Smoking

That's right, it's time to talk about this year's Number 3 Villain of the Year (according to Game Informer): THE SMOKER.

Seriously, who would want to be dragged along the wall of a building and be unable to move? The whole time a giant tongue is crushing you! It's really embarassing. I continue to say: I'd be running for the rescue vehicle, and right when I am about to enter, I'd be smoked and killed. It's true.

Anyhow, these past updates have seriously hurt the one-shot kills of the Smoker. Before, you'd be able to wait outside on the roof of Mercy Hospital and one-smoke the first person off the ladder to a certain death. Now, it's just about 20 damage. I like that a lot more, but it's really annoying for Smokers. Also, dragging someone off the edge usually leads to them grabbing the edge, not falling like they used to. Good again for Survivors, bad for Smokers.

The key to being a Smoker is not to be seen, until the last second. You also want to be in a position to single out a Survivor and reduce the chance anybody has of rescuing them. The Smoker does much less damage than a Hunter, so location is key. A Hunter may be able to do 10-15 damage in an open area, or even next to the Survivors, but a Smoker cannot. Stealth is your biggest weapon. Finding the right place with the right distance is the first step to becoming a great Smoker. Heck, I don't ALWAYS get into the best spots and sometimes it is strategic to be in the open... but not most of the time.

The best spots are ones in which Survivors cannot return: i.e. The Giant Hole in the apartments in No Mercy, Level 1. Or maybe dropping into the sewers in No Mercy, Level 3. Other great spots are ones that drop Survivors great distances, and thus inflicting great pain immediately: Such as off a wall or off a cliff. Trying to incap them by pulling them into an abyss doesn't work as well as it used to, but it is still very useful. Another strategy is to key to use the Smoker to trigger key events: such as smoking someone into the Witch (which angers her) or smoking someone OVER a car (which sets off the alarm).

Timing is also important: if no zombies are around, you're an easy target. If you wait until the last second, you may miss your chance. If you strike to early, you may have to wait to recharge (which is a pain). The best times are when someone is left alone, they are in a group and you want to pull one away to pick him/her off, they are about to heal themselves, or they are all boomed. When they are boomed they can hardly see... which grants you the time to pull them far away, and get a few hits in BEFORE they can see you... and by that time it is likely that a horde is on top of them and they can't get to your prey. Having a Hunter to protect you is also a good idea as he can jump any "rescuer" before they beat your prey out of your constriction. We use this tactic a lot.

Finally, remember your weaknesses. As a smoker you have less health than a Hunter, so catching on fire is a very bad idea (you'll die really fast). You also cough every few seconds which signifies that you are around: camping near Survivors may be a bad idea. You also give off a green smoke, so if you're waiting around a corner, any competent Survivor will notice your smoke and be ready for you. Keep this in mind when choosing your smoking location.

Well, I hope this has helped you in your Left 4 Dead quests, I just hope you all have a great time and get out there and SMOKE!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha *cough* *wheeze* ha!

- Alex Nee