The combat of Squad Rush on Sabalan Pipeline is focused on the Oil Refinery and the nearby Construction Site. These two locations result in a varied combat experience. The round begins at the Oil Refinery—a constrictive, multitiered environment that produces fast-paced, close-quarters combat—and then moves on to the Construction Site, where the combat is more open, there are fewer opportunities for cover, and efficiently flanking your enemy is key. The environment is the greatest asset to both teams here and efficient squad play can help to turn the tide of the battle and keep the opposition pinned down. Teams that can efficiently set booby traps as well as make use of tools like the MAV will quickly gain the upper hand here, directing the flow of the enemy in their favor. Although the terrain is not suited to long-range sniper rifles, the landscape does provide the opportunity to fire on hostiles at range. With this in mind, carbines are an efficient weapon for the duration of the conflict and shotguns and PDWs should be avoided.
Zone 1
Positioned on the second tier of the Oil Refinery, the objective for Zone 1 can be difficult to approach if it is overrun with hostiles. The objective is accessible via stairways on the north and south sides of the Oil Refinery, which provides defenders with a dilemma as to how they should defend the site. Booby traps and motion sensors prove their worth here, as a squad can maintain a strong presence without putting themselves in a direct line of fire. These tools are equally valuable to both attackers and defenders during this battle, as they allow a squad some foresight into the actions of their enemy and can then modify their actions. For attackers looking to overtake the objective from entrenched defenders, grenades can help to equalize the battle and uproot campers from their positions atop the Oil Refinery. Although not frequently used, the M320 Smoke gadget afforded to assault class soldiers can conceal a squad’s advance on the objective and provide an extra moment to capitalize on flanking attempts when proceeding up the stairways here.
Zone 2
Located within the building on the north side of the Construction Site, the objective of Zone 2 will be a difficult one for attackers to approach. Defenders can position themselves near the base of the crane and lob grenades into the building should attackers enter it without detecting them. The objective is not visible except from the east side of the Construction Site, though, so defenders have no efficient sight lines to exploit. Once again, the M320 Smoke gadget can benefit attackers because it masks their assault as they make their way into the Construction Site. Otherwise, they have little to no cover for their advance. Attackers will find that making their approach from the north by breaking through the chain-link fence and coming from around the west side of the building to be an efficient tactic, as defenders will be focused on the Oil Refinery, expecting attackers to engage them directly from this entrance. Flanking is essential to protecting and destroying the objective, so a squad that is willing to divide and attack from multiple angles will be able to secure the victory here.