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]

After watching a meagre (4) rounds tonight, I've come to a preliminary conclusion:

If you allow the enemy to do as they will, you will lose the map.

Basically that means that:

a. If you see an enemy advance in progress, engage it! Even if you die, you'll have slowed them down and alerted your teammates of the enemy's intentions.

b. If you look at the compass, see a base flashing, with no allies on that flank... you have now been assigned new orders to get over there and investigate.

c. Defense is not optional. If a flank is left unguarded for more then a minute, you've just put down the red carpet for an enemy assault.

d. If you see teammates vanishing off of the compass, odds are good that there is an enemy assault underway in that sector. No matter how hard you wish, it's not going to go away on its own unless you help do something about it.

...

(3) of the (4) games that I watched tonight were over in 15 minutes or less (one only lasted 7 minutes). The other one ran almost to 45 minutes, but russians planted at the last minute and won. Half the time the russians won, half of the rounds were won by the germans.

It will be interesting to see tomorrow's gameplay.

Possible German game plan:

a. Get on the (3) pak guns and shell all (3) russian bases at the start of the match.

b. Slip infantry into the area around R1 and destroy that first. The G1 pak can help with the plant if it is spotted.

c. German tanks should assault R2 from multiple angles (NW side of village and S side of village). The G2 pak can help with guarding the plant if it is spotted so shells land at the base of the R2 flag. Another fine trick is portable MGs in the church tower.

d. Leave R3 until last.

e. Control the G3 hill, the stone bridge, and Hill #49.

Possible Russian game plan:

a. Shell G2 with the 45mm gun by R2.

b. Shut down the german pak guns. (Snipers need to get forward to their positions ASAP.)

c. Take and hold Hill #49. Defend the swamp trench and the swamp 45mm gun. Defend R3 lightly, focus defense more on the W/N sides of town.

d. Destroy G1 and G2 at the same time. Cover the G2 plant using the swamp 45mm and the R2 45mm. The G1 plant can be covered from Hill #49.

e. Leave G3 for last.