Learn to Play

Welcome to Spark Realm's Learn to Play tutorial. After reading this, you'll know how to do everything from switching rooms in the lobby to switching special weapons in-game, and much more! We are working on building out a guide to Competitive Sparking for more advanced players, but figured the first step was to create a place for newer Spark players to get a feel for the game. Hopefully you will benefit in some way from this guide, and maybe even you more experienced guys will learn a thing or two that you didn't know before! To find your way around the Learn to Play section, just click the numbered links on the left, or pinpoint the section you want to learn about from the index below. Cheers!

• 1. Basics - Lobby
• • 1.1. Starting up Spark
  • 1.2. Lobby Overview
  • • 1.2.1. Navigation Bar
    • 1.2.2. Game List
    • 1.2.3. Mr. Bandwidth
    • 1.2.4. In-Game Player Info
    • 1.2.5. Player List
    • 1.2.6. Player States
    • 1.2.7. Chat Room Area
  • 1.3. Icons
  • 1.4. Chatting
  • • 1.4.1. Using /me
    • 1.4.2. Private Messages
    • • 1.4.2.1. Using /pm
      • 1.4.2.2. Using /r
    • 1.4.3. Going /afk
    • 1.4.4. Using /find
  • 1.5. Lobby Rooms
  • • 1.5.1. Changing the /topic
    • 1.5.2. Moderation Abilities
  
  
• 2. Basics - In-Game
• • 2.1. In-Game HUD Overview
  • • 2.1.1. Sidebar Window
    • • 2.1.1.1. Radar
      • 2.1.1.2. Music
      • 2.1.1.3. Player List
      • 2.1.1.4. Change Team/Exit
    • 2.1.2. Energy Bars
    • • 2.1.2.1. Health Bar
      • 2.1.2.2. Blue Bar
    • 2.1.3. Team Scores
  • 2.2. Basic Movement
  • 2.3. Shooting Lasers
  • 2.4. Special Weapons
  • 2.5. Objective Types
  • • 2.5.1. Fragging
    • 2.5.2. Capture the Flag
    • • 2.5.2.1. Using Colored Flags
      • 2.5.2.2. Using Neutral Flags
    • 2.5.3. Switches
    • 2.5.4. Assassin
    • 2.5.5. Race Mode
    • 2.5.6. Mission Impossible
    • 2.5.7. Other
  
  
• 3. Weapons
• • 3.1. Lasers
  • • 3.1.1. Singling
    • 3.1.2. Spreading
    • 3.1.3. Suppression
  • 3.2. Grenades
  • • 3.2.1. Inflicting Damage
    • 3.2.2. Positional Gain
  • 3.3. Missiles
  • • 3.3.1. Where and When to Use
  • 3.4. Bouncies
  • • 3.4.1. Bouncy Theory & Useful Info
  • 3.5. Combos
  • • 3.5.1. Lasers + Missile
    • 3.5.2. Lasers + Bouncie(s)
    • 3.5.3. Grenade + Lasers/Bouncies
    • 3.5.4. Grenade + Missile
    • 3.5.5. Grenade + Bouncies
  
  
• 4. Basic Tactics
• • 4.1. Offensive Tactics
  • • 4.1.1. Positioning
    • 4.1.2. Dodging
    • 4.1.3. Cover
    • 4.1.4. Fragging
    • • 4.1.4.1. Crossfire
      • 4.1.4.2. Flanking
    • 4.1.5. Flagging
    • 4.1.6. Stalling
    • 4.1.7. Camping
  • 4.2. Defensive Tactics
  • • 4.2.1. Defensive Positioning
    • 4.2.2. Crossfire
    • 4.2.3. Blocking and Stalling
  
  
• 5. Clans Guide
• • 5.1. Starting a Clan From Scratch
  • 5.2. Getting Organized
  • • 5.2.1. Appointing Officers/Council Members
    • 5.2.2. Appointing a Co-Leader
  • 5.3. Setting up a Website
  • • 5.3.1. Setting up Clan Forums
  • 5.4. Increasing in Skill
  • • 5.4.1. Maintaining Competitiveness
    • 5.4.2. Clan Practices & Scheduling
    • 5.4.3. Playing in Leagues/Tournaments
    • 5.4.4. Communication & Voice Chat
  • 5.5. Longevity
  • • 5.5.1. Controlling New Members
    • 5.5.2. Keeping Players Active
    • 5.5.3. Maintaining Clan Image
    • 5.5.4. Maintaining Loyalty
    • 5.5.5. Handling Disputes
    • • 5.5.5.1. When to Boot Players
  
  
• 6. Leagues Guide
• • 6.1. Starting a League From Scratch
  • • 6.1.1. Creating Hype
    • 6.1.2. Setting up a Website
    • 6.1.3. Recruiting Staff
    • 6.1.4. Creating Rules
    • 6.1.5. Creating Referee Guidelines
  • 6.2. Refereeing Games
  • • 6.2.1. Referee Responsibilities
    • 6.2.2. When to Kick Players
  • 6.3. Handling Disputes
  • • 6.3.1. When to Replay Games
    • 6.3.2. When to Boot Referees
  
  
• 7. Slang Dictionary
• • 7.1. ARC
  • 7.2. Base
  • 7.3. Blue
  • 7.4. Cap
  • 7.5. Clan hopper
  • 7.6. Clannie
  • 7.7. Hfront
  • 7.8. Lag, laggot
  • 7.9. Oldbie
  • 7.10. Pen
  • 7.11. Pub
  • 7.12. Rape
  • 7.13. Singles
  • 7.14. Smurfing
  • 7.15. Spec
  • 7.16. Stall
  • 7.17. Vent
  • 7.18. WON