Third person view mode is activated by default with
the F1 key during normal play. Some people play exclusively with
this on, others never use it. Some call it cheating, and restrict
the use of it (only possible in UO & COE). I’ve found it
to be quite useful, if used properly.
First off, I don’t consider it a cheat. It does
provide you with an edge, by giving you the opportunity to spot
the enemy without any risk of being spotted yourself. But that’s
just about all it does. Using the third person view will also make
it more or less impossible for you to return fire if engaged by
hostiles (unless you play with it on alot). There’s also the
chance of being caught off-guard. One example of this is the Killhouse
Two-Story map. While using third person to take a peek at the roof
top, there have been occasions where I’ve seen an opponent
rush down the stairs I’m standing on. If this happens you’ll
have to return to first person, but not only will the enemy already
have seen you, by the time you figure out what way you’re looking,
he’ll also have his firearm in your face with a finger on the
trigger. With some training, and a fast reaction, you might be able
to get out of a situation like this alive, although the odds are
slim if the opponent is already just a few metres away from the
stairs while you start using the third person view.
Alright, so how do you use the third person view?
Well, the first step is to walk up to a wall near a corner, roof,
or any other place you might want to see over, past, behind, etc.
Now press F1 to enter Third Person view and carefully move the mouse
until you acquire a satisfactory visual of the area you wanted to
see.
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Player 2
Normal View
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Player 1
Third Person View reveals
Player 2 around corner
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Congratulations – you should now be able to spot
the enemy, without revealing your own position. This is useful in
a number of situations. On sniper maps (such as RW’s excellent
Target NPP or default maps such as 747 and Bunkers), this is useful
for locating the opposing snipers without sticking your head out,
in which case you might very likely end up with a .50 calibre hole
in your noggin. On smaller maps, Killhouse Two-Story, Chalet, and
such, you can watch as an enemy runs by, and then sneak up on him,
or wait for him until he clears the corner you’re hiding behind.
Note that on larger maps where long-range engagements
occur, a high screen resolution will definitely be helpful. Playing
on 640x480 will work, but don’t expect to see much more than
half a dozen pixels representing your enemy. 800x600 must be said
to be a minimum, although I recommend cranking it up to the maximum
on pure sniper maps (RW’s ‘Target’ series), if you’ve
got the system for it. Here it can be quite important being able
to see which way the opponent is currently looking, so that you
don’t ruin everything be finding him in third person view mode,
only to stand right up into his reticule.
Good luck using the third person view mode to your
advantage. It took me quite a while before I figured this out actually,
and it didn’t improve my performance too much. However, why
take unnecessary chances and peek, when you can view the unknown
area without jeopardising yourself?
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Player 1
does not suspect the impending aggression
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Player 2
Normal view
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Player 2
Switches to third person and proceeds to despatch Player 1
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Aggression comment
I agree that using the third person
is not cheating, by virtue of the fact it is a feature built into
Rogue Spear by Redstorm. Using every aspect and feature of a game
should not be classed as cheating.
However it is what may be called "ungentlemanly
conduct", and some may say it is counter to the realism Rogue
Spear strives to attain. Daywanderer would (and did) counter this
point by saying that all the Third Person offers is no more than
a handy spy mirror.
The fact
that The Third Person is an option that can
be switched off by the game host in multiplayer
games shows the strength of feeling on the
subject. I would advise trying it, so as to
be aware of its pros and cons, but, much like
HBS - do not rely upon it.
