1v1: Release

The Flood threatens to overrun this dangerous but crucially important region. Send units to activate the console near the enemy’s base to unleash a nasty surprise. Note that the console is housed inside a Forerunner Relic, and each Relic controls one of two Containment Units. Also beware of three possible base locations, currently homes to a Flood Colony.

Areas of Interest

Starting Bases: 2

Flood Bases: 3

Forerunner Relics: 2

Although initially complex, this map is shaped like a giant horseshoe, with three troublesome Flood bases dotted from northeast to southwest. You begin your battle on either side of an ancient Forerunner Flood Containment building, which is covered in Flood Tentacles; you don’t have to attack these. Because you’re starting so far away from your foe, Rushing isn’t a good idea; instead, begin a Scouting plan.

Scouting is only partly about securing as many supply crates as possible; there are two important Forerunner Relics in the map’s north and western corners. These must be manned by infantry and are guarded by a Flood Tentacle. Once you Commandeer one of the Relics, you can opt to release the north or south containment unit. The north Relic opens the north unit, and the west Relic opens the south unit. Once opened, the following units spew out.

Containment Unit: First Release

Infected Marines are spewed forth and stagger to their doom.

Containment Unit: Second Release

Infected Marines and Thrasher Forms tear through friend or foe alike.

Containment Unit: Third Release

Marines, Thrasher Forms, and Flood Swarms rampage about the infected hellscape.

This map favors a slow buildup, with you pushing your forces toward the middle of the map at a measured pace. Therefore, when you attempt to tackle one of the three Flood bases, employ almost overwhelming force—the enemy is almost always nearby and is probably waiting for you to clear the Flood defenses before sweeping in and easily taking the base you worked so hard to conquer. Naturally, this “sweep-in” plan is a tactic you should try yourself!

More advanced tacticians have seen the topographical challenges of this map and have planned accordingly. Or to put it another way: try creating troops that fly! Jumping Brutes or aerial assaults are an excellent way to avoid the Flood, quickly arrive at your enemy’s base, and slaughter them while your foe’s tanks are still stuck in a world of swamps and tentacles! The good news is that you should have time to build these units too.

Another possible winning scenario is mixing your Scouting plans with some hard-hitting base assaults. Take a Warthog or Ghost squadron to the Forerunner Relic farthest from you, then attack the nearby Flood base before your foe realizes how close you are. Then pump out infantry to man the Relic, release the Flood hordes, and send in waves of Flood, your forces, more Flood, and more of your forces, and crush the opposition!