Know Your Role
After spending a few months working on the guide for Ghost Recon Future Soldier, I stepped away to focus on another project. Now with that project behind me, and some free time on my hands, I find myself lured back to Future Solider. Even though I’ve played through the campaign several times, I can’t seem to get enough. There’s something viscerally satisfying about setting up the perfect sync-shot with your teammates. The unique weapon and tactical challenges are also remarkably addictive.
Cover is critical!
Take cover behind solid objects constructed from metal or concrete. Sturdy objects are more likely to stop incoming rounds than those constructed from wood or lighter materials.
Prior to release, my experience with the game’s multiplayer offerings were limited, consisting mostly of participating in the Beta and some developer test sessions. Still, I thought my pre-release experience and knowledge of the game would be enough to hold my own in a public match. Boy, was I wrong. While I was fortunate enough to join a competent team, my individual performance was pathetic. No matter how comfortable I am playing the campaign, the adversarial multiplayer modes are a completely different animal. Most notable is the intense pacing, often requiring your team (and squad) to work together in a variety of attack/defend oriented game modes.
As a newbie, I didn’t have access to all the cool weapon attachments and gadgets deployed by my higher ranking teammates and opponents. But after a few rounds, I slowly gained XP, earning new gear and credits with which I was able to purchase some upgrades for my Engineer. Little by little, I became more of an asset than a liability. Like any multiplayer game, it takes some time to find your groove in Future Soldier’s multiplayer game modes. Much of this comes down to choosing the class which best reflects your overall style of play. There are three classes to choose from Rifleman, Scout, and Engineer.
Always open fire from a covered position.
This makes you a smaller target, increasing your chances of surviving a firefight.
Because he’s the source of a squad’s heavy firepower, the impact of a Rifleman cannot be ignored. The only unit capable of wielding a light machine gun (LMG) and its devastating suppression effect, Riflemen are tasked with providing covering fire. By keeping enemies pinned, it allows other squad members to perform flanking maneuvers. Riflemen can also carry assault rifles equipped with underbarrel attachments. These versatile attachments allow them to lob grenades or reveal enemies (even through thin walls) that are otherwise invisible to heat-detecting equipment. Riflemen don’t just dish out the heat, they can take more of it, too, thanks to their increased armor over other classes.
Scouts represent a squad’s eyes and ears. They are able to see long distances thanks to their sniper rifles and slip through defenses with Optical Camo. As the only class that can cloak, Scouts excel at seeing without being seen, and their cameras can be deployed and picked up again to create a disc of constant observation. Their Optical Camo also hides all heat signatures, making UAVs, night vision scopes, and Sensors blind to their presence.
Use the Engineer’s UAV frequently.
The Engineer’s UAV can relay the location of all spotted opponents to teammates. But don’t try to get the enemy’s attention; the UAV can be shot down.
Neither as stealthy as Scouts, nor as heavily armed as Rifleman, Engineers are the information brokers of the battlefield. They can both hack and observe in equal measure, and have the unique ability to see when enemies have them scoped in, allowing them a split-second opportunity to avoid being gunned down during firefights. Yet they can bring intense firepower into close-range fights. Engineers are the all-seeing eye of the battlefield, able to capture enemy positions from on high with UAVs and Sensors, and hack objectives faster than any other class (with the proper item equipped). Their handiness with electronics means they can just as easily disrupt enemies. When leading a charge into an area, an Engineer is simultaneously the most diverse and specialized part of a squad.
Don’t forget to spend your credits.
Purchasing new attachments for your weapons can give you a slight tactical advantage over your opponents.
Now that I have a few hours under my belt, and some upgrades to show for it, I’m feeling much more confident as I step onto the battlefield. If you ever feel discouraged, I strongly advise you to switch classes and experiment with different gear. Scoring kills isn’t’ the only way to earn XP. Detecting opponents with Sensors, cameras, and UAVs is an equally effective way to assist your team and earn promotions. So if your reflexes aren’t up to the challenge, consider supporting your team in a different capacity. This is a great way for beginners to become familiar with the maps and classes. As your confidence and arsenal grows, consider taking a more aggressive approach. But most importantly, fill the role you enjoy the most. Regardless of rank or skill level, every teammate can contribute to a victory. It’s just a matter of finding your niche and customizing your soldier to complement that role.
