Difference between revisions of "Strafing"

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[[File:Scoutstrafe.png|300px|right|Whoosh!]]
 
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{{Quotation|'''The Scout'''|Ya can't hit what ain't dere!|sound=Scout_invincible02.wav}}
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{{Quotation|'''The Scout'''|Un-freakin' touchable!|sound=Scout invincible01.wav}}
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'''Strafing''' is the act of moving in an unpredictable pattern during a confrontation. The maneouvre is a common tactic employed by mediocre and experienced players, who are able to perform these movements whilst attacking their targeted enemy. Strafing is an invaluable survival tactic in the battlefield, making it harder for players to kill you whilst giving you a greater chance to kill enemies or complete objectives. The meanrouvre is best used during a one-on-one battle, as it becomes more difficult and less useful against multiple enemies.
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'''Strafing''' is moving laterally to the direction you're facing. This is one of the best ways to dodge enemy fire, move unpredictably, and watch multiple directions while moving in a straight line.
  
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Various movements performed by the player can be considered a version of strafing. ''[[#Circle strafing|Circle Strafing]]'', for instance, is where the player moves continually around an opponent in order to deal damage at close range. ''Zig-Zagging'' refers to strafing continually while traversing an open space or approaching a single enemy.  Finally, ''Air Strafing'' is moving towards or around an enemy whilst in the air. Each version of strafing can be seen to better suit one class than the other.  
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There are several notable forms of strafing. ''Circle strafing'' is moving continually around an opponent, making you difficult to track. ''Jittering'' refers to strafing rapidly over a short distance, making it difficult to judge your position.  Finally, ''air strafing'' is a form of acceleration that allows you to move laterally in the air.
  
 
== Circle strafing ==
 
== Circle strafing ==
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Circle strafing refers to the concept of moving around your opponent in a circle. The technique is performed with the left and right strafe keys in combination with the mouse. When combined with [[jumping]], it can make oneself quite difficult to hit. Circle strafing is used primarily by faster classes such as [[Scout]]s to take down slower or un-aware enemies such as [[Heavy|Heavies]] or unattended Sentry Guns.
 
  
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The idea behind the tactic is to keep your enemy or a [[Sentry Gun]] in the center of the circle, while constantly moving around him. By using the strafe keys to move, and the mouse to keep your view centered on the enemy, a distinct circle-like movement is created (due to the constant adjustment of where your character is facing).
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To circle strafe is to move around your opponent. The technique is performed with the left and right strafe keys in combination with the mouse holding your aim on on the target. When combined with [[jumping]], it can make oneself quite difficult to hit.
  
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=== Demonstration ===
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If your opponents have poor aim, poor mouse sensitivity, or lose track of you, you will have the opportunity to shoot them easily while dodging their fire.   
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{{youtube|_e2102v_nCM}}
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Projectile attacks will have to lead your motion. Sentry Guns cannot lead. [[MONOCULUS]] can lead somewhat when angry.
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[[File:Circlestrafing.gif|thumb|right|Circle strafing.]]
  
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== Class-based Tactics ==
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== Jittering ==
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=== Scout ===
 
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As the fastest class in the game, a [[Scout]] that uses speed alongside strafing can be an unstoppable force on the team. Circle strafing can be performed quickly and mercilessly with the class's primary weapon. A constant use of the zig zag technique will ensure the Scout will be a difficult target for precision attacks by the Sniper. Air strafing is particularly easy to perform due to the double jump ability. A Scout, however, has limited health and such should not be caught in a confrontation for too long. Even strafing cannot stop an inevitable bullet from colliding and killing the Scout.
 
  
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=== Soldier ===
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Tap the left and right keys very rapidly, with slight variations in rhythm.  This will cause you to jerk side to side, encouraging opponents to fire outside your position as they try to aim ahead.  This technique sounds ludicrous in theory, but in practice, you will be more difficult to hit with any hitscan weapon.
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Due to his slow [[speed|movement speed]], [[Soldier]]s are not particularly suited to strafing around enemies. A [[rocket jump]], however, will allow the player to successfully air strafe out of danger or in order to gain a height advantages.
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== Air Strafing ==
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'''Air strafing''' is the technique of combining the strafe keys and mouse movements to change your direction in mid-air.  Its primary use is to reach a destination that is hidden around a corner or barrier, but it also slightly increases the velocity of the player and can be used to dodge [[aerials]] and avoid successful [[juggling]].
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=== Air acceleration ===
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Players who use any of the [[List of default keys|default]] movement keys while in the air will produce a short impulse in that direction.  This is what allows players to arrest mid-air motion or move a small amount after being knocked into the air.  The acceleration is capped or else the player would accrue airspeed while holding or tapping the movement keys.
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=== Explanation ===
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To air strafe, a player air accelerates to one side while smoothly turning the mouse in that direction.  This change in orientation changes the direction of your attempted air acceleration relative to the actual direction of motion, and the component of air acceleration in that direction becomes less than the acceleration cap.  This small difference between the component and the cap allows a small amount of further acceleration to occur, and you move slightly in that direction.  Thus, a smooth continuous mouse movement ensures that you're always below the acceleration cap and capable of accelerating to that side.  This transforms your path through the air into a smooth curve.
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=== Technique ===
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{{youtube|ybi2APayuoA}}
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Here are the practical steps:
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*You move forward through the air;
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*You hold one of the strafe keys and none of the other movement keys;
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*You smoothly turn the mouse in the direction of the strafe key.
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*Repeta to the opposite side.
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You will accelerate a little bit and curve through the air in that direction.  If at any point you press the forward key, back key, or turn in the opposite direction of your strafe key, you will cap out your acceleration, or stop dead, and end your air strafe.
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Make sure to release the forward key (default {{Key|W}}) whilst airstrafing.
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== Trivia ==
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* Air strafing is an artifact of the air acceleration system developed for Quake's physics engine.  In related games, strafe jumping, bunnyhopping, and wall hopping are all exploits of the same acceleration cap.  Source uses a similar physics system.
  
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 03:26, 17 December 2023

Whoosh!
“
Un-freakin' touchable!
Click to listen
— The Scout
 ”

Strafing is moving laterally to the direction you're facing. This is one of the best ways to dodge enemy fire, move unpredictably, and watch multiple directions while moving in a straight line.

There are several notable forms of strafing. Circle strafing is moving continually around an opponent, making you difficult to track. Jittering refers to strafing rapidly over a short distance, making it difficult to judge your position. Finally, air strafing is a form of acceleration that allows you to move laterally in the air.

Circle strafing

To circle strafe is to move around your opponent. The technique is performed with the left and right strafe keys in combination with the mouse holding your aim on on the target. When combined with jumping, it can make oneself quite difficult to hit.

If your opponents have poor aim, poor mouse sensitivity, or lose track of you, you will have the opportunity to shoot them easily while dodging their fire. Projectile attacks will have to lead your motion. Sentry Guns cannot lead. MONOCULUS can lead somewhat when angry.

Circle strafing.

Jittering

Tap the left and right keys very rapidly, with slight variations in rhythm. This will cause you to jerk side to side, encouraging opponents to fire outside your position as they try to aim ahead. This technique sounds ludicrous in theory, but in practice, you will be more difficult to hit with any hitscan weapon.

Air Strafing

Air strafing is the technique of combining the strafe keys and mouse movements to change your direction in mid-air. Its primary use is to reach a destination that is hidden around a corner or barrier, but it also slightly increases the velocity of the player and can be used to dodge aerials and avoid successful juggling.

Air acceleration

Players who use any of the default movement keys while in the air will produce a short impulse in that direction. This is what allows players to arrest mid-air motion or move a small amount after being knocked into the air. The acceleration is capped or else the player would accrue airspeed while holding or tapping the movement keys.

Explanation

To air strafe, a player air accelerates to one side while smoothly turning the mouse in that direction. This change in orientation changes the direction of your attempted air acceleration relative to the actual direction of motion, and the component of air acceleration in that direction becomes less than the acceleration cap. This small difference between the component and the cap allows a small amount of further acceleration to occur, and you move slightly in that direction. Thus, a smooth continuous mouse movement ensures that you're always below the acceleration cap and capable of accelerating to that side. This transforms your path through the air into a smooth curve.

Technique

Here are the practical steps:

  • You move forward through the air;
  • You hold one of the strafe keys and none of the other movement keys;
  • You smoothly turn the mouse in the direction of the strafe key.
  • Repeta to the opposite side.

You will accelerate a little bit and curve through the air in that direction. If at any point you press the forward key, back key, or turn in the opposite direction of your strafe key, you will cap out your acceleration, or stop dead, and end your air strafe. Make sure to release the forward key (default W) whilst airstrafing.

Trivia

  • Air strafing is an artifact of the air acceleration system developed for Quake's physics engine. In related games, strafe jumping, bunnyhopping, and wall hopping are all exploits of the same acceleration cap. Source uses a similar physics system.
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