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The Death Rider Chronicles Page 2

Editor Hondo's Article by Hondo_Lane_DR The Death Riders by Dusty_DR				Hondo's Article by Hondo_Lane_DR Now that Outlaw is sprucing up this here web page a bit, he reckoned it was time I contributed more to the Death Riders than lead and wise cracks. I'd hoped to keep this to a minimum by persuading the boss that we should all write somethin' and the length of our writings oughten to correspond roughly to our kill levels. I kinda figgered that maybe I could get away with just a few words or even just a page with my “X” on it. Well … it was pointed out to me that if'n we was to do that then Youngun would be forced to drop out of school just to have time enough to finish his writing, and well… we just didn't want to go getting his ma riled up at us. She bein' a thoroughly a deadly shot when she gets stirred. So, bein's that I just couldn't avoid it any longer… here's what I got to say … On Being a Death Rider: Many of you folks have asked why we attach our bona fides (our “DR” if you wish) to the end of our name. It's like this… we in the Death Riders put more importance on a gal's or fella's honor and sense of sportmanship than anything else; including shooting skills. Heck, we figger any old varmint can learn to shoot, over time. We want folks that just plum like to make friends and play an honest game. That being the case, we want members that can hold their own name up with pride and integrity. If'n ya cain't take pride in yourself, ya ain't never gonna take pride in the Death Riders. Also, we don't much cotton to bad behavior and don't intend to let any scoundrels hide behind the Death Riders badge. But hold yourself up decently and we'll side ya in any fight, whether you're a DR or not. On Zone and Game Etiquette: Now whether you are a Death Rider or not, we all gotta be aware that there's many a woman and child playing this game. Just because yer hiding behind a nickname and a keyboard is no reason to use language that ya wouldn't use in person. I guess a good rule of thumb is don't use language ya wouldn't want people using on your ma, sister or own youngun. It ain't grown up, it ain't cool, it ruins the game for everyone, and just plain makes people not wanna play with ya. So unless ya want to be stuck with havin' to tie a pork chop around yer scrawny little neck just to get the dog to play with ya be nice and play fair… Playing fair includes following the rules of the game yer in. If it's an ML game then observe ML rules. If you want to play a cheaters game then host and advertise a cheaters game. It's always best to announce the rules and map of a game while in the zone so ya don't waste people's time and effort. It just ain't a good thing to go through the hassle of hooking up to a game and finding it ain't the game ya wanted. About the “Newbies”: Once upon a time we were all new to the game of multiplayer Outlaws. We were slow, not good shots, not knowing the good snipin' holes and just had “target” written all over us (why dern it you can still make out a faint “t” on my backside). The point is we need to all help out the new players get adjusted to the game. Take the time out for 1 on 1's with a newbie… go easy on them and encourage them till they get a little dry behind the ears… then ya can pump 'em full of lead. But remember this… today's newbie may be the shooter siding ya in tomorrow's tournament. So teach 'em well! For the Newbies: I know that every dern Outlaws web page out there offers advice to the greenhorns. I guess when a rascal gets to being as long in the tooth as I am we can't but help telling others what to do. But I'm gonna offer this to y'all anyway and ya can do with it what ya will: Seems to me the first fatal mistake all new players make stay in one place too long. A good thing to keep in mind is that once that first shot hits ya it's time to hightail it outta there. Now I know it's a lot easier to give advice than to take it… and believe me, old Hondo has been known to stop to admire the occasional sunflower… but as a general rule, If ya want to admire the scenery… play Tomb Raider instead of Outlaws. Secondly, don't get discouraged if ya seem to be spending most of your time pushing up daisies (errr… that's “dead”). Three things will get you past initial hump: Practice, practice and more practice. Thirdly and finally, try out all the different shooters till you find one you are comfortable with. Some players regularly switch between shooters depending on the level they are playing… That seems to me a valid strategy, though I tend to stick with James Anderson throughout any level. Sometimes he takes his licks and sometimes he dishes 'em out but all in all he's my favorite. James does take a bit of getting used to… he can't take a shot as well as most of the other characters (except maybe Spittin' Jack) but his rifle is effective at all ranges even if firing time is a little slow. He's a clean fighter who doesn't rely on tricks to survive a fight. I guess my advice to newbies would be to start with the Doc. Now it is widely known that Hondo has a bitter hatred for that particular little midg… errrrr … vertically challenged fella, but he does carry a lot of medicine in that little purse of his and it seems to get him through pretty well. Just remember that once you've grown out of your newbie phase there comes a time when a shooter needs to put away those “med bags”, grab a rifle and fight the good fight.

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