Again, I will emphasize that controlling the RA area is the key to winning on DM6. There are different ways to control the level, but control of the RA is the beginning. Here are the different things you should control in DM6, rated in level of importance.

 
Red Armor

I just can't say enough about the importance of the red armor. It is the key to this level, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Sure, fighting skill and overall awareness is important… but a less-skilled opponent can beat a better player if their strategy, and control, is superior.

 
100% health

Controlling the 100% health (and the RA, of course) can effectively be enough for total domination of the level. Here's why:

• By allowing your opponent to get an RL, you still leave him with the desire to kill and guts enough to face you. He knows he's outgunned and out-armored, but having a good weapon will at least keep him from running at the very sight of you.

• You have 200/200, he has 100/100. Even if he is a better player, you can simply overpower him by the sheer amount of health and armor you have. Just two lucky rocket shots, or a couple seconds with the shaft, and he's toast. Now, imagine if you are the better player…

• When you have control of the 100% health and the RA, he won't know where to go. Usually, when your opponent has control of the RA, you know to wait around on the other side of the level until the 100% health respawns. If it's gone… where can you go?

Several key things to remember:

• Never leave an available RA to get the 100% health. The 100% health is far less important than the RA. If you ever had a choice, get the RA instead of the 100%.

• Never risk getting the 100% health if you don't know for sure it's gonna be there. I have seen many people wait at the 100% health for it to respawn, even when they have control of the level. By sitting there waiting for it, they give up the RA area to the enemy. Since they were not timing the 100% health respawn, they did not know the enemy already has the 100% health. Now all of a sudden, they go from having control of the level and the advantage, to losing control and facing an enemy with 200/200.

• Always remember to get back to the RA at least four to five seconds before it respawns. Again, you do not want to walk in the door to the RA as your opponent is picking it up.

Timing the 100% health

• It's very important to time the 100% health well, in order to maximize the efficiency in which you control the level. You know the RA respawns in 20 seconds, you know the 100% health respawns 20 seconds after it runs out, and you know you want to get back to the RA with at least a few seconds to spare. Find a pattern that works well for you… that can get you from picking up the RA, to the 100% health room, to picking up the 100% health, and to running back to the RA and sitting on the platform... all within 15 seconds.

Quick recap of what to do:

• If/When you have 100% health, watch your health meter. When it hits or dips below 100, start counting. You have 20 seconds before it respawns.

• Wait a while (your choice of how long and what your pattern is), then hurt yourself to pick up the RA. Important - do not pick it up right away. If you do so, then it means you have to wait longer at the 100% health for it to respawn. It also means that the RA will respawn sooner, and it also gives your opponent more time to get into the RA.

• As soon as you pick up the RA, run towards the 100% health. You can do the double tele or jump up into the tunnel to get to the 100% health room. If you have a good pattern going, the 100% health should respawn almost immediately.

• Pick it up then get back to the RA as quickly as possible. You should have several seconds to spare before the RA respawns, because your opponent will most likely be waiting at the RA, hoping that the RA will respawn before you get back. If your pattern is good, you'll have time to fight off your opponent if he's waiting there to ambush you.

• Repeat every time your 100% health runs out. Also remember that your health may run out during battle, so keep tabs on it at all times.

 
Controlling the Rocket Launcher

This is a great tactic to use to maintain control of the level; however, it is not a necessarily good tactic to use if you want to rack up the frags. Without a weapon, people usually feel too outmatched to engage in battle. What usually happens is, you'll maintain control of the level, but your opponent will run away from you as soon as he sees you. This is basically the same tactic as controlling the 100% health, except in this case, you control the RL instead of the 100% health. It is also a little bit easier, as the RL respawns every 30 seconds, whereas the 100% health must be kept tabs on throughout the game.

 
Green Armor - Not in Control of Level

When you don't have control of the level, you must play very defensively. Do not go after your opponent, even if you are a better shot and a better player -- your chances of killing him when you have 100/100 and he has 200/100 are very slim. Your best bet would be to regroup and wait for either the 100% health to respawn, or try to sneak in and steal the RA from your opponent.

Next: Red Armor Room