The similarities are only minor i think. Cod is so fast and explosive, its over within minutes. The big maps and extra players gives more versatility and more options. You need more than luck to win ive noticed. I still come out positive in bf3 but ive had to step back and think.

The only reason why Battlefield isn't fast and explosive is because of the amount of Respawns it gives you. Which I love

No, i prefer bf. After playing cod for many years, playing bf is like reaching the surface when nearly drowning. Its fresh and a great change.
Theyre both great games. I wasnt after which ones better. I like the variety of choices.

CLASS/ROLE DEPENDANT UPON MAP
Get to know the maps - and what resources are on them. Maps without many vehicles I would suggest using the Assualt/Med Kit (chuck one down at ya feet) and Defibulator to revive team-mates will keep you alive & that of your squad. You can mix this up with noobtubes, smoke or under barrel shotgun as well once you unlock them. However often sitting on a health pack will keep you alive to come back around a corner - useful for when starting out.

Maps with many vehicles then often the Engineer is the best class as it allows you to distract/assist team by firing your rockets/javelins (tanks) or stingers (air) into enemy vehicles. The javelin must be locked from 3rd seat of tank, a deployed SOFLAM or choppa laser painter to be used on air vehicles. The majority of engineers use RPG's as they reload & fire quicker than Javelins which need to establish a lock. The Javelin does more dmg and also takes out the repairers behind the tank as it comes down on target - so very helpful. The benefit of RPG's is though they can be used on ground targets - very satisfying nailing a sniper with an RPG

Once more comfortable work on your Support Class - placing Claymores on defence of a flag will get you valuable kills, although a little cheap - C4 though is a lot of fun. Most tanks require 3 x c4 but if they have reactive armour you will need 4. This takes some practice and skill to time it right. Use the tanks sounds to give you eyes/awareness of whats going on - wait for it to pass or be passing, wait for it to shoot, and get in close and chuck them on - make sure you are adequate distance before detonating. Left trigger place c4, right trigger blow. Maps like Wake Island are great for experimenting with C4 - place 4 or 5 of them on your jeep track down a big target like tank, drive at it, jump and watch it ghosty into the tank - DETONATE - nothing beats a car bomb

Large map or CQB ? Mix you weapons up accordingly. Shotguns on small maps especially auto's are quite more useful.

Most OP weapons in game are easily the FAMAS - can be used on any map successfully - need to do Assignments to get this and the USAS with Frag rounds (Op Metro/Seine Crossing/Grand Bazaar)
Recommend G18 suppressed for pistol once you get it - very handy back up.

WEAPONS

There's a few subtle differences like recoil kick, recenter speed, bullet spread from standing still, movement, ADS burst vs full auto - the shooting elements in BF3 adds a much more authentic feel to the gun play than COD and takes some getting used to. Most of the weapon scope/attachments are worthwhile. Make sure you get a foregrip on every weapon to best handle the weapons recoil/kick - makes every weapon significantly better.

Use this guide http://symthic.com/?s=bf3&sb=timetokill&pt=ttk

Helps understand what's going on. Some weapons like M4A1 feel great in certain situations with best Time to Kill but poor in others so find a weapon that you like for each class (as someone mentioned) and max it out - that chart can point you in the right direction. The best weapons get used the most.

I would steer clear of Heavy Barrel on most weapons - suppressor or extended mags are often better. Flashlights can blind enemys but also give away location. Red dots same, can mess with enemies ADS but can also give you away. Lasers also help with hip fire accuracy on all weapons. Again my recommendation is Suppressors.

Suppressors in this game are very useful on most weapons, especially whilst you're learning as it gives you more time by not showing up on mini map/radar - and dampens weapon recoil/kick.

To get all the B2K weapons you need to do the Assignments - most are pretty easy to do.


PTFO (Play the frrkin Objective!!)
In Conquest you must play the objectives - that's where the action happens, and also benefits your team. Find places to hold up, a lot of traffic tends to come from the same directions/avenues so make sure they are covered. Won't take you long to learn them. Once done can either defend or keep attacking the next flag, these decisions become natural instincts over time.

STICK TO YOUR SQUAD
This will help you immensely and help them. Lone wolfing is fine should you sneak up on them or get behind an enemy - and should be encouraged, but when moving try sticking with your squad mates - you never know when you'll round a corner into another squad or meet a 120mm head on - numbers at contest is common knowledge but really significant in BF


MISCELLANEOUS
Drop shotting is not as effective as COD - you don't shoot on way down, or when you stand up - however going into prone from distance can help you whilst reducing your target. Again don't always go to this because the stand up animation can leave you screwed, sometimes your better being on your feet to find cover/evade incoming attacks

Reload your weapon with bullets in chamber rather than empty is faster

Watch out for fall damage - even 1 story fall can take of 25% of your health (its annoying as hell) also remember you have a parachute - so you can smash that when jumping off big heights or out of Choppa's to make your own eagles nest from which to get your snipe on

Bullet drop - most noticeable in Sniper rifles as distances being used are greater than other classes - however there is also RPG & Tank shell bullet drop that you need to get used to.

Vehicle Specialisations - experiment with what works - dont ignore the vehicles, even jeeps, they are there to be used and enjoyed, this is BF. Use whats at your disposal. Try playing some co-op/single player with friend if its all too foreign. And never steal someones tank.

Repairing vehicles (Engineer class) is good way to get points, make sure you aim to the side of the vehicle you wish to get out of - so if in .50cal assisting a tank driver push to your right or look behind the tank to get out that side. If repairing try timing your jump so you dont jump directly into enemy tank shell. Try get out to repair after the first shot around 76 - 50 health. Anything past 50 health and your pushing ya luck.

RECOMMEND!!! - set your LAND vehicle buttons to ALTERNATE - this is old skool BF whereby Accelerate is left trigger with reverse being left bumper. Keeps things on that side of your body - so its good practice to use it this way early.

Any customisations such as brightness, sensitivity, can be done via OPTIONS in menu or in game menu.

Always remember to SPOT your enemies - press back button. This button can also be used to ask for Ammo or Med kit should the person be paying attention. Doesn't work perfectly all the time but has improved since launch, still most of the time dudes wont be listening.

USE YOUTUBE TO FAMILARISE YOURSELF WITH GOOD LEARNING AIDS AS SUGGESTED BY FALCON

Edited once, 21/1/12 - 8:25pm.

Nice guide, Salt ^-^

Why use left bumper and trigger for accelerate and reverse?

Just easier to manage - also its a scheme used in all previous console BF's, it keeps the forward backward motion on your left hand side whilst using ya right trigger to shoot & right thumbstick for aim

Nice fellas thanks. Gonna stick to the assault class and perfect it to see how it feels. Get the service stars before attempting another class
My clan mates prefer the tanks and MAV's so i'll try a different path. Just waiting for my net to get reconnected lol