Tribes: Ascend Guide: How to Play and Not Suck at it

Tribes: Ascend is now in open beta. Since the title is going to be F2P (Free to Play) anyway, the only real difference between that and the full release is that there's going to be a data wipe somewhere down the line. Still, it doesn't hurt to know the workings of the game if you plan on spending a lot of time in it. That's what this quick little guide is for: to help keep you from getting blasted to bits repeatedly, and to promote a bit of common sense among the people coming into the game for the first time.

After spending a good amount of time with the game, I put together a few things that should be common practice but people surprisingly don't take to heart. Don't get me wrong, the game is damn fun, but nothing squanders a fun experience more than people that have no idea what they're doing, causing your team to lose horribly. With that in mind, I've listed five points in particular that should really be looked at by new players.

Know Your Class

If there's one thing about class-based FPS games that they all share, it's that having knowledge of your class is probably one of the most important things to have. For example, why would you try to snipe out a level four turret as a Pathfinder when the Juggernaut's weapons can take them down in half the time? or why would you try to capture the flag as a Doombringer when everyone else moves faster than you? Knowing what you're capable of will lead you to performing better overall in matches, and it can even help you live longer.

Know When to Slow Down

I'll be the first to admit that it's a lot of fun to be skiing across the terrain at top speed with enemies trying to shoot at you all the while. It's a huge rush. However, there are also times when you need to just stop where you are and focus on what you're trying to do. For example, if you're trying to shoot a flagrunner and you're moving faster than he is, you're going to end up overshooting your target completely, and he's going to end up placing a shot right in your back. Likewise, if you're trying to get a dropped flag and you're moving faster than a certain blue hedgehog, you're going to wind up missing it because you didn't take the time to aim yourself, which will give the enemy team a chance to pick it up again. Being able to keep moving is crucial to surviving, but knowing when to slow your ass down is just as important.

Repair Your Defenses

On CTF maps, it's especially prevalent to have working defenses to keep those annoying Pathfinders from flying in and grabbing your flag. With everything going on, your turrets, radars, and even your generator are going to be taking a beating. That's why every station is equipped with several repair guns designed for keeping everything in top shape. Technicians actually excel best at this job, but any class can grab a repair gun and get to work. Simply walk up to what you want to fix up, aim at your target, and the gun will take care of the rest. Repairing and upgrading your defenses also nets you extra points, so your efforts won't be going to waste. If you find your team falling behind on flag captures, take a moment to improve your headquarters and be a credit to your team.

Know When to Conserve Your Jet Fuel

Because of the inherent nature of the game, you're going to be tempted to use your jetpack as much as possible. However, there are times when skiing down the hills and waterways can be just as effective in getting you to your destination, especially if you're someone like the Juggernaut, who has a smaller jet intake than other classes. Skiing around can help you save on that crucial energy when you need to take a shot at a fleeing enemy, or trying to make an escape. It also keeps you from being spotted quickly if you're trying to sneak into enemy territory, particularly if you're playing an Infiltrator.

Utilize Training Mode

The developers put it there for a reason. Theirs is literally no excuse for you NOT to spend a few minutes going through the various modes to help improve your game. Whether it's your first time playing FPS games, or you've got some genre experience under your belt, you'll find that popping into Training mode to hone your skills will help you out in the long run, and keep you from getting laughed at when you ask a stupid question.