Blackout

Bathed in frozen moonlight, this abandoned drilling platform is now a monument to human frailty.

DATA STREAM

Recommended Game Variants:

• Team Slayer
• CTF
• Krazy King
• Slayer
• Oddball
• One Bomb

Number of Players:

• Recommended: 2-8
• Maximum: 2-8

Advantageous Equipment:

• Sniper
• Sword
• Shotgun

Available Equipment & Gear Respawn Times

Weapons

Equipment

Red Lift

Other Names: Top Red, Bottom Red

Located across the map from Library, this building has a Red Lift (marked by red painted lines) that carries you to the second level and serves as a primary spawn point at the start of the map. On Top Red, the gray area outside the lift near Top Mid is referred to as Red Platform (Red Plat).

Red Platform/Shotty Underneath

Other Names: Red Platform, Front Red

This is the gray area with one Battle Rifle in front of Top Red, located directly above Shotgun Spawn. The Shotgun Spawn is accessible only from Bottom Mid or Bottom Red. This small hallway is a death trap if you camp.

Middle

Other Names: Top Mid, Bottom Mid

In the middle of the map, the square figure that connects BR Tower, Library, Snipe Tower, and Red Lift is known as Mid. The second level of Mid is known as Top Mid, and the lower level is Bottom Mid. Bottom Mid has a hole in the ground that drops you on top of Shotgun Spawn and leads to Bottom Red.

Sword

Other Names: N/A

Located directly below Library, this confined area houses the Sword and connects to BR 1 and Lower Mid.

Library

Other Names: N/A

Library is a primary spawn point at the start of the game. It is located across from Red Lift and contains two Plasma Grenades and a hole in the room’s center that leads to Sword Spawn.

Battle Rifle Tower

Other Names: BR Tower, BR 1-3 (Levels), Back BR

Battle Rifle Tower is the tallest tower on the map and is made of three levels with yellow painted lines on the outside. Access this tower via the connector (Back BR) from Library, BR Ramp that runs along the entire building, Top Mid/ Lower Mid, and Sword Room.

Zone Knowledge

There are three main towers within Blackout: Snipe Tower, BR Tower, and Red Lift. BR Tower and Snipe Tower consist of three levels. The BR Tower’s bottom level, commonly referred to as BR 1, connects to Bottom Middle and to the small section housing the Sword. The second level of BR Tower, BR 2, connects to the Library (where you can drop down and pick up the Sword). It also has a ramp leading up to BR 3, the top and final level of the BR Tower. Positioning your team at the BR Tower allows the players to have a wide view of the entire map.

The Snipe Tower is also a very versatile spot on the map, as it houses three levels, similar to the BR Tower. The bottom level is Snipe One and connects to Bottom Mid, where you can drop down and pick up the Shotgun. You can also easily reach Red Lift by going through Elbow. The second level of the Snipe Tower is called Snipe Two and has a Bubble Shield, which is always useful. You can also see Top Middle, top of Red Lift, BR 2 and 3, and some of Library. Snipe Three, the uppermost level of the Snipe Tower, houses the Sniper Rifle. Be careful in Snipe Three, as there is an exploding crate directly next to the Sniper Rifle.

Red Lift consists of two levels, connected by a lift. On both sides of the lift, there are two platforms that you can reach by dropping down from the top of the lift. In the beginning of a Team Slayer match, one team usually spawns at the bottom of Red Lift, but it is not an advisable spot to set up in. Red Lift has a wide view of the open top middle, Snipe Tower, and BR Tower; however, you are very vulnerable here, as it is in perfect view of both main towers. But having one player at this spot can be very advantageous to a team, because they can kill or weaken any enemies who do not see Red Lift as a true threat.

Weapon Tactics

Sniper Rifle: Use a Sniper Rifle at BR 3 to help support your teammates throughout the map. There are not many power weapons on this map, so even if your team does not use a Sniper Rifle, it is wise to at least toss it over the ledge. This prevents your foes from using it.

Sword: Because Blackout has many small areas and levels stacked on top of one another, the Sword is great for dropping down on opponents or hiding in corners to surprise your enemy. Keep in mind that you must be very close to your teammate in order to attack with the Sword, so do not run across the map with your Sword out.

Shotgun: If you have to choose between the Shotgun and the Sword, take the Shotgun. Like the Sword, the Shotgun is most effective when used at close range. For a quick kill, add a beatdown after you take your shot—that is, use the Shotgun to shoot your enemy, then hit them with it to finish them off.

Enhanced Knowledge

In Blackout, whether you are on offense or defense, make sure your team has control over a crucial spot on the map. The most
crucial spots are the Snipe Tower and the BR Tower.

Offense

• Power weapons like the Shotgun, Sword, and Sniper Rifle are your best offensive tools.
• After spawning, have one player go straight for the Shotgun and one player go for the Sniper Rifle. After obtaining both weapons, regroup with your team at Snipe Tower. Then, have the player with the Shotgun rush with another player to grab the Sword, while the other two players remain at Snipe Tower to clean up any enemies wandering in the open.
• When all power weapons are obtained, have the entire team “push” to wherever the enemies have set up camp. With all power weapons in your team’s possession, the push should go smoothly and you should eliminate all opponents.
• Always have a sniper on the uppermost parts of the level (BR 3, S3) while the sneaky players who possess the close-range power weapons (Sword, Shotgun) ambush the enemies who are focused on your team’s sniper.

Defense

• Power weapons are very important in a defensive setup. Rather than grabbing the power weapons and pushing the enemy’s base, a defensive team should gain control of the weapons and hold a secure lockdown on whatever tower they set up on.
• Have two players go for the Shotgun and two players go for the Sniper Rifle. If you are successful in grabbing the Sniper Rifle, have your team set up at Snipe Tower; if you are unsuccessful in obtaining the Sniper Rifle, move your team back toward BR Tower.
• Be patient. If one of your teammates runs out and tries to kill four enemies on his own, your setup becomes vulnerable. Remember to wait for the other team to make a push and ambush them with your closeranged power weapons.
• The Bubble Shield (located at the BR Ramp leading up to BR 3) and the Regenerator (located at the Snipe Ramp leading up to S3) are very useful in a defensive setup. If the enemy team attempts to rush your team, throwing down a Bubble Shield to regain your health

Professional Planning

• Blackout does not have any power-ups on the map, so the sniper and height advantage are key. Have one teammate with a Sniper Rifle on BR 3 while another teammate watches their back.
• Support your teammates on BR 3 by spacing out and creating a cross fire with a teammate at Red Lift and another at Library/BR 2.
• There is a set of spawn points located in each building on the map. By having teammates at Snipe and BR Towers, you force your opponent to spawn at Red Lift or Library. Use your knowledge of spawn locations to continue the “blanket of chaos,” while the enemy spawns

Objective Plotting

• In Capture the Flag (CTF), the flag spawns on Elbow. Although Red Lift is easily accessible, do not use it, even if you just killed your opponent. Your foe will probably spawn at Library or BR Tower, and once you go into Red Lift, there is only one exit, which makes you highly susceptible to Grenades. Instead, go from Snipe Tower to Top Mid and jump on the High Rails to BR 3 from Top Mid. Another option is to take Bottom Mid and then run the flag once you hit the BR Ramp.
• Even though running the flag is more efficient than just holding it, sometimes it’s wise to take your time and ninja through the map
and then start flag running when you are on the BR Ramp. If your teammate tries to distract the opponent, this strategy will most
always allow you to cap.
• BR 1 is a great area to hold the oddball while another teammate with a Shotgun or Sword camps on the shelves lining the room. Take note: The Shotgun will almost always beat a player with the Sword.
• On defense during CTF, take advantage of the high ground around the flag like Top Red and Snipe Tower; even BR 3 has a decent view
of Elbow. Once the opponent pulls the flag, you can easily close in on them and return the flag.

Sniping

Sniper Three

The sniper spawns at this level of Snipe Tower. You can see Elbow, Top Lift, all of Top Mid, BR 2 and 3, and Library Entrance. If enemies come up the lift, you can snipe them as they rise. BR 3 is open and makes it easy to kill enemies. Before you set up, blow up the fusion
coils on S3.

Top Lift

Top Lift is pretty open, allowing you to see most of the map. Anyone rushing Top Mid or running on Elbow is an easy target. You can also see Snipe Three, Snipe Two, BR 3, the ramps leading to BR 3, and the inside of the Library.

BR 3

You can almost see the whole map from here. This position is good for killing opponents on Sniper Two, Sniper Three, and Top Lift and for killing anyone who is rushing Top Mid. Watch for the opposing team coming up behind you and trying to kill you. Also, don’t stand
directly next to the fusion coils on BR 3.