New player guide

Before you join#

• Play the in-game Training (main menu) once. It explains movement and the basics for both teams.
• Bind voice chat (Alt by default) and check your microphone. NS2 is a team game and talking helps.
• Check your keys: B buy/evolve, E use, Q ask for a med pack, C map. See Controls.

Joining a game#

1. Connect from the server browser. If the server is full you may be put in the queue as a spectator; you join automatically when a slot opens. See Ready check and queue.
2. In the ready room, walk into a door (Marines / Aliens / Random) or use F5 / F6. Teams are usually shuffled for balance before the round, so your pick may be changed. See Teams and shuffle.
3. When a round is about to start, click READY in the ready check.

Your first rounds as a marine#

• Stay with other marines. Follow the commander's waypoints.
• Shoot, then reload behind cover. Switch to the pistol (2) if a skulk is on you and your rifle is empty.
• Look at walls and ceilings: skulks are rarely on the floor.
• Press Q for a med pack and Z for ammo.
• Walk past an Armory to heal and refill.

Your first rounds as an alien#

• You are a Skulk. Don't charge marines in the open: go around, approach from walls and ceilings, bite from behind.
• Parasite (2) marines you see. Your whole team then sees them.
• Kill undefended extractors and power nodes: that hurts the marines more than a kill.
• Don't go Gorge at the start unless your team asks. Too many gorges is a classic way to lose. (The alien team is told who goes gorge in the first minute.)
• Save your res. Your first Fade or Lerk should be bought when you can afford to lose it.

Ten things new players should know#

1. Teamwork beats aim. Two average players together beat one good player alone.
2. Resource towers win games. Killing them is more valuable than killing players.
3. Don't feed. Every death costs your team time (and res, if you were a lifeform or had a weapon).
4. Listen to your commander, and tell them what you see.
5. Armor and upgrades matter. Check Hits to kill to see why Armor 1 matters so much against skulks.
6. Marines can't heal alone. Ask for med packs.
7. Aliens heal over time. Back off, heal, come back.
8. Look at the minimap (C). It shows where your team is fighting.
9. Don't stand in front of a phase gate.
10. Ask questions. Most players are happy to help a new player who asks.

See also#

Game overview · Marine guide · Skulk guide · Glossary