Hardcore on the Battlefield

Next-gen ports are enough to earn a flicker of interest, but next-gen overhauls, especially ones with beloved hardcore gameplay, can transform old fires into raging infernos. Battlefield 2: Modern Combat™ bleeds hardcore gameplay with its focus almost exclusively on the ultra-competitive online experience.

Squat soldier! Use that grass for cover.

Modern Combat's unique Conquest multiplayer game type is reason enough to ready yourself for some long hours on Xbox 360™, but the combination of impeccable balance and vastly improved presentation only makes the promise of those long sessions more compelling.

Ten kills more than the closest competitor won't mean
squat if it's your team on the short end of the stick.

Even more than most games, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat offers a host of unique hardcore challenges. It's easy to take the simple road and go for individual glory and hyped up stats, but do yourself a favor and quell your need for leaderboard supremacy. Keep the following tips in mind for the most challenging but satisfying Battlefield 2 experience possible.

For the Win
Ten kills more than the closest competitor won't mean squat if it's your team on the short end of the stick come the end of the match. Hardcore gamers should care about one thing, and that's winning. Use this one rule to influence all of your in-game decisions.

Make sure you check what classes are being played and pick one that is most needed at the time. Make sure you back up your teammates even if it's out of the way. Make sure to answer any questions a newer player may have. Winning, not statistics, should be the end result you crave. Play that way.

The longer the barrel, the bigger the punch.

Be Supportive
Ridiculous stats are cause for celebration, but try racking up some jaw-dropping numbers while playing the Support and Engineer classes for true satisfaction. Moreover, don't pick them just for the increased difficulty in netting kills, but play them appropriately. As an Engineer, repair allied vehicles and destroy the enemy's instruments of destruction. Drop med packs for your teammates and monitor their health as the Support class. Do this and still score first on the kills list, and you know you're the dominant player.

Field General
This challenge is similar to the first tip. Put aside easy kills and focus instead on a winning strategy. It's a common occurrence on Xbox Live® to enter a Battlefield 2 match and hear nary a peep from your teammates. Folks are too concerned about kills to focus on strategy, so do it for them. Call out enemy locations, announce the status of various capture points, and generally guide your teammates to a winning strategy. You won't be in on as much of the action, but you can take solace in a win as well as a more cerebral Battlefield 2 experience.

On the Front Lines
If your team already has a leader, or you're particularly good at multitasking, it's important to follow a simple rule: Always press; never hang back. The point is this: It's easy to rack up kills by sniping or laying in wait while defending a capture point, but that isn't the hardcore way. Once you secure a base, it's time to put yourself in harm's way and lead the troops to the next capture point, always putting pressure on the enemy, and constantly testing your combat skills.

Web Integration
For those looking for high-level strategy, it's time you buckle down and do your homework to improve your Battlefield 2 standing. This is especially true if you play clan matches. Use the online community Web site here. Track games and establish strategy with their Intelligence Tool. The extra effort will bear results in the long run.

Article by Hardcore