Narrows

Narrows

Without cooling systems such as these, excess heat from the Ark’s forges would render the construct uninhabitable.

DATA STREAM

Recommended Game Variants:

• Team Slayer
• Team Swat
• Team Sniper
• Capture the Flag
• Assault
• King of the Hill

Number of Players:

• Recommended: 4-8
• Maximum: 10

Advantageous Equipment:

• Sniper Rifle
• Rocket Launcher
• Mauler
• Shotgun
• Bubble Shield
• Power Drain

Available Equipment & Gear Respawn Times

Weapons

Equipment

Call-out Locations

Narrows is a long series of two bridges connecting a blue base to a golden red base. Besides the two bridges, there are two
Man Cannons, one on each side. Bright blue jet streams will launch your Spartan into the air into your enemies’ base. Narrows
is a symmetrical map with only a few variations on each side. The Red Base has a golden beam of light shooting out from it,
and the Blue Base has a flowing waterfall.
N arrows has become popular simply because of its mathematically smooth layout. When spawning in the Red Base, all
call-outs are opposite those of the Blue Base. Instead of flowing right from Stage into Man Cannon, you’ll take the ramp left. The
only other variation is the Active Camo present (making this nicknamed “Invis Tunnel”) instead of an OS Tunnel wrapping around
the bottom of Man Cannon to the flag spawn.

Red Stage/Blue Stage

The stage is a lighted step up on the very back of each base.

Man Cannon

Going right from Blue Stage, there is a ramp heading to the double-paned glassy floors where you will find the Man Cannon.

Landing Zone

Other Names: Needles

Past the Man Cannon, on the small avenue to the right, hang left as you drop down and pass through the Landing Zone/ Needles.

Power-up Tunnel

Other Names: Overshield Tunnel, OV Tunnel, OS, Camo Tunnel

Follow through the glassy path to a small tunnel with open beams, and you’ll cross an Overshield. This is known as the Power-up Tunnel. One base has an Overshield, the other Active Camo.

Flag Spawn

Continue until the tunnel opens up onto another ramp. This leads you to the area known as Flag Spawn. In all flag Objective games, this is where your team’s flag will spawn. You’ll pass a small ledge on your left that hides two fusion cores.

Flag Attic

To your right is an archway from the base that has a small, climbable ledge. This ledge is known as Flag Attic.

Base

There are two paths from flag to base separated by a large chunky pillar. Take either path into Blue Base. “Base” is categorized as the area in front of Stage, the completely flat place between the two pillars. Blue is the darker-colored base and Red is the golden-colored base.

Lobby

As you head forward out of the base, the incline leads you into Lobby. Immediately after the horizontal structure, to the left and right of you, there are two smaller wedges on the floor. This is known as “L3” on the left side and “R3” on the right.

Mowhawk

Moving forward from Lobby, you pass a large, pyramidshaped structure known as Mohawk. Standing at Mohawk, you’ll see two small curbs that open up to a pocketlike drop into the bottom level. Being pocketlike, these areas are nicknamed Pockets. The right-side pocket closest to you is R1, followed by R2, which heads into Red Base. The left side is known as L1 and L2.

Top Mid

Since Narrows is symmetrical, the call-outs for both sides are essentially the same. Heading forward out of the Lobby from either base, you’ll see a horizontal structure in front a fusion coil. This marks the exact middle of Narrows, commonly called Top Mid. From your base, the short platform between L1 and L2 on the top level is Left Mid. R1 and R2 is Right Mid.

Pockets

Other Names: R1/R2 and L1/L2

Standing at Mohawk, there are two small curbs that open up to a pocketlike drop into the bottom level. Being pocketlike, they are nicknamed Pockets. The right-side pocket closest to you is R1, followed by R2, which heads into Red Base. The left side is known as L1 and L2.

Bumpers

Take the ramp down (L1) to the bottom level. Facing your base, you’ll see another pair of wedges to your right and left known as Bumpers. Throughout the game, keep in mind that all call-outs concerning right and left are made when you spawn and look toward Top Mid, even as you come down L1 into Bottom Mid and turn back toward Blue Base. The Bumper to your right is Left Bumper; the same goes for the one on your left. This may seem confusing at first; the trick is only remembering where you initially spawn. You will always drop down to L1 and approach Left Bumper. If you move left from L1, you will head into Bottom Mid.

Bottom Mid

This is easily designated by the force-field bridge that crosses from the Red Base to the Blue Base. Turning right from L1, passing the Bumpers, you head back to your Sniper Rifle spawn.

Sniper Room

This open, mediumsized room is nicknamed Sniper, because the only feature in the room is the Sniper Rifle, which is leaning against the back wall. Facing the Sniper Rifle, move left and you’ll approach a small walkway leading back into the room with the Man Cannon.

Enhanced Knowledge

Narrows is one of the most versatile maps in Matchmaking; you’ll find 14 different game types. Given its symmetrical layout, Narrows is fair game for any objective. Here are the game variants available:

FFA Games:

Slayer, Oddball, Krazy King, and Juggernaut

Team Games:

Team Slayer, Team Swat, One Flag CTF, Multiflag CTF, Assault, One Bomb, Neutral Assault, Team Oddball, Team King, and Team Snipers

The game variants can be further separated into five categories for an in-depth approach to each: FFA, Team, One Side Objective, Neutral Objective, and Classic Objectives.

FFA:

Slayer, Juggernaut, Oddball, Krazy King

For all FFA game types, the basic strategy is load up on power-ups, power weapons, and equipment. Using Rockets to clear out the Objective field makes acquiring points easy. Do not sit back and snipe. You have to maintain a very aggressive play style to win in FFAs.

• One you have the Oddball, it’s best to have a power weapon and a Bubble Shield. Move forward to pick up whichever power-up you’re closest to, with OV being the obvious choice. Because the Oddball is a one-hit kill, the Power-up Tunnel makes a great vantage point if you put your back to the wall. If you’re carrying the Bubble Shield, another great position with the Oddball is the Cubby on Stage. Basically, any nook in which you can put your back to a wall is goal for Oddball points.

• In Juggernaut games, it’s good to have a long- and short-range weapon. Narrows offers a Battle Rifle and a Shotgun. As the Juggernaut, you can escape larger groups with the Man Cannon, which allows you to focus on more one-on-one combat. Power Drains and rocketing at the Juggernaut is a quick way to eliminate it. Don’t forget—you’re next, so save some Rockets and flee the scene.

• Krazy King Hill moves every 30 seconds, so always keep an eye on the clock. The hill is random, so people generally don’t know which way to run when that 30 seconds is winding down.

Team:

Team Slayer, Team Swat, Team Sniper

• There are two ways to approach Narrows while playing Team Slayer games. Depending on your team’s ability to attain quick kills, you may play very offensively or defensively. At one point in the game, your team may have to employ both approaches.

• During Team games, an optimal approach for any style is sending two players to Bottom Mid and two to Top Mid. The two players going Bottom Mid will each grab a power weapon—one grabs the Sniper Rifle, and the other takes the Shotgun. Then, the sniper should head to Attic or Stage, and the player with the Shotgun should head to Top Mid. The two players going Top Mid should head toward Rockets. One player grabs Rockets while the other supports them with a Battle Rifle. Drawing the opposing team to your base is an optimal defensive approach.

• With any Objective game, frequent and accurate call-outs and communication are more important than a strong BR team.

• In defense mode, keep two players with BRs on your flag or bomb while the other two rush for power weapons. Your sniper should run to Bottom Mid, picking up the Sniper Rifle. Use the Sniper Rifle to clear out anyone on Bottom Mid so that you can then advance to pick up the Shotgun. The sniper should then head to Top Mid to shoot enemies approaching from their base and trying to rush over from the Man Cannon. The second player running out should have grabbed Rockets. Due to this weapon’s ability to wipe out larger groups of people, possibly with one round, it’s possible your team will survive if you get outnumbered. After obtaining Rockets, take the L1/R1 jump to Flag while a supporting teammate with the BR heads to Top Mid to back up and defend the sniper.

• In offense mode, use the same strategy as far as power weapons go. Pairing up while on offense will help your team grab power weapons; even though the defensive team is trying to grab them as well, they are also defending a flag. Deciding which player grabs what before the match starts is necessary to avoid confusion. Paired in teams, rush to kill the opposing team to obtain the flag or bomb. The sniper

• When playing Neutral Assault and Oddball, follow the same defense and offensive mechanisms as when playing One Flag and One Bomb. The only offensive detail to change is to have one person rush for the Sniper Rifle, clearing Bottom Mid to obtain the Shotgun. Then have three teammates rush Top Mid, with one player grabbing the ball/ bomb while the other two support him with BRs.

• If the opposing team isn’t rushing your base, your team should move to Top Mid to try to bring them out of their base. Once you bombard your opponent with longer-range BR shots and plenty of thrown Grenades, they should attack forward to push you back.

• A good tactic for playing an offensive game is to have one player, ideally with a Sniper Rifle, hold down the area directly behind the rest of the group. Then two players should locate themselves in the Mid and actively shoot together and fall back when weakened. To minimize deaths, have only one scout head toward the opposing base. This person should always be a main slayer and usually the strongest player. The two players in the back can shoot forward to back up your main slayer and can turn to defend your sniper.

• Use the same offense/defense style of play with Team Slayer, Team Swat, and Team Sniper; however, don’t put a sniper in the Attic. It’s the first place foes with Sniper Rifles check.

One Side Objective: One Flag, One Bomb

• With any Objective game, frequent and accurate call-outs and communication are more important than a strong BR team.

• In defense mode, keep two players with BRs on your flag or bomb while the other two rush for power weapons. Your sniper should run to Bottom Mid, picking up the Sniper Rifle. Use the Sniper Rifle to clear out anyone on Bottom Mid so that you can then advance to pick up the Shotgun. The sniper should then head to Top Mid to shoot enemies approaching from their base and trying to rush over from the Man Cannon. The second player running out should have grabbed Rockets. Due to this weapon’s ability to wipe out larger groups of people, possibly with one round, it’s possible your team will survive if you get outnumbered. After obtaining Rockets, take the L1/R1 jump to Flag while a supporting teammate with the BR heads to Top Mid to back up and defend the sniper.

• In offense mode, use the same strategy as far as power weapons go. Pairing up while on offense will help your team grab power weapons; even though the defensive team is trying to grab them as well, they are also defending a flag. Deciding which player grabs what before the match starts is necessary to avoid confusion. Paired in teams, rush to kill the opposing team to obtain the flag or bomb. The sniper

• If the opposing team isn’t rushing your base, your team should move to Top Mid to try to bring them out of their base. Once you bombard your opponent with longer-range BR shots and plenty of thrown Grenades, they should attack forward to push you back.

• A good tactic for playing an offensive game is to have one player, ideally with a Sniper Rifle, hold down the area directly behind the rest of the group. Then two players should locate themselves in the Mid and actively shoot together and fall back when weakened. To minimize deaths, have only one scout head toward the opposing base. This person should always be a main slayer and usually the strongest player. The two players in the back can shoot forward to back up your main slayer and can turn to defend your sniper.

• Use the same offense/defense style of play with Team Slayer, Team Swat, and Team Sniper; however, don’t put a sniper in the Attic. It’s the first place foes with Sniper Rifles check. should stop rushing at Top Mid so they can shoot down into their flag and clear the objective. The flag/bomb carrier route consists of two choices. The first involves taking the Man Cannon to your destination. This is risky and quick and can entail resetting your flag/bomb if you die. The second choice is to run back-to-back with a teammate down to Sniper; the person not carrying the flag/bomb acts as a meat shield and support cover. Running through Pockets aids in dashing from attacks on Bottom and Top, as you can bounce between the two; however, be warned—this is a longer route. Advance to R2/L2 and make the jump to your flag. Arm the bomb and defend or capture the flag.

• Remember, it takes 15 seconds to completely fuse the bomb; however, it takes only 5 seconds to disarm it. Your team must defend the bomb for at least 11 seconds! A good tip for keeping the bomb armed is throwing a Power Drain on it. While the enemy tries to disarm, you then simply shoot them. Never throw a Bubble Shield over it. That will only give your foe cover and time to disarm. If you drop the bomb/flag because you die or need to defend yourself, you and your teammates have 30 seconds to pick it back up before it respawns to the enemy base.

Neutral Objectives:

Neutral Assault, Oddball, Team King, King of the Hill

• When playing Neutral Assault and Oddball, follow the same defense and offensive mechanisms as when playing One Flag and One Bomb. The only offensive detail to change is to have one person rush for the Sniper Rifle, clearing Bottom Mid to obtain the Shotgun. Then have three teammates rush Top Mid, with one player grabbing the ball/ bomb while the other two support him with BRs.

• In Neutral Assault, after you arm the bomb and have four seconds before the fuse goes off, players can rush back to Top Mid to grab the freshly spawned bomb.

• During King of the Hill matches, run three players to power weapons and one into the hill. The three power-weapon players then position themselves around the hill to kill opponents attempting to enter it. The hill moves every 60 seconds, rotating from Top Mid to Red Sniper and Blue Sniper randomly. Always keep an eye on the clock.

Classic Objectives:

Multiflag, Assault

Maintain your team with one person defending and three attacking, ready to grab the flag or bomb. Successful teams will count out the deaths of the opposing team, because the optimal time to rush for the Objective is when three foes are in respawn. This will give you a few seconds’ head start on grabbing the flag/bomb and heading back toward your base.

• Your main slayer shouldn’t be carrying the flag. However, they should be ready to fall back and kill the opponent carrying your flag back to their base.

• The same routes back to your base as discussed in One Sided Objectives will also be used in Classic.

General Tactics

• You can use the Man Cannon to quickly get from base to base.

• Any equipment can be thrown through the Man Cannon and onto spawning enemies.

• Keep an ear out for the noise the Man Cannon makes; this will alert you to an enemy’s approach.

• You are vulnerable in the landing zone off the Man Cannon, as you always land in the same spot. All the enemy has to do is throw one Plasma Grenade and you’re history.

• While traveling via Man Cannon, you can deploy a Power Drain on unsuspecting enemies on Top Mid. Caution: Do not Power Drain your teammates!

• Bubble Shields can be deployed on teammates while they are in the Man Cannon.

• Always keep an eye on Top Mid; the main battle is always here.

• Remember, you can throw a Grenade from your base to almost threequarters of the way across the map.

• Before jumping through the Man Cannon, grab the Needler and lock onto an enemy.

• Your team’s Attic is a great vantage point from which to snipe, because your enemy will have a hard time figuring out where the bullets are coming from. Take your time and you’ll get headshots.

• While being stormed in the base, use the Pillars to run around and try to confuse your opponent. This buys some time for your shields to go back up.

• Don’t load into the Man Cannon if someone is loading in on the opposite side. You will collide and both will die. If this happens on accident with an opponent, make sure you get a kill by getting a shot in[.

• The easiest way to get someone out of the Attic is to shoot a Rocket at them or stick them with a Plasma Grenade.

• Fusion coils aren’t just map décor; they can be used as equipment to kill approaching enemies.

• Grenades can be bounced from Sniper to Top Mid off the Pockets.

• The Bumpers on Bottom Mid aid in excellent surprise Mauler kills.

• Cubby Hole is a good hiding spot for snipers; it can buy you a few seconds to regenerate your shield.

• Being chased on Bottom Mid? Drop to OS to lose enemies.

• R3/L3 provides great cover for mid- to long-range weapons.

• It’s easy to complete a kill on a “one-shot” opponent when they’re jumping up and down trying to retreat. Try not to panic on Narrows while being fired upon. You can always fall back and grab cover; there’s plenty.

Advanced Tactics

• You can jump from the ledge at L2/R2 to the Man Cannon or flag.

• If you run the flag from Bottom Mid, drop a Bubble Shield behind you while running for quick cover.

• Run your flag back-to-back with a teammate to absorb bullets and maintain cover fire.

• Use Left and Right Mid to snipe down on respawning enemies.

• Grab the Sniper Rifle and line up behind the Man Cannon. The stream from the Man Cannon gives you cover.

• While getting fired upon on Top Mid, use the Pockets to drop down to Bottom and run away.

• At close range, Plasma Grenades can be effective; stick them onto enemies, then line up your crosshairs on them. Aim for the middle section.

Sniper/Ambush Locations

Left/Right Attic

The Flag Attic/Left Attic provides great vantage points for Objective games. There is a horizontal and vertical structure built into the Lobby that you can use for cover. On each side of the vertical structure, there are ledges that you can climb on. The ledges are tilted at a 45-degree angle, which makes it easy to access without skilled jumping. The attic on the left side is known as Left Attic; the right is Right Attic.

Flag Attic

To your right, you’ll approach an archway from the base that has a small, climbable ledge. This is Flag Attic and is a great place to hide while waiting for your team to grab the flag.

Behind Man Cannon

Grab the Sniper Rifle and line up behind the Man Cannon. The stream from the Man Cannon gives you cover.

Behind Bumpers

Use the Bumpers for surprise attacks in Bottom Mid and as a hideout to let your shields recharge in cover.