Welcome! This thread would be, as stated, about the art of using bayonets in the game of FH2. If you have any ideas please share them, if you don't consider them as a secret.
Introduction
The bayonet is one of the underused weapon in FH2, because in many circumstances it is not really useful. Players use bayonets merely for fun or/and humiliation, i.e. to stab an unawared enemy from behind, or as an reaction to a guy who pulls out a knife in a close fight. Of course, we'll not discuss a lot about these, as the former is intuitive, and the latter is more like the common FPS-skills rather than decision making.
Before talking when to use bayonets, why not first to talk about when NOT to use bayonets. A bayonet, is obviously a short ranged weapon, you will have no hope of killing your enemy unless you get very close to them, so do use your rifle for medium/long ranged engagements. Also don't use the bayonets when you're tired - well it does not take the mind of Einstein to figure out that you cannot stab effectively if you don't even have the stamina to sprint.
If the bayonet is that crappy, why should we use it other than in the most desperate moment? It is actually the same reason as why you pull out your knife when you run out of ammo in a close fight - a bayonet does not require reload and just require minimal aiming. A bayonet is a very time-efficient weapon, that is, a weapon that traded space for time. Another good thing about the bayonet is that it is quite psychologically shocking to your enemy if you managed to get really close to your enemies, and they won’t fire as effectively as careless shooting might end up TKing 3 of their teammates and himself stabbed.
The main point here is that, under a certain circumstances, the bayonet could be useful even as an assault weapon.
Fool’s Courage
There is a few important points to notice, when you are thinking of using the bayonet to assault:
- Using bayonets requires a super-human courage, but having a super-human courage doesn’t means that you should use bayonet
- Do you have sufficient cover for you to get close to your enemy? Charging in an open area like in the movies don’t really worked.
- Could you take out the target more effectively using your rifle?
- Do you have enough stamina to approach the target quickly?
Bayonets are useful in the follow situations:
- When your enemies are pinned in trenches, or generally, pinned by fire, in those situations people’s judgements and reactions aren’t as good and you could take advantage of it. Bayonets could be used effectively even if you’re suppressed by friendly fire (accidentally).
- In places with a lot of cover, like a building. It might be difficult to shoot 3 guys with your bolt-action up close but a bayonet charge might ended up stabbing all 3 of them due to the “chaos” you induced among them.
- When your enemies are throwing grenades and thinking that they are safe, just charge forward and stab them.
Tips
1. 10 meters should be the maximum distance, under very few cover, you should charge through. Use smoke as a measure of cover is a good idea.
(note: the smoke shouldn’t be blinding yourself – instead it should blind your enemy)
2. If possible, charge with full stamina, the worst situation is running out of stamina right in front of your target.
3. Plan ahead your movement before your move out of cover, including where and when you stab.
4. If you cannot stab the target effectively, consider running around like mad – your teammates would take care of your enemies as your enemies would be severely distracted by you, which they’d automatically consider as the greatest threat.
5. Tossing a grenade do help getting your enemy to hide in cover – a good moment to charge without getting shot. Don’t get blown up by your own grenade.
6. If you have a Garand, don’t use the bayonet, just reload for a new clip.
7. Switching targets wisely would not only save your life, it’d also earn you some kills.
8. Don’t hesitate when you’re on the way already, unless you have a chance to hide in cover.
9. Don’t run in teammate’s line of fire – it’d only get you TKed.