[13-5] The Levels

A detailed guide to the deathmatch strategies for Quake's shareware levels, including cheese factor, fun factor, and specific tactics for each map.

This guide provides deathmatch strategies for all of the shareware levels in Quake. The strategies are the best known at the time of writing and will be updated with registered levels if time permits. The guide also includes definitions for 'Cheese Factor' and 'Fun Factor' to help players understand the level assessments.

Notice: Players are encouraged to ignore the 'cheese factor' when playing old-style deathmatch, which is highly recommended for a fairer game. However, players are free to play as they wish.

Cheese Factor: Refers to how abusable a level is due to poorly placed weapons/items, allowing unfair fragging or repeated access to health/armor.

Fun Factor: Refers to the author's personal opinion on how good a level is for deathmatch.

A. [Start]

Cheese Factor: **** (Insanely cheesy). Features a loop where obtaining 200% armor, teleporting through a nightmare gate for +100% health and Quad damage, allows for prolonged dominance.

Fun Factor: **1/2. Intense and fun, though the missile and grenade launchers can detract. Very intense in the inner area, with variety in the outer area.

B. [The Slipgate Complex]

Cheese Factor: ****. Broken due to the availability of Quad Damage and Pentagram of Protection simultaneously. Features two good sniping spots and the ability to acquire +100% health and 100% armor, making the player hard to kill.

Fun Factor: ***1/2. Very chaotic, especially with over 8 players, leading to nonstop carnage. Less mindless than e1m6, making it enjoyable.

C. [The Castle of the Damned]

Cheese Factor: ****. Cheesy, but power-ups are distributed enough to prevent hoarding. Two cheesing methods exist: 1) Get +100% health and super Nailgun, then Quad Damage for fragging, returning for health and Nailgun ammo. 2) Get 150% armor and grenade launcher, then Quad Damage; be cautious of self-inflicted grenade damage, but Quad Damage grenades are very effective.

Fun Factor: ****. Pretty fun with a nice action flow and neat underwater play. Lacks traps but has good ambush points and pileups in the Quad Damage area, grenade launcher room, and teleporter area. Respawn spots are decent, with good items nearby.

D. [Necropolis]

Cheese Factor: *1/2. Very balanced, with one isolated loop. Strategy: Get 150% armor, teleport for Super Nailgun and ammo, then use the teleporter or elevator. Teleport to the beginning for frags. If uncontested, get the rocket launcher and utilize ample health in the north hallway.

Fun Factor: *****. A real rush with varied action intensity. The watery pit hosts intense moshes, with few sniping spots. The linear design keeps action flowing without being a slaughter. Weapons are evenly distributed, and respawn areas are close to pileup spots with nearby weapons.

E. [Grisly Grotto]

Cheese Factor: *1/2. Almost cheese-free, with only the two 150% armors being potentially hoardable.

Fun Factor: ***. Fun with nifty architecture and good balance. Features neat underwater killing and pileups in the large outdoor area. Less exciting due to fun weapons being far from fighting and separated respawn spots.

F. [Gloom Keep]

Cheese Factor: *****. Extremely cheesy. Two domination techniques: 1) Get Super Nailgun, 150% armor, and health, then Quad Damage; use Super Nailgun for frags, returning to the initial area when Quad Damage expires. 2) Gather explosives, ride the elevator to the top of the three-tiered room, and lob grenades at lower tiers. Drop grenades if an opponent rides the elevator up.