Gauntlet
Here's the short story: You whack people with it in melee combat. It isn't the most useful of weapons, but when
you run out of ammunition at least you have something to fight back with. It does a huge amount of damage if you
get a chance to actually hit someone with it. Better idea would be to run and get another weapon though.
Damage: 50 Points
Fire Rate: Constant
Usage: You are out of ammo. Get a weapon, fast.
Machine Gun
This is your default weapon when you spawn into the game. The machine gun is a rapid firing weapon, not very powerful,
but it'll make an opponent think twice before attacking a newly spawned player.
Damage: 7 Points Per Bullet
Fire Rate: 10 Bullets Per Second
Usage: You're better off just running for a better gun unless you've got some amazing aiming skills. If you do
you can use this weapon with extreme effectiveness. With the amount of damage it deals out, you can usually take
down a weakened opponent quite handily. Just don't run into a full room with this pea shooter and expect much in
the way of return other than some extra attention by way of rockets.
Shotgun
Essentially the same as it always has been with a couple minor changes. The firing rate is a little slower than
Quake and the spread on the weapon isn't as dramatic compared to Quake II. This is a very powerful gun in skilled
hands.
Damage: 110 Total (11 Pellets/10 Points Per Pellet)
Fire Rate: 1 Shell Per Second
Usage: Excellent close range fighting weapon since it isn't as accurate as a Rail Gun but still packs a heck of
a wallop to the sorry fool who got in your way. Due to the rapid spread of the pellets this doesn't make a very
good weapon in wide open rooms.
Grenade Launcher
Lobs grenades for a moderate distance. Much like the Quake II grenade launcher but less range and a faster
firing rate.
Damage: 100 Points Per Grenade
Fire Rate: 1.3 Grenades Per Second
Usage: The offensive use of this weapon is seriously limited due to it's short range and very slow particle travel
rate. You can probably dodge most of the grenades headed your direction without too much trouble. If you are trying
to escape an opponent fire a bunch of grenades behind you or straight down and keep running. The pineapples you
leave behind will make him think twice before he rushes in behind you.
Rocket Launcher
The staple of any good deathmatch experience is always our trusty Rocket Launcher.
Damage: 100 Points Per Rocket
Fire Rate: 1.3 Rockets Per Second
Usage: The staple weapon in Quake 3. There is no way around it, this is a great offensive defensive weapon. Not
much to say other than if you are running away just fire rockets at the corner and maybe you're opponent who is
chasing you will run into one by mistake.
Lightning Gun
The signature weapon of Quake returns. It is still very much the same as the Lightning Gun found in Quake. Point
and hold on the target. One thing to note is that the range is relatively short. So be sure to be in range before
wasting your precious ammunition.
Damage: 160 Points Per Second (8 Points Per Cell)
Fire Rate: 20 Cells Per Second
Usage: Since the beam of lightning only travels a medium distance this weapon is limiting to the uses. Not a heck
of a lot to say since all you have to do it hold it on the opponent and it will do the rest. Be careful to note
when you are out of range and switch to a more effective gun.
Rail Gun
The Rail Gun has been ported from Quake II into the Quake III Arena world. The weapon damage as well as reload
time are about the same. It leaves an explosion behind when it hits a wall or player, but it does not have splash
damage. You are able to customize the rail trail colour.
Damage: 100 Points Per Slug
Fire Rate: 0.8 Slugs Per Second
Usage: Mainly a long range weapon, it also makes due at medium range. It is usually a good idea after scoring a
hit on an opponent to switch to the Shotgun or Plasma Gun and finish the weakened foe off.
Plasma Gun
Much like the Plasma Gun we all loved and hated in Doom. It still tends to obscure your view when firing, but it
deals out a large portion of damage. One change that the gun has added to it is the fact that it has splash damage,
so be careful when your running and firing not to run into a wall.
Damage: 20 Points Per Cell
Fire Rate: 10 Cells Per Second
Usage: This is probably one of the more unused weapons and yet one of the most powerful. Good for anything from
close to moderate range, if you can lead your opponent you've got a kill in the bag. This weapon combined with
Quad is probably the most powerful combination in the game.
BFG
Nothing like any previous version of the BFGs that you have probably seen or wielded. Still frighteningly powerful,
but now requiring a certain degree of skill. It rapidly dispels large plasma bolts in the direction that you point
it much like the rocket launcher. Except of course, it's more powerful.
Damage: 100 Points Per Cell
Fire Rate: 5 Cells Per Second
Usage: Being the most powerful weapon in the game it is great at almost any range. The only requirement is some
skill to lead the target and place a couple blasts near him/her. Use the ammunition sparingly since there isn't
a whole lot to go around with 20 cells per pick up.
idSoftware p 1999