Team Strategies

Warzone & Execution

The fear of being downed during a hailstorm should be on all players’ minds during the initial rush for the advanced weaponry. This is particularly true for those set on duking it out for the Torque Bow in the train car. The Torque Bow and Boomshot are heavily contested, given that the team spawning to the north has a clear advantage in securing the Longshot. Use Smoke Grenades and increased numbers to your advantage, and try to down enemy players just as the lightning strikes and the razorhail begins.

When you’re going for the Longshot, have one teammate immediately sprint for that weapon. Then move into position to cover the other two primary weapon areas. This is especially helpful if opponents get stuck either inside one of the train cars in the street or are waiting for the razorhail to stop so they can grab the Boomshot. Keep in mind that the Longshot area is not covered, so take up a position near the main stairwell. This area is under the protection of the canvas awning and has a good view of both elite weapon spawns.

One tactic worth employing as the match winds down is to grab the Longshot (or Torque Bow) from the train car and stealthily relocate to either of the two other train cars. Camp this location by keeping your head down and waiting in the shadows. Pan the camera around to view the approach to the central car. This allows you to monitor any activity on the street or near the main staircase leading up to the circular plaza.

Perhaps the single best tactic is to acquire the Longshot and/or Torque Bow and set up a defensive stronghold in the covered bridge at the map’s southern end. This provides an elevated vantage point of most of the map, including the two elite weapon spawns. And it’s covered from razorhail exposure. Grenades spawn at one end; plant them at both ends as a warning and protection system. This is an excellent sniping location and not a bad place to make a last stand if you’re outnumbered.

Submission

You can find the Stranded at one of two locations: in the central plaza near the Boomshot weapon drop or outside the northernmost train car in the street. The capture points rotate between the three advanced weapon locations. Many of the capture locations require trips outdoors but the rain and razorhail don’t fall, so there’s no concern of the weather forcing the Stranded’s release.

Because the Stranded’s spawn and capture locations are so close to one another, brute force is often essential for success. Grab the Boomshot or Mulcher if they’re handy. But first and foremost, keep the pressure on the other team by instructing teammates to provide plenty of suppression fire with their Lancers and Hammerbursts.

Several factors make grenades particularly effective on this map; these include the close proximity of players, as well as movement slowed by dragging the Stranded to the capture point. Grab the Frag or Ink Grenades on your way out of your spawn point. Lob them into a crowd of enemies to score multiple kills and to knock loose the Stranded. Similarly, protect yourself from other teams using the same tactic by taking their downed bodies as meat shields. Use the extra layer of protection to help escort your Stranded-carrying team member to the capture point.

This map’s most explosive weapons are located in the capture points. Run ahead to the capture point to grab a Torque Bow or Boomshot as the opposing team approaches with the Stranded. This is an especially useful tactic if you’re outnumbered at the moment. While charging at the opposing team with guns blazing only gets you killed, using the Torque Bow or Boomshot from afar can go a long way toward slowing their progress and freeing the Stranded. Even if you can’t take out all of them, playing goalie can buy your teammates time to arrive on the scene.

Wingman

One lucky team spawns inside one of the train cars on the street, just a few steps away from the Torque Bow (or Longshot) in the central train car. The team fortunate enough to start here should instantly grab the weapon and fall back into their starting point. This maintains cover from the razorhail and allows team members to pick off enemies on the main stairwell or in the street.

The other two elite weapon pickups are subject to razorhail. Move quickly with your teammate to obtain these weapons. Then fall back to a covered position either under the canvas awning or on the covered bridge atop the stairs at the south. Don’t get trapped in the alley near the map’s northern end or within the innermost ring of circular walls in the central plaza; both of these areas are exposed to the elements.

Those who don’t secure an elite weapon aren’t out of luck. Move to the street and use the Lancer or Hammerburst, combined with a few grenades, to down enemies as the rain gives way to razorhail. Duck for cover while they struggle to crawl to safety, away from the razorhail’s debilitating deluge. Having two Lancers focused on one enemy brings him down twice as fast and earns you an easy remote kill—the razorhail ensures that the opponent doesn’t get up!

Although it’s important to rack up a number of kills in Wingman, this map allows you to fall back to a defensive position and pick off enemies from afar, especially with either the Torque Bow or Longshot. Move to the southern bridge and use the Ink Grenade that spawns on one end as a warning and defense system. Use your initial Smoke Grenade to trip up enemies approaching from the curved stairwell. Use the long-range weapons to take out enemies engaged in other skirmishes. Then stand back-to-back and cut down any final foes trying to approach through the opposing chokepoints.

Guardian

The team leader shouldn’t stray too far from the spawn areas thanks to the lengthy sightlines, abundant long-range weaponry, and hailstorms that make moving across this map particularly dangerous. As much as possible, avoid travelling outside the spawn point. The southern spawn area contains a room with two entrances and a pillar for taking cover; this is as close to a chokepoint as the map presents. Grab the Ink or Frag Grenades from the southern bridge, and plant proximity mines on the outer sides of the two entrances. Then sit tight and hope your advance units can keep you safe.

The northern spawn, on the other hand, does not contain a clear chokepoint. Grab the Frag Grenades near the stairwell leading from the spawn area to the central plaza. Use them as proximity mines where approaching enemies cannot see them. Possibilities include the outer wall at the bottom of the stairwell and the large metal crate in the direction of the spawn. Take cover behind the wooden boxes opposite the staircase and ready your Lancer of Gnasher.

There are different tactics for taking down the enemy leader, depending on where your team spawns and whether your target is roaming the level or hiding. From the southern spawn, grab the Longshot or Torque Bow and head to the southern bridge to scan the map for the leader and to eliminate inbound enemies trying to hunt for your leader. This should keep the other team on edge long enough while your teammates rush forward to pursue the leader. Starting from the northern spawn, acquire the Boomshot (or Mulcher) and fall back to the defensive position between the spawn area and the central plaza. The wooden boxes here provide an ideal place to mount the Mulcher and fire on the stairwell from the central plaza or attackers heading toward your spawn area.

Annex & King of the Hill

On Hail, the capture points for Annex and King of the Hill are the three elite weapon pickup locations. The periodic hailstorm appears during Annex matches but not during King of the Hill games. During Annex matches, stay within the vicinity of the large central plaza, especially near the main stairwell. This gives you nearly immediate access to all three capture locations.

The capture point above the northern spawn is almost always captured by the team starting nearest it, at least initially. This is arguably the easiest location to defend, especially in King of the Hill, when razorhail doesn’t force players to vacate the ample cover in this area. Those approaching from the southern spawn should take an extra few seconds to grab grenades and power weapons along the way, as they’ll need them to break the enemies’ hold on that location.

When you try to hold the train car location, set up proximity mines near the car’s entrance. For Annex, have one teammate take cover in the shadows of the car’s rear. For King of the Hill, have someone crouch in the circle. Other team members should split up and commandeer the two adjacent trolley cars, preferably two in each. This offers plenty of cover (in case of a hailstorm) and gives a grand view of the approach from either direction.

The capture point located in the plaza’s center is the most difficult of the three to capture and defend due to its central location and relatively little cover in the capture circle. This is exacerbated in Annex matches when the periodic razorhail deluge plays a factor. In Annex, once the location is captured, immediately fall back behind one of the walls that box in the area. Try to keep the enemy outside the splash area of the razorhail. For King of the Hill matches, plant proximity grenades at various points in the stone circles around the central pillar. Have teammates take cover behind these two low walls. Use the Boomshot or Mulcher against approaching enemies. Set up a teammate with the Longshot on the covered bridge to pick off opponents as they approach from the street.

Horde

This is a great map on which to play Horde. Teams can position numerous Frag and Ink Grenades near the stairs and scan much of the map from a single vantage point. Enemies spawn from numerous locations and march southward down the street toward the covered bridge. Teams should definitely take up position there. This spot eliminates any chance of the enemy spawning behind the team. It also offers tremendous access to ammo, the Boomshot, additional grenades, and, to a lesser extent, the Longshot or Torque Bow. Plus, you can’t beat the sightlines!

The following strategy forces the Locust into a parade of sitting ducks…albeit very large ducks carrying massive weapons. By taking position at the end of the street, the COG team forces the Locust to march down the road and across the pavilion, toward the two staircases leading up to the bridge. Many of the Locust lumber straight toward their target, while others try long-range weapons or sprinting from cover to cover. The elevation of the bridge, windows, and stairs gives the COG units a perfect window on the fight, making it easy to spot numerous enemies and cherry-pick those posing the most immediate threat.

Know Your Role

The following tactics correspond to the numbered positions marked on the accompanying map. Follow these tips carefully for maximum survivability. These tips assume a five-person team.

The central figure in this formation should take up position in the center of the covered bridge, armed with the Longshot and Torque Bow. It can be difficult to acquire both during the opening waves on the harder difficulty settings. However, if this person and one other teammate sprint for the two pickups during the first wave, they should be able to keep each other alive. From this point on, use the weapon spawn on the street to replenish ammo for the alternating Torque Bow and Longshot as they appear. This player’s primary responsibility is to take out as many Drones, Grenadiers, and Kantuses from the greatest possible distance. Always aim for the head to conserve ammo, and wait for the enemy to stand up from behind cover. It’s all about thinning their numbers while conserving ammunition.

A player skilled with using the Boomshot and adept at placing proximity mines should be to the point man’s right. Use the Ink Grenade that spawns on the covered bridge to set up a perimeter defense on the steps leading down to the circular plaza. Then continuously rush for the Boomshot and Mulcher that spawn in the plaza’s center. The approach from the street should be well-covered by other teammates, so this player should focus his undivided attention (and firepower) on the enemies making their way under the canvas awnings toward the team’s right flank. Move about when you wield the Boomshot, but descend to the bottom of the stairs and steady the Mulcher on the cover there when you do your Locust-grinding.

The third member is every bit as vital to the team’s success as the first two. This person must use grenades to set up proximity mines at the top of the stairs leading down to the street from the southern team spawn location. Use the Lancer and weapons collected from fallen Locust to set up in the window near the curved staircase inside the building. From there, lend support to player #1. Help eliminate the enemies making their way down the street or taking cover near the train cars. Coordinate with players #1 and #4 concerning ammo and weapon pickups. Additionally, this player must communicate well with the team’s designated sniper to avoid targeting the same enemies and thus wasting ammo.

The fourth player offers the team a frontline defense on the street. He or she should focus on softening up the larger enemies to make killing them easier for the perched gunmen. This player should stick close to the stairs leading into the building in the street’s southeast corner. However, he or she should also have the freedom to freelance on the street and even make a run for the Longshot (or Torque Bow) near the team’s northern spawn.

The player occupying this role has the same freedoms and responsibilities as player #4, but on the other side of the bridge. Stick close to the stairs leading up to the bridge from the circular plaza to avoid straying too far from a reviving pick-me-up. But feel free to roam around to get a better angle on enemies. Collect fallen weaponry and grenades and set up further perimeter defenses, particularly on the steps coming up from the street and near the warehouse entry. Finally, assist player #2 in obliterating enemies trying to cross the plaza.