Guide [Issue 12] CTF Focus: Medium Maps I

[SpreadLoveNotHate 374]

Large maps are often used for clan wars, and small maps are often used to have quick flag battles. But, those maps in between are the ones that balance the needs of players and attract them into playing what they are interested in. A mix of combinations and skills. Here's two popular maps to help you guide your way through these maps in Capture the Flag.



Sandal, a fairly regular sized map packed with fun gameplay for all ranks. Every high rank has played in this map regardless of liking it or not, since it is one of the only ones available for recruits. Being played so often, all players think of is their experiences and randomly dashing towards the flag with strategy planned ahead of the attack. Here's a few tips as to what you can do to end your CTF quicker with more captures.

Advantages of Sandal
> Open areas, easy to attack
> Easy to defend when flag is taken away, since all the routes can be seen in a glance.

Disadvantages of Sandal
> Concentrated flag area, enemy teammates could easily block you off when defending and attacking.
> A lot of open area allows a great advantage to the weapons with unlimited range, but those with limited range are put at a great disadvantage and would be easily killed if not with supplies.

Best Team
> Hornets and a defending Hunter/Viking/Titan/Mammoth
> Rail, Smoky, Freeze, Thunder
Firebird is usually not a good combination in a team with a Freeze, since both special effects contradict each other. One freezes while another one defrosts. One burns while another one cools down.

Gameplay Strategies:
There is no real offense and defense to a Sandal game. It is usually best to attack all at the same time, and get as many flags as you can to maintain a lead. When you do have the lead, the best is to be mindful of where your opponents are and just attack without keeping them in range of grabbing your flag. Below, the diagram shows the ways in and out of a base. The variety of routes and camping spots greatly help you get away with the flag, but give you a disadvantage of being out in the open and vulnerable to being hit.





Garder, a symmetrical map with an interesting 2 levels of gameplay gives players a concentrated area in focusing their action. The side ledges give both an advantage and disadvantage, but they are straight forward routes to take when getting to a flag.

Advantages of Garder
> Lots of hiding places, camping spots, etc.
> Easy to see all teammates and enemies (unless hidden in a small tunnel) at a glance.
> Short flag distances, can be made while one is killed and spawning.

Disadvantages of Garder
> Many obstacles in the middle make you either miss aim or drive slow while running across the map.
> Only a couple of routes into one base, all of which can be covered by one camper.

Best team
> Freeze Hornets, and usually a Rail Hornet for long distance sniping.
Freeze can do quite a bit of damage and is a great choice for defense with such little space to play with in this map.

Gameplay Strategies:
Again, this map is best played without official offense and defense positions although on Freeze or Rail should be near flag at all times. The routes on the sides and well as the middle can be used to swarm the enemy base and hopefully one tanker will make it out with the flag. Use the obstacles in the middle as cover, and stay away from the line of sight of enemies.

[austinmyles 114]

Nice like this a lot I will try that in sandal next time :P

[r_SwagBoy110 421]

I love ruining perfectly good Sandal games with drugs. :P

[Lankbouv 6,347]

I find that sandal is the map where I get the best gameplay, and most skilled players.

 

Also, Lok, you said that Freeze and Firebird (short range) would be easily killed in Sandal, but yet you put it in the desired teams. I personally think that freeze is perfect for Sandal, but give me a reason why YOU think you should use freeze as you said the use of short range weapons was not ideal.

 

Great articles in almost every way, well done!

[unholycloak5 1,814]

Nice guide, I go try it next time. :P

[SilverCenturion 0]

I always afraid playing sandal :( but with these tips,i will dominate! Thanks! ;)

[Scientist 4,224]

Old props?

BTW, nice article, was interesting to read :)