ok, sorry :P

@Lol: TL;DR. Post it on a separate thread. :/

finished my guide, i hope you will like it, and please comment! :)

hello dear reader, in this short guide i will explain how to become a master of the game AOS (ace of spades).

index:
1-on the writer
2-guide for the soldier
3-guide for the commander
4-dos and donts

1-on the writter
hi, my web name is LOLingSlayer, and english is not my native language.
i wrote this guide because while playing AOS, i noticed my average kills are about 2.5 per death, and that i got some great tactics for this game, and i want to pass it on.
this guide was written for version 0.54, but i think most of the things here wont change for some time.
this is my first guide, so dont expect the writting style to be that great, but the strategis here are great.
most of these tactics are more (if not only) usefull on custom maps, which are completely flat and the actuall fighting ground is generally smaller.
this guide will cover only a verry small part of the game, but you cant find these tips elsewhere.

2-guide for the soldier/builder
bunkers are a verry controversial concept, there are a few verry common bunkers, like the wall bunker, simple wall with holes in it, building time to profit ratio is verry low for this bunker, there is also the tower bunkers, which are common too but most are not build well and taken down fast.,
thats why i invented my own bunker tactics, and my ones are easy and simple to build, and more importantly, extremely effective, especially if you are thinking about a building time-profit ratio.
the first thing is the bunkers field, which are mostly used for cover untill you reach the front, use them if you dont want to get sniped before getting to the action.

"@"-low priority block
"%"-high priority block

mini bunker:

@@
%%
@%%@

build the "%"s first, and from the shelter they give build the rest, the high blocks are used to give shelter from towers, that can snipe your head if you are hiding behind a 2x2 wall, if they are high enough.
the low blocks on the side are used for cover while shooting, especially for the "horde" that dont build simple covers for themselves and keep their legs uncoverd.
this bunker is best used in big quantities, because of the fast cover and simplicity.
use them like this:

"^"- high part of the mini bunker
"*"- low part of the mini bunker

*^* *^* *^*
*^* *^* *^* *^*
*^* *^* *^*
these forms will let you advance all the way to the front, snipe from the front/start of the field, or make the field bigger verry easily, and most of the time the deuce builders will build more complex bunkers for these foundations.

another type of structure is the good old ambush,when the enemy is retreating from their front, run to one of their bunkers and make yourself a nice ambush point (facing your team's direction, with the back to the bunker).
"_"-the bunker at your back
"!"-the 2 blocks high wall of the bunker
"^"-the roof of the bunker
"*"-the 1 block high cover

__
!^!
!^!
!^*
*
this way the enemy wont see your gun poping out of the bunker, you will be in a constant state of crouching (because of the low ceiling) and you can get to a "shooting mode" where you get just a little big out of the bunker and shoot the enemies from your ambush.

shooting:
when with a semi(semi auto rifle), shoot at the enemies in the water, and aim for their heads, thats because SMGs are terribly weak when aiming at water targets, because its impossible to break their cover like normal targets, and only their head is visible at most times.
when with a SMG (Sub Machine Gun) shoot at the bunkered enemies and and the enemy chargers (also called strafers at some places) dont even try to aim at the half fogged enemies and bunkers, you shots will spread too much to ever hit them, or even break some of their blocks.
when spraying the enemy's bunkers with a SMG, dont spray the whole bunker, focus on some points and destroy some specific blocks first, when you see an enemy, try to break the cover around them.

3- guide for the commander/tactican

the map contains of 5 parts, the heart of your/enemy's bases, the front, and no man's land, which is in the middle of both fronts.

at your base:
favored weapon: semi
clear all buildings and lone blocks, they can all be used by an enemy infiltrator, you can still build 1 central tower or fort, but it should not be too big and all the other covers should still be clear.
maybe you would also want to make your tower really high and big, so in case the enemy breach your front you can take them out easily, but be aware that these towers are time consuming and highly vulnerable to greiffers.
if you decide to make a huge fort or tower, build it at F or C,(depends on team) build it closer to the enemy, and it will be captured or greifed, build it further into you base, and it will just serve as a hideout for intel capers.

at your front:
favored weapon: SMG.
build mini bunkers field if possible, if the conditions dont allow that or your are simply too lazy to do it, use existing bunkers, or charge to no man's land try to infiltrate the enemy or make an ambush build.
use the SMGs tactics recommended above

no man's land:
favored weapon:grenades when close to the enemy.
take this part as a minigame: you have to get as much cover "points" as fast as possible, you can do it in various tactics, from crouching at every wall and planning your path (no recommended, the enemy has really high chances to shoot you down)
to charging forward while hiding behind all the possible covers (without stopping) its really hard to shoot down these kind of runners, because every few seconds you cant see them.
when you reach the enemy, you have 4 choices: ambush, greif the enemy bunkers, try to get the intel, or just charge and try to kill as much unsuspecting deuces as possible.

enemy's front:
favored weapon:SMG.
when greiffing the enemy bunkers, destroy the wall facing your base first, then the sides, and the wall facing the enemy last, so you will have maximum cover.

enemy's base:
favored weapon: semi for open bases, SMG for bases full of hiding places.
this is the motherload, lots of options once you reach the enemy spawn point:

get intel: every player got his own style and it also depends on current situation so im not going to talk about that.

build a small sniping point and kill as much enemies as you want (recommended for semi): try to get inside on of the furthest bunkers, preferably a tower, seal the entrance, and start shooting. never be in front of the window for more then 5 seconds, allways shoot and retreat, shoot and retreat.

4-dos and donts

do:build bunkers
do not:build huge bunkers in the verry front, they will be taken by the enemy or destroyed in no time.

do:use the SMG
do not: use only the SMG, its only good in some points, not every part of the battle.

do: use grenades, they are the most powerfull weapon in the game.
do not: use them the moment you see the enemy, save them for times they would be more useful.

do:use spade, its way faster than the pickaxe.
do not: use SMG for digging tunnels, you will run out of ammo after a few seconds.

do: talk with your team mates, even in battle, you can put a block above your head to keep crouching while talking.
do not:be shy, and talk less if someone tells you to shut up or something.

thanks for reading, please comment.

A lot of information was repeated or could be integrated into another tip.
This wasn't really about being funny though. A lot of people simply do not have any idea whatsoever as to how to play the game properly. People who refuse to do #1 on the list cause a lot of stress to their teammates and pisses everyone off; maybe this could help those who stumble across it. I certainly learned something new while reading this thread.

@VFB1210

Holy shit I am so sick of that. I've even had retarded Deuce builders blocking in the hole repeatedly after I've knocked it open a few times, then they will TK me. Very fucking annoying.

Also; DON'T FUCKING WALK IN FRONT OF A TEAM MATE WHILE THEY ARE SHOOTING AT THE ENEMY!!

This has happened so many freaking times. I'll be sitting a little farther back from the front line (usually on "pinpoint") and off to the side. I'll see some guy out in the water and when I've finally got my sights set on him, some retard will walk right in front of me at the exact same moment that I decide to fire. Of course, if there are other enemies out there, they somehow magically shoot right through my team mate and kill me first (I have no idea how they do this crap, it happens to me all the time).

Sometimes I wish that the ability to TK was universal.

Those were funny... Shoulda left em in.

Just add an asterisk and a side note or something.

^Good deal! But what happened to tips #67-76?

I made a Revised and edited version of this thread in RTF format.
I've removed anything in the first person, retermed "blues" and "greens" to "the enemy" to make the advice more general, removed any repeated advice, and made it easier to read.

Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?upq197tterk7swx

77. If you are a builder, and a sniper is using your under-construction bunker as cover, DON'T. BUILD. IN. FRONT. OF. THEIR. FREAKING. FACE. Leave a window where they're shooting from and fill it in when they're done. Don't block the view of the person <i>who will probably kill the person trying to kill you.</i>

Seriously, if teamkills weren't a conditional thing, I would shoot every builder who does this to me in the face.

76.
ADS with SMG is rubbish. Hipfiring while crouched works better.

@razourik: I prefer the rifle, but the SMG has its merits. It's great against enemy bunkers if you bring someone with a rifle along. The marksman forces the enemy to cover, and you use the opportunity to totally destroy the front of the bunker, giving both yourself and the guy with the rifle easy opportunities to take out the poeple in the bunker.

76: Never use the SMG. Ever. Always use the rifle. Trust me, everytime I try to use the SMG I get my ass kicked because all of the maps are built for more ranged combat. :/

Master tip 75.... If your a blue, live up to your cause of a G Assassin. Flank to green base, flank behind their base. If theres like 20 greens at their base, go commando on their arse!!! Thats my tactic and I am usually the highest killer in the game :).
More details: If you want to be a true G Assassin then that means you don't use cover like a pussycat and you kill every green shit you see on the map (including green blocks) You take the quickest means to the green base even if its the middle bridge that everyone is taking to get across that dastardly river. You kill everything in your way. You tear down enemy structures. You advance. You go straight to the intel, pick it up, stay there for 5 minutes and kill every living green, leave, and click the trigger thats rigged with c4 explosives at the green base, and walk away like a true asswhoppin commando, and make Arnold Schwarzenegger proud.

i started writting a guide for the elite ace of spades soldier/commander/builder
it will contain more complex things then these basics.

Its always good, Kaede. I liked that discussion too.

By the way, sorry if I screwed up your thread's feng-shui by interrupting your guide.

Just 3 more steps to a good winning streak.

Step 8 - Trench and Tunnel Warfare

Trenches and tunnels are widely used in AoS, and you will see a lot of them. A good trench is about, two blocks down into the ground, enough space for you to have your head at ground level and still be able to shoot. Tunnels are hallways for quick and easy passage. The tip here is that you should designate a tunnel and use it quite often, remember where it is. If you have to use a tunnel, make it a great hidden passage.

Step 9 - Voxel Hunting Season

Never be out in the open, it makes you seem like wild game. If you need to go retrieve the intel, get close to enemy lines, or just get to point A - B, crouch behind something along the way. Consider fragmented buildings, stray blocks, and pre-dug trenches as temporary rest stops or safe-havens. Just running straight out to battle is a foolish move and will get you shot. Duck and cover was invented for a reason.

Step 10 - Finish it Off With a Bang

All of these steps will surely help you, as they have helped me numerous times. But the most important one to remember is -
Keep Moving.
Good snipers will remember to kill twice and pick a new spot. They may return later, but never always stay in the same spot. IF you are having a close range firefight, weave and zigzag, throw off your opponent. If you kill a man while venturing forth, keep moving, but maybe pick a new path to your destination (so he doesn't go on the same path after respawn and kill you).

I really hope these tips help, have helped, and will help in the future.
I have gotten an astonishing amount of kills in no time flat because I followed all of these rules.
Thank you.

The only idea I wouldn't mind Ben put in, instead of needed work, would be the famous mine idea.

What bothers me is how he takes the time to respond to ridiculous, impatient threads like this, and won't even comment on some of the better ideas I've seen.

Yes, yes, of course.

With all the people yelling ideas for what they want in, all at once, it makes very little room for Aksoy to get what is truly needed done.

Well, what we should all take care to remember is that this game is still deeply in beta, and being developed (slowly) by one person.

The improvements are going to take awhile.

I agree very much, Kaede.
I think if a lot of things were fixed, it would be an even MORE enjoyable game.
But somethings bug me, so I made these tips to play better with what we have.

Your first point brings up something that has always bugged me. The way you can hear people walk from like, across the map. Kinda silly, if you ask me. I think the noise radius should be reduced.

Step 4 - Bombs Away

I don't really think I need to say much on bombs, because most people use them for destruction. Thats the best thing to do, but if you ever catch your self in a tricky situation, or want to shake things up with a surprise attack, chance yourself with bombs. Even after death, you can kill another player with a thrown grenade, so I wouldn't forget about the bomb's health damaging effects so soon.

Step 5 - Being the Hero

Intel is the ultimate goal in this game. Race to get the enemies intel, race back. All without dying. The thing about it is, you shouldn't just go rushing off into oblivion with high hopes of nabbing the intel, because this seldom works. I've always had a team of people at least backing me up. Snipers watching over, or even fellow troops on your tail. If none of your teammates are willing to go for it, get somebody who is. If your team is off building a fort, surely they can lose a few builders so that they can win. Teamwork is golden.

Step 6 - Can We Fix It?

Builders, as much as you may hate them, are essential. Forts provide good points to shoot from, and nice walls to hide behind. Forts need repairs, and builders have the blocks to do it. Buildings have been target for Griefing. But some don't know what is and what isn't griefing of a building. If you see Someone taking away a few blocks to add something in, it isn't griefing. If someone is demolishing the whole damn structure, it is. Demolishing the structure is only okay if its the enemies', because war is war.

Step 7 - Building and Creating

There is a difference between building to help a team and just jerking around creating something. Big, unusual structures such as 8-bit marios and gigantic words have no place on the battlefield. With this comes an exception, if its not prohibiting you from fighting, or not in the way, let it be okay. Does this mean litter the ground with words and houses and useless stuff, out of the way? No, go fight! Structures that help are always welcome. Just don't overdo it.

I found a few things that always seemed to help me score big in game, and its not all that hard.

Step 1 - Every Step Counts

When on a small map, with gunfire and digging sounds, this doesn't matter. But on a big map, with little to no sounds around you, walking can give you away. I constantly hear the jingly sound of enemies (and my team) walking around a mile away. If you're trying to be stealthy, sacrifice some speed and just crouch while walking. Crouching and zooming in on your gun make NO sound whatsoever when walking. Use that.

Step 2 - No Spray Zone

Any player will tell you this;
If and when using the SMG, remember to always crouch, aim, and fire in short bursts. Going in, rushing around and just spraying your enemies with bullets won't automatically kill them then and there. It leaves you open, unless your close enough for it to work. With you open, they can kill you in a matter of seconds if they're not spraying like you. Take the time and effort to be accurate. It helps.

Step 3 - Snipe Me With a Rifle

If you're in a high place, such as the map "hallway" for example, and you're trying to snipe with an SMG, somethings wrong. SMG is meant for destroying blocks, and close quarters combat. Leave the super range sniping to the guys with rifles. The recoil, and the sheer spray of bullets, just won't kill me as many times as you'd like. If you're lucky, maybe. But Skill > Luck. Use a rifle.

More Steps to come, tell me if it helps. It always helps me.

When i saw BBpress i definately thought i'd have to activate via Wordpress too but it turned out not to matter.

Delete old avatar, upload a new one (change some pixels, upload from desktop)
Make them re-cache your avatar. OR you can add more avatars to your account and over time see if any of them work.

Other than that, if nothing works you might have to look up a support topic some where.

@Exile: I'm only using one email address for my gravatar, and it's the same one I'm using here. The reason I asked is that the forums here are powered by BBPress, an offshoot of Wordpress.

I've tried lots of things, and my forums account is still represented by a bunch of annoyingly pink diamonds, rather than the picture of a Slab6 model of bacon I told gravatar to associate with any accounts made using my sign-up email address.

I've tried activating stuff, I've tried telling the gravatar account to check for other accounts with the same email, and I've checked all the things mentioned by the help pages for gravatar... they're all about as effective as rubber BBs. HOLLOW rubber BBs.

Or, in other words: Help! I r newb @ gravatar use!

There isn't a webadress to activate, 1337101, thats what i was saying. Blogger is account based along with every thing else. I am pretty sure Wordpress is one of the few things that require any sort of URL input and none of them effect AOS.

THE ONLY thing i can imagine is that you need to add some more email accounts to your gravitar, thinking that you might have used the wrong one if you have multiples when you signed up here.

@Exile

I uninstalled it, But I'm going to try again later.

OK, I've asked this several times, and I'll ask it again:

WHICH WEB ADDRESS DO I USE TO ACTIVATE MY AoS FORUMS ACCOUNT?

...allcaps, I know, but I've asked it about five times in normal casing with no answer. Can someone help me out here?