My LaserQuest page

- Always follow the Players Code of Honor. The rules are set to assure safety so that everyone can have an enjoyable time.
- Do NOT try and hide during a game to avoid being tagged. If you hide good enough, you may not lose points from being tagged, but if youre not tagging others, you will not gain any points either.
- If you like a hide-and-seek style of play, get a membership, and come play on Sunday and Tuesday evenings when special member-only games are run. Highlander and Dracula are two very popular missions in which a player has a limited number of lives.
- NEVER team up during a solo game. EVERYONE in the game is your opponent.
- Still hesitant about that last hint? Afraid youll lose too many points if your friend tags you?-Heres some math. Lets say you and your friend decide to take turns tagging each other back and forth. If your friend tags you in the shoulder, you have just lost 3 points. When you tag your friend back, you will gain 10, so in all, you will have gained at least 7 more points to be added to your score.
- I speak from experience- My scores have always been higher when I tagged any and every suit I saw flashing, than when I first started and tried not to tag my friends.
- Don't turn tail and run if you get in a bit of a fire fight. Stand your ground and you'll be surprised how the tables will turn if you just get one tag in.
- Even if youve been tagged numerous times in a game, dont ever get discouraged. After all, youre there to have a great time, right?
- If running from a group of people, dont forget that you still have a target on your back. You might want to walk backwards and continue to shoot at them.
- Look where youre going! When walking backwards, forwards, sideways or any direction, be careful not to trip or walk in to the walls.
- When your pack shuts down, hide behind a corner or wall. Attempt to get the person back.
- Read the back of your score sheet at the end of a game. They contain different tips that may help you out.

- Many experienced players have their own opinions on how many shots a person should try to take during a game. Read through this list of strategies, try them all, and see which style is most effective for you.
- Take as many shots as possible. The average player only gets an 8% accuracy bonus or less anyways. The more shots you take, the better chance you will have of hitting more people.
- Take as few shots as possible. The sound of your laser going off will only give your position away making it easier for people to find and tag you.
- The fewer shots you take, the better of a score you will get on your accuracy bonus.
- Only shoot when youre around people. If you get to an area of the maze where no one is present, dont just aimlessly waste shots. Wait until you see an opponent.
- Cover the speaker on your gun with one hand to muffle the sound so that you are not giving away your position as easily. This is especially useful for players who like to play sniper style.
- 9-shot burst: In the definitions toward the beginning of this guide, its use is explained. 9 shots, every 9 seconds, total of 9 in the game. Personally, I do not recommend this as often, there is a good chance youll run out just as you need that last shot or two to tag someone down, plus it doesnt help your accuracy as well either.
- If you choose to use the 9-shot burst, Id recommend it when playing with a bunch of people all grouped in the same area.

- For the most accurate hit, the ideal amount of distance to tag a person from is between 15 to 30 feet.
- {Note: at other centers, such as Fresno, the towers are exactly 15 apart}
- The sensors on the shoulders are set at a 45 degree angle.
- When tagging an opponent who is on a lower level of the maze than you, aim for the shoulder target. This will usually be the easiest way to de-activate them.
- Tagging an opponent in the shoulder often times is easier to tag from above than straight on.
- When targets are further away move your laser in a bit of a horizontal swipe to cover more area. Not a HUGE swipe, just a little one.
- KNOW where your sensors are. The sensors are NOT the pretty blinking lights on your suit. Theyre the little round things near them. (harder to see just under the blacklight though)
- The front and back sensors can be found on the sides, near the little window on each target.
- The sensors on the front of the Laser are directly below the blinking lights.
- The sensors on the side of the Laser are found in the very middle (its said that its the hardest part to tag, but if you can perfect it, undoubtably youll become real good with your aim).
- The sensors on the the shoulders are right there on either side of the lights.
- Tag mirrors! If you see something blinking other than yourself, you can usually tag an opponent before they know you're coming. Also, be aware of your location in relation to the mirrors, others may try this on you. {Generally, deactivating an opponent by bouncing your shot off of a mirror is very effective and easy once you get the hang of it}.

- Wearing clothes underneath your pack is strongly recommended (and required).
- Select dark clothing that wont glow under the blacklights. Dark clothing such as navy blue, black, etc. are harder to be seen.
- {A good player can wear all white and still win the game, so overall, what you wear may not matter, but the darker clothing can still be an advantage, especially during a highlander game.}
- Wear Deoderant! Youll have more friends this way

- To improve your skills, play in games with members and other experienced players. It may appear that youre getting slaughtered by them at first, but after a few short games, youd be surprised at just how much your skills will increase.
- {Getting 6th place or even greater in a game youve played in with members is still A LOT more impressive than any game where 1st was taken against a bunch of newbies When there are little kids in a game- Be Nice! Theyre just there to have a great time also.}
- If youre a good player, play with people around the same skill level as yourself, or higher. Generally, playing against an individual with a higher skill level will rapidly increase yours.

- When players "bounce" around the maze they look kinda funny and if done right, they easy to tag. (all depending on the player of course). Just move your laser up and down while firing and often they will bounce right into the beam OR tag their shoulders since the target is usually wider open there. On the other hand, some bobbing and weaving in a random manner doesn't hurt.
- Play against members. If they seem to hard to tag, imitate their moves. It may help you find a 'style' that works good for you, or a way to eventually outplay those individuals. Sure, youll get tagged down many times, but in the process you will actually be gaining skills, moves, etc.
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- When in a close range battle, to avoid being tagged, hold the laser to the side and pull the trigger with your thumb. This allows you to move the laser very rapidly, and stand sideways to remove the other sensors from view.

- EASY POINTS- If there are bases offered in a game, be sure to tag them. They are worth 50 points each and they cant tag you back.
- {Under the terms section of this guide, their use is explained. If youre still unsure, just ask a Marshal who will be happy to try and further explain their use.}
- During most games with bases, there will either be 3 on each side or 4 on each side. (300 or 400 extra points can come in handy)

- Watch out for rollovers. A rollover is when you tag the same person in the same target, over 99 times. The pack "rolls over" and you're back to 0 tags on the one sensor. That is 1000 points lost. The worst of this is that these points cannot be retrieved.
- Practice staying away from wall. During most tournaments, there is a six-inch rule. No part of your pack, laser or sensors may be any closer than 6 inches to any wall or structure in the maze. Learning special moves without aid of a wall should help increase the skills of players from all levels.
- Moving the laser while firing can make it easier to hit the targets while avoiding being hit in the laser. I've seen people draw a line from the shoulders down across the front sensor. This is called straffing. Others draw circles with the laser. Both of these can help tag an opponent.
- When you're firing, try holding the laser out to your left/right as far as you can and then kind of angle it in. This makes it very hard for the opponent to judge where to aim on the laser. It gets some taking used to but it can be very effective.

These tips were submitted by FireLizard, a Spokane member

Play as often as you can. The more you play, the better you will probably get.

Pick on someone your own size and with similar (or better) ability. All too many times I have watched a more experienced player go after birthday kids. It may give you a good score for just one game but it's not going to improve your skill level. B-day bashers are NOT impressive
to anyone. Play nice!

Play against members. If they seem to hard to tag, imitate their moves. It may help you find a 'style' that works good for you, or a way to eventually outplay those individuals.

For those who have some experience, and want a newer and greater challenge, play with 'Replenishers' on if your centre has them. For a player new to replenishers, I recommend 350 shots and 99 "unlimited" lives. As you get better, go with fewer shots.

"Dogfight" a lot. Sure, you'll get tagged more, but you'll also tag more people. (Remember, you're only losing 3 - 5 points when you're tagged, but gaining 10 for each tag you make.

Tag mirrors! If you see something blinking other than yourself, you can usually tag an opponent before they know you're coming. Also, be aware of your location in relation to the mirrors, others may try this on you. {Generally, deactivating an opponent by bouncing your shot off of a mirror is very effective and easy once you get the hang of it}.

"Read tips on the back of your score-sheets. You might learn something new. One tip that I don't recommend is the nine shot burst. Often, your nine shot burst will run out just when you need it most.

If offered in a game - Tag the Bases. Each base is worth 50 points. If unsure how to use them, ask your Marshal who will be happy to explain how to use them.

These tips were from Slander, a member at Laser Quest Akron:

Move. This simply means keep moving while firing (i.e. 'the dance'). If you find a good spot, stick with it. You don't necessarily want to move around the entire game.

Think. Go where the most players are. I like to get in a situation (usually in the towers) where I have some people to tag upstairs and some people down in the arena.

DON'T CHEAT. I cannot emphasize this enough. I once had the opportunity to ask another cheating member why exactly they cheated. The answer was, "After you play for two years, the game gets a little boring". When you cheat, the whole basis of the game is undermined. If it gets 'too boring' so much that to enjoy the game you must cheat, please do not play at all. There are some players who want to play a honest game.

Enjoy. You win some, and you lose some. Try to get whatever you can out of game. It's also nice to keep your score-sheets. They can be useful in finding out what went wrong in a bad game.

This tip is from Storytime, a member at Laser Quest Kitchener:

Take lots of shots especially if you tend to get a low average accuracy. It's a numbers game. If you get an average of 10% accuracy, the most extra points you can gain are 100. If you get good enough to make every shot count you will gain far more points by taking lots of shots than you can make on the hit/miss ratio bonus with a low number of shots.

These tips are from K Templar, a member at Laser Quest Akron:

For new members and not so perceptive players. You'd be surprised at how many nonmembers are afraid to go up on to the second level (assuming your centre has a second level). When they stay on the first level, they usually, and unknowingly, move around the entire arena in a circle at about one lap every two minutes. You can use this to your advantage.

If a hole in the wall looks big enough for you to jump through, it's not a hole!!!

For those of you who "dislike" snipers as much as I do (players who stand on the "balconies" of the second level and tag players on the floor during the whole game) there is an effective way to take them out. Get behind them!!! You'd be surprised how many don't have a clue what's going on behind them.

These tips are from AdveRsarY, a member at Laser Quest Phoenix:

Before you go around a corner always look for mirrors, this allows you to see around the corner before you go there. Be very observant of your surroundings.

When in a close range battle, to avoid being tagged, hold the laser to the side and pull the trigger with your thumb. This allows you to move the laser very rapidly, and stand sideways to remove the other sensors from view.

This tip is from Drake, a member at Laser Quest Warrington, England:

Take some tips from the master, do well!!! I played for Warrington at a tournament in Coventry on Sunday, May 31, 1998 and although we didn't do too well it was fun, remember, you play to enjoy, not just to win!

Perfect your own blocking technique (shot cancel effect - BB) rather than trying to use others and remember to watch for blocking! Good luck!

These tips are from Killjoy, a member at both Laser Quest Houston sites:

Learn how to aim the laser on the move. If the laser is moving, it is harder to be tag by your opponent.

After you tag an opponent, aim your laser at his laser. Just before he is going to come up flashing, rapidly pull the trigger (or auto fire) and wave your laser up and down where his is. You may be able to tag him before he is able to tag you.

Stand sideways and lean back to eliminate as many open targets as possible. This removes the front, back (unless your opponent is in LQ GOD mode), and the two shoulders (the
sensors in the shoulders are angled up.)

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. The more you move the harder to acquire the target (plus, you'll have more fun).

TARGET ACQUISITION IS 100% OF THE GAME!"

These tips are from VicFerrari, a member at Laser Quest Canton:

Hold the laser sideways, over your head, and turn your body sideways. This gets the player who aims for the shield and laser very confused at where to aim. I know because it was put on me a few times.

I know everyone has had a problem with the "little twerps", the little kids around 7-12 that gang up on you in big packs. Well a good tactic to get away from them is to wear them down. Slowly move away and lure them one by one around a corner, then get away. They will not follow you because you just tagged every one of them and they are afraid to be tagged again. I only get this about once every five games, and I love the games where everyone is at least 15.

Don't run, you create noise with your feet and draw attention to yourself, and you will be picked off easily by anyone who has a decent aim.

Don't hide, unless you hide in a spot where you can see them, but they cant see you. If you hide, you are not going to have too much fun, and you won't have a good score.

There are different opinions on this but, some people can stay in one spot and get great scores. But you should do this in an exposed area and you have to be alert for anyone
coming around a corner.

Try to tag different people instead of the same person over and over, otherwise these guys will try their hardest to get you and will be looking for just you.

These tips are from Paranoid, a member at Laser Quest Fullerton.

Keep pulling the trigger: you should get a constant IR beam if you pull the trigger fast enough, then you can place that beam on a target.

Keep moving: move all your sensors, especially your laser, 'nuff said.

These tips are from Paragon (the player, not the team) from Laser Quest Houston.

Remember that the sensors on the packs are easiest to tag from straight on and the shoulder sensors are faced at 45 degrees up so aim down on them.

Watch out for something called rollovers. A rollover is when you tag the same person in the same target, lets say the laser, over 99 times. The pack "rolls over" and you're back to 0 tags on the laser. That is 1000 points lost. The worst of this is that these points cannot be retrieved.

These tips are from Hot Carl, a player at Laser Quest Calgary.

When you're firing, try holding the laser out to your left/right as far as you can and then kind of angle it in. This makes it very hard for the opponent to judge where to aim on the laser. It gets some taking used to but it can be very effective.

Walk sideways and don't run through any walls.

The list of tips below comes from Nepenthe, a player from Laser Quest Lincoln.

If you're going to stay in one place and duke it out, "dance." Never stay still, they can't zero in on your sensors.

If you're inexperienced make a point of fighting the better members and you'll become a better player faster.

Move your laser and fire when trying to tag a player, the laser will actually fan out if you move it rapidly.

Stay on the move constantly, if you are roaming the arena you will run into to multiple targets and get them off their guard. There is less a chance of getting tagged if you refer to rule one, and if you roam you'll usually get a higher score.

Avoid extended duels you'll miss the larger picture. a.k.a. the game.

This tip below is from Azzmo, a Marshal at Laser Quest Regina. It's not exactly a tip you'd expect - it is aimed at members, but it will make the time you spend at Laser Quest more enjoyable and it is a good reminder for all players regardless of skill levels.

Members, listen up. You are expected to follow the code of honor to the letter and lead by example. Don't expect to make any friends if you cheat AND expect to bring the game down for everyone including yourself. Respect the game!