...Unless the mode is Capture the Flag (CTF), in which case, the objective is to capture the enemies flag and take it back to your flag.
Learning how to play AssaultCube is easy. After knowing the controls, most things are relatively straight forward.
To play, press W to move forwards and then move your mouse around to change directions. Left-click when aimed at an enemy to attack them. Most other moves you can use to further your abilities and fun are covered below...
| Control | Function |
| Escape | Main menu |
| W | Move forward |
| S | Move backwards |
| A | Sidestep left |
| D | Sidestep right |
| Space | Jump |
| Left-shift | Crouch |
| R | Reload |
| T | Chat and console |
| Y | Team-chat |
| V | Voice-com menu |
| G | Quick nade throw |
| B | Change weapon menu |
| Left mouse-click | Attack |
| Right mouse-click | Quick nade throw (Or scope when using the sniper rifle) |
| Center mouse-click | Knife |
| Mousewheel | Cycle weapons |
| 1 | Primary weapon |
| 2 | Pistol |
| 3 | Grenade (if available) |
| 4 | Knife |
| Tab | Show scores |
| Left alt | Show mini-map |
| Backspace | Drop-flag |
| F1 | Vote yes |
| F2 | Vote no |
| F11 | Show extended console |
| F12 | Create screenshot |
You can find a list of controls used in map editing here.
You can also assign custom keys to specific weapons by using the keybinding menu in-game. This can be found by pressing ESCAPE and then navigating to: settings ⇒ keyboard/mouse controls.
This is simple. Just press ESC and then navigate to Singleplayer, then choose the mode, bot skill, amount of enemies and the map. Then, a game with computer-bot enemies will start immediately.
In game, press ESC and choose Multiplayer ⇒ Refresh Server List. The masterserver will be queried and provide you with a list of servers. Do so every few days, to add newly created servers to your list. The list of servers are saved in config/servers.cfg.
If the console says "master server not replying", then that means your client failed to download the list of servers to play upon, and you may have to try downloading them again.
Once you updated your server list, you can use Multiplayer ⇒ Join a game. Simply select a server (use up/down arrows or scrolling) and then press ENTER.
Alternatively, you can connect to a server directly by typing /connect and then a valid IP or DNS name of a server and optionally, a password, if the server uses one.
Most important setting changes can actually be changed from within the menus. So, press ESC and then settings. There are many important settings in this menu that can be changed, including changing your name and team. Look in there for what you need.
There are of course other settings which can't be found inside the menu. These settings can be changed via the console. Check out the reference to find out about those settings and how they can be changed.
There is a file called defaults.cfg in the config directory. When you run AssaultCube for the first time it will execute this file. Once you quit AssaultCube, the default settings and your changes created upon them during the course of the game (and from your autoexec.cfg) will be stored in config/saved.cfg. If you want to reset your settings to default values just delete config/saved.cfg. Alternatively, you can delete it using the menus, by pressing ESCAPE and going into: Settings ⇒ Reset all settings? ⇒ Reset ALL settings and restart AC.
If there are commands that you would like executed every time AssaultCube starts, you can insert these scripting commands into config/autoexec.cfg.
When AssaultCube is started, it will check for the file config/init.cfg. If it does not exist then AssaultCube assumes this is the first time you have ran AssaultCube and will prompt you with the "quick setup" menu. This contains settings for you to change that are important for running AssaultCube. Such as screen resolution, mouse sensitivity, nickname, etc. When you press "OK", then AssaultCube will restart to allow those settings to take effect. The config/init.cfg file saves settings that can only be changed before AssaultCube runs, so when AssaultCube first starts, it will execute those settings.
Note for linux users: Config files get saved in the hidden directory .assaultcube/config in your users home directory.
To select a primary weapon, press B to show the weapon menu (you can also find this menu inside of the
settings menu).
This menu will give you the option to pick any of the four primary weapons (Assault rifle, Sniper
rifle, Sub-machine gun, Shotgun).
The next time respawn, you will start with the weapon that you selected from this menu.
You can also select between your primary weapon, pistol/akimbo, grenade or knife by selecting them using the keys 1-4, or by scrolling through them with your mouse. Also, G will throw a grenade.
Quick nade throw: If you want to throw a grenade and then quickly switch back to your normal weapon, press and hold the right mouse button and then let go to throw the grenade. After throwing the grenade (if you clicked and held it) then it will switch back to your normal weapon.
You can find out more about the weapons here.
If you can't find your way around the map, you can use the mini-map in the top-right corner of your screen (see right). Also, a bigger version of the map can be shown by pressing ALT.
To learn more about the mini-map, see here.
If you want to say something to other players, it's very simple. Just press T to bring up the console where you can type what you would like to the other players.
If you want to make sure what you say is said only to the players on your team (if in a team mode), then press U. This will bring up the console with a % sign in-front of it. The % sign is what is needed infront of ANYTHING you say to make it be seen ONLY by your team.
Gibs are a great way of defeating another player. If you want to gain a lot of points fast, this is the way to do it, because gibs count for 2 points!
Gibs are created by: Headshots from sniper rifles, deaths from knifing & deaths from grenade blasts.