I can't understand how people consistently don't get the fact that all flags are not equal from a strategic point of view. Every map has key flags that have importance from the point of view of what assets you have there: commander assets, tanks, apcs, choppers, planes. If you lose these then you lose the game, and worse than this you will put yourself in a position to get raped. I'm not saying that everybody should defend these "key" flags but to see almost nobody doing it goes against all those folks who claim that they play to win.
For example:
Songhua Stalemate: the two main bases are the most important flags on the map cause they got commander assets, transport chopper, tank, apc. You lose this flag and it is very hard to win...yet nobody tries to defend these flags. Everybody jumps in vehicle and takes off to cap other flag.
Karkand: MEC Main Base: Commander Assets, Tank, APCx2...nobody bothers defending. if you lose it you will get raped mercilessly. What's even worse is that if you're USMC and manage to cap it, often times your team won't even spawn on it to defend it. It is such an easy base to defend and you'll wrack up the kills as MEC keeps attacking you (without armor). If you're sniper you can lay down claymores for guaranteed kills. Support can just go prone and mow everyone that comes around. And if you should get their armor...E-Z kills. But nope, everybody wants to do the hotel...
Dragon Valley: The two main bases...especially PLA cause they've got the airfield there.
Mashtuur: If you lose your tank on Mashtuur then you're probably going to lose...defend back-yard and power plant flags. People like to fight over the mosque but they'd be better off flanking and going for the other flags where there are commander assets to be had.
Daqing Oil Field: People always fight over the oil cisterns in the middle even though there are no real assets to be gained from having that point. Go for any of the other flags because they spawn tanks and anti-air vehicles. And for those who talk about the strategic importance of the oil cisterns...bah. What you're basically doing if you spawn there is going footsoldier vs tanks/linebackers/choppers/planes which means lots of deaths for you, lost tickets etc...
Fushe Pass: Upper Camp (Pla) and Power Plant (USMC).
Sharqi: If you are USMC and lose the TV station, you're essentially dead. No more armor, no more attack chopper, no more assets...and its pretty damn hard to take back. Its amazing how many commanders don't even bother to give you UAV when you're actually trying to defend it. The only job of the USMC commander on this map should be to make sure the TV Station doesn't fall.
Cleansweep: MEC main base is the key cause there you have tank/apc/planes/commander assets. USMC should use all their resources to try to take it first...MEC should keep a tank or apc behind to defend.
Kubra: MEC main base (same reasons as with clean sweep).
*edit* Wake: PLA defend your main base. If you lose it (and tank, attack/transport chopper, plane, commander assets), then you are halfway towards your next purple heart award. (thanks to DavidianCox...no relation:))
*edit* Zatar: I know no one plays Zatar Wetlands, but holding the Central Island for your team is crucial, because it gives you that extra atack helicopter. If the other team has good heli pilots and gunners then denying them one can make a huge difference. To make things ever better, the Central Island is actually pretty easy to defend with infantry because of it's raised location. It makes it harder for armor to hit infantry from all the places they can shoot from. A squad of about 4 people should be able to hold it if they know what they're doing (thanks to deject)
For Commanders: if you are a commander then god damnit protect your important base. If you are commander on Songhua and you don't do everything in your power (including fighting) to save your base then you're not playing right. Grab an APC (they are plentiful on Songhua) and sit in your base waiting for that full Transport Chopper to come along...they ALWAYS do...and splatter it for 4-6 easy kills. Commander's job is to make the team win (hence 2x points for win) so don't listen to those "Commanders Shouldn't Fight" people. Do what is necessary for your team to win. If that means scanning and spotting then do it, but don't sit there going "Enemy Boat Spotted" while a chopper flies into your base, takes you flag and destroys all your assets...that's just plain stupid...and I see it all the time.
One last thing, you may think that it is a thankless job to defend a key flag, but you'd be surprised. There actually are some people who understand the significance of certain flags and will attack you over and over and over. Since defending (especially if you've got a vehicle) is pretty easy, this means a reasonable amount of kills and a nice k/d ratio. Unless you're a complete point whore, its actually not a terrible gig...try it some time.
note-i play almost exclusively on 64 man servers so what i wrote above applies only to those. however if you think about it a little you'll figure out what are the key flags for 32 and 16 man servers.
For example:
Songhua Stalemate: the two main bases are the most important flags on the map cause they got commander assets, transport chopper, tank, apc. You lose this flag and it is very hard to win...yet nobody tries to defend these flags. Everybody jumps in vehicle and takes off to cap other flag.
Karkand: MEC Main Base: Commander Assets, Tank, APCx2...nobody bothers defending. if you lose it you will get raped mercilessly. What's even worse is that if you're USMC and manage to cap it, often times your team won't even spawn on it to defend it. It is such an easy base to defend and you'll wrack up the kills as MEC keeps attacking you (without armor). If you're sniper you can lay down claymores for guaranteed kills. Support can just go prone and mow everyone that comes around. And if you should get their armor...E-Z kills. But nope, everybody wants to do the hotel...
Dragon Valley: The two main bases...especially PLA cause they've got the airfield there.
Mashtuur: If you lose your tank on Mashtuur then you're probably going to lose...defend back-yard and power plant flags. People like to fight over the mosque but they'd be better off flanking and going for the other flags where there are commander assets to be had.
Daqing Oil Field: People always fight over the oil cisterns in the middle even though there are no real assets to be gained from having that point. Go for any of the other flags because they spawn tanks and anti-air vehicles. And for those who talk about the strategic importance of the oil cisterns...bah. What you're basically doing if you spawn there is going footsoldier vs tanks/linebackers/choppers/planes which means lots of deaths for you, lost tickets etc...
Fushe Pass: Upper Camp (Pla) and Power Plant (USMC).
Sharqi: If you are USMC and lose the TV station, you're essentially dead. No more armor, no more attack chopper, no more assets...and its pretty damn hard to take back. Its amazing how many commanders don't even bother to give you UAV when you're actually trying to defend it. The only job of the USMC commander on this map should be to make sure the TV Station doesn't fall.
Cleansweep: MEC main base is the key cause there you have tank/apc/planes/commander assets. USMC should use all their resources to try to take it first...MEC should keep a tank or apc behind to defend.
Kubra: MEC main base (same reasons as with clean sweep).
*edit* Wake: PLA defend your main base. If you lose it (and tank, attack/transport chopper, plane, commander assets), then you are halfway towards your next purple heart award. (thanks to DavidianCox...no relation:))
*edit* Zatar: I know no one plays Zatar Wetlands, but holding the Central Island for your team is crucial, because it gives you that extra atack helicopter. If the other team has good heli pilots and gunners then denying them one can make a huge difference. To make things ever better, the Central Island is actually pretty easy to defend with infantry because of it's raised location. It makes it harder for armor to hit infantry from all the places they can shoot from. A squad of about 4 people should be able to hold it if they know what they're doing (thanks to deject)
For Commanders: if you are a commander then god damnit protect your important base. If you are commander on Songhua and you don't do everything in your power (including fighting) to save your base then you're not playing right. Grab an APC (they are plentiful on Songhua) and sit in your base waiting for that full Transport Chopper to come along...they ALWAYS do...and splatter it for 4-6 easy kills. Commander's job is to make the team win (hence 2x points for win) so don't listen to those "Commanders Shouldn't Fight" people. Do what is necessary for your team to win. If that means scanning and spotting then do it, but don't sit there going "Enemy Boat Spotted" while a chopper flies into your base, takes you flag and destroys all your assets...that's just plain stupid...and I see it all the time.
One last thing, you may think that it is a thankless job to defend a key flag, but you'd be surprised. There actually are some people who understand the significance of certain flags and will attack you over and over and over. Since defending (especially if you've got a vehicle) is pretty easy, this means a reasonable amount of kills and a nice k/d ratio. Unless you're a complete point whore, its actually not a terrible gig...try it some time.
note-i play almost exclusively on 64 man servers so what i wrote above applies only to those. however if you think about it a little you'll figure out what are the key flags for 32 and 16 man servers.
Last edited by superfly_cox (2006-04-27 12:44:15)