Versus
An unusual Versus map, you can shoot down the huge scoreboard that hangs over the center of this Thrashball field. This creates a huge barrier that blocks line of sight east/west and north/south. The northern concession stand area is raised above the field. It’s a key defensive area to control, as it has good line of sight. The Mulcher spawns in the stands, and is quite usable from its spawn position. The Mortar is even more deadly; be aware of the danger when the Mortar cycle is active.
The halls around the outside of the field provide quick traversal from east to west. If you get stuck, alternate routes lead out of your spawn point locker rooms—use them! A Digger/Torque Bow spawn is in the center of the field, but it tends to be lost fairly early in the match once the scoreboard is shot down.
Horde
Command Post West, Blue Locker Room
Three well-placed sentries out in the field accompany a single turret and decoy, providing excellent cover fire for your team. Spread out and defend the north and south sides. Be sure to cover both the concession stands and the downed raven hallway. Once you start to face more dangerous enemies, you should bring down the scoreboard fairly quickly to provide additional cover. If you’re especially daring, you can use the scoreboard to crush enemies or even a boss…
Command Post North, Concession Stands
Here’s a strong defensive position with two turrets up in the concession stands, a third out on the bleachers, and a sentry at the base of the western stairs. Because of the natural elevation, it’s easy to gun down incoming Locust. However, because the stairwells can get jammed with incoming enemies, it’s important to be proactive in downing them before they reach the stairs in the first place. Be careful about using the turret out in the bleachers, as you’re vulnerable to incoming fire from the east and west.
Command Post South, Downed Raven
A lone sentry on the west and a centrally located turret provide defense here. Drop the scoreboard as soon as you can to provide some cover from enemies up in the bleachers. You can build several barriers around the scoreboard. They provide solid protection, but maintaining them is expensive. Don’t upgrade them all unless you’re sure you can keep repairing them.
Try to spread your team so you don’t fall prey to explosives. Use the frontal turret as much as possible; but be aware that dropping the scoreboard restricts its line of sight.
Command Post East, Red Locker Room
This post features two sentries, one turret, and one decoy. Ample cover on the field provides good protection from approaching enemies. It also makes dispatching incoming waves quickly very difficult. Enemy forces are likely to get into close-range combat with your team.
The turret is well positioned to cover the field. The northern sentry and decoy in the middle of the field provide extra assistance. The rear sentry is useful mostly for alerting you to any enemies that have sneaked around behind you. Don’t bother building it up until your forward defenses are established.
Beast
Thrashball is a challenging Beast map. Teamplay, communication, and effective use of cover are vital for success. The field is a killing ground because most of the cover is low, and the COG forces can shred you with their rear turrets. Instead of making a frontal approach, use the side hallways to get into range to take them down.
In the early rounds, you can get away with pushing more aggressively against the Stranded. However, all of the later rounds require a more cautious approach. Once you unlock the Boomer and, later, the Savage Boomer, be sure to use their explosive ordnance to deal death on the COG troops from afar.
The upper concession stand base is also difficult to assault. Make sure you have at least one siege breaker to take down the barriers blocking your entry. Have a few spotters watch the bleachers for enemies trying to man the turret there in an attempt to take down your stairway assault force.