Q2 BotS | FAQ

A. To type a message to other players in a game simply hit the "T" key and type the message you wish to send then hit enter. If this does not work then you need to "bind" a key to "messagemode" for example you would type in the console "bind t messagemode", and this will allow you to use the "T" key as explained above. You can also type without hitting the "T" key by bringing down the console and typing normally while pressing enter after each message, but do this with caution because it this is also where you can enter commands to the game, and if you accidentally include the name of a command as the first word in your message, quake will try to execute that command instead. For example if the message you were trying to type was "Kill that SOB!!!", instead of sending the intended message, the game will instead execute the "kill" command, which causes you to commit suicide!
 

A.  To use team talk (your message is only displayed to the members of your team) simply type "cmd sayteam" and the message you want to send.

Example: you would type this, cmd sayteam where is the red key?

This is all done in the same sentence. Now to make things easier, since BotS is a team player game, you might consider binding special messages to a key. For example, you want to tell your team that the enemy is coming but you don’t want the enemy team to know that you are aware of this. Since you’ll be using this message a lot, you don’t want to have to type it in every time like you did in the above example. Here’s how it’s done:

Example: type this in console:      bind b cmd sayteam Incoming enemy attack!!!!

Now "b" is just an example. You can bind any key that you want to use for this team message. You can modify this anyway you want, just make sure the key that you bind the message to is not one that you need for playing. If so you will bind over the current function of that key and that function will be lost until you bind the correct command back for that key.

Another thing you can do is to bind a key to "messagemode2".

For example: type this in the console:    "bind y messagemode2"

This would allow you to use the key you have bound just like the "messagmode" key above, except it only sends messages to your team!

 
Q. What is binding a key anyways?

A. Well that is a perfectly good question. Most of us take for granted that a lot of new users have just begun their Quake experience with Quake2. Most people familiar with Quake and all the mods that were made for it understand the binding command. Simply put, binding is assigning a key to do a special function. For example…when you press "J" in quake2, you salute. Well, to make that key do that there was a pre-designed bind that was assigned to that key so that every time you press it, you will salute. Well it’s no different in BotS. Binding a key is telling Quake2 what you want the specific key to do when you press it. I will give you an example.

Say you want to bind a key so that you can use the grappling hook in BotS. You want this key to be assigned so that every time you press it your grappling hook comes up. Well here is how you would do that:

Bind h cmd use hook

Very simple huh? Yeah it really is. You can use this with anything you want to bind a command to.

For more info on binding keys and creating scripts in Quake2 try this page Fahrenheite176

 
Q. I binded over a key that I needed, how do I get it back?

A. Well, this is a common occurence. I have done it myself a few times. There are a couple of ways you can solve this problem. First, you can go to the options menu and select reset defaults at the bottom of the menu. This will restore everything to the way it was when you bought the game. Doing this though will delete all of your custom binds and you will have to re-bind them again. What I suggest is to make a backup copy of your config file after you reset defaults. Once you have done this place this copy in a temp file or save it to disk. If you ever need to find out a bind that you lost you can go back to this config and open it. In it you will find every command that was originally loaded. Simply find the correct bind in the config and the command, then rebind your key in the game with that command.
 

Q. What is the console?…People keep saying this but I just don’t know what it is.

A. The console is the place where you put in all your special commands. You can also type here without hitting the "T" key. To bring the console down simply press the "~" key. To exit the console hit the "~" key again.

 
Q. How do I use the grappling hook?

A. The grappling hook is a tool or weapon depending on how you use it. It’s main purpose is to get you up high or wherever you want to go. To use the grappling hook, type "cmd use hook" in the console, bind it to a key, or hit the / key to switch weapons until it brings up the grappling hook.

Example: bind h cmd use hook

 
Q. How do I switch classes within the game?

A. Well Spinoza has made that easy for you. If you are familiar with BotS then you probably know all the different classes that are available to you. To change classes simply type the name of the class that you want to be in the console. A message will come up saying that after you die you will become the class you selected.

 
Q. How do I switch teams in BotS?

A. To switch teams in BotS simply type "rejoin" in the console. It will be the saTo switch teams in BotS simply type "rejoin" in the console. It will be the same as if you just joined the server. Re-select your gender(sex) and the class you want to be.

 
Q. I can’t remember all the different classes in the game. How can I see all the classes to choose from?

A. To bring up the class selection list type "help" in the console and a list of the class aliases will be displayed.

 
Q. Why does everyone look the same to me?…I can’t tell the difference between the enemy and my teammates.

A. If you can not tell the difference between the enemy and your teammates then you need to download the new skins that are available. If you do not have these new skins everyone will look like a male grunt. The file name of the skins is "client.zip" on the downloads page.
 

Q.  How do I capture the enemy key?

A. You can find out how to capture the key and more by reading the objectives section in the General play manual.

 
Q. What do I do with the key once I have it?

A. All the answers to this question are in the General play manual. Go Read It!!
 

Q. How can I find out who took my key?

A. To find out the status of both keys in a game type "cmd keystatus" or "cmd locatekey" in the console.

 
Q. Why are there grenades laying around everywhere?

A. Certain classes can lay proximity grenades. These grenades will only go off when the ENEMY gets close to them or a teammate steps on them. Proximity grenades will not damage your teammates but they will explode after one minute.

 
Q. Everyone is voting for a level but I don’t know how to vote.

A. To vote for a level that you want to play simply type "vote" in the console. Then exit the console and hit the number of the level that you want. Now just because you voted for a level doesn’t mean that you are going to get it. It’s a majority decision that decides.

 
Q. I just joined and I can not get my menu to disappear after I select a team and a class.

A. Well, with every new mod there come some bugs. This is a bug that Spinoza is currently working on. The best way to solve this problem is to type "menu" in the console and select "cancel". 
 

Q. How do I use detpipes?

A. Detpipes can only be used by the kamikazee. The command for detpipes is "cmd detpipe".

 
Q. I tried to set a laser but it says "too far from wall." What does this mean?

A. Well I should send ya to the Strategy Guide but this is short and sweet. "too far from wall" means…your too damn far from a wall. Jeesh!! Move closer to a wall and try again. Lasers can only be attached to walls, floors, ceilings or structures.

 
Q. I tried to deploy a alarm but it says "too far from wall." What does that mean?

A. Don’t even ask!!!

 
Q. I tried to mount a turret but I can’t. What is the problem?

A. Well the number one problem is you. To mount a turret you would simply jump up on it and fire as you normally would but only certain classes can use turrets.

 
Q. I want to use grapple but it says "out of item grapple." What does this mean?

A. Ok, this is a question that pops up a lot. Well, there are only certain classes that can use grapple. I will list the ones that can not. Captain and Soldier classes can not use grapple. Every other class can use grapple. Note: after level 2 upgrade the captain can use the grapple.

 
Q. Why do I get stuck when I respawn on a teammate?

A. Well this is another one of those mysterious bugs that are floating around in the BotS mod. Sometimes you can just move and get away. Other times you are permanently stuck to your buddy. The best bet if this happens is to just type "kill" in the console. This will kill you and free your teammate. Hey, this is a team effort!!! When this bug is smashed it will be posted.

 
Q. Why can’t I pick up that armor that I want?

A. Depending on the gender(sex) that you have chosen and the class you have selected, this will vary. Only certain genders and classes can wear certain armor.

 
Q. Why can’t I pick up that weapon that I want?

A. Well, BotS has specific classes that use specific weapons. If the class you have chosen is not capable of using that weapon, then it will remain on the ground.

 
Q. How do I use the sniper laser sight?

A. Type "sight" in the console.

 
Q. How do I turn the sniper sight off?

A. To turn the sniper sight off type "sight" in the console

 
Q. What is that weird music that plays every now and then?

A. That’s the sound of victory. When the funky music plays, that means your team or the enemy team has just captured the key.
 
Q. Why does my armor disappear sometimes when playing as a berzerker?

A. The berzerker gets a Quad power-up every 60 to 90 seconds (depending on gender) and drops all armor when this happens.
 

Q. How do I get a promotion?

A. Promotions are explained in detail in the general play manual on this site.
 

Q. Who is the console guy that comes on every now and then?

A. That is the server administrator.
 

Q. I know my class can use grapple but now it says not enough cells?

A. The grapple costs cells now. Each class and gender use a certain amount of cells each time they use grapple.
 

Q. How do I promote someone?

A. Use "cmd promote" or bind it to a key, then select someone using the bracket [] keys, then hit enter.
 

Q. I was a level 2 soldier and all of a sudden I got demoted...what happened?

A. If you are level 2 or higher and are killed by a level 0 enemy, you wilIf you are level 2 or higher and are killed by a level 0 enemy, you will be demoted one level. You can not be demoted under level 1.
 

Q. What do promotions do?

A. Promotions give you special abilities depending on the class you are playing as. The higher the level you are the more powerful you become.
 

Q. How do I create items when I am captain?

A. Use the "cmd create" or bind it to a key, then use the brackets to select an item, then hit enter.
 

Q. Why is there an enemy that looks like they are on my team?

A. The infiltrator class can use the disguise command when they are level 3. This enables them to look like the enemy for 30 seconds.
 

Q. Why doesn't my captain ever promote me?

A. Well there are many reasons why this could happen. The captain might not know how to promote someone, they might not like you, they might have a different strategy in mind and you are not part of it, or they might be saving promotions for a different person or you might not deserve one. Ask them if they know how to promote and ask them kindly if they could give you a promotion when they get a chance. If you deserve one and they know how to give...you should get one soon.
Another reason may be that he cannot promote you, you must have a positive score in order to recieve promotions.
 

Q. How do I drop the promotion key?

A. You can drop the promotion key somewhere safe by using "cmd droppromote"

Q. I have killed a lot of enemies but why is my score still a 0?

A. Scores are not based on frags, this is a Team Game!