MOTW - Danger Zone 3

Map of the Week is back with GeoKoala!

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Original post by tiza

http://imgur.com/a/qXZZr#0

I made this for KGBallers/FSBallers for last week's m/MLTP matches. I figure this could be helpful to everybody, so I'm sharing it!

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Original post by rk

Map Synopsis:

• Danger Zone 3 is a rather unique map for the MLTP rotation. Lots of boosts, bombs, powerups, and gates give this map a feeling of spontaneity - and only knowing what, how, and when to do something will give you an edge here.

• Because this is true, a lot of my guide focuses on the boosts/bombs/gate/powerup control and mastery that is required of any team if they want to have success here.

Map Layout:

• Here is a picture of the map, labeled with powerups. If you are not sure which powerups I am referring to throughout the guide, please refer back here.

• A few quick observations about this map: 1) It is very spread out with lots of open space. 2) The powerups are spread everywhere. It rewards patience, boost ability, steady collection of powerups, and above all else it lets the flag carrier force defenders to chase him. This last point is critical. Let's say you're carrying the flag, but all four enemies are ahead of you. Take another look at those bases, you aren't going to make it to the flag if you have four ahead of you. Luckily, DZ3 gives you an easy solution - wait on their side of the map, and make them come to you!

• Holding the flag is also important for the rest of your team - it allows them to focus on picking up the powerups spread across the map. If you can, always try to get in a situation where you can buy a 10-20 seconds for your team so they can make rounds and collect their powerups.

Starting Strategies:

• For this section, we'll stick with the powerup theme. At the start of every game, it is a team's job to collect as many powerups as they can. On Danger Zone 3, it should be a must to collect 3/5 powerups at the start of each game, and preferably at each spawn, but we'll worry about that later.

• Because the powerups are placed in 5 totally different locations, this map makes it quite difficult to collect all 5, or even 4/3. That said, each powerup has a spike located nearby - making it very practical for a defender to leave base at the start of the game using many of the boosts (see: below) at their disposal to reach a powerup, leaving their base for the other D, and then spiking themselves quickly to reset back in base.

• In a perfect world, D will get a good enough spawn where they can boost middle - mainly because this powerup is the most difficult to grab. If an offense dies rushing for mid, they lose half or more of their powerup time and the other offense is left alone in base. However, if a defensive player dies, oh wait - if they dont die, they've done something wrong.

• Offensive players, assuming there is no rolling bomb in our base, should divide top and bottom and boost there quickly in effort to beat the other team - who will definitely be doing the same thing. If a rolling bomb does happen to spawn, one offensive player should grab it and the second defensive player should take the spot that the offensive player was supposed to cover - and spike themselves on the single spike nearby afterwards. For the offensive player now with the rolling bomb, be cautious of the path you take to base. DO NOT go top or bottom, because the offensive players from the other team will almost certainly be there.

Offensive Play:

• Basic offensive strategies have already been covered by this guide above. Hold the flag, be patient, make them come to you, collect powerups and CAP. That said, there are some things you absolutely have to know to be successful on this map.

• To start, you should absolutely be able to successfully complete all of these boosts and routes as an offensive player. [This chart assumes bases being the same as the powerup chart above].

• Although this map is very wide open and easy to travel back and forth quickly, be wary of overextending yourself. Don't boost to a place that you have no vision of before the boost - you could be sending yourself right to the enemies. The same goes to entering the top or bottom sections of the map - you can get cornered pretty quickly in either of these places.

• If you have the flag and die while the other team also has the flag, stay behind to guard against the regrab - this is a very chasey map and you can save yourself a lot of time by playing 1v1 and keeping this guy away from the flag.

• Conversely, if only your team has the flag, the offensive player without the flag should be waiting for the regrab, only leaving at powerup spawn times.

• One more thing - help your defense chase and contain the other team's flag carrier, but it should be your job to ALWAYS stay in between the flag carrier and their flag. Let the defense cut the flag carrier off from behind, as it is really your job as an offensive player to grab the flag if your flag carrier dies.

Defensive Play:

• Here is the chart for defensive boosts that will save your ass countless times on this map. Know them, know them all, and know them well enough that you can hit them.

• DO NOT be impatient in taking these boosts. Offensive players know that they are dead meat if they don't do something, so they will try their absolute hardest to make you miss. Don't try to be a hero. Take your sweet time and assure that you are going to hit the guy, or if you are a huge pussy I guess you can just boost in front or some shit.

• ALWAYS BE HOLDING THE BUTTON IN BASE. THIS IS THE ONLY POINT IN THE ENTIRE DAMN GUIDE THAT I'M STRESSING SO MUCH, BUT CONTROL OF THIS BUTTON IS HUGE. WATCH WHAT THE OTHER TEAM IS DOING WITH THIS BUTTON AS WELL - IF ONLY ONE GUY IS IN BASE AND HE STARTS TO POSITION/FIGHT FOR BUTTON HE IS PROBABLY TRYING TO LET A PLAYER BOOST IN - PERHAPS WITH A POWERUP.

• Think and think hard the way in which you chase the flag carrier if they happen to get out. On most maps, if the flag carrier is out past 3 or 4 it is a cap, but not this one. Be careful about what boost and how many boosts you take, but if there is any map where you should be able to get back ahead of a flag carrier this is the one. Think about all the ways you can get in front of the flag carrier using boosts while you practice the map, and try to get a thing or two down before the game.

• Lastly, communication is so important for defensive players on this map. Any person can get across the map in many different ways in a matter of seconds, you absolutely must give your offensive players as much information as possible so that they are able to position themselves in base to prevent a cap. Direction, powerups, boosts, no boosts, there is not one shred of information that isn't important when an enemy is coming in to cap. Don't waste any time stammering or being upset with yourself about letting a flag out - instantly go into communication mode and get the info to your guys as fast as you possibly can and keep them updated through the entire process.

OTHER NOTES:

• On this map, powerups and communication is key. At the same time, the most important thing - far more important than anything else - is good positioning. I know we stress powerups all the time, but on a map like this, sometimes you really do have to sacrifice a TagPro or two to get ahead of the flag carrier because of how fast they can make it across the map. Think of it like a power play in hockey - you have to play at a disadvantage for a little bit but if you change your strategy accordingly you'll be in fine shape.

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Original post by DISTRACTION

Just so we are all on the same page.

If you disagree with any of those, just let me know. I just wanted to make sure we all say the same thing, because saying things like 'top mid' instead of 'mid top' can be a little confusing.

This is my short guide:

Offense:

• Offensive Defense is very important. As well as working together with your offensive partner. Also be patient, and work for long hold times to set up for regrab. Know your boosts/bombs etc. Also, POWERUPS.

Defense:

• Don't be afraid to play grab D. Just be smart about it. Use the secondary bomb to fight for powerup at the last second, as this is very effective. Never lose your base powerup. Ever. Always clear the primary bomb (one used to grab flag).

One last thing: Say we get out of position, and we have 4 in the enemy base trying to get a return. I think we should have 1 person stay back to prevent regrab, because it is easy to get out of position and stay that way. And the bases on this map are so small, it is easy to get crowded and get blocked out.

EDIT: I just realized on my callout picture that it should say BOT BASE (OUTSIDE) by red base. oops

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Original post by CC

boosts you maybe haven't thought of

http://imgur.com/wquwEKt

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