This is intended to be a brief set of tips for players who are new to Day of Defeat Source. There are plenty of resources on the internet for those who want more information.
Know the Rules
Read our rules: Game On Net Rules and Day of Defeat Specific Rules
Other Resources
Spectate the good players to see what they do.
Ask in game chat - often you will get help for simple questions.
Our forums - where you are now.
Check the 'manual'. It might not be up to date but it tells you the basics: Day of Defeat Source Manual.
The Steam forums also have more information: Steam Day of Defeat Source Forums
Play nice
Be nice, play the game properly and have fun.
Ignore or report players not being nice,
Try not to hurt your team mates and apologise if you do.
Try not to block the view of snipers and MGs.
Don't be afraid to die
You will probably die a lot at first but you will respawn!
Good players can seem really good - they have practised to get there.
Help your team:
- Capture flags and blow up objectives. If you see someone capping a flag or defusing - help them by making sure they can. The more players who help the less likely the capture will fail if an enemy arrives or kills someone. You cannot win if you don't attack.
- Stop enemy flag captures and defuse bombs - don't be afraid of getting killed - if you are near a capture in progress stop it any way you can. You only have to run in to stop the capture.
- Communicate with your team via mic or chat - ask for help, tell them where the enemy is, warn them about grenades, ask for ammo, coordinate your team and you will win.
- Supply ammo - and request it if you need it. MG's and Rockets often run out of ammo - drop some off for them using 'h' (default).
- Use Smoke appropriately - don't hide the enemy from your snipers and MGs - use smoke grenades to advance on the enemy or to distract their snipers and MGs.
Some gameplay tips
- Sprinting - it tires you out, practice using it in bursts. Sprinting helps you move from cover to cover quickly or run away from danger like grenades. It does not help you travel long distances because when you tire you go much slower - so sprinting from spawn is seldom useful. Stop a moment to rest after sprinting and the sprint bar replenishes.
- Cover - use it, but be aware not all cover can save you - hiding behind a wooden wall is not much use if the enemy knows you are there. Bushes and rubble can hide you - being somewhere unexpected can work just as well.
- Movement - keep moving when you can - don't make yourself easy to shoot, move around between firing. This means dodging around and also changing where you are on the map - if you stay in the same spot all the time expect some grenades.
- Grenades - prime them by pressing and holding fire - this starts the 5 second countdown thus when you finally throw it the enemy has no time to react. Fire rifle grenades into the ground and catch them using 'e' (default) then throw them. Pick live grenades up using 'e' and throw them back at the enemy or away from your allies.
- Sound - stop and listen and you will hear what is going on in the map - especially approaching footsteps - then you can surprise the enemy! You can also differentiate weapon sounds to help you know where the enemy players are.
- Map - use it, you can see where your allies are and where they die - this shows where you might be needed or where there is trouble. Also use it to avoid grenading your allies on FF servers.
- Crouch/Prone - this reduces recoil and make you harder to see but it also makes it harder to dodge or run away. Also useful for taking cover behind smaller areas and for sneaking up on enemies.
Friendly Fire (+FF) Tips
If the server has +FF in the name then it is enabled - this means your weapons can damage your team as well. Type ff in chat to check the server status.
- Don't run in front of firing players on your team - similarly don't set up to cover the only pathway your team can use unless you are going to be careful with your fire.
- Grenades kill everyone - be careful where you throw them and warn your team.
- Apologise for team kills or wounding. - it's a courtesy however it's not a rule that you have to.
- Get in amongst the enemy - use them as cover so they shoot each other.
