Help me steady my aiming mouse cursor

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T2A`

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Jan 10, 2004
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20" Samsung 206BW LCD panel.

Certainly not ideal for a gaming monitor, but my desk is far too small for a CRT. I did, however, go back to VGA input vs. DVI so that I could run it at 75 Hz instead of merely 60 at some resolutions. This helps alleviate the LCD image blur quite noticeably.
 

jackstere

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Sep 2, 2008
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Might try that myself. What is max res. on VGA? Do people stil buy CRTs? Regarding FOV do people thought to be good use binds that shift their FOV for some weapons?
 
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T2A`

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Jan 10, 2004
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Nope. One sensitivity, one FOV. That's not to say that there are no good players that do otherwise, but they're the exception.

I dunno what the max resolution is. I can run 1680x1050 just fine, but not at 75 Hz. For that I have to bump it down to 1280x960 (I think).

I'd be using a CRT for gaming if I had the space. The smoothness of 120 Hz @ 800x600 is ridiculously good. I have a 20" CRT taking up a huge chunk of floor space in my closet, but my desk is simply too small for it. I got it for $10 used through Craigslist.
 

jackstere

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I think there are now LCD's that run at 120Hz. I should have waited a bit longer for my last purchase. Can't seem to bring myself to switching from DVI. Too stunning a picture.
 
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JohnDoe641

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hehe

Well let me just say that I've gotten to the point where I just play and never worry about my settings. I never adjusted my dpi when I got my DeathAdder, changed my mouse sens in UT3 twice in the demo and used those settings through now, and I really haven't needed to do anything else. In the past I was really into tweaking it but I don't see at as worth the time or effort anymore. It didn't really pay off then for me and it doubtfully would pay off now. I just get in, charge, and try to frag as much as I can. :D

Well I did before that exploit made all the servers die. D:
 

jackstere

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Well I did before that exploit made all the servers die. D:

Huh? What happened exactly?

Well let me just say that I've gotten to the point where I just play and never worry about my settings. I never adjusted my dpi when I got my DeathAdder, changed my mouse sens in UT3 twice in the demo and used those settings through now, and I really haven't needed to do anything else. In the past I was really into tweaking it but I don't see at as worth the time or effort anymore. It didn't really pay off then for me and it doubtfully would pay off now. I just get in, charge, and try to frag as much as I can.

Well I guess since you've been doing computer shooters and have greater computer and finger movement skills than this 46 year old fart you can do that. I must at least try tinkering with the settings or hardware or both before probably and inevitably coming to the same conclusions that you and T2A already have. For now indulge my fantasies and I won't forget to thank all of you here for what help and advice you have already given. You all are credits to the gaming community and who knows at some point in the near future I might actually PLAY in an online match...
 

T2A`

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I'd venture most people who give a poop go through a tweaker phase. I'm sure even DP did even though he will never admit it.

The issue, however, is that no amount of tweaking and hardware upgrades will make you better. It may eliminate issues that make improving more difficult (low framerates, inaccurate mouse, etc.), but they won't turn a bad player into a good player.

The only thing that does that is practice and a keen awareness on what needs improvement. Most people don't practice, however, and instead merely play. And then whine when they don't get better.

That said, I never practiced too hard, which is why I only ever got decent instead of good. It was enough to be top five at FragBU, but in the grand scheme of things I was nothing. :)
 
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jackstere

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Sep 2, 2008
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The issue, however, is that no amount of tweaking and hardware upgrades will make you better. It may eliminate issues that make improving more difficult (low framerates, inaccurate mouse, etc.), but they won't turn a bad player into a good player.

Agreed. I'm just trying to eliminate the hardware issues first and have decently playable settings.

The only thing that does that is practice and a keen awareness on what needs improvement. Most people don't practice, however, and instead merely play. And then whine when they don't get better.

Quite so. I have still many weaknesses--difficulty doing shock combos with any speed or even simple wall dodges--and don't relish the prospect of practicing online against human opponents likely as not to make me practice target. Any links to good user created practice target maps or mods?
 

jackstere

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Sep 2, 2008
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Oh yeah. Seem to recall visiting this site a while back before my hard drive was wrecked with a virus. Will certainly download what looks interesting...uhh...oops...everything but those character models that is. Nice to see there are actually women involved in FPS gaming too. I have noticed many male players taking female avatars but I had assumed that was because they seem to do those funky little flips when you double jump with them. Thanks IK.
 

T2A`

I'm dead.
Jan 10, 2004
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Richmond, VA
JD's over UT2004's pew-pew weapon imbalance. No one's playing UT3, though. :p

Target practice mutators might help gain control of your mouse, but in the end that kind of predictability won't help you online, so don't expect vast improvements in your ability. It's a good start but nothing more.

With a game like UT2004, getting raged online is pretty much the only option if you honestly want to improve. The game is simply too difficult (like other arena shooters) for anything else to be effective. However, going 0 - 54 teaches you nothing, so you've got to find people around your skill level.

I used to run laps around Rankin before a 1v1 doing shock combos at key locations. Might help you get a grasp on their mechanics. When I get home I'll see if I can stop being lazy for 20 minutes and record a quick video of a lap. That said, the best way to learn combos is to do a bunch and then start to apply them into your play. The 'allammo' code for offline helps.

Again, bots won't help here, as they have "auto-dodge" built in. It's part of what makes them completely unrealistic -- if they're focused on you, not preoccupied with something else (like grabbing a pickup), and you shoot a projectile, they will instantly auto-dodge out of the way without any reaction time. It's pretty pathetic, and it tends to give you the idea that combos, rockets, and flak are less effective than they are. Bad programming for the lose. :(
 

JohnDoe641

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With a game like UT2004, getting raged online is pretty much the only option if you honestly want to improve. The game is simply too difficult (like other arena shooters) for anything else to be effective. However, going 0 - 54 teaches you nothing, so you've got to find people around your skill level.
Well after that I did show him a lot of moves on the maps like Ant. We practiced the shortcuts and general slope dodges and he was getting the hang of it. Hopefully he's kept that up and has a good grasp on some of the advanced moves on the stock maps. :tup:
 

JimBodkins

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Apr 10, 2004
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When - in the past - I was more 'sniper' oriented (aim) than melee (twitch) - I would keep mouse resolution high while keeping speed low on a cloth (my choice was the Allsop blue rain drop pad) mouse pad.

This killed aim jitter for me.

Depending on the game, fast turns can be made with keybinds. (Turn)

When not in sniper/aim mode, fast settings with a hard slick surface is my choice.