Note that this post assumes you are starting from scratch. If you have already played Arma before, just skip the “Prerequisites” section and install the current modlist. I really suggest you read the rest of the guide even if you have played before.

Also note that this guide (like every other one that will be written on this site) assumes the reader is a fucking idiot. Don’t be offended if you aren’t a fucking idiot. There are several fucking idiots in this group who know less about computers than a brick wall (which is the whole reason I set this shit up in the first place; It’s a pain in the ass to have to explain to eight different people how to do one thing at eight different levels when I just want to play fucking Gmod).

Prerequisites

Assuming you know you’ll need Arma itself, there are a few programs you’ll need to play with us.

1. Radmin VPN
2. Teamspeak 3

We use Teamspeak for the Task Force Radio mod which allows positional VOIP and usage of radios in-game. It is damn near essential in order to keep communications organized (having 7+ people in a voice call gets hectic quickly).

“Should I buy the Arma 3 DLC?”

None of the Arma 3 DLC is required. If the Apex DLC is on sale you may want to buy it solely for the map but most of the content that we use (and will likely ever use) is from mods. The only time you may be hindered by this is if you try to take DLC gear off of a fellow player.

Installing Mods

Arma, like Gmod, is a sandbox game with a lot of mods. Keep in mind that these mods take up a fair amount of space (20+ GB). There are two main modlists for you to pick from:

• LSS Arma Modlist
• LSS Arma Modlist (JSRS)

The JSRS version of the modlist contains the JSRS Soundmod which greatly improves the game sound quality. It is optional, does not affect gameplay or performance, and is ~1.4 GB.

When you open the page, go to the top right and press the “Download” button. Installing the modlist is as simple as dragging the modlist onto the launcher window. If the launcher asks if you would like to subscribe to items, say yes.

When you get the mods downloaded, make sure they are all enabled.

Installing the Task Force Radio plugin for Teamspeak 3

After installing TS3 (if you can’t figure that out, just turn off your computer and go to bed) you have to install the Task Force Radio plugin in order for it to interface and work with Arma. To do this, simply download and run the plugin file.

Then, in your Teamspeak, go to Tools > Options > Addons and ensure that the “Task Force Arma 3 Radio” addon is enabled.

Learning to play

Arma is a complex game. It is meant to be a simulator and thus has uncommon game mechanics and a billion keybinds. So please, for the love of all that is holy, play through the “Bootcamp” campaign before you come to play with us. It’ll take you an hour or two but it will teach you the basics of movement, combat, and equipment usage. You don’t have to play through the whole thing but it will really help you when you start. Note that when you play the campaign that you should launch the game without any mods enabled (which can be done by clicking the arrow next to the “Play” button and pressing “Play without mods and optional DLC”).

Don’t show up to an operation not knowing how to play.

Even after playing through the tutorial campaign there are a lot of things that are added in mods that you won’t learn from the tutorial (many vanilla mechanics are changed as well). If you ask, I’ll be glad to boot up a training scenario and show you the ropes of these mods.

Understanding the Zeus Gamemode

Most of the time we play Arma we will be playing a gamemode called Zeus. This gamemode is built around the idea of a “game master” who can control the scenario to create a game that is tailored specifically to the players, in a similar way to DnD. Zeus is usually present in the game but does not actually play with the players and instead usually acts as command to issue orders and give information to the players. This allows Zeus to keep a close eye and the players’ activites and craft the scenario accordingly.

Arma Etiquette

We aren’t a serious group. We play to have fun and not to have to call some 14 year old “Sir” in a video game. We play with some mil-sim rules just because it makes it more likely for dumb shit to happen but no one is going to force you to act like you’re in the military. However, there is some basic etiquette you should observe.

Dress code

For fuck’s sake, just wear unit and time period appropriate fatigues/rigs/helmets and use appropriate weapons. You can diversify among your squadmates a bit but if you seriously want to go into an op looking like this:

… prepare for your ass to become a suprisingly effective lightning rod.

Don’t do outrageously stupid shit (purposefully)

I get it. You wanna do dumb shit. It’s funny. I know. When dumb shit happens on accident it’s hilarious. But remember that the Zeus (almost always me) put effort into making the op fun and to have someone kill the whole squad at the beginning of the mission is beyond frustrating. Like I said, you don’t have to act like you’re in the military but at least try to act like a human with a survival instinct, even if a very stupid human.

Just keep in mind that someone has to clean up after you. Whether it’s Zeus having to insert the whole squad back into the AO or the teammate you shot who has to get his gear back in order and wait 15 minutes to play again, sometimes doing dumb shit isn’t worth the time it wastes for other people. This game is like DnD: everyone has to do their part to make the game fun for the whole group. Don’t be that guy. Don’t be Blade.

On that note, I swear that anyone who acts like Blade does when we play DnD will find himself in the middle of the ocean with fuck-all to do but swim back to the mainland or quit.

Squad Roles

Like in real life and many other video games, each squad has indiviuduals who specialize in different tasks. The following is a list of squad roles that you may want to play.

• Rifleman
  • Standard general-purpose infantry unit
• Squad Leader
  • Calls the shots and takes point when moving in formation
  • Carries a long-range backpack radio to communicate with command
  • Should be someone who has experience in Arma
• Machinegunner
  • Carries a machinegun and give suppressing fire when requested
  • May have available squadmates carry extra ammo
• Marksman
  • Carries a marksman’s rifle for precision fire
  • May employ the use of thermal or night-vision scopes
• AT Specialist
  • Carries an anti-tank launcher to engage enemy armored units
  • May have available squadmates carry extra ammo
• AA Specialist
  • Carries an anti-air launcher to engage enemy aircraft
  • May have available squadmates carry extra ammo
• EOD Specialist
  • Carries a wide array of explosives for demolition or traps
• Combat Lifesaver
  • Carries a wide array of medical tools and equipment for combat medical assistance and surgery

Note that some roles may be more important in some scenarios than in others. This will always be in the briefing.