-SOLDAT- FAQ/Guide Version 1.6 Written by Nathan Mifsud THIS GUIDE IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED. THE LAST ACCURATE VERSION WAS OCTOBER 2005. -------------------------- |- 1. Table of Contents -| [TC001] -------------------------- NOTE: To help you get to what you want quicker, I assigned 5-character codes to each different section, so press CTRL+F and type in the code to skip to that particular section. 1. Table of Contents [TC001] 2. Copyright Information [CI002] 3. Game Overview [GV003] 4. General Play [GP004] 4.1. Controls [C0041] 4.2. Player Commands [PC042] 4.3. Heads Up Display [HUD43] 4.4. Game Options [GS044] 5. Game Modes [GM005] 5.1. Deathmatch [DM051] 5.2. Teammatch [TM052] 5.3. Pointmatch [PM053] 5.4. Rambomatch [RM054] 5.5. Capture the Flag [CTF55] 5.6. Infiltration [I0056] 6. Weapons & Bonuses [WB006] 6.1. Weapons [W0061] 6.2. Bonuses [B0062] 7. General Advice [GA007] 8. Credits [CRE08] 9. Conclusion [CON09] ------------------------------ |- 2. Copyright Information -| [CI002] ------------------------------ This entire file is copyright 2005 Nathan Mifsud. This file may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. ---------------------- |- 3. Game Overview -| [GV003] ---------------------- Soldat is a game for PC that was made by Michal Marcinkowski. It is basically freeware, but you can get minor improvements (such as using your own mp3 music as background music in-game) by paying a small amount to the creator. (I encourage you to do this if you have means available). The game is obtainable by going to the following website: http://www.soldat.pl The game itself is quite unique; it is 2D, using elements from games like Liero, Worms, Counter-Strike and Quake, and the view can best be described as ant-farm like; you look at your character from the side, and the arenas are like a cross-section, thus the need for the jetback, an interesting addition to the game which changes gameplay a fair bit. There are several different modes, such as the normal Deathmatch and Teammatch, but it has other modes like Infiltration and Rambomatch (see below again). You use several different guns, like the famous Desert Eagle and the AK74 (not a typo, the AK74 is a modification of the AK47, look it up). You also have grenades, and nifty bonuses that can change the course of the game. The game can be played against bots, which are fun, but soon you will only have challenges against Hard and "Impossible" difficulties, so if possible try playing over humans over a LAN or the Internet. These are the minimum specifications needed to run Soldat: - PC, with a keyboard and mouse - 333MHz processor - Video accelerator that can run Direct3D - Graphics card compatible with DirectX 8.1 - 32 MB RAM - Some free hard drive space - Sound card - Network card or modem - Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP - Microsoft DirectX 8.1 --------------------- |- 4. General Play -| [GP004] --------------------- --- 4.1. Controls --- [C0041] The following are the default controls of the game, which can be changed by going to the 'PLAYER' tab. A : Run left D : Run right W : Jump S : Crouch Left mouse button : Fire Right mouse button : Fly E : Grenade (you can hold it down to delay throwing) F : Throw away the weapon you're holding X : Go into prone position Q : Switch to secondary weapon R : Reload T : Chat TAB : Activate/deactivate weapons menu while waiting for respawn / : Enter command (see below) F1 : Players list with scores F2 : Player status F3 : Statistics (such as FPS, ping and network bandwith) F4 : Takes a screenshot F5 : Stops/plays music F6 : Previous music track F7 : Next music track F8 : Record/stop demo F9 : Minimize the game F10 : Pause game ESC : Stops the game and shows the game menu Also, you can press ALT and either a, b, c etc. or 1, 2, 3 etc. to 0 to make chat taunts or commands. --- 4.2. Player Commands --- [PC042] These are the player commands that you can enter after pressing [/] but there are many server and client-server commands which you can find detailed on the website. KILL : suicide BRUTALKILL : more bloody suicide SMOKE : player lights a cigar (type again to end it) TABAC : player chews some tobacco TAKEOFF : player takes off his helmet VICTORY : player cheers PAUSE : pauses the game --- 4.3. HUD (Heads Up Display) --- [HUD43] The Heads Up Display consists of 3 basic bars, and usually a few numbers. The health bar is in the bottomleft corner. This is self-explanatory; it decreases upon being hit (or falling long distances if you are in realistic mode, see game options below). It can also be replenished by getting a health bonus (see bonuses section). The middle bar is yellow, and represents the ammunition of the weapon you have. Once you use all your ammo, the bar will slowly refill (or quickly, depending on the weapon) until you can use it again. (However, some guns, like the shotguns, can be shot while reloading). The small gold bar underneath the yellow one is the time interval between shots, but this isn't really needed and you won't end up referring to it often. The green dots to the left of the gold bar are grenades. You may start with some (depending on your settings), but nonetheless you can easily get more by obtaining the grenade bonus (see bonuses section below). The bar on the right is simply jetpack fuel, so save some for a quick getaway, don't waste it. You can use it while the bar is refilling though, it doesn't have to be full. (It is continually slowly refilling). Don't let this information bog you down though; once you get playing it's quite simple. --- 4.4. Game Options --- [GS044] There are many settings/options, and most you can figure out for yourself. (For example, the loop checkbox next to the map menu simply means looping the maps; simple, eh?). Other options are not as obvious. Refer to the section below to find the more complex options. BULLET TIME WHERE: In the settings tab. WHAT: A Matrix-like setting. When ALL players are able to fit on the screen at once (e.g. they are all in close-quarters) then it will slow down and black bars will appear on the top and bottom of the screen, obscuring the HUD and making it film-like. COMMENTS: Nice effect, not needed. Not to mention it rarely happens (especially if you play with 8 people or more). I turned it off. SURVIVAL MODE WHERE: Above the bot list. WHAT: There is no respawning in this mode. After a player is killed he has to wait until there is one man standing or one team left alive and then the round ends and everybody respawns again. Much like Counter-Strike. COMMENTS: This depends on what you like. If you like doing suicide missions, like me, and fast games, like me, don't use this. If you want a longer, possibly more tactical game, try this. REALISTIC MODE WHERE: Above the bot list. WHAT: This mode is a lot harder than you might think. The following things take effect in this mode: - Players have lower health than normal - You get damage for falling - You see only what your player sees, so it's a bit like fog of war. - Weapons have recoil. (After a shot your cursor goes up). - No special bonuses. COMMENTS: I don't play this mode against bots because they aren't very good, but if you get a chance to play online or across a network, give it a try. ADVANCE MODE WHERE: Above the bot list. WHAT: You cannot use primary weapons until you have a certain amount of kills using your secondary weapon. (Change the advance amount). COMMENTS: This is OK, probably only use it against human players, otherwise you can easily chainsaw your way to a primary weapon. ------------------- |- 5. Game Modes -| [GM005] ------------------- --- 5.1. Deathmatch --- [DM051] AIM: Get the set amount of kills before anyone else. COMMENTS: My favourite match when playing bots, this is a quick match in most cases and you can get used to the maps by playing several deathmatches on a loop system. --- 5.2. Teammatch --- [TM052] AIM: Get the set amount of points (combined team effort) before any other team. COMMENTS: Another good match, especially when playing friends. Also, if the bots are getting a bit easy for you, try making them all go against you! --- 5.3. Pointmatch --- [PM053] AIM: Get the set amount of points before anyone else. While holding the flag, you get double points (i.e. 2 points for a kill), but you can also get massive amounts of point based on a multiplier; e.g. a double kill gets you double points, triple kill gets you 4 times as many points, and so on up to 6 kills in a row getting you 64 points!! COMMENTS: Although not my favourite type of game, if you find yourself getting lots of multiple kills this mode may be the one for you. --- 5.4. Rambomatch --- [RM054] AIM: Get the set amount of points before anyone else, but only the person holding John Rambo's bow get points for kills. COMMENTS: The bow is extremely good, so if you get it expect to be hunted! See the weapons section for more information. When playing on the internet, Rambomatch can be a lot more challenging. Some people just use the Barret to kill someone as soon as they pick up the flag (and they get a point for these types of kills). One way to prevent this is to shoot they back and then pick it up, but I let you find a way to deal with it. Another strategy that is useful is always using a knife as a secondary weapon in these matches, as you need to throw your weapons to pick up the bow, and remember that knives can be one-hit kills when thrown! --- 5.5. Capture the Flag --- [CTF55] AIM: Capture the other teams flag and bring it back to your base. COMMENTS: This is a fun, team effort, as the other team will be going for the flag held at your base while you are getting theirs, which means you may want to assign people to defend the flag. This is the most played type of game on the internet, and you'll find there are several strategies depending on which map you are on. --- 5.6. Infiltration --- [I0056] AIM: [Alpha Team] To capture the black flag held in the other teams base and bring it back to the white flag held at your base. [Beta Team] Protect the black flag; prevent the Alpha team from getting it back. COMMENTS: Another fun match, though not so much so with the bots, who are extremely dum on certain maps. If you are the Alpha team, teamwork is the key. The Beta team also needs teamwork, but doing things like positioning a team member near the white flag (to kill any Alpha members that might get the black flag close to their base) can make a difference. -------------------------- |- 6. Weapons & Bonuses -| [WB006] -------------------------- --- 6.1. Weapons --- [W0061] There are a fair number of different weapons in the game, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. I will try to give them in the section below. PRIMARY WEAPONS // Desert Eagles RELOAD TIME: 1.5 sec CAPACITY: 7 SHOTS/SECOND: 3 COMMENTS: One of my personal favourite weapons, these only need 2-4 shots to kill someone, and they reload pretty fast. On maps with a lot of ground and not much jet boost, I combine this with a chainsaw and get plenty of multikills. // HK MP5 RELOAD TIME: 1.75 sec CAPACITY: 30 SHOTS/SECOND: 10 COMMENTS: My favourite submachine-gun in the game, this baby is very fast, and has a pretty good reloading time to boot. I generally run in blazing and then fly while it's reloading so I can shoot again when I land. If you are playing a game with less than 6 people, you might find short bursts work better. // AK-74 RELOAD TIME: 2.5 sec CAPACITY: 40 SHOTS/SECOND: 6 COMMENTS: I don't like this gun very much, as it has a slow firing rate and a long reloading time. It's roughly a third more powerful than the HK though, so if you are quite accurate it can be deadly in most situations, considering it has a large clip. // Steyr AUG RELOAD TIME: 1.91 sec CAPACITY: 30 SHOTS/SECOND: 9 COMMENTS: Not bad, but there isn't much reason to choose this over the HK. It is quite a lot faster, but that means the clip is chewed up quicker and this gun has a longer reloading time. It isn't even as powerful as the HK. I find myself using it more in Rambomatches though because it is slightly more accurate. // Spas-12 RELOAD TIME: 2.91 CAPACITY: 7 SHOTS/SECOND: 2 COMMENTS: Another really good gun. It is powerful, and though slow, it gives time for you to line up the next shot. You can also shoot while reloading. Probably the best gun in close range, even with a 7-bullet clip, because it only takes 2 or 3 shots to take someone down with this thing. // Ruger-77 RELOAD TIME: 1.25 sec CAPACITY: 4 SHOTS/SECOND: 2 COMMENTS: A good rifle, which is extremely powerful (almost 4 times that of the submachine-guns). It is also faster than any of the aforementioned; so it is a good choice for a crack shot. Useful in Deathmatches and Rambomatches, but in Capture the Flag with a lot of people consider something else. // M79 RELOAD TIME: 3 sec CAPACITY: 1 SHOTS/SECOND: 1 per 3 seconds COMMENTS: Ah, the famous grenade-launcher of the Vietnam War. Bots abuse this gun like crazy, and with over 100 times the power of the submachine-guns, why wouldn't they? If you are on the receiving end of this, make sure you abuse the long reload time, because you probably will only get one chance to live. In various Capture the Flag matches, people use the power to their advantage to get to otherwise impossible to reach places. Jump or jet into the air and before you hit the ground shoot directly below you and you will shoot off into the air. It takes out health though, but with practice this won't be much of a problem. // Barret M82A1 RELOAD TIME: 5 sec CAPACITY: 10 SHOTS/SECOND: 1 per 4 seconds COMMENTS: This sniper rifle can pierce armour tanks. Most "noobies" are accused of abusing this weapon, but if you don't camp (ie. stay in one place hidden and try to pick people off) most people won't mind. It's a one-hit kill, so use that to your advantage and give yourself time to line the shot up. To gain better accuracy, crouch or go prone. // M249/FN Minimi RELOAD TIME: 4.16 sec CAPACITY: 50 SHOTS/SECOND: 7 COMMENTS: A solid machinegun, but because of its start-up time you should press fire just before you go into battle. Also, be careful to be out of the way while reloading. // XM214 Minigun RELOAD TIME: 6 sec CAPACITY: 100 SHOTS/SECOND: 15 COMMENTS: Normally mounted on helicopters, the rate this thing burns out bullets shows. Once again, be wary (or take advantage) of the start-up time on this, which is 0.83 seconds. If you don't care about dying, I find you can just run in blazing, get a few kills, and someone conveniently saves reload time by killing you. SECONDARY WEAPONS // USSOCOM RELOAD TIME: 1.08 CAPACITY: 12 SHOTS/SECOND: 5 COMMENTS: Good clip with powerful bullets, though it comes with a slow firing rate. Not bad, but not the best. // Combat Knife RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: One hit kill. Best used when in Predator mode (see below). Use the throw weapon button to get a (usually) one-hit kill. // M72 LAW RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: Fires a missile, which explodes on impact. Although amazingly powerful, not recommended because of slow reload and start-up times. Use crouch or prone to fire it. // Chainsaw RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: Awesome weapon, my favourite secondary. An almost instant kill if you run someone through with it. On some maps I combine it with the Desert Pistols to great effect - fire a few times to weaken them as you're running in, and finish them with the chainsaw! SPECIAL WEAPONS // Rambo Bow RELOAD TIME: 0.41 sec CAPACITY: 1 SHOTS/SECOND: 2-6 COMMENTS: Almost as powerful as the sniper rifle, but capable of chewing out shots in less than a quarter of the time, this thing is dangerous. Press the change weapon key to get exploding arrows. NOTE: Only available in Rambomatches. // Flamethrower RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: This obviously sets other players on fire, so they usually die even after they kill you. NOTE: Only available through a bonus. OTHER WEAPONS // Fists RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: Only use as a last resort. You will sometimes find you kill people with this even when you still have weapons - I think it reverts to it automatically if you are close enough. // Fragmentation Grenades RELOAD TIME: - CAPACITY: - SHOTS/SECOND: - COMMENTS: These are the normal grenades you start with, and they can be deadly. If you know you are going to lose, maybe throw a grenade before you die and get a kill or two. --- 6.2. Bonuses --- [B0062] There are several different types of bonuses, and most are very helpful. To use them, simply run over them. // Medipack DESCRIPTION: White box with a red cross. EFFECT: Restores you back to full health. COMMENTS: If you see one of these in the midst of battle, try charging through on a suicide mission, and end up picking this up on the way, leaving you in a much better position than the people remaining. // Bulletproof Vest DESCRIPTION: Brown box with dark blue circle-like shape on it. EFFECT: Acts as a sort of second health bar, which is used quickly but can make a big difference. COMMENTS: Better than a poke with a rusty nail to be sure. // Grenades DESCRIPTION: Green box with a grenade shape on it. EFFECT: It contains the maximum amount of grenades you are allowed to carry. COMMENTS: These are abundant so don't be afraid to use all your grenades. // Cluster Grenades DESCRIPTION: Yellow box with yellow grenade shape on it. EFFECT: A cluster means 3 grenades, which release shrapnel upon impact. COMMENTS: Make sure you don't throw these right in front of you, or chances are your neck will enjoy a pleasant breeze shortly thereafter. I suggest throwing them off the side of a landmass, into the (somewhat) innocent people below. // Predator DESCRIPTION: Blue box with a silver shape on it. EFFECT: Lasts for 25 seconds. You are invisible until hit by a stray bullet, and become transparent if you fire or fly too much. Your gun will also be silenced. COMMENTS: A blessing in Capture the Flag, but good in other modes too, especially when it is only one person you are trying to do in! // Beserker DESCRIPTION: Dark red box with a red shape on it. EFFECT: Makes your weapons four times as strong for 15 seconds. COMMENTS: One word: AWESOME! This bonus is crazy, especially if you have a shotgun or submachine-gun handy (as you almost always should). Let loose and kill your enemies in one or two shots!! // Flame God DESCRIPTION: Brown box with yellow flame on it. EFFECT: You become invincible for 15 seconds, and get to wield the awesome flamethrower! COMMENTS: Throw yourself into the battle without risk! You can rack up multikills in a matter of seconds with this bonus. ----------------------- |- 7. General Advice -| [GA007] ----------------------- - Try to fall into battles when possible, and shoot as you come down. Useful when you have a machine gun. - Reload as often as possible, especially when no-one as there, because you will be ready for a fight. - Watch out for grenades, bots (and humans for that matter) often throw these before you kill them. - Use terrain as cover, and when against humans, prone/crouch often so they can't see you as well. - Get used to a few different weapons. I recommend getting used to a submachine-gun, a shotgun, and the chainsaw. Learning to use the rifle when in harder games is good too. ---------------- |- 8. Credits -| [CRE08] ---------------- Thanks to Michal for making such an addictive game, thanks to GameFAQs for hosting this guide, and credits to the Soldat Manual, which gave me weapon statistics. ------------------- |- 9. Conclusion -| [CON09] ------------------- This guide is no longer being edited, and I have no desire to update it so my email is no longer available on this guide.