Smolensk Tactics & Strategy Options

[ScrapyardBob]

Now that Smolensk (a.k.a. Barbarossa II) is out, we can start taking a more in-depth look at it. This is a larger map the original Barbarossa and effective gameplay is going to require communication and flexibility.

First off, a review of the terrain. Slyk has assigned "official" names to most locations using the in-game map graphic. I've provided some other alternative names that I've heard folks refer to these spots as.

A. German spawn (a.k.a. Collective Farm #36)

This is the very west end of the map. Similar to Barbarossa where the germans are in the west and the russians are in the east. There is a pak gun in the spawn with limited visibility.

B. Hill #54 (W of G1)

Holds a pak gun that overlooks G1 along the south flank. Might get referred to as the "G1 pak" or "H54".

C. German #1 base - South flank (between Hill #54 and Hill #49)

Nestled inbetween a few hills along the south flank. It's an easy trip from the german spawn along the south flank to reinforce this base. Also known as "G1" when typing chat in-game in order to keep things short and sweat.

D. Hill #49 (E of G1 / W of swamp)

Hill #49 is where the tank scrape has been built that overlooks the stone bridge / G2 / G1 areas. There is also a tunnel that leads between the two sides of the ridgeline. Could end up referred to as "south hill", but probably "H49" when typing for brevity.

E. Wheat field (E of german spawn)

The wheatfield is a picturesque section of terrain between the german spawn and G2. A destroyed tank and a small copse of trees provide cover for infantry attempting to move through the field.

F. German #2 base - Middle flank (near stone bridge)

Controls the middle of the german defensive line. (a.k.a "G2")

G. Stone bridge (E of G2)

Um, it's the low stone bridge over the middle river near German #2! A key defensive position to take and hold.

H. Pillbox trenches (a.k.a. the "AT bunker")

This is a white concrete pillbox that houses a 45mm gun (only in CNQ play) surrounded by an extensive network of trenches and barbed wire fencing. There is also a tunnel that leads back through the hillside allowing infantry to infiltrate the town.

I. North HIll #62 (a.k.a. G3 hilltop)

German #3 base is located here. There are multiple trenches, defensive positions and a pak gun that looks east towards R3. Will probably end up referred to as the "G3 hill". It might get referred to as "NH62" or "H62".

J. Stary Petrovka Village (a.k.a. "The Town" or "The Village")

Contains multiple houses, a church, the Russian #2 base (a.k.a. "R2") and a russian 45mm stationary gun. Combat here tends to be fierce and heavy as fighting goes house-to-house. Communication will probably refer to sectors ("N village", "S town", "E Stary", "Church", etc.).

K. Swamp (south flank)

A patch of water / bullrushes and a few trees along the south flank. There is a russian 45mm gun (a.k.a. "R1 45mm" or "swamp gun") that overlooks this area.

L. Swamp 45mm (a.k.a. "South AT Trench")

The gun that overlooks the swamp along the south flank. This weapon will probably be called the "widowmaker" because of all of the newbies who will slaughter themselves while attempting to use it. (It's extremely easy to kill yourself by shooting the post in front of you.)

This area may also be referred to as the "south trench" or "swamp trench" or "S trench" or "S gun".

M. Russian #3 (a.k.a. "R3")

This base lies in a sheltered vale along the north flank. Reinforcement of this base will be tricky for the russians due to the need to come through a narrow bottleneck.

N. East Trench (a.k.a. "the trench line")

The main defensive works to the east of the village. There is a moat-like river that runs in front of it and it guards the approaches to the russian spawn area.

O. Russian spawn (a.k.a. "Forest")

The "old house" objective for CNQ is in this area. Russians spawn on this heavily forested hilltop during BAS.

P. Gorshanov House (a.k.a. "R1")

A set of houses by the Russian #1 base along the south flank.

Q. Depot

A train depot that lies in the far eastern part of the map. This area does not get much play during a BAS game but is a major facet of CTF/CNQ play.

R. Collective Farm #42

The farm houses and fields to the east of the depot.




This post has been edited by ScrapyardBob: 02/13/06 1:37am

[ScrapyardBob]

Slyk made a few attempts at fixing the issue, but the weapon clips in the trelines don't seem to be working properly. (Fixing R2 45mm to G2 and protecting R2 would require changing the church to have a higher roofline and a wider profile.)

...

Sniping the German #3 pak gunner

Frankly, you're probably going to be better off sneaking up behind this gunner and bashing their brains in. But as long as there are germans guarding the G3 hilltop, sniping is the second best choice for taking out this pak gun.

a. Pillbox trenches (difficult)

A somewhat exposed position, but one that allows you to snipe both the G2 and G3 pak gunners. You'll need to be in the westernmost trenches to get the angle and visibility on the gunner's helmet. It's a tricky shot as you are going to be looking for a small dot of grey mixed in with the foliage / sky. If the gunner is moving around, it will make your job easier.

One option is to crouch in the east-west retaining wall trenches in front of the pillbox. You can lean around the corner and look up at the G3 pak position. Or you can lay down in the southwest portion of the trenchline, between the left E-W walled trench and the sloped wall position in the SW corner.

b. Slope at NE corner of Stone Bridge buildings (dangerous, but easy shot)

There's a small outbuilding on the NE part of the Stone Bridge area with a small slope leading up to the SW corner of the pillbox trenches. It offers a vantage point that looks through the treeline at the G3 pak gunner. The downside? You're going to be in an extremely exposed position so this spot only works if you control the area around the Stone Bridge.

c. River basin SE of G3 (easier)

There's a good bit of ground cover down here. The downside is that you're probably going to be a sitting duck for any germans who come downslope to root you out.

d. R3 ridgeline (easiest)

Probably a very good choice. You can get angle and visibility on the G3 pak gunner from multiple spots along this ridge line. The downside is that the G3 pak gunner can easily return fire on your sniping positions.