Most gamers probably havent heard of the term 'Tactical Realism, so I will explain what it means:
This is a style of gameplay for First Person Shooter type games. It typically involves modding (changing the configuration file and adding new bits of code to the game to tweak the settings) PC games like the Call of Duty series, Day of Defeat, and MOHAA for example...the runspeed is slowed down to match how fast a typical soldier who is carrying a full pack and weapon. The weapons file is adjusted to better reflect how fast of a fire rate and accuracy the weapon really had. All arcade like settings are turned off, like visual indicators of your teammates, target areas or thrown grenades...Also things like unrealistic perks, for a WW2 game...I am pretty sure the common soldier in the European theatre didnt have a pack of dogs at their command to attack enemies, a selection of different ammo, spy planes to let you know where the enemy is at. So in essence, pretty much anything that you wouldnt see in real life is removed.
There are also rules set into place, like no jumping from unrealistic heights...its not likely soldiers can jump down 2 stories onto an ashphalt street, blazing his machine gun all they way down, then hit the ground without missing a beat and continue on spraying and praying.
Grenade spamming...soldiers didnt indiscriminatly throw grenades around a battlefield looking for a cheap easy kill...no they threw them with purpose and ducked and covered so they didnt get hit by the shrapnel as well, the standard rule goes like this 'Do not throw nades into areas you havent seen or heard the enemy. This rule is there for realism purposes and fun factor....no one likes to be killed by a random no skill throw of a grenade.
We also have the run and gun rule or more commonly known as spray and pray. This type of rule stops the type of player that runs around the battlefield with little regard for his own life, never using his sights and shooting at everything he sees. Alot of Tactical Realism clans, adopt a very strict rule where sights MUST be used at all times when firing but some are more lax and allow covering fire, to suppress distant enemies.
No running, there are some that I would call Hardcore Tactical Realism units that enforce a no running rule, crouch only to really slow down the game. Personally I think that has crosses the line of having a happy medium of having TR rules and still keeping it fun, after all this is a video game and its been created for our enjoyment.
Spawnshooting, just another way to get a cheap kill. Most if not all Tactical Realism units frown upon this type of behaviour, as it doesnt take much skill to get kills in this manner. Plus it tends to piss off opposing team members...lol.
Bunnyhopping or jumping to avoid fire....now do you honestly think anyone in a real battle would jump up and down to avoid being hit? Not likely, unless the soldier was crazy or just plain stupid. With the newer games though, this type of tactic is easily negated thru modding, where its made impossible to jump more then once to effectivaly avoid fire.
Exploits, this is like cheating, using a glitch found in a map where it gives you an unfair advantage over the enemy. For instance, a wall you can see and fire thru but the enemy cannot see you. Water that allows you to do the same thing. Key binds that allow you to fire a weapon alot faster then the fire rate of the game settings.
Teamkilling, since this is Realism, friendly fire is ALWAYS on. This means that if you accidently fire at your own teammates, you can kill them. Since the indicators are turned off, you have to be careful who your firing at and its best to learn how to tell the difference between the uniform your wearing and the uniform your enemy is wearing.
Recruiting, since the Tactical Realism community is a small one, using another clan's server and or website if heavily frowned upon. Its considering disrespectful to do this and has caused entire units to be banned from servers. I know I have ordered the more then one clan to be banned from our servers and website and I am sure more down the road.
Tactical Realism is also about using Tactics and Teamwork to defeat the enemy. Squad movements and communication are the most important part of TR, but of course player skill does play a big part in it. Lone wolfing isnt something encouraged or typical, albiet they do have their place during matches or scrimmages.
This style of play is all about having fun but still have a sense of realism within the game. I personally love the style of gameplay and would never go back to the run and gun style that is so prevalent.
If your interested about TR, please visit my clan's website at www.the82ndab.com or tacticalrealism.net. TR.net is a gathering place for a number of TR units, we have campaigns, tournaments and ladders. My clan is has been involved with them since their inception and is a great place to see more about TR.
GEN.Underpants
P.S.
Hope to have another post made in a few days..not sure yet what it will be about though...keep tuned.
