|
|
Generally there are few
or no rules for DeathMatch (DM) play; it is a melee of all weapons
where combatants move about a map collecting weapons, mana, and
shrines to survive, and killing any and all opponents.
However, most honorable players do play by some rules of thumb:
Repeatedly telefragging, or egging a player then ringing them to
death is considered cheap and lame play.
Fragging a player who's facing a wall and typing is also
considered cheap and lame. This is called a "type kill".
Repeatedly attacking a newly spawned player is also frowned upon
(however in a crowded map, it's not always easy to tell who is
newly spawned in, and who has used a teleporter). In this case
most players adopt the "if it moves, kill it" policy. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
A DM map can contain some
or all of the weapons offered by the game. Most maps try to
balance them out to make play fair and enjoyable for all on the
map, however some maps are more geared towards the experienced
player. With some time -- and a lot deaths 
-- you'll be able to tell the difference quite rapidly. 
The list of weapons available in a DM map are: |
| |
|
|
 A truly deadly weapon in
the right hands, slicing through armor and limbs. However to the
inexperienced it's most likely to be instant death for the
wielder.
Strengths: When used in conjunction with the Tome
of Power (called "tomed") the blade staff can do massive amounts of
damage, lopping off an opponents head for an instant kill. It also
does not require any mana or ammo to use, and is always available
to you. This is also the only weapon in the game that benefits
from using the Tome more than once, going from blue (ice) blade to
flame on the second use.
Weaknesses: The blade staff is not a projectile weapon and the
wielder must be in extremely close range to inflict any damage
with it. |
| |
|
|
A projectile weapon that
does no damage to the user and uses minimal offensive (green) mana.
When tomed it can be deadly if the opponent is already low on
health, but generally is considered a weak weapon by most.
Strengths: It will fire over a long distance in a relatively small
amount of time, and can never run out of mana.
Weaknesses: This weapon does not do much damage and requires many
shots to get a kill if your opponent has a fair amount of health
or armor. It can also be repelled easily with the Ring
of Repulsion. |
| |
|
|
 When untomed it shoots a
rapid succession of projectiles at an opponent, which can be
deadly if kept up. Tomed it shoots a beam of projectiles at an
opponent (good with auto-aiming) and is quite lethal even in small
doses.
Strengths: Fires rapidly and covers long distances nearly
instantly when tomed, doing large amounts of damage.
Weaknesses: Still requires a good amount of aim and time to kill a
well-prepared opponent, and some of the projectiles can be
repelled with the Ring of Repulsion. |
| |
|
|
 Untomed it fires a spread
of projectiles in front of the attacker doing a decent amount of
damage. Tomed it becomes very deadly if you hit an opponent with
it.
Strengths: Spreads out covering a larger area, and when tomed does
a good amount of damage to an opponent.
Weaknesses: When tomed it can be repelled with the Ring
of Repulsion. Requires green offensive mana to use. |
| |
|
|
 A projectile weapon
firing an arrow which releases a storm cloud when it strikes
something, doing damage to anyone accept the person who fired it.
When tomed the cloud does larger amounts of damage.
Strengths: A good long-range weapon and great for covering your
escape when being chased by an attacker. Also good for firing into
small rooms to shower an opponent who is not in sight.
Weaknesses: When untomed the damage done is not very significant
unless a direct hit is scored with the arrow, and the arrows can
be repelled back at you with the Ring
of Repulsion. |
| |
|
|
 A spell which releases a
wave of fire in front of the user. Used with the Tome
of Power the wall becomes
much hotter doing massive amounts of damage and burning an
opponent even after it has gone by.
Strengths: A very powerful weapon covering a large area in front
of the user. Tomed it burns hotter and longer and is great for
blinding an opponent to your exact location.
Weaknesses: When untomed the Firewall is not very large and is
easily avoided by jumping or ducking. It also has a limited range
of effectiveness, burning itself out after a short distance. Requires
green offensive mana to use. |
| |
|
|
 An extremely
powerful projectile weapon that fires a blazing arrow that
explodes when it hits something. When tomed the damage is still
large and spreads to a much larger area. (This is known as
"splash damage".)
Strengths: This is often a one shot one kill weapon unless an
opponent is heavily armored and at full health. When tomed one hit
will easily annihilate an opponent with silver armor and full
health. Also good for long ranges.
Weaknesses: This is the only weapon in the game which will
do damage to the player who uses it. If fired too close to
yourself, the splash damage will do large amounts of damage to the
user. It is also repelled by the Ring
of Repulsion. |
| |
|
|
 A magic ball projected at
an attacker. When it strikes something it expands in all
directions (even thru walls) to deliver large amounts of damage to
whomever it touches except the person who fired it. When tomed it fires long streams spreading out left and right
and covering vast areas.
Strengths: A good long distance weapon, especially when tomed. Untomed
it is good for hitting targets on the other side of walls, floors,
and ceilings. Tomed it covers a huge area and can take out many
opponents at once.
Weaknesses: Can be repelled when untomed with the Ring
of Repulsion albeit only before it has struck something and has started expanding. Requires green
offensive mana to use. |
| |
|
|
 Untomed it fires an
instant-hit projectile which expands in all directions when it
strikes something. When tomed it launches huge mace balls which
will instantly kill any player they come in contact with except
the person who fired it.
Strengths: When fired at an attacker that is moving towards you it
does huge amounts of damage when untomed. When tomed it's an
instant kill weapon when it hits an opponent. The large mace balls
bounce off of walls and floors and ceilings making it difficult to
determine where it will end up.
Weaknesses: Untomed it is extremely difficult to aim effectively
(auto-aim does not seem to work with this weapon). When it's tomed
and the balls strike a player with the Teleport spell
he will automatically teleport to safety (assuming he has enough mana
to cast the spell). The tomed mace balls move relatively slow and are
usually easily dodged unless it strikes something which bounces it
in an unusual direction. Requires large amounts of green offensive
mana to use. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
There are several
defensive spells which can also be available on a DM map. Most of
these spells are used to protect a player from an attack, however
a few can also kill or damage an opponent directly. All require
blue defensive mana to use although the amount varies for each
spell.
The defensive spells available are: |
| |
|
|
 A defensive spell you
always carry, the Tome is used to increase the power of whatever
weapon you are currently using. This effect causes all weapons to
deal more damage for as long as the spell lasts. See each
individual weapon for details.
Strengths: Increased damage to all
weapons. This can often mean the difference between killing your
opponent with one hit or multiple times.
Weaknesses: Uses up large amounts of
blue mana, a little over half a full supply. |
| |
|
|
 When used this spell will
teleport you to a random spawn point in the map.
Strengths: Great for escaping when you are near death or have
newly spawned into a map and don't have a good weapon or armor.
Offers automatic protection from the tomed Iron
Doom by teleporting you to safety when struck (if you have
enough mana to cast Teleport).
Weaknesses: If another player is killed, or uses the teleport
right after you do, there is a good possibility he will teleport
into the same spot as you are, instantly killing you. This is
known as a telefrag. |
| |
|
|
 This spell will leave a
stationary whirlwind behind you that deflect away anyone who come
into contact with it.
Strengths: This spell is excellent for deterring an attacker that
is chasing you. It will hurl them back away from you if they run
into it and also does damage to their armor and health. It is also
good for dropping on weapon locations to keep opponents from
grabbing powerful weapons.
Weaknesses: It does not stop an attacker from shooting at you and
if there is enough space he can avoid the trap altogether. |
| |
|
|
 This spell creates a field
of electricity around you which will strike out and damage anyone
who comes in close by.
Strengths: Great for use against an attacker who's using a blade
staff, or in narrow corridors when someone might try to go by
you.
Weaknesses: Fairly short range and it will not stop a weapon from
hitting you. If a player keeps a safe distance it will have no
effect. It also makes you very easy to spot so you can
forget about hiding or sneaking up on someone. |
| |
|
|
 This spell conjures four
(possibly less, depending on how much blue mana you have) meteors
that circle you for the duration of the spell. These meteors will
seek out nearby opponents and do damage to them, exploding on
impact.
Strengths: They are self-guiding, so no aim is required. Better
still they don't hinder your ability to see.
Weaknesses: If an attacker is nearly invisible (via the Ghost
shrine) the meteors will not see them, even if they are standing
right beside you. They only move in a straight line, so once
launched the meteors will not strike their target if the attacker
takes evasive action. As with the Lightning
Shield you will find it difficult to hide from enemies when
this spell is activated. |
| |
|
|
 The Ring sends out a
circular wave for a short distance that will repel most projectile
weapons and bounce them back away from you. It also will also
repel another player who is too close to you and shove them back.
Strengths: Excellent for surviving encounters when you are under-armed
or lack armor or health. Any projectile that is repelled in this
way effectively becomes your weapon so that anyone killed by it
gains you the frag. An excellent defense against someone whose
attacking you with a blade by knocking
them out of reach and perfect for deflecting nasty Phoenix
arrows.
Weaknesses: Excellent timing is required to use this spell
effectively against incoming projectiles. Not all projectiles are
repelled. If a projectile is repelled into a nearby wall or floor
or ceiling the resulting splash may sometimes damage you. |
| |
|
|
 Launches a magic egg in
all directions which will turn an opponent into a chicken on a
successful hit.
Strengths: Great for reducing a well-armored healthy opponent into
a small chicken with 1 health point left.
Weaknesses: Can be repelled back at you with the Ring
of Repulsion causing you to become a chicken instead.
There is a small chance it will turn your supposed victim into a super
chicken which is nearly indestructible and can kill with one
peck of its beak!  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know the map you are
playing. Knowing the environment and item placement of a map is
crucial to survival. Many players learn routes that will get them
to their weapon of choice, defensive
spells, armor and shrines in
the shortest amount of time.
Always keep track of your resources. There is nothing worse than
having someone fire a tomed Phoenix Bow at you and trying to use a
defensive spell that you don't currently possess. DM is generally
fast paced; forgetting which spells you have or how much mana,
health, or armor you possess can be deadly in a match.
Know your weapons and spells. Watch the good players and see what
weapons and spells they use to stop you from killing them. Be
ready with your spells and know what each of them is good for so
that you can mount an adequate defense. Staying alive is half the
battle!
Experiment with .cfg files. Many players have several configuration
files for each type of game play, each is designed to allow them
to do the most in the shortest amount of time. Having weapons,
spells and special movements bound to quick access keys can mean
the difference between getting a frag and being one. See Related
Links at the bottom of the page for relevant sites of
information.
Stay alert. By listening the sounds of the game or the visual
effects of some spells and weapons, you can tell where opponents
are or what spells or weapons you might need before encountering
the opponent. Having that extra second or so to change weapons or
choose your spells can make a big difference.
Never stand still. DM is a fast paced game. Standing still when
attacking, defending or looking around a map can easily get you
fragged. It's always best to keep moving so your attackers have a
harder time aiming or hitting you with weapons or spells. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
The reflection shrine is commonly misconceived to be a shrine of
invulnerability. The reflection shrine works much the same way as the
Ring of Repulsion: some spells will be bounced or
reflected and some won't. Reflection does render certain weapons useless during it's time of
activity such as Fireballs, the Hellstaff,
Thunder Blast, the Storm Bow (if directly
hit; splash damage still does damage), Firewall,
the Phoenix Bow (if directly hit; splash damage still does damage), the
Sphere of Annihilation (untomed, if
directly hit; splash damage still hurts you) and the tomed Iron Doom
(untomed still does damage regardless of reflection).
The Ring of Reflection is excellent for stopping projectile
attacks or knocking opponents off of ledges, into teleporters, or into the range of one
of your weapons. It is not uncommon for an agile attacker to get close to you
with a blade and cause you to fire a Phoenix
arrow too close to yourself -- making it difficult to aim --
and using the Ring to push an attacker back is
a great method for moving them into a better position to attack them.
As stated above, the Ring requires excellent timing to use effectively because
it extends only a short distance away from you. Lag (and packet
loss) can have a very detrimental effect on using it, making it almost
worthless.
Gold armor can act the same as reflection if hit directly, many weapons will
bounce or disintegrate when they strike gold armor in the chest --
causing no damage -- or bouncing that weapon back at the person who fired it.
The untomed Iron Doom is an extremely deadly weapon when fired at someone who
is moving towards you; the damage done is increased drastically! If you find
yourself facing an attacker who's shooting at you with an untomed Doom
there are a few tricks to help you survive. Move sideways or backwards from
them -- minimizing the amount of damage that they can inflict on
you -- run away as fast as you can, teleport out of the area or
simply kill him before he kills you. |
|
