Map Revival: Molotov

[GeeVuh 1,647]

 

After a long, boring wait of about 3 days thinking about what to write about, I finally came to an answer: I would start a series called "Map Revival." I'm a fan of OMP (One Man Parkour) videos, and I was starting to get frustrated by the number of maps I couldn't recognize. As I scrolled through the list of maps, struggling to figure out which map that specific trick was, the number of maps that I couldn't recognize struck me. There were over 30% of the maps that I couldn't quite place a finger on how they looked. Researching and starting random battles to try to raise my knowledge of these maps, Molotov soon became one of the maps that I could confidently say, "I know this map."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Molotov was one of the first new maps to enter the game. Interestingly, it was not mentioned in the Updates section, which already contributed to its current unpopularity. No current player actually knows how or when this map hit the game, so all we can do is wonder and fantasize about how it became. It has encountered almost no changes since the beginning of Tanki time, which makes me wonder if the Developers have forgotten about it also. 

 

An odd event hit the game on July 19th, 2011. The Secret Gold was an event that everyone took part in, whether they knew it or not. A 1000 (Today, 10,000) crystal Gold Box would drop in one of the maps. Every map was battled in for hours, until finally, Molotov was found to be the one with this secret Gold Box. The map soon flooded the servers. It's my belief that it was a failed attempt to encourage tankers to play in Molotov. 

 

Molotov has become one of my best friends in terms of maps. As I started my "Map Awareness Campaign", I realized that other tankers also don't know the map very well. Taking this information in, I re-doubled my efforts to know the map. Before the game started, I typically took a trip around the map to refresh my mind about how the map looked. The simplicity yet incredible layout of the structures and props made me wonder, "Why isn't this a popular map?" The flags were in optimal positions, and everyone had a fair fight. I didn't have much time after wandering around the map. Soon after the map was created, the battle was flooded with curious players wondering, "Did Tanki release a new map?" I usually answered, "No, this is just a dead map that I'm trying to raise awareness of." Loud explosions ensued soon after the battle was created. Everyone was having fun in a well-balanced map.

 

CTF:

A typical CTF battle in Molotov was extremely intense. The map's medium size and open center field made it nearly impossible to capture the enemy flag. At best, you could make it 3/4 of the way, die, and hope for your teammates to grab it before the enemy. If you were a lucky Wasp with mines, there was about a tenth of a chance for you to break through. A large amount of players in this map, however, were trying out the new map and exploring (which I didn't understand, what's there to explore in a tiny map?), so I couldn't get an accurate response to my capturing of their flag. Recommendations, of course, are still to be given. 

 

CTF Recommendations:

 

Freeze-Viking

+

 

Every CTF battle must have one of these. Useful for defending, and with enough speed to catch up to any would-be flag hunters. You can't go wrong with this.

 

Thunder-Wasp

+

Molotov has plenty of walls to use on your enemies, and Wasp's speed is a must have for capturing flags.

 

Shaft-Titan

+

 

The open field in the center is no-man's land - until a Shaft comes in to control it. Use this and you will smash the enemy team's defenders to pieces when your attacker comes back from the enemy's version of Hell. They've gone through enough hardship, no?

 

CTF Defending and Sniping:

 

 

Red Circle: Red Sniping Spot

Blue Circle: Blue Sniping Spot

Yellow Circle: Red Defender

Green Circle: Blue Defender

White Dots: Blue mines

Black Dots: Red mines

 

Blue 1 and 4: These sniper spots give you a clear view to protect any of your attackers, and will also help your defense out if the other team tries to attack.

 

Blue 2 and 3: Gives you an opportunity to clear the defenders before your attacker gets there, and serves as an annoyance for their other team members if they step into your line of sight.

 

Red 1 and 2: These sniper spots give you a clear view to protect any of your attackers, and will also help your defense out if the other team tries to attack.

 

Red 3 and 4: Helps to pick off defenders while they're placing their mines.

 

If you don't understand any of the mine positions or defender positions, just reply below.

 

CTF Attacking:

I apologize if this next diagram hurts your eyes. I'm no great shakes at using Paint. 

Blue Arrows: Blue Flag-Hiding spots

Pink Arrows: Red Flag-Hiding spots

Dark Blue Lines: Blue Attacking-The-Flag best route

Faint Blue Lines: Blue Bringing-Back-The-Flag-After-You-Take-It best route

Dark Red Lines: Red Attacking-The-Flag best route

Light Red Lines: Red Bring-Back-The-Flag-After-You-Take-It best route

 

There aren't too many drop spots in this map, but slightly altering the routes may work out, even if they do open you up to Shafts.

Drop Zones

 

 

 

 

 

TDM:

These battles weren't too popular, but still provided a heated battle for you to have some fun in. They mostly consisted of snipers who weren't afraid to bring out their mighty M0 Shafts. Yeah... those weren't too useful, but it was alright.

 

TDM Sniper Recommendations:

 

Classic Shaft-Titan

+

Of course I'd put this here. Do you think I'm dumb?

 

Rail-Viking

+

 

 The recent re-balance made Railgun reload faster, which, surprisingly, helps the turret out a lot in this specific map. Sniping across the center is always useful, and if you really feel the urge, you can go to the bathroom you can go on the offensive and take out some noobs, mano-y-mano. 

 

TDM Attacker Recommendations:

 

 Fire-Wasp 

+

Ahh, the everlasting Fire-Wasp. Light, nimble, and quick, Wasp jumped over the candle-stick it can rush in and still survive. And then it meets it's next foe. Yeah... I think you'd better back off. It's useful in this map, and can really deal some massive damage.

 

Hammer-Viking

+

If you can actually get across the center field, I would clap you on the back and say that I'm a noob. But, if you can really do it, then go for it; you'll do some ridiculous damage. Lots of tiny houses makes sure that you'll usually be one-on-one, which is what Hammer is great at.

 

DM:

Ehhh, DM in this map wasn't too great for all those short-rangers out there. However, it was still possible to play and have some fun in this mode. If you stay by the houses near where either flags would be in CTF, you'll be well covered on all sides, and be able to fight each enemy individually. Mines in this map help a lot. A mid-ranged weapon like Thunder or Ricochet perform well, as they both rely on walls to do maximum damage. I, a Railgun main, didn't do so well; my Wasp was on the weaker side, and the Railgun simply didn't have enough DPS to survive. 

 

DM Recommendations:

Ricochet-Dictator

+

Height actually does matter, especially in maps with raised platforms. Normally, I prefer Viking over Dictator, but the extra height helps when you're shooting at an enemy up in the top right corner of the map. You can roam around the map, or, if you're the quiet type, stay in a corner. 

 

Vulcan-Titan

+

You don't need to move around too much. Choose a sniping spot from the sniper diagram above and park your tank there. Preferably Blue 3 or Red 2.

 

 

CP:

In my not-so humble opinion, CP is one of the most boring mode. However, Molotov CP is basically a larger Polygon CP, which is always fun. The game progresses faster, having two more points. All you have to do is control a point. Right? Right.

 

CP Recommendations

 

Isida-Viking

+

An Isida is always useful in a CP. Even though you can only attack one player at a time, it's very useful if you can find a teammate that's willing to let you hide behind him.

 

Twins-Titan

+

Mammoth for once is more useful than Titan in this case. Pushing other would-be point capturers off is useful, while Twins is widely recognized as the best turret for shoving.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hope this Map Revival spreads to the entire community, and all the way up to the moon. If you don't help it to, I will personally hunt you down. Now, on that happy note, get out there and play in those dead maps!

Edited November 25, 2016 by GeeVuh

[Hex 11,520]

Approved.

 

Edits:

- Some spelling

- Added header and footer

- Corrected some spacing

- Font size changed to 14

- Font color changed to White (for headings only)

 

On a side note, I would also like to point out that if you are writing a map guide, you have to cover all the major aspects - all the modes and playing styles. Do not leave anything because it is 'boring'. A DM battle in Molotov is way intense and hard as you think. Please do not do so in the future, thanks.

[GeeVuh 1,647]

Approved.

 

Edits:

- Some spelling

- Added header and footer

- Corrected some spacing

- Font size changed to 14

- Font color changed to White (for headings only)

 

On a side note, I would also like to point out that if you are writing a map guide, you have to cover all the major aspects - all the modes and playing styles. Do not leave anything because it is 'boring'. A DM battle in Molotov is way intense and hard as you think. Please do not do so in the future, thanks.

I'll fix that right now, thanks for the comment! I'll try and look from all points of view. Mainly I left it off because I had to go eat dinner..  :lol:

Edited November 23, 2016 by GeeVuh

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

I'll fix that right now, thanks for the comment! I'll try and look from all points of view. Mainly I left it off because I had to go eat dinner..  :lol:

:P I would say never publish an article until it is ready to be published.

---

Overall, a quite well written article. Of course, my usual issue with a lot of Tanki writings comes up as I say you are writing for a market that is already full. By this I mean that it doesn't bring anything new to the table compared to the guide that is already written. (Which is linked in the spoiler below) Perhaps if there was something a little more to distinguish it besides looking nice.

 

Well done though.

 

 

 

http://en.tankiwiki.com/Guide_to_playing_in_Molotov_effectively

 

 

[GeeVuh 1,647]

:P I would say never publish an article until it is ready to be published.

---

Overall, a quite well written article. Of course, my usual issue with a lot of Tanki writings comes up as I say you are writing for a market that is already full. By this I mean that it doesn't bring anything new to the table compared to the guide that is already written. (Which is linked in the spoiler below) Perhaps if there was something a little more to distinguish it besides looking nice.

 

Well done though.

 

 

 

http://en.tankiwiki.com/Guide_to_playing_in_Molotov_effectively

 

 

I would say that this article isn't mostly about a guide. The main point is to raise awareness of all those odd maps that most people don't even recognize. The guide is mainly a side note. Apparently, though, I expanded too much. :P

[Ninja 10,468]

I like your writing style!

[GeeVuh 1,647]

I like your writing style!

Thanks! ^_^

[ToHoYoNTaDa 1,147]

Keep it up, GeeVuh!

[Viking4s 10,791]

A really good start. well done.

 

As a plus, maybe you could add a chapter on one man parkour on this map (as you are a fan on this activity) and embed one video about your parkour stunt on this map. This will be a big distinguisher for your article.

What about the drops? We can't really see them on the map and in the strategic attacking/defending side.

Edited November 23, 2016 by Viking4s

[GeeVuh 1,647]

A really good start. well done.

 

As a plus, maybe you could add a chapter on one man parkour on this map (as you are a fan on this activity) and embed one video about your parkour stunt on this map. This will be a big distinguisher for your article.

What about the drops? We can't really see them on the map and in the strategic attacking/defending side.

I'm... er... not too great at OMP as I still have M0 Thunder :P Also, I don't do videos.

[Viking4s 10,791]

I'm... er... not too great at OMP as I still have M0 Thunder :P Also, I don't do videos.

Oh, ok. You're a fan of one man parkour video not a maker. Got it. Still can do a paragraph and use existing video. As connoisseur your view would be interesting. anyway, just a suggestion. :P

[GeeVuh 1,647]

Accidentally deleted a picture... hafta remake that one, I suppose..  <_<