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Skulltag is a multiplayer source port for the computer game Doom that is based on the source port ZDoom. In many aspects it is more than just a client/server extension of ZDoom, adding new levels, monsters, weapons, graphics, sounds, level items, etc.
Playing Skulltag
Being a source port, Skulltag requires an IWAD (data) file from a purchased version of Doom or Doom II to run it. An alternative to those who do not own Doom is FreeDoom, a project aiming to create an original, free IWAD. However, players can only play against others with use the same IWAD (and version).
Multiplayer
Influenced by Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament but established firmly in the gameplay style of Doom I & II, Skulltag's multiplayer game modes include Deathmatch, Cooperative, Instagib, Last Man Standing, and the mode that stays truest to the original Doom II deathmatch, Oldschool. There are also several Teamplay modes, such as Capture the Flag, One Flag Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch, Team Last Man Standing, Team Instagib, and so on.
In the mode from which the sourceport derives its name, Skulltag, Players capture the enemy's Skull and take it to a central score pillar where they get points. It is similar to Capture the Flag but more fluid, as the player does not need both Skulls to score.
Netcode
Among the major multiplayer sourceports of Doom, Skulltag currently posseses the optimal netcode. As a result, its multiplayer is comparatively quite tolerent of high pings, letting a HPB compete against an LPB with minimum compensation for lag. This allows for a remarkably even keel between players using dial-up and players using broadband Internet connections, something as of yet lacking in csDoom and its more popular offshoot, Zdaemon.
Bots
Redone in version 0.96, Skulltag includes Deathmatch Bot players that can be used in online servers or offline Skirmishes. They do not perform well in other game modes, however. Bots have personalities and chat phrases based on their status (winning, hurt, killed, and so forth). The bots in skulltag are fairly "dumb". They will not go for a flag\skull in capture the flag mode \ skulltag mode, as they have only been programmed to attack player targets and other bots. They are also unable to play in normal co-op games.
New Features
Weapons
Weapons added to Skulltag are:
- BFG 10K — Based on the Quake III Arena weapon. Shoots a rapid-fire hitscan bullet.
- Grenade Launcher — Somewhat like the Grenade Launcher in the Quake series. Shoots grenades at invariable shooting strength. Grenades will bounce off walls, ceilings, and floors and detonate upon hitting a player.
- Minigun — Generic "Spray and Pray" weapon, requires time for barrels to slow down. Shoots twice as fast as the Doom chaingun, but less accurate.
- Railgun — Almost identical to the Railgun found in the Quake series. Shoots a high-powerful hitscan shot at infinite length.
The full set of Doom weapons are also available. All weapons may be placed in maps, summoned via the console, or given to players at the start of a Last Man Standing round. The Weapons bunk with their respective Doom equivalents (i.e. The Railgun is in the same slot as the Plasma Gun, and the Grenade Launcher is with the Rocket launcher). As a side note, this also shows that those weapons share the same form of ammunition used by their counterparts.
Monsters
Aside from weapons, new monsters are available. They can be placed in any kind of Skulltag map, or summoned. They do not appear in any maps included in Skulltag (because it does not include new singleplayer maps yet), but many PWADs use them.
- Blood Demon — a twice as tough version of the demon.
- Dark Imp — a twice as tough imp with a faster fireball. black with purple fireballs.
- Super Shotgun Guy — A zombie that wields the super shotgun. This is the only monster with original sprites, the rest of the opponents are merely palette swaps of the enemy sprites from the game.
- Cacolantern — a twice as tough Cacodemon with a faster fireball.
- Abaddon — a three times as tough and faster black cacodemon that fires a volley of three powerful fireballs.
- Hectebus — a twice as powerful mancubus with a near-continuous spread attack. black with purple fireballs
- Belphegor — A variant of the Hell Knight and Baron of Hell, three times the health of a Hell Knight and twice the fire rate. red and black.