Reconnaissance

Battlefield Specifics

One-Way Mantles

Jacinto is the lone multiplayer map with pieces of cover that can be mantled over in only one direction. Four short walls can be mantled from the eastern or western sides of the map toward the center. They’re just ordinary walls on one side, but the other side features a small flowerbed and a short, spiked fence. Players can’t take cover against this side of the wall, nor can they mantle over it. This feature limits players’ advances toward the upper rooms with the grenade pickups. It also controls the flow of people to and from the area near the helicopter.

Spawn Point Awareness

The angled approaches from the map’s southeastern and southwestern corners make knowing which side of the map you’re on much easier. The approaches from both spawn points lead to stairs that ascend toward the central hot zone, where much of the fighting on this map occurs. Additional identifiers can help you gain an even quicker fix of your location on the map. Read on for clues:

East Spawn

You’re on the eastern side of the map when you see the trees on the left side of the spawn point. This is your cue to sprint ahead and turn hard to the left to go after the Longshot or descend the stairs toward the Mortar. Those seeking the Hammer of Dawn should run straight and angle to the right.

West Spawn

If the trees are on your right at the start of the round, then you’re at the western spawn point. Sprint up the steps and turn hard to the right to go toward the Longshot, or continue turning to the right to descend the steps to the one-way mantle near the Mortar. Head left instead for the Hammer of Dawn.

Essential Tactics

• Murderer’s Row: It’s not by coincidence that the Mortar, Torque Bow, and Boomshot weapon pickups are aligned in a row. It’s possible to fire on the Torque Bow/Longshot location from either of the other two major weapon pickup spots, and vice-versa. You have to be very careful when you go after an upgraded weapon on this map. A skilled sniper can race to the Longshot, turn, and quickly snipe an opposing player as he or she picks up the Mortar or Boomshot.
• Hammer the Mortar: Every now and then you face off against a team that always sends one or two people for the Mortar as soon as the match begins. Have a couple of your teammates tie up the rest of the enemy team near the Longshot location while you race around to get the Hammer of Dawn or Boomshot. Partially descend the stairs to the Mortar on the enemy’s side of the map—where they’re less likely to expect you—and open fire!
• Fall Back and Defend: The one-way mantles make this one of the only maps were a defensive stance affords you the opportunity to escape. Use the grenades to set up a line of defense near the statue and stairs closest to your spawn point. Then climb the stairs to where the Ink Grenades are. Stay under the roof’s cover for protection from the Hammer of Dawn and Mortar, and tempt the enemy to rush you. The proximity mines alert you to their presence and knock them down. Finish them off if you can, or flee over the one-way mantle if you can’t hold them off. Turn and fire as they hurdle the mantle in pursuit.