Guide:Shad0wBlade's Beginner Guide to Combat Arms

Introduction
If you are new to Combat Arms and are a little intimidated, this guide is designed to help you find your bearings. If you are a seasoned veteran, stop reading this.

We are going to assume a few things:


 * You've already downloaded and installed the game.
 * You understand gaming terminology (particularly that of First-Person Shooters)
 * You understand that it is okay to be newbie when you first start out. Everyone started as a noob at one point in their gaming career.

Where to play
When you're just starting out, it is HIGHLY recommended you play in the server specifically designated for newbie players. This server has a rank cap of Private, so only low lever players can play here. That way, you're not getting destroyed by a Captain and the like. This is a good place to experiment.

What to play
It is probably a good idea to just play Elimination first. You'll have infinite respawns and you won't have to worry about too many tactical things (like for Capture the Flag or Search and Destroy). Fairly small maps are good for beginners because they have simple, straight-forward layouts (ex. Junk Flea, Cold Seed, Death Room). Once you feel comfortable, try out some other modes.

What weapons to get
Your default weapon is a M16A4 assault rifle. Not very powerful, mediocre stats. You'll probably want to get a better weapon. However, if you manage to become skilled at wielding the M16, you should be able use any other weapon well. (Note: the M16 has one of the highest headshot ratios in the game, this is a good weapon if you want to practice getting headshots).

Newbie players should experiment to determine what weapon fits their playing style. Everyone plays differently. Experiment with assault rifles first because you will probably be using these weapons about 80% of the time. Every assault rifle has its own strengths and weaknesses. Picking up other people's weapons and trying them out is a good way to learn what guns work for you. An added benefit of having one favorite assault rifle is saving GP because you will not have to waste money on other guns. Recommended assault rifles: M4A1, MK16 SCAR-L, G36E, K2

After you have determined a favorite assault rifle, you can start experimenting with other classes of weapons. Submachine guns are an easy class to tryout (and are the second most popular class). Their portability allows for increased mobility (at the cost of some power). These are effective for close-quarter scenarios and scenarios in which speed is important. The hardest class to use are the Sniper Rifles, as longer-range engagements take a little more skill.