guide Three Strategic'est Shots in XP/BP

[Hex 11,520]

 

 

 

Greetings readers! All of you, at some points in your career, must have played or tried out eSports and its formats, specifically XP/BP. In this article, I'll be taking a look at the three most strategically important shots people have done in different eSports maps. They're easier said than done, and may at first prove to be difficult for newbies - you can't achieve them in normal battles without constant practice. So with that being said, let's get on with it!

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3. Bridges - Dynamic Quick Shot

 

 

While this shot does require you to be in constant motion while skillfully countering the motion of the hull with your turret's and dodging any incoming enemy shots, it's also easier to pull off when driving towards the bridge. Every shot in this article is listed because of one important reason, and this one too: it serves as a direct connection between both the bases which is already rare for any map in the game. Using this point to your advantage, a skilled player would almost always be on the lookout for anyone crossing this fine line of sight and immediately take the shot, therefore putting the player at one shot.

 

One more thing to note is that the structure of the red base in this moment sometimes favors the blues. In the above illustration, where the red flag indicator is, a small opening between the bridge and a broken wall (again, in the red base, not the one in which I'm standing - which is blue) can act as a gateway from a multitude of blue shots to come through. It's incredibly annoying for the red defender standing there, looking towards the bridge on the left to just be able to make a shot and then get hit in the back by on the defenders from the other team. 

 

Lastly, you should also note that you won't be able to pull off such a shot at all times in the battle. It requires a perfect combination of movement, enemy positioning and a time window to allow you to "look for" shots rather than adapting to changes in real time.

 

 

2. Red Alert - Ramp Rock Shot

 

 

Don't be fooled by the difficulty and rarity of this shot - because as easy as it is or may sound, it's actually harder to pull off when you have some tough opponents, especially those who have mastered the art of predicting enemy movements.

 

The logic behind this shot being given a dedicated place in the top ten is because of one simple reason - a huge number of lines of sights. In other words, many lines of sights mean that the position you are in can easily govern at least half of the map while the other team has to face difficulty in shooting you out of your place. From the illustration, you can clearly see just how many angles the person standing is capable to shoot at, including in their own base - and what's amazing is that he or she will not be worried that they might get shot from the back. Even if the enemy does push towards their base from the far-right, one of the areas this position does not prove effective, communication between the defender and some other teammate becomes key to save the capturing of their flag. 

 

With too many lines of sights comes too much exposure. This one-liner is simple to understand: If you can shoot multiple areas of the enemy from one place, then the enemy can shoot you back from all those areas. It will be physically impossible for this phenomena to not happen in the battle. If you're getting your shots on someone from one position, and don't keep yourself dynamic within let's say, two or three props worth of area, then the enemy will quickly learn your strategy and plant a shot in you before you even perceive the next second.

 

So, how can someone be both, effective and worthy to their team? I've compiled the answer in three points below:

• Quick-shooting is key - make the shot and get down from the ramp as quickly as possible. Your job is to ensure a hit on the enemy, not on yourself. The best way to do this is by rocking your hull back the moment your Railgun will actually shoot the projectile beam. 
• Keep yourself unpredictable - this shot doesn't make you constricted to one position only, you can move here and there and choose your position appropriately. It is important that you differ your style/method every time you make a shot, including but not limited to alternating the time intervals between your shot or simply changing positions.
• Don't block your teammates - a common mistake I've seen people do in this position is that they rock their hull back and forth and spin their tanks next to the rank for no useful reason at all. Dude, this is a battle, not a circus.

In conclusion, it can be said that a player here can act as a midfielder as well as a defender because of the capability that specific position on the map provides. It's easy to do, effective and... just takes a bit of practice!

 

 

1. Barda - Corner-Edge Rock Shot

 

 

Last but not least, we have the corner to corner shot here in Barda. This shot is so handy in certain situations that I would bet anyone to say that if a team is not having someone targeting enemies from here, they're playing a risky game. Sure, some experienced players adapt and learn the play style of the other team quickly enough to maybe realize they won't have to do this and instead just, for example, rush in... But in intermediate gameplay, you best believe this shot is going to give your team a higher potential in the match.

 

One of the few reasons this shot is important is that it has a line of sight to every single point of the map other than directly to the blue flag. Rocking your hull here can effectively allow to you target all across the plain towards the hill on the right, the enemy base's corner, the plain itself and the area under the bridge, the lower ground right next to you on both sides and then the two ramps and surrounding area in the enemy base. Oh yes, all this. All it takes is a warm hand and a good keyboard!

 

I also forgot to mention that this corner to corner shot is also useful for one more reason: hitting flag-bearers. In the current meta and all the ones that have passed before, most teams I've seen generally will ten towards holding the enemy flag in these two corners. So if your luck is on point and you're right on time on this ramp, chances are you will be giving your own flag a hard time reaching that corner in the first place!

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So those were three of the most strategic shots. Which one of these is your favorite? Is there one for which you prefer an alternate strategy? Be sure to comment below!

 

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[kaisdf 3,320]

Hello readers!

 

Just in time for CC XII, Hexed is here with a guide to a couple of very nifty XP/BP shots to help you in your future eSports career!

[Mursal 58]

Certainly could help me out ;D

[Productive 2]

This helped me. Thank you Hexed

 

[francisco_tanki 0]

Hi

 

[Venerable 2,970]

I won't lie, this was pretty confusing...

First of all, I couldn't connect the text with the adjoining images.

Secondly, I can't really see the actual description of the shot, as in how to execute the shot. In fact, after rereading the article, I'm beginning to think that you are actually referring to where you can shoot rather than any particular shot...

Could you please explain, @Hexed?

 

[Hex 11,520]

7 hours ago, Venerable said:

 

This article is not meant to be taken as a "guide" on how to do these shots, it's just a descriptive review of what these shots are, and what they mean in the game. It answers questions like "What are the advantages of doing them?" Are there any disadvantages to account for (like being exposed to a specific line of sight for a prolonged period of time)?" etc.

The images are supportive in nature, and they're meant to be as well. Typically, in a guide you would see proper illustrations that are well defined through text, but these ones are just to give readers visual aid, something that will help them make sense as to what they're reading.

[Venerable 2,970]

3 minutes ago, Hexed said:

 

Ah, I see...

And I wondered why you hadn't explained the "shots"... xD

Yeah now I'm beginning to look at this article in a different way... I did think that it was a guide of sorts!

Thank you for clarifying that bit. It's not confusing now. As a review, it's a pretty cool article!

Thanks again!

[Hex 11,520]

Just now, Venerable said:

 

No problem!

Also thank you for tagging me here, I read it again. This is one of my favourite articles that I've written.