i know everybody has their own tricks to share, but i thought i'd just lay down a few basic ones.
I'm not an extrodinary player and i do have bad nights, but i have good ones too, and when i play well i'm pretty good. No matter the state of my play however, i can always dominate new players, even on an off night. Why?
What makes an experienced player so much better than a noob? Simple, game knowledge. Its not your reflexes, your instincts, or your aim that make you good, but the small tricks you know. Of course the great players have all the other things going for them as well, but i'm writing this just to help give new players a leg up, not make them great players.
I intend to write a full section on both humans and aliens later, but for now here are some...
General Tips:
1) Learn the maps:
This is pretty straightforward, but it is vital to your transition from a noob to a decent player. It usually only takes a couple games on each map before you know your way around the main areas, however what makes most trem maps special is that there is so much more to every one (except ATCS). When i play i know every good base location for both aliens and humans, all the best hiding spots for eggs, and the fasted routes between places. Most experienced players know these things, but its knowledge that can take a while to build. I'm sorry, you havent "discovered" a great hiding spot, i know where you are because i've hidden there before. No, thats a bad base location, trust me because i've built there before... etc. It helps to go over the maps offline some but for the most part this will just take time. Its important to be aware of how little you know a map, and be willing to listen to others who know what they're talking about. Dont argue with an experienced player about base location, chances are very, very slim you know something they dont.
2)Building:
I'm not going to tell you how to build, because the truth is you shouldnt. I'm sure you've heard this before, and theres a reason why. You cant build well. Its got nothing to do with your skills or anything so dont be offended, but there is probably somebody on your team who knows more about building than you do, and you building may cost your team the game. If somebody says they want to build let them, and watch what they do. You dont need to experiment with all different kinds of base layouts (though you can do it on your own) because chances are we've all used or at least seen them before. Learn good builds by watching what good players do, and if a base doesnt work out, its not always the fault of the builder, no base is perfect and sometimes a game just doesnt go your way... dont bitch about the base.
3) Feeding
Kills are vital to the advancement of both aliens and humans, however most of the time you (as a noob) shouldnt go out loking for them early in the game. Watch what other players do, and attack by all means, however if you find yourself dying easily, stop. If you seem to be dying more than you are killing than what you should do is defend your base for a few minutes to get some points. Dont keep going out as a dretch, or an unarmored human, wait till you get the funds or evo points to make you a threat. There is nothing wrong with camping for new players in particular, and though only dicks will kick you for feeding, its just not good for you or your team.
4)Listen to the game
This is especially important as humans, but is a good habit for aliens as well. As a human listening for jumping dretches is hugely important at S1, and even later it helps locate goons and marauders.
5) Listen to others
This is perhaps the biggest piece of general advice i can give to new players. Other players know better than you do, dont argue with them, rather listen to what they have to say. If it doesnt work or the other player doesnt seem to be anything special either, thats ok. You still learned something for better or worse.
I think i'm going to do a basic advice section on both humans and aliens later.
Good luck!
