memphis anymore, Green Bay now. But i'd love to get either kgoat or Haffy's email from you if you got 'em.

mine's [email protected]

[rfisher983]

kgoat's email is on his webpage: http://www.kgoat.net/greatestdukers/history.html

DORK~CuZZ is on xfire: dorkcuzz66

[CuZZ]

Yoooo, i thought Nukem was dead and here's a big forum on it and some DORKz. What's up fella's, i've been playing CoD4 for a while now. Look me up on xfire: dorkcuzz66 Love to get a game together...........CuZZ

[oak man]

Originally Posted by rfisher983

kgoat's email is on his webpage: http://www.kgoat.net/greatestdukers/history.html

DORK~CuZZ is on xfire: dorkcuzz66

Awesome!! Thanks for posting this!

A few more tips:

Steroids make you invulnerable to the Shrinker. You can also use them after being shrunk to grow large again. If you don't have any you can use the jetpack to escape.

If you shatter a frozen opponent, they drop an atomic health. The Freezethrower sucks in DM, but the health can be useful.

Lay a Pipebomb or two next to a Laser Tripmine to increase the damage of the explosion.

Don't be afraid of using the pistol, it is deadly at long ranges. It is slightly more accurate than the ripper, and can quickly do major damage from very far away. Use it in Stadium or Freeway to get kills from extreme distances.

[Steve]

protip:
Don't die.

[IcyGamer88]

I'm so damn bored, even getting stomped in a Dukematch.

GT: IcyGamer88, hit me up.

[Dopefish7590]

- If you're low on health, don't be afraid to run away, chances are your opponent will follow so you can set up traps (Pipebombs are always good for this).

- Roids are a useful tool, but they are even more useful if your enemy doesn't have them as well... Pull out a shrinker and force them to use their roids, then use your own after that wears off....

-Try to deplete the map's supply on things, so that it's harder for your opponent to pick stuff up, for instance, if you have a full RPG and there is another RPG in front of you... Fire one shot and pick it up... Now your opponent can't get it until it respawns.

- Know what weapons are effective when:
1) Might boot is not the weapon you should use unless you are right next to someone "Quick kicking" and shooting at the same time.
2) Pistol is incredibly effective at long range.
3) Shotgun is the best bullet weapon at close range. (2 shots and they're dead)
4) Chaingun cannon should be used as only a fallback weapon for the shotgun... It's long range is far surpassed by the pistol and it's close range... Well, you'll most likely be turned into shredded wheat if you are against someone who is good with the shotgun.
5) The RPG is an amazing weapon for both offense and defense... And there is plenty of ammo foe this to boot... Shoot the odd rocket at corners you're going around, it's a real saver. It's most effective I find while aiming at your opponent's feet. And if you hear a telltale sound (Like the double doors in Hollywood Holocaust) Just fire a random rocket where the sound came from.
6) Pipebombs. Oh I could just go on and on about these things, but I guess I really shouldn't... Learn to master the "arc" a pipebomb throw has. It makes it really easy to lob a random pipe in through windows and pick up a few easy frags... You can also use this in the same way as the RPG if you are good enough.
7) The Shrinker/Expander are both really good weapons if used right... The shrinker is best used in confined spaces where it's easy to hit people and shrink them, it's probably the only weapon that would have a chance against someone with an RPG in a tunnel, and best of all... There is no splash damage, just be sure not to shoot any mirrors unless needed... The Expander is a very good weapon out in the open and is probably most effective against anyone who is wielding the shotgun. In addition to it's rapid fire, and large damage... It also makes the opponent's screen flash a bright red, a lot of the time disorienting them and causing them to run. Also if you fire it into a group of people, if you kill one, they will all probably die in the resulting explosion.
8) The Devestator is not as good as some people make it out to be in multiplayer... Probably due to it's ammunition limit... But if you have a sure shot at someone, it's a good way to polish them off before they notice you.
9) Laser Trip Bombs are good for setting traps, but don't make the traps obvious. The best place for traps are :Inside sliding doors, right behind a "blind" corner, during a fall in a tight space... You can spawnkill with these things, but most people would probably consider it a cheap move... But you can do it to your discretion...
0) The Freezer, is a surprisingly effective weapon... You can kill people around corners, or past Laser Trip Bombs... But in addition, it's a rapid-fire weapon... And each shot does 30 damage it, however is probably best suited for confined spaces and for around corners (If someone is trying to tag you with a pipebomb around a corner is a good example)

[Honeywell]

Originally Posted by rfisher983

kgoat's email is on his webpage: http://www.kgoat.net/greatestdukers/history.html

DORK~CuZZ is on xfire: dorkcuzz66

Hey Hollywood, we should get Streetshark and Asskicker to go play some wolfenstein!!

But anyways, are the map glitches in the xbox version of the game? Like warping up to the jetpack in hollywood holocaust, etc?

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by Honeywell

But anyways, are the map glitches in the xbox version of the game? Like warping up to the jetpack in hollywood holocaust, etc?

Yep, they all remain "intact."


GT: ImmortalI

[Juras]

Originally Posted by Memphis

Eh....i remember him being alright.... ;P

'Bout TIME i see another DORK, or hell, ANYONE from Kali on here.

I'm going to warn you though, there are only a handful of good players on xbox live, and NONE of them are in the same league as what you may remember.

That being said, i'd LOVE it to finally get some competition....It's lonely at the top

I'm not a tenth the player using the controller as i was back in the day on mouse+keyboard, but that's not stopping me from playing. Duke's in my blood

DORK~Memphis

GT: ImmortalI

I think you could find some competition on PC version, try Yang + xduke port.

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by rfisher983
kgoat's email is on his webpage: http://www.kgoat.net/greatestdukers/history.html

DORK~CuZZ is on xfire: dorkcuzz66

Originally Posted by oak man

Awesome!! Thanks for posting this!

Nice site but somebody is missing...probably best duker of all times.

[osuperduke]

You are right.... I was unkown to most,. Muahahahahaha
So duke is on 360, gotta check it out. Hello goes out to the Dominion of Ruthless Knights, BMF, Slappy's, Kat's, Cobra and the rest. Remember this, when you can't win, you will know it was me... Muahahahaha

[osuperduke]

Here are some tips:

1. Pick a map you want to get good at and practice it on your own till you have the whole place memorized.

2. If you did a thorough job of number one you not only learned how to move around the map but your analytical brain should have been planning where you can hide behind cover (also where your opponent may or may not hide), know where powerups, secrets, weapons and roids are and the sounds made in every nook and cranny.

3. Practice number one with Roids until you master that speed in that level. When I say master the level with Roids, I mean you can run it not just forwards but backwards. Why backwards, so you can shoot while running away with very low health (hehe-I killed many top players this way. They can get real greedy and smell the blood that they become easy straight line targets if you know what I mean..ex..your being chased and your opponent knows he has hurt you and he decides to send an RPG your way and if you are good enough you use your shottie while running backwards and blast it in his face)

4. Speed is great but learn to use each weapon no matter if you have a favorite. Some weapons used in the right place become very-very powerful and the same weapon used in a diffrent way works in places where most say it would not work. Here is a tip on the RPG, simple but effective, aim at your opponents feet so the blast always damages your opponets health when using it outside in what I call medium spaces, example: Hollywood outside. If you just aimed straight on you will miss and the grenade flys past your opponent and the walls may be too far for the blast to damage health. What I am saying if you read into this is not to fall victim to the idea that a weapon is useless in this or that situation, be creative in how you can use a weapon in every situation in every place. After doing this you will have favorites but what do you do when you don't have your favorite weapon...you learn to use what you have effectively and efficiently (dukesters that thought this way were at the top and remain at the top today). Jerms, Holly, Hafiz, Adren, Kat, Cobra, Memphis and others may remember b4 they became who they were got owned simply by a pipebomb expert who could run backwards while unloading hehehd, muahahaha.

5. Now that you have the level mastered and memorized, you will find that you can beat a lot of wannabe dukegods. The question now is: How do I beat duksters that have done their homework? You beat them by practicing dukematch. Learn all the respawn spots on the level you mastered. It is funny that after you mastered your movement on a level that it feels like your time practicing the level was wasted time but it was not. You have got to get use to thinkin while being shot at hehe. Keep notes on your matches and ask yourself what you could have done different. Remember that loss is the first ingredient to success in anything you do, if you don't believe me ask the top players (they lost many a match to me back then, muahahaha) how many matches they lost to get to the top.

6. Pay attention, I can't help but laugh that many duksters get into a pattern on how they play. All the practice you did can backfire if you made it a pattern, think out of the box when you practice. Example: Practice with Roids on while running backwards and shooting your RPG (and I mean holding down the fire button until your out of ammo) and not hurting yourself while doing so, sounds great but add figure eights to your run while jumping and getting up on ledges and going through doors/warps while using duck every now and then, while switching weapons and then do it in dukematch and mastering this with sounds (This is why duke is so great, gives me chills while thinkin of it).

Alright enough said for now, others can add but this is okay for starters.

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

Just wanted to add, you have not mastered a level unless you can move with ROIDS and can fly with the jet pack into every air space. I did not mention the jet pack but mastering flight (in the air is a good reason to learn how to mouse aim) is part of mastering the movement in a level.

Now you know what I mean by mastering movement in a level.

Duke is a very powerful game in that you have the added dimensions of flight. This is why the game is so cool today. I have not played much after 1996 because I had reached a high level of competency ( I use to beat Cremator if you knew him he won the TEN championship ) that it was no fun playing with fellow duksters anymore. When I tried coming back, many had surpassed my level and wiped the floor with my entrails. Muahahaha. It was then that I realized the other wonderful aspect of the game to bring people together to collaborate on strategy. I got beat so bad when I tried playing on TEN (I played on TEN while it was still free, I never had bought the Duke game and was an expert in my time in Hollywood Holocoust) and Kali (someone out there dukematched me for my kali account and won it, I assume a young person, I hope you still use it hehe) I was destroyed mentally and no longer had the time to spend to increase my knowledge of the game. Hope this tid bit helps some new duksters enjoy the game.

[lordlonelobo]

I used to play DN3D way back in the day, but never online (ten on TEN didn't work, and my dad was too lazy to help me set it up), so I had to deal with SP.

Now, on XBL, I usually owned, but occasionally I do okay.

[osuperduke]

Here is some food for thought: I was thinkin how cool it would be if 3dRealms made a updated duke nukem 3d that could take advantage of the new technology and played the same way as the original. How cool that would be hehe. ;P

[lordlonelobo]

You could try, but people would still be pissed that it's not identical.

Also, the differences between Build and any contemporary engine are quite different, different enough that adjusting scaling would be a bitch.

I encountered that when I tried that.

[osuperduke]

For the exception of flight, I think it is possible to use some new engine to make a Duke Nukem 3D remake. The question I have is if the speed of deathmatch would compare and the flight aspect. Anyone out there know if it is possible, hell I'd learn to program if someone said it is possible.

[lordlonelobo]

Well, if you're talking about a total mod type of thing, I know the Unreal Engine would be capable of it. You would need to adjust running speed and jumping height. A jetpack would not be difficult to implement either.

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by DiM

T
Well fear not, I am here to share some Dukematch tips of the experts...

2) Turn Run Mode off....


8) Use security cameras...

9) Out of bullets? Use your foot....



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

hey If you still use these forums, What the hell are the above things I've quoted? Turning run mode off is what gives any advanced player those 20 to 0 kill counts, using security cameras is just useless in Duke Match, you're contradicting your old tip in not making any noise, and if you're out of bullets then run, kick isn't something you openly do, you kick in small areas such as airvents.

That is a tip from an expert !!