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]

More thoughts on strategy:

1) Just because you've lost the base on a particular hill is no reason not to give up control over that hill.

The germans have a bad habit of ignoring their right flank after G2 falls (as everyone rushes to the defense of G3). Same issue when they lose G3 (but not as severe because it's easier to exit the tank park and drive past G3). The russians have a bad habit of ignoring the R1 hill on the right flank after R1 has been lost.

If you want action, setup shop on a hill where the base has been destroyed. A sneaky russian infantryman on the R2 hill can provide early warning against left flank attacks. You can also be a huge thorn in the side of any german tanks who think it's fun to setup shop on the R2 hill and shell R3.

Germans at the ruined G1 base are a nasty surprise to any russian tank that is attempting to slip in via the south road. Half of the time that I attempt to bring a tank into play at G2 I end up getting damaged by a german hiding in the ruins of G1.

2) A single tank on the north pass by Russian #1 can hold off a lot of armor. A pair of players at the north pass (one on the 45mm and the other in a tank) can hold off even more germans.

The north pass at Russian #1 is a great place to practice turret-down and hull-down defense in a heavy tank (see the Wikipedia link for details). Most of the time, while waiting for targets you should go turret-down. (Stay on the lee side of the hill and you should just barely be able to see the bridge area over the crest of the hill in front of you.) A good analogy is to be like a tunnel spider, waiting for flies to wander into your kill zone. When you are turret-down, germans down at the bridge will not know your location unless they are using binoculars or a sniper scope.

As soon as you see movement down at the north bridge, you should alert teammates and creep forward to a hull-down position. Just after you creep forward enough to fire, you should reverse direction and creep backwards right before firing. This will give you a slight downward angle on your gun elevation, allowing you to hit lower targets without moving forward into a more exposed position. By rocking forward then back you are only exposed long enough to get a round off and you provide a very difficult firing solution for german gunners down at the bridge area.

No-so-smart germans will panic as the shells begin to fall. They'll attempt to backup to the cover of the house by the N bridge. This can cause traffic jams if you panic the first tank in the armor column. Basically, if you can keep them from crossing that bridge you'll probably win the engagement. Sometimes without taking any damage to your tank. Smarter germans will realize that they need to advance at speed in order to get out of the kill zone.

If the germans manage to get 2-3 vehicles into the N road fields, you're probably going to have a difficult time. Make every shot count. Hopefully, you had already notified your team about the german advance and have reinforcements on the way. If not, now is the time to cry for help (although it's going to be late to the party). If you have enemy infantry as far forward as the 45mm gun, it's time to fall back and attempt to keep them from getting over the north pass and into the house behind you.

(Remember the primary goal of defense is to deny territory and disrupt the enemy's plans / timetable. Stay alive and make them pay in time/blood for every meter of ground. The longer it takes them to advance, the greater the chance of your reinforcements arriving and driving off the assault.)

The other problem that you will face is germans sneaking in via the middle opening, walking up the riverbed towards R1 and shooting you in the rump. The only real solution for that is to rely on teammates to watch those sectors.