Since the first time I played Soldat I decided that I would master, to some degree, every single weapon available in Soldat, just to be sure that I am a well rounded and competent player. This is something that I do in a lot of games, and it's something I take pride in. My goal has been incomplete, however, until very recently when, about 2 weeks ago, I decided that it was about time that I explored the infamous Minigun.

Now the first reaction to this gun for most players is to ignore, or otherwise degrade it and the person using it. People refuse to take it seriously, and they don't even see the player as a threat, just an amature in the way. It is my goal to change this view (if ever so slightly) and prove that it's not another n00b tube. In fact, it moves like a butterfly and stings like a bee.

Last night, I started a server in hopes that I would be able to play something besides machine-gunning M79s on CTF_Death. It took a while, but the server slowly swelled, and I had a nice game going. After an extended period of using my old Spas-12/Combat Knife combo, I decided to do some experimenting, and I pulled out the Minigun and Socom. Right off the bat, I got about 4 kills during my spawn, and I was greeted by one person's cry of, "minisurfer noob...". When I asked them, "How am I surfing?" they (and several others) immediately admitted that I was not surfing and that I wasn't even being n00b-ish. The game continued and I ranked top, or near top in the server consistently.

The point of that story was simply to show you that it can be done. Not only can the Mini be used legitimately, but people can learn to accept it as a good weapon. But the big problem is that no one has bothered to learn how it's used aside from spraying and surfing, and that's the problem. So I think I'll give some tips for those who are actually planning on listening to my advice and trying it out.

-A 100 round clip is huge, no matter what the bullet power is. With that many shots in less than 10 seconds, you should be able to carve through at least 2 Soldats when used properly, with a max of about 4. 2-4 kills with one clip is an excellent ratio.

-Don't be stationary! You won't survive if you stand and spray. This isn't a stationary gun with high powered rounds! Move quickly and over obstacles to avoid their shots and you'll catch them when they're reloading.

-Try not to sit on the fire button. Just fire when it's necessary, and when you start hitting an opponent, don't relent. Stop spraying while changing direction to follow an opponent, this saves both ammunition and lets you retain accuracy, but if your opponent stays in one place, then move around them and don't stop firing at them.

-Move the barrel. The Minigun's aiming is erratic, and only 100% effect at very very short ranges (as in handshake range), but it can be improvesd by equally erratic movement of the barrel. This sounds strange, but by moving the barrel up and down quickly as you fire, you'll often find that you get a closer spread that kills with 15 rounds instead of 25. It doesn't seem very realistic, but take advantage of the fact that it's a video game folks =P.

-Take advantage of bink. By hitting opponents in bursts or continuous streams, you take advantage of the Mini's very good ability to bink. Hitting someone with a dozen weak bullets will really throw off their aim, and this should help you evade their shots. Snipers are sitting ducks to a good Minigunner.

-Use nades. The Mini is a very disruptive weapon that confuses your opponent and forces them to pay attention to you rather than the nades you've dropped. Even if you don't hit them, the nades are even more disruptive, and can wound a Soldat. It's easier to kill them this way.

-Use the Socom. The socom is by far the best secondary weapon available for a Minigunner due to it's quickness, potency, and fast reload (which the Mini doesn't have). It's easy to spray down three or four Soldats with a Mini and not kill them, so pull out that trusty Socom and finish them off with it. You'll find it even makes a good stand alone weapon when you're going for med packs or nade packs and reloading, because it's so quick to kill the wounded opponents all around you.

-Lastly, use the Minigun aggressively. You may only end up being a very strong support character who doesn't top the server rankings, but you'll be amazed at how effective you can be if you just don't back down. Just keep in mind that the Mini is an assault type weapon that deserves to see the middle of the map every spawn. Used effectively and aggressively, this weapon is a force to be reckoned with.

So that's about all I have. That is all teh result of a good week or two of using the Mini and learnign it inside and out though. If you try it using the tips I've given you, then you should be able to catch on quickly and learn to appreciate this truly misunderstood weapon. The way I see it is that if MM keeps on putting it in the new versions than we may as well put it to good use.

~TheRelinquished

Ruger + m79 + Minigun is the way to be.

Soldat will always be pick up any weapon and own, its not a difficult game.

Nice tips, will try. I notice this is very similar to the Auto-Shottie in CS, also known as n00bstick, etc.

quote:Originally posted by ráz0rSoldat will always be pick up any weapon and own, its not a difficult game.


Then why do you suck at it so much?

quote:Originally posted by ráz0rSoldat will always be pick up any weapon and own, its not a difficult game.


Thanks for putting my elephant doodle in your sig, jerkoff.


I have yet to "own" with a chainsaw...

Very interesting guv. I'll try that.

quote:Originally posted by _Mancer_quote:Originally posted by ráz0rSoldat will always be pick up any weapon and own, its not a difficult game.


Then why do you suck at it so much?

hahaha oh my

ok, i'll say it,

OWNED.

Other then that, i love the minigun, i have just not found a practical use for it in Clan Wars yet, when i do, i'll be sure to share.

Dang, minigun is one of my favorite weapons now.

I just played against bots in DM, and won by around 20 points.
That never happens.

The only big problem is when you run into knifers and M79s. A knife is pretty easy to dodge, and not many people are good with them, but I hate M79s. M79s are a b*tch. That's right, they are all one huge b*tch.

I find a chainsaw more useful than a knife now.

quote:Originally posted by _Mancer_quote:Originally posted by ráz0rSoldat will always be pick up any weapon and own, its not a difficult game.


Then why do you suck at it so much?


Same reason your so fat, I like the taste.

YES he used n00b tube my phrase is catching on...!!!

What a great guide...

It's a shame that the Minigun is treated as a ''noobish'' weapon.

Sounds interesting; I'll try that out. I haven't even used that weapon since 1.3, so I don't know how powerful the self-bink is.

Thanks Fluffy. ^_^

I almost want to make a guide for all of the Soldat weapons. I think that it could be something useful to new and old players who are looking to branch out. If anyone thinks it'd be worthwhile I'll actually start on that. ^_^

~TheRelinquished

DO ONE FOR RUGER!!!! For some reason i cant aim with it, on realistic i mean.

A guide to weapons, sounds good. Maybe a movie for every weapon, perhaps?

minigun is so much harder on realistic, you cant fire for more than 2 seconds, and with the startup time its even harder, not to speak of the self- bink mixed with recoil...

Those are great tips, and I agree on the weapons guide thing, I need help with Spas, I can't hit a wall when i'm standing next to it.

Hasn't there been a weapons guide? I think there has, by Kazuki if I recall. Of course, it could be one of those false memories, but I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it.

Maybe if I do well enough it could get stickied. :O

Stings like a bee is right... Each bullet is the equivelent of a bee sting in soldat.

Its fun when your ego gloats beyond all mental capacity and you challenge someone and let them choose your gun, especially when its a minigun! :D This has never happened yet, but im dying for it to - mini's are effective if used right.

I've never found the minigun to be a useful weapon for me, because I can kill faster with any other gun. It's just a matter of kill time. SPAS takes 0.50 seconds to kill someone. Deagles take 0.66 seconds to kill someone. Minigun takes 1.00 second to kill someone, and it's most difficult to be 100% accurate even then.

Yeah, and M79 takes 0.00 seconds to kill.

Rethink your calculations please.

These tips were very useful, Relinquished.

ALthough, try using it on Realistic...

*sprays wildly*

quote:Originally posted by FluffyYeah, and M79 takes 0.00 seconds to kill.

Rethink your calculations please.


It's one shot. One chance. You miss you die.

If you're fighting two people, you die.

That's in balance in my opinion.

i've survived after missing a shot with the M79. It depends what weapon they are using.

I probably should've made a note that my tips are solely based on non-realistic conditions. Obviously the Mini is unfeasible on realistic mode, and even these tips woudln't help much there.

Also, to Chut, you are too hasty with your calculations. Those timings are based on the idea that your opponent can't (a) move, (b) kill you first, or (c) otherwise keep from being hit by the full strength of your weapon. My tips were designed to show how one can better their chances immemsely against an average level opponent; they had no basis in sheer bullet-power or efficiency.

Oh, and as for your opinion about the one shot, one chance M79--two people are hardly a death sentence. That's what the knife in secondary is for. =P

*dramatization*

DOUBLE KILL

TEX: <^> ^_^ <^>

It is certain that it is ALWAYS based on personal skill and reflex.

No matter what weapon you're using, if you're just better, you will win.

I was just making raw calculations.

an interesting article sir.

but i question;

did you actually enjoy shooting the weapon?

as for the m79 it be a beyatch to recieve, but to give out.... theres little better in soldat that running through the guts of someone you dispatched in a blaze of excellent/flukey shooting glory i feel.

hmmm this takes me back to the days of me being a noob . . . but just maybe i will try to beome a minigun master hahah that would soo piss ppl off

Actually, ahab, I love it. You would be surprised how much fun it is to use something that is so often underestimated effectively. ^_^

Hmmm, one problem with the minigun is that it chews through your ammo so fast, but I've found a method to help that. Just roll while you're firing, you won't use as much ammo. Useful if you are hurriedly trying to get the crosshairs on your target.
Just my two cents... :)

Well, ive begun to use minigun more frequently for fun. Ive found it useful to start and stop beads on a person to maintain accuracy - at the risk of being shot inbetween beads. I beleive you stated this above.

I do have one, annoying problem with the minigun though...I still seem to use up over 75+ bullets to kill one guy...

Well, Angry, looks like it's off to the targeting range for you. ^_^

Remeber my tips on accuracy: use bursts, don't spray. And Bulbock makes a pretty good point. Rolling is an effective way to evade whilst saving ammo. Just keep practicing, friend. ^_^

~TheRelinquished

quote:Originally posted by i am ahabas for the m79 it be a beyatch to recieve, but to give out.... theres little better in soldat that running through the guts of someone you dispatched in a blaze of excellent/flukey shooting glory i feel.


I love lobbing one at an enemy escaping with a flag and nailing him right on the head. :^) Makes you feel unstoppable.

Any guide would have to take in account the different versions of the game. Then again, while the above is well written, tips such as "use grenades!" should be pretty obvious to most for every weapon. I don't think these kinds of games can be learned by reading. The only written tips would be level strategies and the like, especially since many choose their weapons based on the level being played.

True.

And to be technical, it takes exactly 16 bullets to kill someone with a minigun. In order to do that, your barrel has to be right into their gut, it will shred them apart. Think of the minigun as an mp5 - its best used right up close.

Yeah, but you can't really move forward towards someone with a minigun, so it's just a little easy to escape a minigunner.

This is awesome I'll try it out right away.

You dont start shooting and then chase them...they'll be gone in a heart beat or will easily move behind you for a quick stab. You have to time it right: Charge them, and when you think your going to get close enough for a hardcore mini ball busting moment, time the delay so it fires right when the barrel is where you need it. Thats how you do it.

Yeah if u get in there faces you'll blow em apart.

Reason why its a noob weapon is

-its an easy to use pick up and go weapon for noobs.
-high fire, wide range shot for their slow and sloppy aim.
-they're trigger happy, and 100 rounds sure feeds their need
-makes people keep their distance, so they feel safer
-must I continue?

Theres all the reason in the world for it to be called a noob weapon, it suits every characteristic named.

Shame though, as it can be used quite strategically.

Its not a noob weapon on realistic, takes alot of skill to handle its recoil AND bink.

M... eeep!

Heh, how anyone can think the minigun is useless or a noobs weapon, is beyond me. Same thing for barret...

i personally prefer the rambo bow

Sorry for the small bump, but I'm commited to making sure the minigun is not underestimated ;)
I've been practicing with the it, and come up with a few points:

1. Always use the socom as secondary. I do not exagerate when I say that almost all of my kills were with the pistol. Basically, when your opponent is suitably damaged, whip out your pistol and finish him off. Otherwise you'll just be chasing him all over the place with your minigun, and you'll run out of ammo.

2. For the love of god, do not stand still and spray. Jump round like your ass is on fire, espicially if you're facing a barret because bink isn't extreme enough to stop you being hit at point blank.

3. Like your socom, always keep your grenades on close hand. Soften them up with a grenade, pound them with your minigun and finish them off with your socom.

4. Surfing. I don't recommend it because by the time you're near an enemy you are out of ammo. But it can be useful occasionly, like if you are jumping from one ledge to another, and there are a few enemies beneath you. In a situation like that I'd also throw down a grenade or two.

I hope you found these helpful :)

quote:Originally posted by Officer_Bulbock
4. Surfing. I don't recommend it because by the time you're near an enemy you are out of ammo. But it can be useful occasionly, like if you are jumping from one ledge to another, and there are a few enemies beneath you. In a situation like that I'd also throw down a grenade or two.

Is it even possible to surf like before in 1.3? I'd think the added bink and recoil would make it difficult to just aim away and bunny hop to freedom.

Surfing is actually still possible, ive seen some newbies surfing at b2b.

quote:Theres all the reason in the world for it to be called a noob weapon, it suits every characteristic named.

Again, thats a biased view due to the popular favor of the minigun by newbies. I used to dislike the minigun and call people using it noobs...well...ive convinced myself if ive never died to it, and if ive seen 1 person using it like an actual weapon, then theres still hope.

Your looking at it as a noob weapon, because of the fact theres not many people who use minigun like any other gun. Calling them newbies rather the gun would work better. It is infact true that newbies like using the minigun....newbishly, but they're new. Even i was attracted to it the first time i played soldat. You know...."Lets see....Desert Eagles...AK...MP5....spas...blah blah bla- KEWL! A MINIGUN!!!" *jumps around wasting 100 bullets* etc...

Again, the minigun is just hard to use right, and very easy to use noobishly. (Turret spraying, camping, MINISURFING, etc...) However, try and use it yourself. You'll be amazed at how powerful it is, compared to any other auto, and how less noobish it can be used. ~_^

Hehehe, nice speech Exta.
But I think I've found a "bug" with the minigun. If you power it up and start firing, then change to secondary while holding down the trigger, well, you'll have your secondary out like you should. But wwhen you switch back while holding down the trigger your minigun starts firing instantly without a warm-up. Useful...

Interesting find. I must test this!

I used to like Minigun, and wanted to master it like the original poster; but in 1.3 it has been nerfed like a muthah. Or the new lag-trackpoint system is strange with it, or something. At any rate, using a Minigun in Real Mode used to be impressive as (Please refrain from swearing), and now even if you are good enough to be able to aim with it, it doesn't do any damage. >:(

SOCOM is like my favorite weapon though. In tandem with M79 it is especially uber-pwn.

Hmm...You know, moving the barrel in an erratic motion DOES kill faster! Ha! No wonder why nobody freakin dies when I unload 80 bullets into their body...(why didn't I think of that...)

i like using the minigun in rambo_6's militias reborn mod, its a weapon well worth using in that case.

I've been trying minigun more recently, and I must say it is not a bad weapon if it is used right. Of course, that's the problem--It's one of the hardest weapons to use half-decently.

When using the thing, you definitely have to think ahead a little, to get around the problem of the start-up time. Also, fire it when the target is on a more stable trajectory; "chasing" the target with your cursor only wastes ammo.

Yeah, it's stuff that's been said, but the wording might be better understood by some... We all think differently, and all :P

I actually think the minigun is much better now. Once a former hater, I now sometiems use it! Amazing.