Who likes America's Army???

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update for SF Hospital tips

This is for you people who love Hospital, or want to love it. It is by the far the best map in the game. Simply because of its unpredictability - there arenÂ’t many maps where you have to CHOOSE which way to go at the start.
And for those of you, who canÂ’t play it, donÂ’t just call us 'Honor Whores'. We play this map because it takes skill, tactics and most of all - A willingness to have fun.
Only VIP can rack some serious points and it aint easy getting alot of points as VIP. Chances are you will get more points on a normal map because you have a greater chance to stay alive. And the mission doesnÂ’t depend on one man staying alive.

SF Hospital COA (Course Of Action) by [AIrBoRnE]_Angelis_, OK this is a fairly long guide. I hope I have covered everything. If not please PM or reply here, I am only one man and I have a limited memory.
Please donÂ’t reply saying "Well some of these are fairly obvious!" that doesnÂ’t help anyone and it isnÂ’t constructive, if they are that obvious you probably play alot of this map and so why are you reading a guide?
So in short - give me more tips if you want, and keep criticism constructive and informative.

I have seen alot of bit-part guides to hospital so far in the tactic forums - ones that specify only on Snipers, VIPS or Escort tactics. So I have decided to put more detail into the afor-mentioned sections, but plus cover all the other areas that are left in the grey with other guides.
I will start with Escort tactics, namely the VIP.
UPDATED FOR 2.1!!!

Being VIP

Playing as VIP can be an art form - I have only seen a few good VIPs in my two-hundred plus hours on hospital. And that says something.
Alot of players who think of themselves as good VIPs only have one tactic - rushing.
The problem with rushing is your vulnerable to 203s and RPGs that are 'spammed' around 30 seconds into the match.
Also, the underpass is a perfect ambush point for the opposition.

Deciding on when to rush :
1 : Lets say you are the VIP - while hiding in the front room behind some disguarded chairs - you notice 4 maybe even 5 OPFOR run past. Chances are next round they will do the same - this is when you rush, because there are alot less Ambush players around the helipad making escape easier.
2 : The last few rounds the VIP has remained hidden - the ambush side will latch on to this and begin a systematic search (slowly) - giving you plenty of time to escape.

Tips on how to rush
1 : Always take the operating room door - I know it seems like common sense but alot of VIP wannabe's go around the hallways or even the Supply Access route - Way too slow and will end up with a bullet in your back because chances are Ambush will get to the first floor entrance before you.
2 : Turn up your mouse sensitivity - so when you exit out of the operating room you can easily turn around and RECLOSE the
Operating room door. Doing so will confuse the Ambush team inside the Hospital, they will think you are hiding probably somewhere else. You lose a fraction of a second closing the door again but you gain alot of minutes by tricking the OPFOR into thinking you are hiding.
Although rushing is an easy tactic - it isn't very fun or most people and will only work once in seven rounds (twice if you are lucky).
Hiding is the best way to avoid confrontation and stay alive.

Tips on how to hide :
1 : Prone - most people look at head height - so they miss whatÂ’s going on the floor. Finding somewhere to go prone behind can be very effective.
2 : Leaning, many places in the hospital only offer partial cover. But, this can be worked around to our advantage - why not try leaning into the cover so more of your body is covered.
3 : Avoid stairwells - hiding under them mainly, alot of them give partial visibility and plus they are such an obvious place to hide.

If you, like me, like to get some VIP kills, here is how :

Tips on how to get VIP kills :
1 : Surprise - Obviously a head-on-head battle with an RPK will result in death. So learn to strike only from behind. Wait until the OPFOR goes past you then strike
2 : Luring your Kill - Why not try making purposeful noise. Go up the back stairwell and camp around the corner just as they come in the garage. Hopefully they will here you and come up thinking you have gone to the second floor entrance. And one last thing - Tell your team where you plan to go, Up or Down will suffice. Remember they arenÂ’t mind-readers.

ESCORT SF Tactics

In my view, Escort is a far easier to side to play on offering more hiding places and quicker entrance to the Helipad and Hospital, but you cant be a good Hospital player until you have experience on both sides .
But here are some tactics on how to get those wonderful kills you so need.

If you are in Fireteam A, you are the first ones off the Spawn point - use this to your advantage. Just before the round begins hold your 'Alt' button (or whichever one is bound to running). Doing this will give you a running start and you will cock your weapon while running, which gives you 3 or 4 seconds of a head start.
From here you can either do 2 things us your speed start to get good vantage point from the Helipad and kill anyone hanging about in the loading dock.
Or, take the Hospital and secure the VIP. Escort have a bigger advantage because they donÂ’t have to go searching for enemy, if you camp in one spot in the Hospital most of the time a few OPFOR will come your way.

Tips on how to take the helipad quickly:
1 : Head up the Helipad Concrete Stairs and move up to the crates near the Helipad Building overlooking the loading dock, Ready your 203 and shoot a good one into the loading dock.
2 : Be on the lookout, OPFOR very rarely go up the interior Helipad stairs - they usually hide under the palm trees or go up the Exterior stairs opposite.

Tips on how to hit the Hospital :
1 : Once you get in the first floor entrance - run towards the middle hallway, get behind the Bed and bring up your sights/Aim point - Shoot anyone who tries to go up the backstairs from here.
2 : If the VIP is rushing - cover his back, find a camping spot and wait for the Ambush to come past you for best results.
3 : Have ago at taking the second floor entrance, from here you can either camp opposite the Back stairwell and wait for an OPFOR to come out. Or you can rush down and kill everything downstairs from behind. Ambush rarely suspects that.

The last 6 tips where mainly focused on what you do secure the helipad and Hospital at Breakneck speed from Fireteam A. If you are Fireteam B or C and have a scoped weapon - why not take up defensive positions covering the helipad and underpass.

Doing so will certainly save the skin of anyone who is the helipad and gets surprised by the OPFOR sneaking up behind him.

Good places to overwatch outside :
1 : The small ledge/plateau left of the spawnpoint.
2 : Crates near the second floor entrance.
3 : Second floor entrance lobby
4 : Escort defense building Ground floor
5 : Behind the hummer v Escort approach watching the first floor entrance

ESCORT SPR Tactics

One of the main assets to Escort is their large Escort building - Which holds a great viewing point to the whole of the outside map for the Escort Sniper plus alot of cover and concealment.
I would almost always recommend if you are the 18 bravo going to third floor escort Building - even if Ambush know you are there it is VERY hard to hit with RPGs plus you get full view of the roof, loading dock, west wing and The helipad roof.

Tips on how to Snipe on Escort :
1 : Rush straight to the top floor and go to the second window from the left (Standing up of course) from here you get an unobstructed view of the Loading dock and Fire-escape (plus the tin-roof above the loading dock which sometimes OPFOR lies on. This will let you be able to see the OPFOR RPG if he decides to get on the crates by the dock and fire one towards the Escort Approach (Which is a working tactic)
2 : DonÂ’t stay too long there - If no-one appears at the loading dock go to the far left window and check the roof and the West Wing.
3 : If you have cleared all these areas now put on your silencer and remain patient for the next target to come along.
4 : After a while - if there are only a few players left on escort, take up the Escort ledge that overlooks the Helipad, this will enable the VIP to get in easily under good cover.

Escort RPK Tactics

The RPK used to be the Ultimate weapon - Not only was it immensely powerful and fast - But you also received 2 grenades.
Now that they have gone, the RPK is really only any use in the Hospital.
But if you must secure the Helipad with it, here's how :

Tips on securing the helipad with RPK :
1 : Get inside to close quarters ASAP, hide around boxes, shelves and corners of the Helipad Building when using the RPK.
2 : Use your IRONSIGHT! The RPK is a powerhouse yes, but it also very accurate. If shooting at a target from a distance, use the sights - you will be surprised at just how accurate the RPK is, it isnÂ’t just a CQB ownage weapon. Once even as VIP I was at west wing entrance and looking at third floor escort building - I shot 3 bullets at the shape I saw in the window - I killed him with no problem - A testament to the RPKs accuracy even as VIP.
3 : Aim high - Always aim higher than usual with the RPK in CQB.

Tips in the Hospital with RPK :
1 : Surprise, the RPK used to be an assault weapon - but now with its lower fire-rate, learn how to camp in unobvious places and take people as they run past, you no longer have much of an advantage in direct CQB.
2 : Shoot in bursts - Not controlled bursts, but from time to time let go of the fire button, this will help you regain your aim and control recoil. Also the muzzle flash from the RPK can be distracting - Stopping fire for a second will help you relocate that aiming retacle.

Escort RPG Tactics

Oh the RPG - what a deadly weapon. And I mean deadly. Is it short for Rocket propelled grenade? Or ROE-PG? Both would be a fair guess.
The RPG is mainly a luck weapon if you donÂ’t use the sights - if you aim it where you want it to go and it goes there - then you are lucky. The sights tend to steady the flight, but you cant help the occasional strange loop-the-loop it might do.

Tips on how and where to RPG on escort :
1 : One trick is to head left from spawn and look at the helipad - shoot through the windows of the helipad from this ledge at the Loading dock - If you are really lucky - It will go straight through and hit just above the dock. Killing any rushers.
2 : Go up the dirty hill from Escort Approach and hide behind the Crates - shoot a RPG at Ambush approach from here this time, Hopefully more kills.
3 : Remember to always hit the roof - if you have a spare RPG always hit the roof.

Securing the VIP

This is the main objective of Escort, but alot of the time strangely enough ISNT done. Too many times the VIP is forced to fend for himself.
But if you are one of the good team players that like to help the VIP, remember to do the following.

1 : DonÂ’t run up too him too early, makes sure you clear the surrounding area beforehand.
2 : Pick up a gun if someone dies, the VIP will need it.
3 : Advise the VIP on the best way to exit the Hospital, if he says go up but you know for a fact OPFOR are crawling on the roof and helipad, tell him its not a good idea.
4 : ALWAYS WATCH THE VIPS BACK! yes stay ahead of the VIP but keep looking backwards.
5 : Keep the VIP posted on the situation - if there is an enemy in the Helipad tell him. Because if you die and the VIP is the only one left, he needs to know where that enemy was!
6 : Keep your grenades to yourself, you will need them more than the VIP
7 : DONT HEAL THE VIP! He cant bleed to death and he receives no extra accuracy bar unless he is actually already hit (in which rarely happens because chances are one hit and he is dead.)


AMBUSH TACTICS

OK now I move on to Ambush, in my view, Ambush is a much harder side to play. but more fun. There are alot less hiding places and upon entering the hospital and helipad there are alot of places you can get shot from. Lets start with Securing the Helipad while on Ambush.

Securing the helipad on Ambush :
1 : Once again speed or patience is your best friend when taking the helipad, If you are fast you can get out of the loading dock and get up to the Helipad quick enough to surprise the Escort side - but you need support most of the time there are too many too survive long.
2 : Avoid the interior steal stairwell, Always take the outside or Underpass.
3 : If you donÂ’t feel like taking the risk of going up, why not camp just inside the stairwell (so you are looking outside at the Ambush approach. Doing this will allow you to kill any Escort rusher that come around or jump down. Make sure you donÂ’t block anyone else coming in though.)
4 : Sometimes its better to take it slow, One of my favorite tactics is to go up the stairs towards the Roof Access and head for the Fire Escape. Keep a scope u for anyone who pokes his head out of the helipad.
5 : After clearing the Helipad and supporting your rushers, it will be safe to enter the Helipad.

Entering the Hospital and getting that damn VIP

When you enter the Hospital, your first worry should be the Escort team inside trying to suppress you. Dealing with them first will allow you to systematically search for the VIP. Remember to check every nook and cranny.

Tips on how to find the VIP :

1 : Most VIPs rush, which is easy for you to deal with. Go up the back stairs and head for the second floor entrance. Watch out for OPFOR along here. Take up a position and hit the VIP as he runs for the helipad building simple. VERY easy.
2 : I normally recommend once you enter the hospital (unless you are going up) heading right and going through the west wing. Listen out for footsteps as you turn the corner - from here you can kill the Escorts near the lobby and then begin the search for the VIP.
3 : Remember to look in all these rooms - Prep room, Operating room, VIP Room, Back stairs, Operating observation, First floor Room, Second floor closet, first floor closet, and behind all the beds in the hallways.
After a while with no success - head to the helipad building. There you can wait for him, Remember to stay Ambush side of the helipad, here you can watch the roof, loading dock which is where the VIP might appear from.
4 : Like I said - Always keep an eye on the roof, if the VIP comes out of the garage, chances are he will head for the roof. DonÂ’t let that happen.
5. SECRET TACTIC : Requires major speed, If you get a running tart and never meet any enemy, rush through the OR and Prep room without stopping, if you are really quick you will see the VIP exiting - I get him alot doing this.

Ambush SF tactics

The special forces on Ambush are best suited in my opinion to Helipad securing, due to the mod advantages they receive - but if you are confident with your CQB abilities, take the Hospital.
The important thing to remember is you have 2 flashes, whether rushing the Helipad or searching for the VIP in the Hospital, its important to flash the hot-spots, An RPK wont have an advantage over you if he is blind.

Ambush SPR tactics

Sniping from Ambush team is ALOT harder than sniping from Escort but its not impossible. Here come the tips and tricks.

Ambush SPR Tips :
1 : Speed or caution, If the Escort team doesnÂ’t have a good RPG (Or none at all) I recommend the roof - I know its fairly
obvious but if you sprint from the start without cocking your gun you can get to the roof before the Escort snipe. Kill him quickly and you are setup for some good kills.
2 : If on the roof, always close the door and then tweak it behind you. (you can tweak it by closing it, and then while its closing press Action to stop it while moving, so it is only partially open.) What this does is causes any OPFOR rusher to have to open the door twice to get to you, making alot of noise and alerting you to their presence.
3 : Avoid the loading dock - You can get hit by grenades and be fired upon from too many different ways.
4 : Never go on the tin roof above the loading dock, Unless you absolutely have to in the last minutes of the round to get the VIP. But even then...... You see, while on this roof you are target to bullets, grenades, and 203s from all manner of places, from the Escort building to the helipad.
5 : If the enemy sniper is dead and you think you can pass through the underpass undetected - do it! Escort never expect the enemy sniper to camp in the third floor escort building!

Ambush RPK tactics

Always run the way too the hospital, so if in Fireteam Alpha you start facing the Hospital. So head to the Parking Entrance, this is because as RPK you want to be spearheading the assault - Whether thatÂ’s in the Hospital or the Helipad.
If in Fireteam Bravo, turn round and run for the Hospital, you will be further behind but you shall be providing support for the front runners.

Ambush RPG Tactics

Like with most other weapons on Ambush, the RPG has a disadvantage over its counter-part on Escort. But you can still get some healthy kills while using it (But you probably wont finish your three rockets before you die)

Ambush RPG Tips :
1 : Pressing 1 rapidly just before the round starts lets you pull out your gun first. This allows you to get where you want to go MUCH quicker. The downside is when you pull out your RPG it will look empty (but donÂ’t worry it is loaded just a bug)
2 : Using the afor mentioned trick, Rush to the wasting wing and shoot a RPG straight through the underpass. Should be able to kill escort rushers.
3 : If you are very quick - Run outside the loading dock and climb onto the Crates to the right, shoot a RPG just above the helipad so its the second floor escort pillars - You can kill alot of OPFOR this way (And there is little or nothing Escort can do about it)
4: Try to save one RPG always - you never know when you might need it - I have saved an RPG till the last minute and then shot it at the roof, killing the VIP and 3 of his buddies. So it will help.

SF HOSPITAL PART 2, By [AIrBoRnE]_Angelis_ :
Thank you all of you for the feedback/tips once again. Its always nice to see people getting involved.

Know your Hospital!

There will come a time where you have to learn the Hospital layout, at first this can be quite complex but after a while you realize actually the Hospital is not THAT big, and can be easily learnt in a few hours. But to truly master all of the hiding positions and all of the tactics inside takes months.
Some might suggest opening up SF Hospital in single player mode (type open SF Hosital in the console) and if you want to do that and like to do that to learn maps then fine, do it that way.
But if you are like me and get bored way before you can explore the Hospital on Single Player mode, I recommend an unofficial server on Hospital as the VIP.
You can learn the Hospital corridors quicker when the heat of battle is chasing down on you - and plus there wont be any fussy players saying "NO NOOBS ON VIP"!
But just to help you, I have segmented the various areas of Hospital for easy learning.
All pictures are linked and not posted, to keep dial-up friendly

Parking Garage : This is Ambushes Entrance into the Hospital, tends to be combat free but on occasions.....


West Wing : Located right as you come in through the hospital parking Garage entrance. Open most of the time and is safer (but slower) than taking the Operating Room or middle corridors.

Operating Room : The OR is a rather flashy piece of map design, and is quite a hotspot for fighting. But is also a death-trap. Avoid at all costs.

VIP Room : This is where the VIP starts, Ambush should be careful when entering here, lots of places for a VIP to hide and take a surprise kill.

1st Floor Supply Access : Safer than taking the corridor way around to the First floor entrance. Other than that its just a route to the Front Stairs and second floor.


1st Floor Entrance : This is where the main bulk of Escort rushers enter the Hospital. Not very safe to exit as VIP without smoke and even then there are alot of grenades flying around. to be avoided later on in the game if the opposite team is still about and in numbers.


Operating Observation : This is why I said donÂ’t go in the OR earlier, if you arenÂ’t being shot from across the way, then you might be from up high here. But its still a good place to camp.

2nd Floor Entrance : I am a big-fan of the second floor entrance, if the VIP is rushing get him here. If you need some easy kills or want to clear the helipad do it here.


Rules of the Hospital

RANDOMNESS
Some doors in the Hospital are randomly closed. Some more than others, for example - the West Wing is almost always open but the West Wing Corridor which leads to the West Wing Roof and stairs is almost always closed.
Learn which doors are open more than others.

RPKs
If you meet an RPK in CQB conditions, like the Hospital - your best bet is too crouch and stay still and shoot.
The RPK has a wider spread and more damage capabilities than the M4 so chances are you will die if u try a strafe-and-shoot. You have to make every shot count to beat an RPK 3 in the chest to drop the bastard!

VIP Nutters
If you are, like me, confident when it comes to VIP - you will want some kills. 8 is my highest as VIP on a 12 man server, but I am always trying to do better.
But the thing about us VIP Nutters - we cant do it on our own, we do need help (despite what we think). Secure the VIP quickly so he doesnÂ’t get himself into any trouble.

RESOLVING LAG ON SF HOSPITAL

1.) Start simple, play on servers nearest to you. The further an internet signal has to travel (From your computer to the Server) the higher the ping. This means more lag.
So, check the start of the IPs of the servers you are on:
64.74 IPs are located West Coast USA.
69.25 IPs are located East Coast USA.
213 IPs are located in Europe.
Play in the server located nearest you and notice a world of difference.

2.)Open up your System.ini file (Located in Americas Army/System folder) And find the line for Netspeed, Change it to :
56k netspeed 2000 - 5000
DSL netspeed 5000 - 8000
Cable netspeed 8000 - 10000
T1 - T3 netspeed 10000
Different continent / Europe - USA connection:
56k netspeed 1000 - 4000
DSL netspeed 4000 - 6000
Cable netspeed 6000 - 8000
T1 netspeed 8000 to 10000
T2 - T3 netspeed 10000
(Thx to STTS for his lag reducing thread, found Here

3.) If the lag is still too much, Play on a smaller server, on a 8 or 10 man server I never have any lag.
 
When I had a desktop pc with a Pentium 3, I was barely able to play AA but even with that i enjoyed it. I can't play it now because this celeron laptop would overheat and die and I don't feel like downloading it with dial up. Anyway when I get my new computer I prolly won't be off AA:)
 
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