Tips for DM

[Beebs]

Thanks RushJet for your insight! Here's a few other morcel's of DM info I thought might be helpful:

The 'King of the Castle' Scenario:
This only really applies when there are only a few people playing on a DM1 server ( <3 ). A good player can dominate the 2nd level by cutting off any access to it by cutting up anyone who uses the "traditional way" to try and get up there. All it takes is a constant collection of the power-ups by the 'King of the Castle' and anyone trying to access the 2nd level will have one hell of a time doing it. My point is not simply to point this out since this is a very obvious strategy for any novice DM'er, but to help you 'de-throne' the King. :upto: It doesn't take a pro DM'er to collect the power-ups and pick off players trying to get to the 2nd level. The best way to beat these players is to 'deek' them into thinking you're going for it. RushJet's 1st point about jumping from adjacent 1st level pads using the transitional jump, or circling around to return to your point of origin is a great way to do this. What will usually happen is the 'King' will waste his power-ups gunning for ya. So if they are indeed a novice, you can reach the 2nd level with relative ease and have a chance of cutting their royal arse up.
If the 'King' is a regluar DM'er, you're going to have your work cut out for you. The 'simplest' way is to 'Wha Jump' up to the 2nd level and begin your mid-air or cross-pad exchange of fire to see who the new 'King' shall be. Since a lot of people have trouble even getting that jump down, I would suggest a different strategy. Make them come to you. Make yourself a irresistible target. Play possum on one of the 1st level corner pads. Remember, if THEY come DOWN to meet YOU, you'll have the benefit of being able to slice them first because, if you time it right, your decap/push disk will be able to hit their feet before their discs can hit your head! The best DM'ers I've gone up against like a challenge, and soaking up power-ups while you 'vapourize' their bodes coming off that transitional jump isn't much of a challenge, it's fun to watch and listen, but anyone can do that. The great players constantly move between the 1st and 2nd levels, sometimes even throwing away their power-ups to give themselves a greater challenge. This brings up our next point...

Power-Ups:
Please do not assume I am saying that power-ups are for beginners only. Absolutely not! Kermit's notes and subsequent additions by others to using freeze discs are essential for advanced players. The triple shot can help you clear a pad with ease. A decap shot with the fast shot can make the 'Sev Shot' (see 2nd post) much easier since the discs are stacked vertically on each other. And the power shot gives us three decaps in quick succession. We all know by the now the benefits of these, the point I'm making is using them in moderation. 'Spamming' on a DM1 server by hoarding the power-ups does NOT take any skill. I'm sorry, I know it's part of the game, but there is a certain etiquette on DM1. I will never call it cheating, but just don't expect anyone to commend you on your skill or for you to declare that you have an abundance of it. Great DM'ers use power-ups some of the times because it becomes damn near impossible to hit another great DM'er with just push and decap discs. This is my own personal opinion, and by all means feel free to disagree, but having more than 2 power-ups at one time is too much of an advantage. That's just me. Do whatever the hell you want. But I've seen the best DM'ers follow this rule so I feel obliged to follow suit.