The map boundaries of Capture the Flag on Sabalan Pipeline are similar to those found in Conquest, without the Supply Depot to the west and the Pumping Station to the east. This change in the map concentrates the combat in the center. The US team’s base is located at the Warehouse in the south, and the flag is on the building’s north side, near the loading dock. The RU team’s flag is on the far north side of the map at the Control Station, in the center of the station, between the walls of shipping containers. Although the road that runs north to south on the map provides a direct approach for dirtbikes, this path is likely to be littered with mines. Teams can opt instead to flank each other by going to the east of the Oil Refinery, which results in longer travel times, but less opposition encountered along the way. For teams looking to capitalize on the map’s open space, taking up position within the Oil Refinery provides good views of enemy movements. Snipers looking to exploit the elevated position here should place a T-UGS motion sensor nearby to prevent being stabbed in the back. A far safer sight line requires climbing the crane at the Construction Site west of the Oil Refinery. This crane provides a direct view of the US flag at the Warehouse and the entrance to the Control Station. With this in mind, the site affords an advantage to the US team, as an experienced sniper can provide cover of his flag while also monitoring the traffic leaving the RU team’s base. The Oil Refinery has two dirtbikes that are up for grabs as well.
US Base
Located at the Warehouse on the south edge of the map, the US flag is on the building’s north side in the loading dock. With two M220 TOW Launchers nearby, defending the area from armored vehicles is not very difficult if experienced soldiers are manning these stationary weapons. Another advantage to defending the flag site is afforded by climbing onto the roof of the Warehouse. From here, the advance of the RU team can be observed early, and experienced snipers and engineers can eliminate the threats as they approach. The south side of the Warehouse will not see too much conflict, but deploying a MAV over this area can alert rooftop soldiers if enemies are attempting to flank the base. To the north is the Construction Site; the crane can be scaled and the boom provides a direct line of sight to the US team’s flag and the RU team’s base. If the team has not sent a sniper to take up position here, any US soldiers on the rooftop of the Warehouse should be aware that they can be fired upon from the crane.
RU Base
Located at the Control Station on the north edge of the map, the RU flag is in the center of the station, between the stacks of shipping containers. One advantage that the RU team has with their base is that the flag area is not visible from the south. The two 9M133 Kornet Launchers on site are positioned to directly defend against vehicles approaching from the south. Only the launcher on the west side of the station can fire on the flag area. For soldiers looking to defend the site, the shipping containers provide an excellent amount of cover for maintaining a view of the flag. While placing mines around the Control Station area prevent vehicles from entering the site, claymores are more efficient in defending the flag, as the flag must be captured while on foot. . The flag can be viewed from the two on-site buildings; hostiles attacking the flag will not notice defenders that have taken up position in these buildings. To the south of the Control Station is the Construction Site. Its crane can be used to observe the movement of US troops as they make their way through the Oil Refinery area. This crane also provides a strategic sight line of the Warehouse and the US flag there, and can be used by experienced snipers to eliminate threats on the rooftop of the Warehouse while allies attempt to take the flag.