3.0.0 - Getting Started

3.1.0 - Former/Current AQ2 Players

Action Quake 2 players tend to be an impatient lot, so this section will give a quick rundown of how to get up and running with RQ3. New players should read the next section. AQ2 players should also read the next section but they probably won't. ;)

Most of the old commands will work. The biggest difference between AQ2 and RQ3 is that Q3 likes to have "/" in front of all commands and cvars when typing them in-game. "bandage" then becomes "/bandage" if you type it manually. The radio binds are the same. The say substitutions like %W have been changed, they are now using $ instead of % so the proper command for "weapon" would be $W.

Check out section 6.0.0 for the details on what your old AQ2/Q2 binds and cvars are and what they are now in RQ3/Q3. There's also a sample config file you can refer to.

3.2.0 - Counter-Strike Players

For Counter-Strike players interested in trying out Reaction Quake 3, here are some common questions that come up:

So, what's this thing called Reaction Quake 3?

Reaction Quake 3 is a modification of the Quake 3 engine, and an attempt to port Action Quake 2 to the Quake 3 engine. At first glance, RQ3 will look like the Counter-Strike style of game, but when you sit down and start playing, you will realize that it feels more like a fast paced game like Quake 3.

Why should I play Reaction Quake 3?

If you are a Counter-Strike player and are getting sick of the game getting slower and slower, then RQ3 is the game for you. If you're a Quake 3 player, but like the pseudo-realistic gameplay of Counter-Strike, then RQ3 is the game for you.

What can I expect when playing Reaction Quake 3?

In Reaction, after choosing your team and weapon/item layout, each team will spawn together in separate locations around the map. Some spawns are better than others, but since they are chosen randomly, you tend to have as many good spawns as bad. The round will end when one team has been completely eliminated, or the round time limit has been reached.

What's this I hear about bandaging?

In Reaction, when you take damage, you will often need to bandage to stop taking more damage. When you start to bandage, you will not be able to shoot for 6 seconds. During the first three seconds, you will still bleed/limp, at the three second mark, you will stop bleeding/limping, but it will still take you another three seconds to pull your gun back out. After shooting someone, you know they will need to bandage at some time. Part of the strategy is trying to figure out if they are waiting around the corner, slowly bleeding waiting for you to come, or if they are hiding away bandaging, and are a perfect target for you since they can not fight back.

Hey, what gives? My health is dropping!

When you get shot in Reaction, you start to bleed. When you first get shot, you bleed quite fast, but the flow slows to a trickle after a few seconds. Depending on where you get shot, and which weapon you were shot with, you will bleed more or less. There are some shots that you can never survive from, but you bleed slow enough that you can still get a few more shots off. If someone snipes you in the stomach, do not bother bandaging- you will die. Just try and kill someone before you go down. Same thing with a knife to the stomach. Nothing to do but try to take someone else down with you

How come I am walking like a gimp?

After being shot in the legs, or falling a bit too far, you will have leg damage. Bandage to get rid of it, and you will be able to move at your normal speed again.

How are these people getting to these impossible places?

Part of porting Action Quake 2 to the Quake 3 engine involved transferring the physics. This involved bringing double jumping and ramp jumping to the Quake 3 engine. A double jump works much like it sounds. You jump onto a box, then hit your jump key right away. If you time it right, you should go flying into the air. A ramp jump is similar, except you just need to hit your jump key at the top of the ramp, and you will jump higher.

Which weapon should I choose?

Choosing your weapon depends on your style of play and the size of the map. If you like long range, stand off, and strategy, the sniper rifle is your weapon. If you like to run and gun then you're probably going to want to use the M4, MP5, or Shotgun. If you enjoy a more stealthy attack, you can choose the Handcannon or Knives. You'll always have your trusty sidearm, just in case.

Which item should I choose?

Again, it depends on your style. If you like to be stealthy, you can choose the Silent Slippers, or the Silencer. While wearing the Slippers, your footsteps are no longer hearable, so people can't hear you sneaking up on them. The silencer quiets your gunshots to a fraction of their original noise. One thing to keep in mind though, is that not all weapons can attach the silencer. If you like a good gun duel, the Kevlar Vest can protect you from body shots. The vest works partially against some weapons and not at all against others. The Laser Sight improves accuracy at the drawback of people being able to see your laser coming at them. If you're stealthy, don't let people see that big red dot coming for them. In dark situations, long range attacks, or if you're just a trigger happy person, the Bandolier can be your best friend. In addition to giving you Infrared vision, the bandolier lets you carry additional weapons and ammo. Even in the pitchest of black areas, any person in your field of vision will light up like a roman candle.

What's this Capture the Briefcase thing?

Capture the Briefcase (CTB for short) is basically Capture the Flag with a twist. You only can pick up the briefcase when you're holding your sidearm or knife. Grab the other team's case and bring it back to where your case is (or should be). If your case has been stolen, you cannot score a 'capture' until it is returned.

3.3.0 - General Walkthrough for Everyone

Oh come on, the menus are easy enough to figure out, aren't they? Play against some bots locally until you get the hang of things then go and play against people online.

(ok, so this section isn't done yet! errr... still!)

Return to RQ3 Manual

Last updated: September 3, 2002