Battlefield Specifics
Weather
It doesn’t take long on this map before the weather’s far-reaching effects are felt. The conditions periodically shift from calm overcast skies to rain, then to razorhail. The rain sometimes shifts back to sunny skies, but a lightning crack signals an instantaneous shift to razorhail, which can last for up to twenty seconds. The razorhail starts out slowly and then ramps up to a deluge of extremely sharp crystals that can down and kill a player’s character in ten seconds. Taking cover isn’t an option—it’s a necessity! Whether you’re in the streets and need to duck into a train car or up the steps and take cover under the canopies, you must get under a roof as soon as possible. The razorhail routinely kills players who stray too far from cover or who underestimate how long until it ends. You’ll be pleased to know that the razorhail doesn’t fall on Submission, King of the Hill, and Horde mode.
Spawn Point Awareness
Both teams begin the match indoors, but on opposite sides and with very different options. The team that begins at the northern spawn has an advantage in that they are much closer to the Longshot location—it’s on the level above them. They’re also two steps closer to the Torque Bow than the opposition. The flipside to this is that the team spawning on the map’s southern side can quickly reach the Boomshot and fall back to the safety of the covered bridge on the map’s southeastern corner. Both teams have access to a Gorgon Pistol and Ink or Frag Grenades.
North Spawn
The northern spawn point is easily identifiable thanks to the low ceiling and dark interior. The team starting at this point should immediately send three players out into the street on the right to race toward the Torque Bow in the center train car. Send two other players through the warehouse to procure the Ink Grenades on their way up the stairs to the Longshot. Take up cover and prepare for the opposition’s rush toward the Boomshot.
South Spawn
The team starting at the map’s southern end begins inside an ornate hallway with a large staircase leading down to the street directly in front of the spawn. Heading to the right leads players up a curving staircase to a covered bridge that provides an excellent vantage point and easy access to the Boomshot. Those starting at this end of the map have a slight disadvantage when it comes to securing the Torque Bow in the center train car. But the proximity to the Boomshot and the ability to hole up inside the covered bridge makes up for this shortcoming.
Essential Tactics
- A Train to Catch: Most matches begin with an initial rush for the Torque Bow (or Longshot) located in the central train car. The team starting on the map’s northern end has a slight advantage and should be able to secure this weapon most of the time, provided the other team doesn’t take a more aggressive tack. Instead of simply hoping to beat the other team in a footrace, the team starting at the end near the covered bridge should run toward the train car and lob a Smoke Grenade into it, hoping to knock out those who get there first. Jump through the window to collect the prize.
- Defend the Bridge: The covered bridge at the map’s southern end provides an excellent view of the battlefield and forces enemies to approach from two narrow staircases. A team that camps this bridge and sets up a proximity mine defense has a decided advantage over the opposition. With their backs to the edge of the map and their flanks armed with explosives, these players can keep their heads down and pick off the opposition with ease. Although this position doesn’t offer an unobstructed view of the entire map, nobody can approach unseen.
- Beware the Ice: The falling razorhail adds a uniquely dangerous element to playing on this map, and it should always be on your mind. It’s important to scope out overhead cover, and it doesn’t hurt to count how long the razorhail falls to try to cheat the race for the next weapon drop. The hailstorm doesn’t always last twenty seconds, and it does taper off toward the end, but you can run out into the razorhail once you’ve counted to eleven. You’ll suffer some damage but the razorhail will stop falling before it kills you. Of course, you still have to watch for enemy fire. But if everyone else is focused on the fight taking place under cover, you should be able to sneak away and land a special weapon for your efforts.