Team Deathmatch or Solo Deathmatch?

Overview

Team deathmatch is a popular game choice in any FPS and the same applies to BF4. No vehicles of any kind, just back to the basics of shoot or be shot. But it’s not always that simple. A lot of the players who venture into the world of the TDM are playing solo which can make for a messy battlefield. You may know that there are at least five enemies chilling in that building but what can you do as one of your teammates happily walks through the door and receives a shotgun to the face? It’s called a team deathmatch yet team work can be hard to come by.

So what’s the best method to win a team deathmatch when you’re going solo? Well, unfortunately wins can’t be guaranteed when you’re alone, there’s bound to be that one person that has zero map awareness or thinks they’re helping by only using their rocket launcher. However, there are ways to improve your chances.

First thing is to remain positive, even if you get thrown into a game where your team only has 40 tickets left. If it’s a close game then a comeback isn’t impossible; however, if it’s a massacre you have found yourself in then just play to the best of your ability and you will still gain experience from it and the good news is it’ll probably be over fast. There’s always the next game.

Let’s assume though that you’ve loaded into a brand new game, both teams at the full amount of tickets, you pick your loadout and spawn onto the map. Make sure to pick a loadout suitable to the game type, there’s no point having anti-tank mines equipped in a game mode where there are no tanks. Now, team deathmatches are always a fast paced and chaotic place to be especially if you have the maximum number of players in the game. So, where do you start? Start off by making sure you know the maps well, you should know where the best sniping spots are – so you can either avoid, clear or claim them. You should also know where the main fight spots are. There are places on every map where both teams just seem to collide in a torrent of bullets, grenades and mayhem. It’s good to know where these places are so you can use them to your advantage. If your team is battling out there, you could have the opportunity to flank the enemy and help your team out.

Generally when playing solo it can be hard to communicate with your team but you should at least try. If you have a mic try talking to your team to see if any of them have any kind of plan, or simply to warn them of the dangers around them. You might know that building is laced with claymores but they might not. Also make sure you listen to your team too, if you’re playing support don’t just listen to the cries of “I need ammo!” drop a box near your desperate team mate and carry on, you get points and hopefully save them from dying at least for a while. The same goes for being the assault class, reviving your teammates if you get the chance saves your tickets and can very well save you the game. Dropping med kits in areas popular with your team can help them last longer and hopefully deprive the enemy team of some more tickets.

In team deathmatches you will normally have the majority of your team who will fight in one or two areas, you will then have the kamikaze runners who will run around the map searching for someone to kill and probably get shot in the process, there will likely be some snipers who will sit on a roof, in a window or on a hill and watch the battle play out, hopefully taking out some enemies when they get the chance. And then there’s you, the solo player. Your strategy depends on how you most like to play. Supports and Assaults are best off staying with at least some of the team, that way you can help each other out. Use your equipment to your advantage, if you go with full ammo or med kit loadouts make sure you use them, try to hide your kits around corners or in buildings so they don’t get destroyed but also they have to be somewhere the team can access them easily. If you prefer a more aggressive loadout, again use it to your advantage. Smoke grenades and flash bangs can provide cover for your team to escape or to slaughter the enemy. Even if you’re not able to communicate with them you can still work together. Most people will see opportunities when they arise and hopefully not do something stupid.

It may be obvious but the best thing you can do in a TDM is to not die. Especially if your team is behind sometimes it is better to sacrifice getting some kills than to die attempting to do so. Play it safe, pay attention to your map and check your corners. Try to avoid open spaces on any map as running across them makes you stick out like a sore thumb, you may as well paint a giant target on your back. Also, check the ground for things such as C4, Claymores and M2 Slams, unless you like exploding.

Don’t be afraid to stop and shoot enemies from cover, you may be called a camper but running around like a loon isn’t necessarily the best method. However, don’t stay in one place for too long, if the enemies decide you’re camping there because you just killed them they may well come back for you. Now, this may be another opportunity to kill them if they’re not the brightest of sparks but they could also catch you out. It’s sometimes best to move onto another position and repeat the procedure, you’ll soon be racking up those kills for your team.

Finally keep an eye on your ammo and health; ask your teammates for help because they probably want to win the game too. If you’re low on ammo or health try to avoid unnecessary conflict until you have regained HP and have enough ammo to put up a fight and remember your secondary weapon, if you run out of ammo in a fire fight switching weapons is a lot faster than reloading and can very well save your life!

Overall, TDM can be a daunting place for the solo player but with the right mind set and tactics you might not always be able to carry your team to victory but you can be sure they’ll put up a good fight.

Katie Simpson