Becoming good at multiplayer Soldier of Fortune II is dependent on a variety of factors. If you've played other, similar FPS games multiplayer (such as Counter-Strike or Return to Castle Wolfenstein), then you have a decent head start.

First and foremost is practicing until you know which weapons work best for you. Other factors, such as your mouse and your connection, can't be taught or learned (but they can be bought). There are some ways to improve your game, though, and below are a few very general strategies to help you on the road to dominance.

Know Your Maps
It seems obvious, but it's one of the most important factors of good multiplaying. If you really want to get good, start a few servers on your own and check out the maps without other players. Learn where the choke points are located, where good sniping locations are, and, if you play infiltration games, where the briefcase and the extraction points are. Whether you're defending or nabbing, these latter locations are both vital to know.

Know Your Weapons
Certain weapons and equipment are great on some maps but not so great on others. Once you learn the maps and environmental conditions, you'll know what equipment you'll want to use and when. The preset outfitting selections are good, and you can choose any available weapon or accessory with the custom outfit option.

If you find you don't like what you've chosen, you can change your inventory while you're a ghost, or you can do it during the brief countdown before a new game begins. This is especially important right after your server has changed maps and you want new equipment for the new location.

Ghost Spy
If someone on your server seems particularly good, watch them play while you're a spectator or a ghost. Note what equipment their using and what routes they take through the map. It's a good way to learn from an experienced player.

You can also use this technique to spy on the opposition, if the server allows you to watch the opposing team. Certain players will have consistent patterns, so you can preempt them once you're back in the game.

Infiltration Tips
Infiltration is the best multiplayer mode in Soldier of Fortune II and one of the most popular. Because of this, it warrants a bit of special attention.

If you're on the defending team, there's no need to split up and go hunt down the enemy. Never leave the briefcase unattended. Good teamwork allows some people to commando off and hunt down the blue team, but a good red team will work together to defend the case. The red team has an advantage: The blue team must come to you, and you know exactly what they want and where it is.

Members of the blue team, on the other hand, can take whatever route they want. Still, teamwork is important. It's a good idea to work together to get the briefcase to the extraction point. If someone grabs it and gets killed, someone should be there to pick it up immediately. Incendiary grenades are a must, and if you grab the briefcase, throw some down to create a fiery path in your wake.