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Conquering the Star Trek - Voyager: Elite Force's single-player game is certainly an impressive feat. However, mastering the holomatches and defeating crafty human opponents in deathmatch and capture-the-flag play is an entirely different story. Computer-controlled enemies and bots are tough, certainly, but don't carry the unpredictability of a human opponent. In this chapter, you'll learn strategies for holomatch play as well as gain tips on using power-ups.
A key to surviving holomatch encounters is carrying the right weapon for the job - even if it means quickly switching the weapons on the fly. For instance, don't toggle to the tetryon pulse disruptor to combat an opponent at long range. Instead, switch to the I-mod or compression rifle, use the zoom feature to pinpoint the enemy location, and fire away (secondary fire mode preferred). The tetryon pulse disruptor is more effective at close range, as is the scavenger rifle, stasis weapon, and compound grenade launcher.
Expect to use weapons in combination, as well. Striking an opponent with photon burst splash damage can knock the enemy's health down to near zero. Instead of attempting to successfully score another hit with the photon burst, consider switching to a rapid-fire weapon, such as the scavenger weapon or tetryon pulse disruptor. If the opponent's health is near death, it won't take many successful blows from these machinegun-like weapons to score the kill.
Look for opportunities to exploit a roomful of players or two or more players engaged in a firefight. Explosive weapons are the key here. Pull out the photon burst or compound grenade launcher and fire as many rounds as possible into the group. The arc welder, arguably the most powerful weapon in holomatch play, should also prove effective against an enemy group. The arc welder's devastating beam can rip through enemies in a matter of seconds. It may take longer to finish off a group, but if you can dodge any counterattacks, you should have little trouble scoring two or more consecutive kills.
Although the weapons are drastically different, standard first-person shooter combat maneuvers are still effective in Star Trek - Voyager: Elite Force holomatches. The circle strafe is the mainstay of first-person shooters and will certainly come in handy during most holomatch encounters (especially those with the arc welder).
To perform the circle strafe, use the strafe keys (sidestepping left or right) as you line your crosshairs up with the enemy player. Strafe in a circle around the opponent while, at all times, keeping your crosshairs aligned and your finger down on the trigger. By moving in a circle, you present a difficult target for your opponent to counterattack. Meanwhile, though, it's not difficult to keep your own crosshairs on the enemy you are circling around. This puts you at an advantage.
Plus, circle strafing can provide a distinct speed advantage. Your opponent can't turn quickly enough to keep up with your strafing (especially in games over the Internet where your ping is lower), and it won't be difficult to take the enemy down with a constant stream of projectiles. Rapid fire (or constant stream) weapons work best with the circle strafe - for instance, the phaser, compression rifle primary fire mode, scavenger rifle, stasis weapon, tetryon pulse disruptor, and arc welder. The compound grenade launcher and photon burst, while quick killers, can cause self-damage in close-range battles. Be careful when implementing these weapons in tight, circle strafe combat.
The zoom, while not technically classified as a maneuver, should also be used in holomatch play, particularly in a capture-the-flag game where you have good line of sight on a specific location that leads to your flag or base. Zoom defaults to the Z key and is best used with the long-range, near instant hit weapon, which includes the I-mod and compression rifle secondary fire mode. Although the zoom can be used with any weapon, you'll find greatest success with these powerful blasts.
When you're zoomed in, you lose sight of your peripheral vision, making it extremely easy for an enemy to approach from the side. Back yourself into a dark corner when using the zoom; perhaps here you can remain undetected and can snipe without retaliation. In a team game, consider having someone protect you as you take long-range shots at enemy team members. Lastly, don't stick in one spot and use zoomed weapons. Human opponents are wise and eventually memorize your favorite position.
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