Barbarossa tactics and strategy Options

[ScrapyardBob]

(because I can't sleep at the moment)

So let's talk about the odd, the crafty, the nifty, and the common sense of the Barbarossa map. Focusing primarily on "base assault" mode, although the map is also well suited for CTF. (Definitely a favorite map of a lot of folks.) Apologies in advance if I get long-winded and please try to keep it civil. There's a lot of opinion when folks talk about tactics and just about any idea works at least part of the time. If you don't like a tactic, please explain how you would beat that tactic rather then deriding the poster.

First off, my impressions of the bases.

Russian #1 (N flank)
- Moderately difficult to defend. German attack is usually through the W pass, but sometimes they come up the river valley to the south. Or, if Russian #3 has already fallen, germans can swipe tanks and attack along the back road. Germans also tend to slip into the house on the SW side where the anti-tank weapons are stored. The tank parked near #1 is a prime theft target.
- This base tends to be ignored by most allied players, making it more difficult to defend, but easier to attack.

Russian #2 (S flank, forward position)
- Moderately to extremely difficult to defend. The germans can attack this base from the S riverbed, through the town that is downslope, from the hilltop pass to the NW, or from the N flank. Tanks have to be rushed forward (on a constant basis) from the rear to protect this base.
- Strategically, only worth defending if you are behind on points. Same problems as German #1. Only inexperienced players attack this base first (or plant bombs here first). Smart players leave this base alone, forcing the enemy to spawn at a base without any nearby tanks.

Russian #3 (SE flank, rear position)
- Easiest to defend, unless everyone is playing offense and nobody is minding the store. Germans can sneak in through the houses or sneak in via the right flank into the russian spawn area.
- If the germans fail to destroy this base before the other 2 bases, the round typically ends up as a stalemate (or loss).

German #1 (S flank, forward position)
- Difficult to defend. The russians have multiple approaches to the base (south riverbed, the town bridge, down the hill from the hilltop pass, or up the valley from the N bridge).
- Strategically, only worth defending if you are behind on points. Same problems as Russian #2. Only inexperienced players attack this base first (or plant bombs here first). Smart players leave this base alone, forcing the enemy to spawn at a base without any nearby tanks.

German #2 (S flank, rear position)
- Moderately easy to defend, but only if actively guarded. Russians either sneak through the tank park, attack via the N road, or sneak up the S road.
- A lot of players ignore this base until it's too late. They won't start defending it until it's open and has been planted once. An early russian offensive on this base typically results in a win for the allies. Leaving this base for last usually results in a stalemate or loss.

German #3 (N flank)
- Moderately easy to defend. Attacks are typically from the N bridge, the hilltop pass to the SE, or russians sneaking up the back road or past the bush at the german anti-tank gun.
- This is a strategically important base for the germans. Guarding #3 also allows them to guard their N flank. Losing #3 typically results in germans forgetting to watch the N flank, allowing the russians to attack the german spawn.

[ScrapyardBob]

Defense (general): Not a complete list, but some of the common things I see on the pub servers.

1) If you're outbound, look around: The biggest issue that defenders have to deal with is unannounced visitors behind their lines. On a large map like Barbarossa, information is power (and often spells the difference between victory and defeat).

2) Notify: If you see an enemy on home turf, warn your teammates unless you're assured of a kill. This can be as easy as the voice commands (V21 for infantry, V55 for jeeps, V56 for tanks, V57 for heavy tanks) or by hiding for a second and typing out more detail. Be brief but specific ("2 tanks at our 1" or "2 inside our 2" or "heavy on S road"). If you're about to die, let your teammates know what is about to kill you. But if you get taken by surprise, keep quiet until you can run back and verify (don't "ghost"). Voice chat makes this easier in a lot of ways.

3) Guard your spawn: If nobody is guarding your spawn area, you have nobody to blame when the enemy sets up camp and proceeds to slaughter you in your spawn. When you spawn, always look around rather then assuming that it's safe. Take a few seconds and check the usual hiding places for sneaky enemies who may be laying in wait. Spawn killing is fair game on MOB servers. Whining about it is pointless, spend that energy fixing the cause (and guard your spawn!).

4) Control your flanks: If you don't control your flanks, your enemy will gladly do so for you. Look at your compass when you spawn. If there's nobody on a particular flank, make a point to check that area as you head out to attack the enemy positions. (This includes things like sweeping the S road near German #2, or making sure to check the N road between German #3 and Russian #1.)

5) Spread Out: If there are multiple teammates guarding a particular spot, don't sit next to anyone else. A single artillery strike will ruin everyone's day if you clump together. Multiple defenders in the basement of a bunker is usually nothing more then extra points for an attacker who tosses a satchel down the stairs.

6) Buddy Up: If your buddy is watching the right flank, you should watch the left flank. Stay within sight of your buddy. If you really spot something, notify your buddy so that they know to pay attention to your direction of fire.

7) Stay Quiet: Don't fire unless you have a target. Try not to move the turret on a tank or gun unless you have to. A defender's biggest advantage is that of surprise. Keep the attackers guessing as to whether there are defenders at a particular spot. Most players will get over-confident and walk right into your kill zone before spotting you. This usually allows you to annihilate incoming attackers, often without taking any damage at all.

German Defense:

Base priority: #2 & #3 > #1

The germans have one very weak base (#1) and a pair of moderately strong bases (#2 and #3). Unless you need every last point, it's an easy decision to abandon German #1. Spawning at German #1 results in teammates with no easy access to tanks or jeeps. German #2 and German #3 are far easier to defend.

Russians should try to plant German #2 as soon as the base is opened up. The germans often don't defend or re-inforce defenses at #2 until the russians have attempted a plant at least once. So if your bomb team gets there as soon as it opens up, you can surprise the germans and destroy the base. Showing up with 2-3 russian tanks via the south road often works well as the germans frequently fail to guard the south road.

A good team of russians sometimes plant #3 as a diversion before planting #2. So if half of your team is already chasing a bomb team in German #3, look at your compass and see if German #2 is undefended.

Russian Defense:

Base priority: #3 > #1 > #2

The russians have one very weak base (#2), one moderately weak base (#1) and one strong base (#3). Similar to the german side, unless you need every last point in the round, sacrificing Russian #2 is almost always a good decision. The #1 base is a secondary sacrificial lamb as it's a somewhat difficult spawn point.

A smart german team will attack Russian #3 first and foremost. A lightning attack at the start of the round has a high possibility of success. Most russians will have run off to attack the german bases, which means you can sweep in with jeeps / fast tanks and control the area around Russian #3.


This post has been edited by ScrapyardBob: 01/06/06 2:34am