Tempora's guide to configuring OpenArena

Settings

I will break down these settings to down to multiple parts.
All options which i deem optional will be labeled as such.
You can enter in these settings in a config file in ~/.openarena/baseoa/
Or you can enter them in the console by hitting the tilde key on the US layout,
you can find this key usually under the Escape key on most Full size keyboards.

I recommend inputting these things from the console of the game.

Mouse

\seta in_mouse -1 (Dosen't change much)
\seta sensitivity "X"
\seta cl_mouseAccel "0"

Okay here comes the tricky bit, what sensitivity to play on. Note this is only for players new to Shooters or Arena Shooters in general, given you already know what sensitivity you play on other games, i recommend to go match it, it's 1:1 coming from games that run the Source/Quake Engine. To convert from other games just Google some sensitivity converter to Counter Strike sensitivity or Quake III/Live.

For OpenArena i recommend using sensitivity that ranges from
22cm/360° to 33cm/360°

400 DPI 3.1 - 4.8 sensitivity
800 DPI 1.6 - 2.4 sensitivity
1600 DPI 0.77 - 1.15 sensitivity

Graphical

Basic options

\seta com_maxfps 300
\seta r_mode "-1"
\seta r_fullscreen "1"

These options will enable fullscreen and raise the maximum framerate to 333

Performance

\seta r_fastsky "1" (Dosen't change much, only with maps with skybox)
\seta r_textureMode "GL_LINEAR_MIPMAP_NEAREST"
\seta r_lodbias "1"
\seta r_vertexLight "1" (Dosen't seem to affect much)
\seta r_detailtextures "0" (Visual annoyance, and a performance killer)
\seta r_postprocess "none"

I get a very stable 333 FPS using these.

Gameplay

\seta cg_fov "x"
\seta cg_zoomfov "75"
\seta cg_trueLightining "1"
\seta cg_bobroll "0"
\seta cg_bobpitch "0"
\seta cg_runroll "0"
\seta cg_runpitch "0"
\seta cg_drawfps "1" (Optional)
\seta cg_delag "1"

The FoV range i suggest playing for in OpenArena is 110-135° FoV

Visual
NOTE!! Almost all of these are a bit based on prefrence in how the game looks, i've chosen these for maximum visibility and performance

\seta r_picmip "2" (Higher this value the lower the detail gets)
\seta r_bloom "0" (Distraction)
\seta r_primitives "0"
\seta r_simpleMipMaps "1"
\seta r_overBrightBits "6" (Raises overall brightness of the game)
\seta r_drawSun "0" (Distraction)
\seta r_gamma "1" (Recommending around 1 - 1.2)

How to play

In this section i will go over the basics of OpenArena and useful information about the game.

Weapons

There are 12 weapons in OpenArena, i will be listing the most useful guns.

Gauntlet

Gauntlet is a melee weapon you spawn with.
The gauntlet was designed for close quarter combat.
This weapon should be considered only last resort.

Stats:
DMG: 50 per hit
Reload: 0.4s
Ammo: Unlimited
Type: Melee


Machinegun

Machinegun is the other weapon you start with.
It is a low powered hitscan weapon with small degree of spread.
This weapon should be used as when you have to fight without another weapon
or if you are chasing someone who is low immediately after a fight.

Stats:
DMG: 7 (5 in TDM)
Reload: 0.1s
Ammo: 100 (50 in TDM)


Shotgun

Shotgun is a close quarters weapon that deals high damage close by,
making it useless for long distance.
Shotgun shoots out 11 pellets per shot and has high spread.
This weapon should be used when chasing down low health opponents or as last resort.

Stats:
DMG: 10 per pellet
Reload: 1s
Ammo: 10
Type: Hitscan


Grenade Launcher

Grenade Launcher is a projectile weapon that shoots grenades which detonate on contact to a another player or 2.5 seconds after being launched.
Grenades bounce on walls or ground.
This weapon should be used when trying to deny enemies positions on narrow corridors or last resort.

Stats:
DMG: 100 (Direct)
Reload: 0.8s
Splash Radius: 150 units
Velocity: 700 units per second
Ammo: 10


Rocket Launcher

Rocket launcher is a projectile weapon that shoots rockets which detonate on contact to a player or hittable surface.
The rocket launcher has high splash damage and high projectile velocity.
This weapon should be used when in close and medium quarters combat.

Stats:
DMG: 100 (Direct)
Reload: 0.8s
Splash Radius: 120 units
Velocity: 900 units per second
Ammo: 10


Lightning Gun

Lightning gun is a hitscan weapon with limited range and high knockback.
Lightning gun is a hard to play weapon, requiring the user to have good aim.
This weapon should be played Midrange or when an enemy is in the air.


Stats:
DMG: 8
Reload: 0.05s
Ammo: 100


Railgun

Railgun is a hitscan weapon that shoots an high energy beam.
Railgun deals alot of damage but is limited by it's long reload
This weapon is best suited for dealing damage around the map mid to high range.

Stats:
DMG: 100
Reload: 1.0s
Ammo: 10

Items

There are 5 important items in OpenArena

Health
Mega Health/Blue Health - +100 health up to 300hp
Yellow Health - +25 health up to 100hp
Gold Health - +50 health up to 100hp

Armor
Red Armor - +100 Armor up to 200
Yellow Armor - +50 Armor up to 200

Movement

OpenArena/Quake movement is very simple, and movement can be
basically broken to strafejumping and keeping speed around the map

Beginners
• Youtube, Guide to strafe jumping.
• YouTube, Explanation of how strafe jumping works.

Advanced
• Youtube, Guide how to circlejump.