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]

German stationary guns:

a. German Spawn pak gun - This gun is in a weak position. You can trick the gunner into killing themselves by slipping into the spawn area on the very north edge of the opening. The pak gun model cuts into the haybales on the left, so they can't risk lowering the barrel to plant shells on you as you slip in along the fence line. Tanks can also play peeky-boo by rolling up to the pine tree at the NE corner of the spawn.

You're also safe if you keep the east building by the wheatfield between you and the pak gun. This gun cannot see G2 at all. It is also useless against a flanking attack into the spawn from the south side. Basically, it won't play much of a role in defending any of the german bases as long as your team stays out of its coverage arcs.

Sniping this gunner will probably best be done by laying NE of the ridge-top trench at the NE end of the unplanted wheatfield. You're at maximum range for maximum safety. You have excellent visibility of any germans as they leave the NW exit from the spawn. You have decent visibility of the middle of the spawn. While the gunner can return fire, staying on the lee side of the ridgeline makes it a difficult shot. When the germans come after you, it's easy to slip NE into the river valley and lose yourself in the foliage/rocks.

b. German #2 pak gun - Guards the stone bridge area. It can also shell the pillbox area and Hill #49.

Taking out this gun should be easy. Just make your shots count because it can return fire to most sniper positions or shelling positions. One sniping position is Hill #49. The other option is to lay down just about anywhere in the vicinity of the pillbox trenches.

c. German #1 pak gun - Any attempt to bring vehicles up the south flank through the swamp will run into this gun as they come down off of Hill #49.

The north or south end of Hill #49 are the only two spots to get a long-range view of the pak gunner.

d. German #3 pak gun - Guards the north flank. Biggest risk this gunner faces is getting their skull bashed in from behind. Sniping it was covered earlier (it's possible, but not easy).

Bottling the germans in their spawn:

One tank needs to hold Hill #54 (near G1 pak gun). Watch for germans attempting to use the south exit from the spawn, but also provide crossfire on the planted wheatfield area.

A second tank should setup on the north end of the unplanted portion of the wheatfield. It should stay close to the western zone wall, where it can't be seen by the german spawn pak gun. The primary target for this tank will be anyone exiting via the NE passage out of the spawn as they attempt to cross the wheatfield.

The third tank should setup on the NE corner of G2. This keeps it out of the firing arc of the german spawn pak, but gives a clear shot at any germans attempting to exit the spawn.

Assault routes for Russians:

1. North flank: Wood Bridge northwest to R3 west to G3

The biggest obstacle is the G3 pak gun. It can do a lot of damage to armor as you crest the R3 hill on the way to G3. The gunner will need to be sniped ahead of time, or tanks will need to rush along the north edge of the map to get out of the kill zone as fast as possible.

2. North-middle flank to G3

Leave the village via the northwest passage. Turn left (southwest) at the "T" and slip west along the north edge of the pillbox trenches. Tanks and infantry then attack up the hill towards G3. This bypasses the G3 pak gunner. Some risk of shelling from the G2 pak gun as you pass along the north edge of the pillbox trenches.

This route also provides a good way to slip around to the north side of the wheatfield.

3. Middle to G3 or G2

Leave the village via the main road to the west. Drive along the south/west sides of the pillbox and then attack up the hill to G3 or drive across the stone bridge to G2. It bypasses the G3 pak gunner, but you're vulnerable to the G2 pak gun.

You can also attempt G1 by following the river south from the Stone Bridge, but you're unlikely to succeed (two pak guns cover this area).

4. The Swamp Express to Hill #49 (G1/G2)

Until you get to Hill #49, it's likely to be smooth sailing. You have a 45mm at your back to overwatch you as you attempt the swamp and assault the east slope of H49. But as soon as you crest the top of H49, you're going to be vulnerable to two german pak guns (G2 and G1).

Infantry will want to hug the south wall and stay in the thick foliage near the water pump. Or make use of the tunnel/trench on the N side of H49.