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]

Hah, no, I was the sucker that stayed behind to welcome the germans as they rolled into town will all that freshly painted armor. Apparently they were in no mood to sit down and discuss armistice treaties. It was a darn good blitzkrieg up the south flank, we managed to wipe out 2-3 of the incoming tanks but the advance scouts were already slipping into the bunker and starting the plant while we were fighting off the armor.

...

Thoughts on getting around Barbarossa.

1) Walking - Definitely the slowest (although the KV1s aren't much faster). If you stick to cover, avoid well-traveled areas, you'll almost always get where you're going. Stealth is a key element, as is knowing how to break contact and evade any pursuit. It would probably take you 3+ minutes to run from one end of the map to the other.

2) Jeeps / Horches - All of the jeeps/horches (sp?) on the Barbarossa server are designed to blow up a few minutes after they leave their spawn point. So it's senseless to swipe enemy jeeps. However, jeeps are the fastest form of transport on the Barbarossa map and can get you from one corner to the other in under 30 seconds. They're also an excellent way to escape a tank and a good jeep driver should make sure to weave and dodge a bit to avoid shellfire. It may be a good plan to bail early and walk, because jeeps are noisy and will wake up most defenders. Especially if you use the machine gun.

4) The half-track. Moderately slow, but can take up to 3 shell rounds before it's destroyed. This is a great way to storm the russian village, especially if you can multiply the targets that a gunner has to deal with. Just make sure everyone knows to start bailing out as soon as incoming fire starts hitting the HT. The driver of the HT should continue in as far and as fast as possible to add to the confusion. Passengers should attempt to escape into cover and force the enemy to spend time searching (or wondering). Note that you should always blow up abandoned half-tracks (they will not auto-explode and respawn).

5) The russian truck. A bit faster then the half-track, but not as well armored. I think two good hits and it's going to go up in a ball of flame. Still a good way to deliver multiple headaches to the germans at the same time. Note that you should always blow up abandoned trucks (they will not auto-explode and respawn).

6) Light tanks (BT7, PzIII). Fast and agile (especially the BT7). The downside is that they're noisy and a prime target for just about everyone else on the battlefield. Be prepared to bail early and make sure that you destroy the abandoned tank.

7) Heavy tanks (KV1 mostly, but also the PzIV). Slow as molasses in January, but they can take a real beating (roughly 7 frontal shots). Not a great transport vehicle as they need to be guarded by infantry and other vehicles in order to make it to the front in one piece. Any infantry or light tanks that escort heavy tanks to the front are great team players.

Barbarossa definitely rewards players who are crafty and careful with each spawn. Zerg rushing a defended base typically results in failure (and lots of free points for the defender). But if you can manage to get 3-5 teammates at the target at the same time, you stand a very good chance of overrunning the defenses and taking control of the area.

Plus, sometimes the best teamplay is to provide a distraction in one sector while your teammates are planting the bomb in another sector. Especially if you can stay alive for a minute or two and cause excessive mayhem that forces the enemy to hunt you down. (Every enemy that is hunting you is one less that will be attempting to defuse the ticking bomb.)