Some tips/thoughts on dealing with/spotting cheaters.
1. Don't think that just because you and your teammates get owned round after round that the other guys MUST be cheating. (Some people are actually that good)
1a. DON'T JUMP TO CONcLUSIONS!!! (Some people are REALLY lucky, others are REALLY good some are touched with divine intervention)
1b. Don't think you are superior and the only way you could have died is by the hands of a cheater (Noone is that good)
1c. Don't think honor and skill have anything to do with one another (100 honor 6FR vets could be starting a new account or that rich kid bought the 99 honor account because he is so 7êêT)
1d. Don't scream HACKER without any evidence. 45 kills or 1100 points does not mean he is a cheater. (Even a blind squirrel occasionally gets a nut)
-Spotting the hacker-
1. Try to get on his team so you can shadow. (not always possible, do what you can)
2. Observe, observe, observe (You need evidence)
3. Colored names (Yep, you caught one for sure) No color is allowed in 2.4 for player names
4. Changing names (hard to finish a VK on them)(Yep, you caught one for sure) try "pb_plist" and check players that appear against "playerlist" players. The one that appears with a different name between the two lists is the hacker/name changer. NOTE use the PB_KICK # to deal with these guys
5. Name dosen't show in playerlist or changes constantly (hard to start a VK on them)(Yep, you caught one for sure) try "pb_plist" and check players that appear against "playerlist" players. The one that appears with a different name between the two lists is the hacker/name changer. NOTE use the PB_KICK # to deal with these guys
6. Character name (ILike2Hak, {WTF} clan, IOwnzPunkBuster)
7. Spectate his a$$ (If he's instantly turning to exact point where every enemy is, every time and headshoting them)
8. Check his health (He's not even bleeding after being shot 5 times and having 2 nades detonate at his feet)
9. Is he accurately shooting through or while in smoke and getting kills. This also holds true for fog and flash bangs in the face as well (once or twice may be luck, but if he does it round after round??)
10. Ask them if they are hacking. (amazing how many people freely admit, even brag about hacking, thinking it's cool or there is nothing you can do about it)
11. Check their PB Screenshot (Why are all the players names and distances showing??) goto http://serverip/serverip/pbsvss.htm One of the best PBSS trolling guides around (To understand what your seeing) http://www.anticheatinc.com/trollingguide/
12. What's his attitude? (MOST cheaters get VERY defensive, or say things like "Prove IT!","No YOU are",Try and stop me" Do they have what I call the 12 year old syndrome? (no offense to 12 year olds))
13. Is anything unusual (high fire rates, unlimited ammo shooting while falling, doors open just before he gets to them and things which just can't happen otherwise)
14. If the cheater is on the other team discuss the matter will ALL your team privately (hint the "y" key)
15. Inform others on the server of your suspicion and encourage them to observe the person. (1 Person votekicks usually don't cut it)
16. LISTEN to their input (I play with him all the time he's just really good, I thought it was just me and me and me and me .....)
17. Check and see if he is banned for cheating already. http://pbbans.fbi-clan.org FBI clan banlist checker http://www.emailcart.net/airdale/ AON banlist checker http://www.tex.anticheatinc.com/MBLs/pbbans.txt ACI banlist
-Dealing with the hacker-
1. VK him. But don't start a VK on them without discussing it with others. They will usually be in total agreement. (It helps to line up the votes before letting them fly) If you can vote fast enough the hacker will be caught off guard and voted out before he can react. (sometimes they have hacks wich prevent votekicks)
2. If he is on your team TK him, If not try to switch so you can smile (Follow him around flashing him and shooting him in the foot. Dont headshot him in the first seconds or you will get ROE kicked) Impatient hackers can't stand to spectate, they should be OwnZinG your @$$.
3. Taunt them. Ask them if they use penis entensions with their hacks as well to compinsate for their lack of manhood. Call them skilless pussies. (These egotistical punks can't stand to be teased or belittled) I've seen hackers who were completely owning a server leave because everyone was taunting them. Ask them if they use penis entensions as well to compinsate for their lack of manhood.
4. Cause them to get ROE. (Jump in front of their SAW fire, rush that nade. Many hackers will get ROE kicked, give up and not come back) That really makes them mad when they are owning and have - points.
5. Reduce their ability to move around. (wounding them to be red, block doorways and walkways, play door games with them, block hallways, interfere with their vision, smoke 'em, Flash 'em)
6. If you were able to obtain a PBSS on them, turn it into ACI with the relevant information (Save others face time with this jerk) If they can verify the SS and its contents show obvious cheats he will be added to their Master Ban List preventing him from joining ANY ACI server. Turn in the Screenshot to ACI here http://www.anticheatinc.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=
7. Don't get mad!! (At least don't show it. You will be playing into their hands. They feed off your anger)
8. Prevent him from playing. (I've seen 8 people on assault suicide themselves every round for 7 rounds 10 seconds into the round to prevent a cheater from getting the kills. He got bored and then left)
9. Don't stoop to there level. (This is NOT an excuse for you to even think of using a hack to enact revenge or get even) You will just end up getting banned. Why risk temptation from the darkside?
10 Alert and admin if one is present (Some servers have them some don't, If an admin is on USUALLY he can just boot the offender) Some players choose to avoid Official US Army servers entirely because of the lack of admins and higher chance of encountering a hacker.
11. Use pb_kick on them (10 points are needed for a pb kick) 1 Open console 2 type pb_plist to get the slot numbers 3 type pb_kick 'Slot'
12. Present any evidence you may have found to everyone in a concise rational manner. (Yelling OMG I know he HAX is not going to be very convincing) In some instances members of the hackers team won't care to votekick him because they are being point whores sad There is no point in getting worked up over their acceptance of his hacking through their inaction, there is nothing you will be able to do and at this point either choose to deal with it yourself or goto step 13. and leave
13. Leave (if all else fails or you choose to, just go find another server without cheaters to go play on)
These are by no means always 100% effective or the "Gospel according to Hevy" I just thought I would share my experiences. Not everyone will agree with my opinions but they are just that opinions.
I personally go out of my way to attempt to rid a server of a hacker. Does it always work NO! But I try. If everyone would try even a little to disrupt a hackers gameplay maybe well get lucky. (They'll leave and move onto BF2, CS, EQ2 or anything but AA)
Hope this helps someone. Feel free to make comments or add to the list.
/edit updated a few things and added some links for reference Everyone should read this Punkbuster for Players http://www.punkbuster.com/publications/aa-pl/#pbrcon
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