Tweak

A user-recommended list of configuration settings that can be tweaked in ioQuake / OpenArena.

Using different head models

Many of the models in OA can be mixed and matched with different body and head configurations. The following two command console commands are used to achieve this.

/seta model "model name/skin name"

/seta headmodel "model name/skin name"

The first command sets the player's body and head to the specified model/skin. The second command sets only the head's model to that used by the specified model/skin.

For a list of model and skin names, look at the player model selector in the options menu in-game. The model name will be listed on the top of the previewed model while the skin name will be listed on the bottom. Note that if /skin is omitted from the previous arguments, "model name/default" will be used.

Here's an example:

/seta model "gargoyle/tech"

/seta headmodel "tony"

This gives the player the blue cyborg-looking body of Gargoyle and the default head of Tony.

Some models with specialized animations to the lower or upper body (i.e. Angelyss, Arachna) may not work with the headmodel changing trick and could place a head in the stomach or right hand.

Tweaking which improves performance

All the below is assumed to be typed in the console:

/cg_noprojectiletrail 1 <- removes the trailing smoke from grenades/rockets which gives better visibility and higher FPS.

(default 1)

/snaps 40 <- if the server has this variable enabled, your ping will most likely become 20-40 units lower.

(default 20)

/cl_maxpackets 125 <- A setting which works well for most DLS modem users, it increases the packetsize and makes pings more stable.

/rate 25000 <- Increases the rate in which the packets are received, works best for DLS connections and upwards.

(default 3000)

/cg_drawTimer 1 <- Enables a timer in the upper-right corner which helps you to time items/powerups.

/r_picmip <number 2-10> <- removes unnecessary visual elements like shadows thus increasing FPS drastically.

/r_gamma <number> <- Not a tweak as such but improves visibility by removing dark-spots, considered a cheat in official competitions when set to higher than 1.3

/cg_forcemodels 1 <- All models in the arena looks the same, reduces memory usage by ~2mb/model.