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]

The anti-tank weapons and their uses during a base-assault game:

The germans have (3) "paks" and the russians have (5) 45mm weapons in stationary positions. I think I know all of the spots that can be hit with these, but I'd appreciate corrections and additional information. Especially tips on how to aim these weapons to hit specific spots on the map.

German 3: (near German #3 base)
- Guards the N bridge crossing (devestating to a russian advance)
- Guards the hilltop pass to the SE
- Can lob shells towards Russian #3 and #2 (yes/no?)
- Powerful location, but gunner is vulnerable to sniper fire from the opposing ridge.

German Middle: (between German #3 and German #2 bases)
- Overlooks German #1 and can hit targets in both passes near German #1.
- Can destroy the Russian 3 cannon.
- Can shell the Russian #3 base.
- Powerful location for stopping russian advances along the S side of the map, but gunner is vulnerable to snipers (and return fire from Russian 3 gun).

German 2: (guards the N road near German #2)
- Limited to shelling anything along the back road between German #2 and German #3 bases.
- Fairly safe location, small danger of snipers. Can be a nasty surprise for russians advancing along the back road to the north.

Russian S front: (W end of russian town)
- Limited range of motion.
- Can only hit tanks on the east side of the hill (basically worthless). The enemy can sit on the very top of the hill and kill you with impunity.

Russian W: (forward middle)
- Can shell German #2 (yes/no?)
- Can shell the town bridge to the SE and the hilltop pass to the E
- Can shell German #3 (yes/no?)
- Good location if you can keep from being flanked. It can completely shutdown any german advances through the middle of the map.
- Gunner is vulnerable to sniper fire but can shoot back at sniper locations. Gunners are usually killed by germans attacking from the S side along the trench.

Russian N: (north flank)
- Can shell German #1 base (yes/no?)
- Can shell German #2 base
- Can control the N bridge. This is a very powerful location for controlling the N flank against german advances. Some danger of sniper fire from the bridge area, but you can shell any sniper locations.
- Weak against anything that breaks to the N side of the field, or being flanked from the road/field to the south.

Russian 3N: (rear middle)
- Can shell German #3 base (put the crosshair on the top of the tallest tree in the treeline in the direction of German #3)
- Limited ability to control the middle pass at the E end of town
- Limited ability to control the N pass by Russian #1
- Severe sniper issues (mostly the middle pass where you can't return fire).

Russian 3: (behind Russian #3 base)
- Can shell the german middle pak (tilt all the way up, position over the bush at the end of the fence along the town road). If the germans are shelling #3 with their pak, this is the weapon to use to stop them.
- Can drop shells along the ridgeline between German #2 and German #3 bases.
- Limited ability to control the outside of the left side houses.
- Strong ability to shell tanks coming down the hill from Russian #2
- Strong ability to shell anything on the road running through the town
- Weak ability to lob shells at the N pass near Russian #1
- Rare sniper issues, biggest problem is germans breaking or sneaking into the spawn area to the north. Germans can also sneak into Russian #3 without being seen if they stick to the outside of the left side houses.

[Maj. H8Red]

Russian W: (forward middle)
- Can shell German #2 (yes/no?)
- Can shell German #3 (yes/no?)
[c} Russian north raod
Can shell German #1 base (yes/no?)
- Can shell German #2 base

Actually the middle PAK on Russian side can attack all 3 German bases as well as other tactical positions. The most valuable piece of stationary equiptment in the Russian arsenal.
Russian PAK on North road can only attack German 1 base & bridge.
There are alot of advantages of the PAK's, but there are also alot of vulnerabilities (someone, please make me stop using big words) to them as well.
I think the more experienced players of this battlefield know what tactics work & which ones don't (e.g.) destroying G1 or R2 before the other 2 are destroyed (can be very frustratin when this happens)

Signed, Pak master
LOL