(This is a retelling of a Teamwork Comes First ([TCF]) Op I took part in earlier today (28/06/09). It should be pointed out this was from the viewpoint of a forward special forces unit so some of this report may not be accurate. Any TCF members, feel free to correct me. Also pics were not taken by me. This will not be the case next time)

This was the first mission by the Marines in this area of Chernaus. Two fireteams (supported by transport helicopters) and elements of Team Razor had be ordered to capture a village in the central area. In addition, they had an optional objective to eliminate an insurgent motor pool, to prevent a possible counter attack. The two fire teams would arrive via a UH-1 Venom into an LZ that had been cleared by Team Razor. Then one group would break off to attack the motor pool and the other would get to a meeting point and prepare for an attack on the village.

Team Razor were already in the LZ, and had supplies including a US launchers equipment box. TR2 (Team Razor 2) collected a SMAW and then the combined group set out to sweep and are. And here we encountered a problem. The LZ was a mixture of thick woodland and open grass areas. Insurgents were scattered throughout the area. For all we know, a whole platoon of the bastards could be behind the scattered houses close to the road. So we set off up the hill. Suddenly, we spotted a ghillie suited figure out in the open. Dropping to our bellies, me and TR2 waited before engaging making sure he hadn’t spotted us. After dropping him, we carried on. Until a crack rang out across the valley. Hitting the deck and turning, I looked for my squad mate. I couldn’t see him. Next thing I knew, a sniper round had ripped my head open.

Respawing, I met up with my squad to attempt to retry our clearing op. Before we could continue though, the Venom swooped over our head, obviously on a landing run. I reported the situation into all the fire team commanders and the pilot. “This is Team Razor – The LZ is potentially still hot”. Everyone took it in their stride – there were no cries about Razor’s failure. The first fireteam moved out of the LZ, while the helo returned to bring the second fire team in. Razor met up with the 1st FT before advancing towards a meeting point, near an electrical substation. However, before we could get there fully, the damn snipers opened up on us forcing us to attempt to fight back. Unfortunately, I was trying to spot the snipers and so grabbed a bullet with my forehead. Again, respawn.

Finally, we get to the meeting point. Worryingly, the area was covered in US marine dead. However I managed to meet up with my buddy and we set off to recon the objective. Over the radio we heard the second fireteam had eliminated the motorpool. Some technicals had escaped, but US firepower forced them back. We came close to the village and into a pitched gun battle. At this point, due to a lack of communication, I accidentally shot my team mate, confusing him with the local insurgents scattered amongst the tree. After meeting up again, we reached the south side of the village. The rest of the group was scattered, with fire teams intermixed, but at least we were on top of the objective. After fighting the insurgents out, we captured the centre of the village. Then a radio message appeared.

An armoured column of T-72s tanks and BRDM armoured cars had heard the gun battle and so had come to push us back. Both fireteams grabbed all the AT ammo they good. Most troopers picked up RPGs and disposable AT-4s. Me and TR2 had found ourselves in the possession of a Javelin AT missile and a SMAW, the beefed up tank killing weapons. We sat and waited. Unfortunately, I was killed again by a sniper in the woods. So I had to trek back to the village. Thankfully, a Blackhawk managed to pick me up, meaning less walking time. From it we started to attempt to workout where the enemy armour would arrive from. I exited the vehicle before we spotted them and took up my position in the back garden of a cottage.

The Blackhawk pilot suddenly saw the armour moving along the southern road. Before he could exit the area, a MG burst ripped off the rear rotor, forcing him to crash into the grass near the orginial LZ. This distraction revealed their position. As one, everyone’s AT weapons turned towards the road. They crept over the top of the hill and started towards the village. Our commander was on the radio saying “wait, wait, let them get closer… FIRE”. My Javelin fired and flew towards the lead tank. It hit, lighting it up. Seen as my only round had been fired, I bade a hasty retreat. TR2 attempted to fire at another tank with his SMAW, but was cut down. Intending to administer first aid or at least take the AT weapon, I ran out to him. Realising he was dead, I took the SMAW and turned around. A T-72 had edged round the corner and was rotating its turret. I didn’t even have enough time to aim before it’s main gun ripped me to pieces. When I respawned I was too far away from the fight to be effective. Judging by the leaders chat I could hear, we almost were overrun. But we held off, knocking out all the T-72s. By the time I got the the village, I had picked up an AT-4, hoping to be useful. But the other teams had knocked out all the BRDMs apart from one, whose crew had bailed out. Seen as nearly no one else had an AT device, I asked permission to destroy the last BRDM as it was to damaged to be useful despite our downed pilots best effort. Having been granted permission, I made sure the area was clear. Once it was, I pulled the trigger. The rocket flew and exploded. At first I thought I’d missed. But then a dull crump, followed by and explosion ripped it apart. Mission Accomplished.

(This is the first part of a campaign we are running at TCF with mission being made by Chargat and/or Cheditor. I intend fully to continue relating our tales of military brilliance and incompetence each week)

Original Post at http://hntdaab.co.uk/blog

I love realistic military games (as you might have guessed) and have converted a few people to buying ARMA 2 (see impressions here)

Now if you try to play ARMA 2 like COD or something similar you will die. Very quickly.Instead, you should think of yourself slightly differently. Here’s a few pointers:

1. You are not God. It takes a single bullet to kill you. Now don’t say “headshot kill in one in COD!” to me. In ARMA 2, one shot to a vital organ and you are on the ground, bleeding. A round in the head or lungs, and you can kiss the idea of completing a mission goodbye.
2. Guns are not your friends. In other games, bullets fly exactly where you want them to. In ARMA, bullets act like real bullets. Expect them to drop slightly when fired and at long range be affected by the wind and eventually the coralis effect (ask MacMillian about that)
3. Don’t be a lone wolf. Unless the mission forces you to be, you need to follow your squad leaders commands. Act together with your squad members, and you will be fine. Well fine-ish
4. Be smart not stupid. If your hid behind a wall and thinking of running towards a haystack, think about what you are doing. If there is a MG spraying the wall above you, don’t stand up.
5. Learn how to play before going online. Go messing around in the editor with all the different peices of kit, especially personal weapons. Learn how to shoot assault rifles through iron sights and reflex sights. Also learn how to snipe (its a bit harder than in COD) and use AT weapons to knock out vehicles at 300m. Once this is done, you can easiler jump in a game.
6. Use VOIP. Anyone who has played in clans in COD games will know about how useful this is. ARMA has VOIP built in. Its easier to shout “SNIPER” than to frantically use the crap ARMA interface
7. Lean!!! If your in cover, use the oft-ignored lean keys. Rather than sticking your entire body out, just put your gun out
8. Vehicles without infantry support die. Wait for infantry if in a tank or provide support to the angry houses
9. Read this full guide. Some points are not useful (like those about ACES  2), but most of it is brilliant

I intend to do some more on this guide at some point, but this is a good introduction for anyone coming onto ARMA 2 from other FPS games

Like Armed Assault. But better.

Oh so you want more details, as opposed to a single line? Okay then. ARMA 2 is the sequel to Armed Assault, a milsim released in 2007, which in turn is based upon Operation Flashpoint released in 2001. These games are all very realistic games based off the programs currently being used to train both the US and British militaries. We have mentioned this series previously. Well today my copy of ARMA 2 turned up in the post.

After managing to almost knock myself out with the rest of the post, I rushed back upstairs and ripped it open. First thing that struck me was the weight of the game. Its actually quite heavy due to the extra thick manual. While not to the standard of Civ 4’s table top horror, it is still quite large. And it needs to be. ARMA 2 is still as complex as the other games.

Once its installed (DRM is simply a keycode the way it should be), the game has a lot of content to play with. As well as the free form campaign, there are 9 single missions. And on top of this, there is a quick mission builder and a more in depth full editor. And then there is multiplayer and the Armoury feature. So far, I’ve tried some of the campaign, quite a few quick missions, an  in depth look at the editor and a tiny look online.

First up the campaign. The first mission is pretty good and shows off the rest of the campaign well. The situations are a lot more realistic than those in ARMA and also more realistic than COD 4.  It is a lot more enjoyable than the first campaign. The quick missions now include a new mode called “Combat”. This simply drops you in Chernarus (the setting of the game based on part of the Czech Republic) and then feeds you mission like rescuing downed airman or destroying key targets. Its a nice idea, but it can show up the flaws in AI system. Or more likely you have to run a couple of miles to get to an objective only to find it has been captured by a bunch of local bastards who then proceed to shoot you. However, due to its randomness its a gift that keeps on giving. The full editor has had a few updates but the best thing is the introduction of the “Ambient” game logics. This makes it ridiculously easy to add civilians, animals, parked vehicles and even full blown warfare by adding a single item. Also of interest is how the factions are split up: BLUFOR (US Marine Corp and CDF), OPFOR (Russia and Insurgents) and Independent (Guerrilla). Finally, online. The ideas behind it seem really good and with 50 players it would be brilliant. But there are some flaws. First is the lack of players. Admittedly, I am playing before European and American release dates (its currently only properly released in Germany (the home of insane PC gamers)), bu there are hardly any players. And even worse they are spread out on too many servers leaving most servers lagging out while other lie empty. Also the game is setup so players HAVE to forward ports in order to host. For some people this can’t be done. So no co op for us.

As well as overall changes, there are also some gameplay changes. I’ve talked a lot so I’ll do this quickly. Knee high walls are no longer a threat (you can climb over them), injured soldiers can be dragged out of the way or hoisted over your shoulder and the new control system is much improved. Guns sound better, new units look better (the new independent troops are especially good) and the controls are better.

So far, I’m really enjoying ARMA 2. Its a big improvement over ARMA and I’ll be playing it instead of the original from now on. Review should be coming at some point next week.