HimVsHer provide their guide to the first steps in PlanetSide2

After you’ve pulled in a few kills and have finally been taken down would be a great time to check out a few things to get yourself familiarized with the user interface (UI). Your map function (M key) will show you the continent you’re currently on, where you are on that continent, and who controls certain parts of the territory. You’ll notice there are resources in game that help you to buy vehicles, MAX suits, etc. These resources are accumulated by holding on to certain points on the map also known as “outposts”.

There are a few ways to get back into the action once you’ve fallen to your enemies. You can redeploy to a location in your menu, select “deploy” to instant action on any of the available hot spots on your map, or deploy to a squad beacon or friendly vehicle called a sunderer. You will want to join a squad or outfit rather than be a lone wolf in this game - communication is very important and essential to conquering outposts and eventually, the map. Being in a squad or outfit allows for better combat and quickly getting back into battle, as well as meeting a few friends along the way.

In Planetside 2, outpost battles can last for hours. As we said, this isn’t your typical FPS game - this is massive on all levels and aspects. There is a lot involved with gaining and holding an outpost - you have to take down shield generators, capture various points, overload the spawn control unit (SCU) - all while fighting off enemies from not only one, but two different empires.

Then, once you capture the outpost and repair the shield generators, you have to be able to defend it. Your control of any particular outpost can be overturned at any moment, so be prepared! Don’t worry; you have a lot at your disposal to defeat your enemy. There are a number of vehicles and aircraft to help conquer and gain territory - but all come at a cost

Vehicles, aircraft, guns, accessories all have a price. The big upside of taking outposts - aside from holding territory - is that you gain resources, known as aerospace, mechanized and infantry. With those resources, you can “buy” vehicles, aircraft, and MAX (Mechanized Assault eXo) suits, which are heavy infantry suits designed for hitting hard and taking a beating.

Aside from that, everything you do in Planetside 2 gives you experience, which in turn gives you certification points. These points can be used to buy new weapons, side-grades for weapons, camo for your character and so much more. You can also use Station Cash (SC), obtained by buying cards at stores, or with debit/credit cards in the comfort of your own chair.

With all these fancy accessories to be had, you’re going to want to show them off to a few friends, right? Well hop into a squad or outfit! A squad is a 12-player team that works together toward a common goal - helping to take outposts and territory for your faction.

If you’re looking for something a little larger than a small team, an outfit is exactly what you need to get involved in. Outfits can have as many members as needed and can have platoons comprised of four squads. There are some outfits with over a thousand members, so do your research and join one that fits your style. Outfits and squads are what make this game thrive. Planetside 2 is based around team work. You can lone wolf all you want, but you just can’t accomplish what a well-rounded squad can do. This is why Planetside 2 sets itself apart from other games in the FPS genre.

If you need of more detailed information, check out Planetside 2 at www.Planetside2.com or their forums at http://forums.station.sony.com/ps2. Tutorials can be found at http://www.planetside2.com/game-tutorials.

Yeti and LiquidPixels,HimVsHer