Quake Live is a very customizable game. But with this comes confusion to newer players, often because many guides are hard to understand or just because some people can't be bothered to traverse the internet for the answers they seek. Hopefully I can help a few people at least understand the basics of your HUD (Heads Up Display) and your config.

Let's start with your HUD. The default HUD is sufficient for new players, but for those looking for the competitive edge, it doesn't really cut it. The basics are all there: health, armor, ammo count, but one aspect is truly awful about it, which I feel inclined to point out.

The clock is located at the very top, and it's very minuscule and hard to notice. When things like timing are so important, having a small clock is rather detrimental to your gameplay. The large HUD which is available from the in-game menu is a nice step up from this, featuring larger numbers, but it still has the clock up the top, which I dislike.

Personally, I prefer having all the important information in one specific place so I don't have to look around for it. My HUD is designed to look pretty and to give me all the information in the one place. Download it here. The benefits of a well designed HUD are easy to see, though crafting your own is a tricky business.

I suggest just starting off simple, look through some of the pre-made HUDs on http://qlhud.core.ws/ , and once you have picked one you like then you can easily install it. Though, if you do think yourself a little bit savvier than most, you could try out the recently released HUD generator. I haven't used it yet, but it looks promising. After that if you still find the itch to customize your HUD further, you could try altering it from the very scripts themselves, by following an in-depth tutorial.


Now, onto your config. Your config is basically everything else that's customizable besides your HUD. From the color of your enemy models to the position of your gun, pretty much everything is customizable. Thanks to the in-game menu, most things are accessible without having to touch the console. Though a certain question does come to mind: "What should I be customizing?"

Well, that's rather simple.

I suggest that you first start off with forcing your enemy models to a green Keel or Tankjr model. They're the loudest, biggest and they're the models that's most in need fragging. It's purely your choice what color and model you choose.

Next I suggest turning off the music. It's truly not that good music anyway, and it's very important that you listen to the enemies footsteps rather than music, at least in competitive play.

Lowering your r_picmip value via the console is also a good move. It lowers the quality of the map, but it makes the opponent easier to see clearly. Your main priority should always be what will help me react faster and play better, rather than what will look good. There are of course options to make it as pleasing to the eye as possible, but this isn't the top of the list for an aspiring competitor.

Besides those things the rest is really more aesthetics than anything. Change things to what you feel they should be.

Also have a look through Yakumo's guide. It's really got everything you need to know in there.

Nice guide!

don't forget some config/huds uploaded by aussie players at http://www.4seasonsgaming.com/player_configs.php

nice write up helped me out

for my cfg+hud
http://internetisforlulz.com/quakestuff/index.php?dir=grrrd-cfg-and-hud/&file=grrd_QL_cfg%2Bhud.rar
has pretty much everything you'd expect from a good hud/cfg. focus is on visibility and simplicity, hud is designed with good UI philosophy (all important and vital elements close and easy to read, eyes dont have to travel a mile in each direction to get 2 equally important info etc). also has a custom solid dot xhair, but only works with 1920x1080. way better than default dot xhair :-D

see some screenies here:
Clan Arena screenshot:

Capture the flag screenshot:

Duel screenshot: