OK...sorry for this, but time for me to rant a bit. This just seems like a crowd that may enjoy it.
My son plays XBOX 360...a LOT. He mainly plays some Modern Warfare game (sorry...I just bought it, don't know exactly what it is called)...a LOT. And I get to hear his comments as well as those of the guys/gals he plays with...a LOT. So, to help keep what little sanity I have left intact, I offer some observations and comments on teenagers, video games, and real world combat tactics/weapons from my perspective (I could be wrong, but I think 12 years Army (and the last few as an instructor) gives me some small idea of "real world" military stuff).
1. There is no "reset" button in real combat. You die...game over...forever.
2. Weapons that are "the best" in games are typically **** in real world combat. A lever-action, sawwed-off shotgun will NOT kill anyone at extreme ranges. I don't care how good a shot you think you are. Also, there is no "best" weapon. It all depends on the situation. So stop asking me that.
3. Just because you have an "achievement" saying you are a "weapons expert" does not make it so outside the game. Real weapons do not do "rating 5" damage. They just blow holes in you. That is, if you can hit anything you little brat.
4. High caliber and full auto do NOT mix well. I don't care if you did it in the game or saw it in a movie, you are not going to shoot an FAL on full auto and get a good and accurate grouping. You're gonna get a sore shoulder. And a bunch of wasted rounds.
5. C4 (composition 4) is not the end all, be all of explosives. It does not create a fireball and blow up everything in the vicinity when detonated. It blows hotter and with less explosive power than military grade TNT. I do not care what you saw in Rambo or any of those horrible made for SciFy TV movies. Same goes for grenades. Get over it.
6. The more you claim to be a "weapons expert", the more foolish you tend to look to those who actually KNOW about the subject. A nice rule of thumb: If you have never touched a real weapon, do not claim expertise with it. Video games, no matter how "real" they look, lie to you.
7. Sitting in a concealed area and taking out opponents with a sniper rifle is called "sniping"...not "camping". It is proper use of a sniper. If you wish to claim to be all-knowing in the ways of military tactics, at least get the terms straight and stop whining when your tactics suck. On the same note, an LMG (Light Machine Gun) is NOT a sniper rifle. Nor is an AK47. I don't care that you can hit a fly's butt at 1000 yards in the game with one. Just not the way it is in real life.
8. Rocket launchers and RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenades) are wonderful anti vehicle/structure support weapons. They are not, however, primary assault weapons. One shot, maybe two...then run for the hills if that is your primary weapon. By the way, most modern rocket launchers are single shot. An AT4 is heavy, cumbersome, and has one shot. If you plan on shooting a bunch, start working out to carry all those tubes.
9. Flame-throwers, while very cool-looking, make horrible weapons against armed opponents. Sure, you can shoot the burning fluid on an old tank or vehicle and it will run into the windows and crevases to cause all sorts of havok...if you can get close enough before they shoot your tank and you become a screaming bonfire.
10. If your opponent has a high power rifle, hiding behind the couch will not help much. Unless the couch is kevlar lined and bullet proof. Then you better hope they don't have the flame thrower from number 9. Or a rocket launcher. But, then again, I don't remember seeing the Kevlar line last time I was at Nebraska Furniture Mart looking for living room furniture.
OK...end of rant. But, hey...feel free to add your own observations. I'm sure there are tons I missed or have not yet had to deal with (I left out the whole Ninja are not bullet proof lines...cuz I've only heard one of my son's friends claim "Ninja Invulnerability" before:rolleyes). These are just some of the silly things I have found myself explaining over the last few months and was starting to drive me nuts.
My son plays XBOX 360...a LOT. He mainly plays some Modern Warfare game (sorry...I just bought it, don't know exactly what it is called)...a LOT. And I get to hear his comments as well as those of the guys/gals he plays with...a LOT. So, to help keep what little sanity I have left intact, I offer some observations and comments on teenagers, video games, and real world combat tactics/weapons from my perspective (I could be wrong, but I think 12 years Army (and the last few as an instructor) gives me some small idea of "real world" military stuff).
1. There is no "reset" button in real combat. You die...game over...forever.
2. Weapons that are "the best" in games are typically **** in real world combat. A lever-action, sawwed-off shotgun will NOT kill anyone at extreme ranges. I don't care how good a shot you think you are. Also, there is no "best" weapon. It all depends on the situation. So stop asking me that.
3. Just because you have an "achievement" saying you are a "weapons expert" does not make it so outside the game. Real weapons do not do "rating 5" damage. They just blow holes in you. That is, if you can hit anything you little brat.
4. High caliber and full auto do NOT mix well. I don't care if you did it in the game or saw it in a movie, you are not going to shoot an FAL on full auto and get a good and accurate grouping. You're gonna get a sore shoulder. And a bunch of wasted rounds.
5. C4 (composition 4) is not the end all, be all of explosives. It does not create a fireball and blow up everything in the vicinity when detonated. It blows hotter and with less explosive power than military grade TNT. I do not care what you saw in Rambo or any of those horrible made for SciFy TV movies. Same goes for grenades. Get over it.
6. The more you claim to be a "weapons expert", the more foolish you tend to look to those who actually KNOW about the subject. A nice rule of thumb: If you have never touched a real weapon, do not claim expertise with it. Video games, no matter how "real" they look, lie to you.
7. Sitting in a concealed area and taking out opponents with a sniper rifle is called "sniping"...not "camping". It is proper use of a sniper. If you wish to claim to be all-knowing in the ways of military tactics, at least get the terms straight and stop whining when your tactics suck. On the same note, an LMG (Light Machine Gun) is NOT a sniper rifle. Nor is an AK47. I don't care that you can hit a fly's butt at 1000 yards in the game with one. Just not the way it is in real life.
8. Rocket launchers and RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenades) are wonderful anti vehicle/structure support weapons. They are not, however, primary assault weapons. One shot, maybe two...then run for the hills if that is your primary weapon. By the way, most modern rocket launchers are single shot. An AT4 is heavy, cumbersome, and has one shot. If you plan on shooting a bunch, start working out to carry all those tubes.
9. Flame-throwers, while very cool-looking, make horrible weapons against armed opponents. Sure, you can shoot the burning fluid on an old tank or vehicle and it will run into the windows and crevases to cause all sorts of havok...if you can get close enough before they shoot your tank and you become a screaming bonfire.
10. If your opponent has a high power rifle, hiding behind the couch will not help much. Unless the couch is kevlar lined and bullet proof. Then you better hope they don't have the flame thrower from number 9. Or a rocket launcher. But, then again, I don't remember seeing the Kevlar line last time I was at Nebraska Furniture Mart looking for living room furniture.
OK...end of rant. But, hey...feel free to add your own observations. I'm sure there are tons I missed or have not yet had to deal with (I left out the whole Ninja are not bullet proof lines...cuz I've only heard one of my son's friends claim "Ninja Invulnerability" before:rolleyes). These are just some of the silly things I have found myself explaining over the last few months and was starting to drive me nuts.