Epicenter

In this larger Conquest variant, the map is the same size and only one extra control point has been added bringing the total number of flags to five. As a result, both teams should strive to carve out their territory by capturing and holding no fewer than three flags to bleed the opposing team’s ticket count. For the US team, it makes the most sense to form a defensive line along the eastern part of the city by holding the Construction (A), Residential (B), and Highrise (C) flags. While the RU team has no problem capturing the Hotel (E) and Crossroad (D), securing a third flag can sometimes be problematic—go for the Residential (B) or Highrise (C) control points. When playing on a full server with 64 players, this moderately sized map becomes very crowded and chaotic. But resist the urge to run around, hopscotching from one flag to the next. Instead, make a concerted effort to defend the flags your team has captured. By utilizing the narrow alleys and cramped streets as choke points, a single squad should have no problem locking down each control point. The Highrise (C) and Crossroad (D) are the most hotly contested, so never let these flags get captured without putting up a fight.

US Base

Base Assets

The US team deploys from the park on the northeast edge of the map, not far from the nearby Construction (A) control point. The serene ponds and quaint playground stand in stark contrast to the surrounding destruction. But don’t spend much time enjoying the scenery here—there’s a battle to win! While the team has one Rhino at their disposal, most of the team will be stuck hoofing it through the heavily damaged city. If you find yourself in the driver seat of the Rhino, make the most of this vehicle by racing to a distant control point like the Highrise (C)—just watch your speed because the debris-littered streets are filled with obstacles that could potentially flip the van. Securing this central flag early on during a match can help give your team the upper hand. While the Rhino and its crew head for the Highrise (C), the rest of the team should sprint to the Construction (A) and Residential (B) control points. If your team acts fast in a coordinated fashion, you stand a good chance of securing three out of the five control points on the map, thereby forcing the RU team to incur a drain on their ticket count.

RU Base

Base Assets

Deploying from the streets and alleys in the southwest corner of the map, the RU team has the best chance of securing the Hotel (E) before pushing deeper into the rubble-filled city. Like the US team, the RU team has only one Rhino at their disposal, which leaves most of the team on foot. When driving the Rhino, fill the vehicle to capacity before racing into the city so that you can transport as many troops as possible to the contentious control points in the middle of the map. The Rhino is the RU team’s best chance of reaching and capturing the Highrise (C) or Residential (B) control points before the US team arrives early during a match. Whether riding in the Rhino or moving out on foot, securing the Hotel (E) and Crossroad (D) is the primary goal of troops spawning at the RU Base. Although it serves as a form of transportation, don’t underestimate the effectiveness of the Rhino’s weapons. When parked in the street west of the Crossroad (D), the Rhino is an ideal weapons platform that is perfect for targeting US troops rushing in from the east.

A: Construction

Located only a few meters from the US Base, the Construction (A) control point is a likely early-round capture for the US team. But that doesn’t mean the RU team should write off this control point completely. This control point is rarely defended, so it is relatively easy to capture for RU troops approaching from the east. The flag here is positioned on the north side of a partially constructed skyscraper. There is ample cover available within the flag’s capture radius, so attackers and defenders have plenty of safe hiding spots from which to capture or contest this point. Two choke points adjacent to this flag are worth nothing. One is the narrow alley cut through the piles of rubble to the east. This is a popular route often utilized by US troops attacking from their nearby base. The RU team can score some easy kills here by ambushing US foot traffic passing through this cramped kill zone. The second notable choke point is the tunnel running beneath the skyscraper. While the tunnel is a great way to sneak up on the flag from the south, the darkness makes it easy for defenders to hide booby traps such as mines, Claymores, and C4 charges here.

B: Residential

Control Point Assets

This quiet neighborhood is tucked away in the southeast corner of the map, somewhat isolated from the heavy fighting taking place in the city core. Located just south of the US Base, the US team has a good chance of capturing and exerting control over this control point throughout the match. The flag is positioned on a sidewalk adjacent to an intersection, so it is easy for both infantry and vehicles to capture. The adjoining streets are relatively free of debris and rubble, which makes it easy to approach the flag in a vehicle, whether traveling from the north or west. These streets also provide long, unobstructed sight lines that are ideal for sharpshooters. As a result, it’s safest to approach this flag in a vehicle, particularly when the control point is defended by the opposing team—just watch out for mines and other booby traps. Both teams gain access to an extra vehicle by controlling this flag, so it is worth the effort to hold this position. Instead of driving off into the city, use the Phoenix or Barsuk deployed here to help deter attacks on this control point. The weapons mounted on these vehicles are ideal for engaging opponents traveling along the nearby streets. Or park the vehicle near the intersection to the north and engage the cross traffic in the map’s center.

C: Highrise

Located only a few meters from the Construction (A), Residential (B), and Crossroad (D) control points, this flag is likely to see heavy action during every match. The flag here is situated in a narrow street lined with rubble. While the flag can be captured and contested by infantry and vehicles alike, the cramped surroundings make driving here difficult and potentially dangerous given the likelihood of encountering booby traps and opponents hiding in the nearby storefronts. It’s best to approach this control point on foot. While the flag can be accessed from all directions, the northern and western approaches are the most heavily traveled as troops rush between this location and the Construction (A) and Crossroad (D) control points. These narrow, high-traffic passages can become deadly choke points, particularly if defended by a determined squad. Explosives are very effective in these tight quarters. When attacking here, consider flanking from the south or east in an attempt to circumvent these potential kill zones.

D: Crossroad

Control Point Assets

The recent seismic activity has absolutely rippled this once straight and level stretch of road that was a major north-south thoroughfare. What was once a street now resembles a jagged wall cutting through the center of the map and greatly inhibiting vehicle traffic. The flag here is located in the bottom of a shallow sinkhole, flanked by two portions of the uplifted street. This flag is best captured and contested by infantry hiding among the rubble—driving a vehicle into this hole is not advised. As one of only two control points that produces a vehicle for each team, the Crossroad (D) is one of the most contested flags on the map. The Phoenix or Barsuk spawns on the street to the north, where it is already well-positioned to engage the cross traffic between the nearby control points. Instead of using it as a transport, consider using this vehicle to defend the flag from a distance—the RU team can benefit by parking it in the street to the west. Defenders can also keep an eye on this flag by taking up elevated positions near the Hotel (E) and firing down on opponents in the sinkhole.

E: Hotel

Unlike its neighbors, this landmark modern structure survived the earthquake relatively unscathed, having suffered only minor damage. Given its close proximity to the RU Base, the RU team is likely to capture this control point early during the match—enter through the western passage to access the lobby. The flag is positioned on the south side of the structure, on an exterior walkway just outside the lobby. There is no vehicle access to the flag, so it is up to infantry to capture and hold this position, which often leads to close-quarter duels given the flag’s relatively sheltered location—PDWs and shotguns work well here. While attacks usually come from the east and south sides, defenders should also prepare for attackers approaching from the lobby, north of the flag. The lobby is easily accessed via two blue maintenance doors on the north and east sides of the structure—the blue maintenance doors can be destroyed by shooting the adjacent red gas canisters. The maintenance tunnel beyond these doors connect to the lobby, allowing for flanking attacks from within the building’s interior. When not attacking or defending the flag, the upper-level walkway on the structure’s northeast corner is ideal for engaging opponents near the Crossroad (D) control point to the east.