I’m trying to figure out if there is a way like there is in BF2 where I can either join an empty server or create a local server so I can familiarize myself with the vehicles and the general aspects of BF3 without having to do battle with other players or bots? Unlike with BF2, the empty server I have joined so far won’t actually let you play with the vehicles until there are enough players to start the round and at this point, I don’t see any way I can set up a local server so I can play with the vehicles. If anyone knows how to setup a local unranked server from my game or even which type of empty server I should join if I want to familiarize myself with the vehicles, I would greatly appreciate you sharing that with me. If nothing else are there unranked server files available that I can download for BF3 like there are for BF2?

Unfortunately, no, you'd have to pay for an unranked server. None of the server files are public; ranked or unranked.

Server files for the game are not available just like BC2. Youll just have to be around when its time to populate one of ours and we can leave you alone :p IO needs 4 people to start but normal is usually more.

Originally Posted by RainMotorsports

Server files for the game are not available just like BC2. Youll just have to be around when its time to populate one of ours and we can leave you alone :p IO needs 4 people to start but normal is usually more.

Well that blows I just want to spend some quality time familiarizing myself with the vehicles without having to fight with other players to get a particular vehicle or while I am test driving it. As for your suggestion I just don't see other players leaving me alone during a live round because we all know how important those stats are to some folks and I can’t really kick or ban people for killing me in game because I’m only there for a test drive, something tells me that wouldn’t go over too well.

Will an empty server allow you to play with the vehicles like in BF2 or are you stuck standing in once place waiting for enough people to join before it will let you do anything?

There is not. SP is useless for practice too. However there are some servers that tend to be very laid back, with 16 players max and nobody really trying to win. Search for "flight training" or "practice server" and see what comes up.

Originally Posted by Off the Rails

There is not. SP is useless for practice too. However there are some servers that tend to be very laid back, with 16 players max and nobody really trying to win. Search for "flight training" or "practice server" and see what comes up.

I'll certainly give that a try but past experience tells me that there will always be an ass hat that joins the server and refuses to leave you alone. I don't understand the logic in not allowing us to play with the vehicles like we can in BF2 while waiting for other players to join. In my opinion people would stick around more to help populate servers if they had something to entertain them while they waited. At least that the case with me, I'm not going to join a server only to stand in once place and not be able to do anything while I'm waiting for the round to start!

Shock, Unfortunately there is no work around. You have to train in servers, or in COOP (at least for infantry).
I don't understand DICE/EA rationale here...
Especially with all those unlocks. Beginners will face experienced player with unlocked features (infantry, vehicles, etc) making the balance uneven and their start extremely difficult and frustrating.
They should come with unranked servers for training at least, a little bit like the one for Project Reality with tons of vehicles.

Originally Posted by badaaang

Shock, Unfortunately there is no work around. You have to train in servers, or in COOP (at least for infantry).
I don't understand DICE/EA rationale here...
Especially with all those unlocks. Beginners will face experienced player with unlocked features (infantry, vehicles, etc) making the balance uneven and their start extremely difficult and frustrating.
They should come with unranked servers for training at least, a little bit like the one for Project Reality with tons of vehicles.

Typical EA, typical DICE!!!……Very short sighted on their part and if that's the case I definitely won’t be sitting on empty servers with nothing to do! I have never cared for the way EA conducts their business dealings or how they treat their customers and this just adds to the contempt I have for them!

Please keep in mind this is probably the medication talking but if my medical problems from this botched back surgery are going to keep me from being able to maintain my side jobs since retiring and I don’t need to be concerned about my credentials or reputation anymore, then maybe I should focus the same talents that allowed me to retire at an early age on teaching these morons the lesson I so wanted to teach them when BF2 was released!

EA your getting higher and higher on my shit list and that’s not a place you want to be! lol

Just find an empty server.

Originally Posted by SFC RENNO

Just find an empty server.

Yea but on an empty server can you play with the vehicles like you can in BF2?

No!
You are stuck in the main base without the ability to move till the game start when there is enough players.

Originally Posted by badaaang

No!
You are stuck in the main base without the ability to move till the game start when there is enough players.

That's exactly what I'm referring to when I say EA & DICE are very short sighted morons! Who wants to sit in an empty server with nothing to do while you wait for other players to join? Also what fricken idiot came up with this unlock system ? Take someone like me who’s really too ill right now to play or someone that isn’t getting the game until Christmas by the time we start playing it’s like sending us in to battle with a butter knife when the enemy is armed to the teeth. While I’ve never been a fan of ranks, stats or weapon unlocks, I didn’t really have too much problem with the way they did it in BF2 because it was restricted to infantry weapons but who in the hell get’s in a jet with no missiles or chaff and tries to go fight an enemy with all of those and more? As for the ranks and stats well I accepted they are here to stay because too many of you are hooked on them like a drug and have no idea of the concept of gaming for the pure fun of it! If they’re going to do this with weapons unlocks to the extent they have then they need to restrict players above a certain level from being able to play on servers with players that are less experienced or just starting out.

shock usually when i seed a server that is the perfect time to practice with the vehicles. You need at least 4 in the server to be able to move. Its messy but it works to some extent.

I have seen a couple of servers that advertised only 1 player to start the round? I think WCK and another. I haven't joined one to find out but its worth a shot.

I think it is possible....the one person STARTER servers I believe you can do that...