Alborz Mountains

This variant of the map introduces two more control points as well as more ground and air vehicles. Even with 64 players, it’s important to manage your team to prevent spreading your units too thin across this massive alpine map. There are seven flags up for grabs in this Conquest battle, so start off conservatively by securing the four flags closest to your team’s base. This means the US team should attempt to capture the fishing huts (A), outskirts (B), mountain village (C), and radar station (E). Meanwhile, the RU team should focus on controlling the base camp (D), radar station (E), communication station (F), and cave outpost (G). Consolidating your forces around four flags initiates the drain on the opposing team’s ticket count, helping give your team the lead. If manpower allows, branch out and try to capture one or two more flags. But in the process, don’t leave any of your team’s flags undefended. If the enemy wants your control points, make them fight for them. In particular, make an effort to capture and hold the radar station (E) throughout the match so your team can control the gunship. Be ready to support attack and defensive efforts around the radar station (E), as it will most likely see the heaviest action.

US Base

Base Assets

The US team begins the battle on the north side of the map, along the west bank of the frozen lake. While there are plenty of vehicles to go around, be careful not to leave any teammates stranded at the base. The M1128 tank destroyers are very efficient troop transports, ideal for moving infantry to the nearby control points. Use the fast-moving UH-1Y Venom, Growler ITV, and quad bike to rush distant control points like the base camp (D) and radar station (E) while the rest of the team focuses on the northern flags along the banks of the lake. Throughout the battle don’t forget to return to the US base to retrieve freshly spawned vehicles. Hot spots like the radar station (E) can benefit from armored reinforcements, both when attacking and defending. Always maintain a presence in the air to help counter the threat posed by the RU team’s jets and helicopters. Friendly units are particularly vulnerable to air strikes when defending the central control points along the mountain range. The primary role of the US jets is to keep friendly ground units safe, so choose your loadout accordingly.

RU Base

Base Assets

The southern slope of the mountain range serves as the deployment area for the RU team, putting them within striking distance of the highly contested radar station (E) control point. This flag should be rushed early with the KA-60 helicopter while the ground units scatter to capture the remaining control points situated along the mountain range. If the RU team acts quickly they can capture the four mountain-based flags and initiate a drain on the US team’s ticket count. The quad bike, VDV Buggy, and SPRUT-SD tank destroyers are all instrumental in capturing these flags early on. As the ground forces spread out along the mountain range, use the Mi-28 and SU-35BMs to provide cover from the air. RU vehicles traveling along the mountain roads are easy targets for enemy aircraft. So be ready to engage the US jets and helicopters in an effort to protect your teammates on the ground. Get the 9K22 Tunguska-M to the radar station (E) as fast as possible to help provide an extra layer of air defense.

A: Fishing Huts

Control Point Assets

This control point is just south of the US base, making it relatively easy for the US team to capture and hold throughout the course of the battle. The flagpole is situated in a small cluster of small wooden sheds and cabins used to house fishermen and their equipment during more peaceful times. The flag (and its capture radius) can be reached via the narrow dirt road to the east, connecting the control point to the US base and mountain village (C). Both teams gain access to a mobile rocket artillery unit here. For this reason, the US team should put some extra effort into holding onto this flag. If the RU team captures this flag, they can use the BM-23 spawned here to rain down rocket artillery on the US base and its large collection of vehicles. Such siege tactics can be devastating to the US, especially if they possess no other flags or spawn points.

B: Outskirts

Control Point Assets

This small logging camp is directly east of the US base, on the opposite side of the frozen lake. As a result, there’s a good chance the US team will capture the outskirts (B) early during the round. But oftentimes, this control point is left undefended, making it easy for the RU team to sneak in and capture the flag. The RU team should only attempt to defend this point if they already hold the other six flags. This position makes it easy to engage US vehicles rushing across the frozen lake to the west. Given its rather isolated location, intense fights over this flag are rare. Once it’s captured, a single squad (consisting mostly of engineers and support troops) should have no problem locking down this control point. However, watch out for enemy recon troops posted on the domed tower at the radar station (E)—utilize the nearby rocks and dense foliage to prevent getting sniped.

C: Mountain Village

Control Point Assets

Given its proximity to the US base, this flag is most likely to fall in the hands of the US team early on during the round. However, the RU team shouldn’t give up on this control point entirely, especially if all four mountain-based flags are under their control. Securing a spawn point so close to the US base allows the RU team to branch out and hit the fishing huts (A) and outskirts (B). But given the lack of firepower produced by this control point, holding the flag here can be costly, as RU defenders will face an endless onslaught of US vehicles approaching from the north. For the RU team it’s often best to concede this flag to the US team rather than suffer heavy casualties trying to defend it. The wooden shacks surrounding the flag don’t offer great protection, but they still serve as good hiding spots from which to convert the flag. Using the quad bikes spawned here it’s easy to reach the outskirts (B) to the northeast and the radar station (E) to the north.

D: Base Camp

Control Point Assets

In better times, this location served as a high-altitude camp frequented by climbers seeking to scale the rocky face of the nearby mountain. But now both sides are fighting over this camp to gain a strategic foothold on the region. Since this flag spawns rocket artillery units for both teams, expect heavy fighting here. The open terrain and sparse cover make this control point relatively easy to attack but difficult to defend. There are virtually no hiding spots for defenders, making them vulnerable to bombardment by armored units and aircraft, including the gunship. As a result, a passive defense utilizing mines and C4 is preferable. Recon troops spawning here have a great line of sight on the areas to the east, including the radar station (E). The M1 Abrams and T-90A tanks spawned here provide both teams with some much-needed firepower to defend this flag and the surrounding control points. But it’s best to move these tanks out soon, as they pose a tempting target for enemy aircraft.

E: Radar Station

Control Point Assets

The massive, domed radar tower at this control point stands out, even among the surrounding mountains. Sitting on the southeast side of the map, this control point is well within the RU team’s sphere of influence, situated only a few hundred meters from their base. In addition to the great view offered by the radar tower, this control point grants the controlling team access to a gunship, making this one of the most fought over pieces of territory on the map. Both teams should rush to this flag early on and try to secure it before the opposing team arrives. Gaining access to the gunship’s firepower can significantly alter the course of the battle. In addition to the valuable gunship, both teams also gain a tank when holding this flag. The radar tower is a popular sniping perch for recon troops. From the tower’s upper-level catwalk it’s possible to monitor the surrounding roads and engage targets as far away as the base camp (D) to the west or outskirts (B) to the north. The flagpole here is surrounded by several buildings, providing plenty of hiding spots for infantry seeking to capture or contest the flag.

F: Communication Station

Control Point Assets

As the closest control point to the RU base, the communication station (F) is likely to be held by the RU team throughout the duration of the match. The control point is positioned on the eastern crest of the mountain range, offering little cover or concealment for infantry or vehicles. Once it’s captured, defenders should rely on mines and C4 to surprise attackers, while monitoring the flag from the surrounding rocky terrain. The snow-covered roads here offer quick access to the nearby radar station (E) and base camp (D) control points. Both teams also gain a mobile rocket artillery unit here, ideal for bombarding enemy ground units from long range. If the US team manages to capture this flag they can use the M142 to lay siege to the RU base, located directly to the south. But in a close match, the US team is better off consolidating their forces around the northern control points. Defending this location can be tough given the large number of RU vehicles streaming in from the south.

G: Cave Outpost

Control Point Assets

The cave outpost (G) control point is in the southwest corner of the map. Given its somewhat remote location and rocky terrain, this flag doesn’t see as much action as some of the more centrally placed control points. When possible, race to the flag on a quad bike, Growler ITV, or VDV Buggy. These fast vehicles have the easiest time negotiating the steep terrain, particularly when traveling off-road. Heavier vehicles such as tanks and tank destroyers should utilize the roads when traveling to and away from this flag. The flag can be captured or contested from within the small cave to the west, but the cave is a dead end, so think twice about hiding here. All it takes is a grenade or other explosives to flush defenders out of the shallow cave. The high elevation makes this spot great for monitoring enemy traffic to the east. Recon troops should consider posting a SOFLAM nearby to designate targets loitering around the radar station (E). When leaving the cave outpost (G), always take one of the provided quad bikes unless you prefer long scenic walks through the snow.