ONS-Torlan tactics

[legacy-Worms]

I thought people would figure this stuff out for themselves, but from what I've seen online they obviously haven't.

Okay, I'm talking from the very start of a round. Grab the node as SOON AS POSSIBLE.

If you go past and see plenty of people working on it then go to the corner. You don't need the corner nodes but they do offer a real advantage - tanks, Mantas, turrets and most importantly the ability to hit the enemy from different directions.

Thats the key. If the enemy is going to be strong on two nodes they'll be so on the centre or middle-top/bottom - take the corners and you can hit them from both directions.

You need to do this as fast as possible - don't waste time waiting for vehicles or ammo to spawn, just get right to it.

At the start grab a HellBender and have some people jump aboard - three people can construct a node fairly quickly and move onto the next one straight away.

If you're taking ages to get the middle then go for the corner - just go there alone, maybe with a friend helping. Go in a Manta, Scorpian or on foot - never go in a raptor as you'll be seen.

Even if your team unlocks the enemy core early on, still get the corner node - if the enemy pushes back, which can happen if you're concentrated on defense, they can easily take the middle (blocking access to middle top or middle bottom) before you can do anything about it.

If they have to take out two nodes to protect their immediate node then you're making life a lot more difficult for them. Beautiful.

Now, when it comes to destroying these nodes use the grenade launcer or the redeemer. Same with the core. The Manta and Scorpian are also good at it, while the Raptor is best for buzzing around, taking out enemy air support so they can't attack the builders.

If your team is building the centre node then stand there with an AVRiL, facing in the direction of the enemy base - ignore the temptation to jump around, because sure enough you'll have Mantas pestering you.

If you're defending middle top or middle bottom the minigun is good, spidermines are good as well. See, while you'll have to deal with vehicles you'll have to deal with a heap more foot soldiers. The minigun is fine to deal with the odd Manta, Scorpian or whatever. Grenade launchers can kill tanks (get behind them) and flak cannons are good for turrets and HellBenders. Simple.

If you're far away enough you can even knock out a Raptor with a few rounds from the lightning gun - they should be dead before they work out where you are or fly out of range.

Also, if a team mate is in a Goliath and you're on foot man the machine gun - make life hell for any foot soldiers that want to pester him with grenades. You can also knock out Mantas and so forth that are pestering your builders.

Now, defense - turrets are good, but don't rely on them. Miniguns are good for foot soldiers and vehicles. AVRiLs in enclosed spaces seeing your enemy can't suddenly weave behind a rock or a hill.

Say the enemy has all the nodes then don't have everyone in the base - only one or two people. See the enemy WILL get past.

If I see the enemy standing around in their base, defending the core I'll buzz over in a raptor and land behind them all. Even if they kill me I get in a few good shots at the core and remember that they can't repair the core as they can with a node (repair your damaged nodes as well, you know you want to). A tank with machinegunner or a humble Manta can cause some serious rapage in such a situation.

The only real way is to get the first node, but don't stop there - grab the centre and corner nodes. Hit them both at once but have more people on the centre as most find it more important - if you get the corner first (likely, seeing the centre attacks will have to deal with strong enemy resistance) then buzz over the hills in a manta and unleash some pancake action, clearing the way for the tradesmen.

After that buzz over to the next corner, then the centre guys and you can hit the final node from both directions. Instant comeback, just add salt.

I hope this was useful to someone - if I recieve positive feedback expect a detailed guide when I get the full version.

[legacy-1stStrike]

Of course, if you're like me and setup various combinations that the server randomly uses everytime torlan is played..then that entire strategy is null :)

[legacy-papaschtroumpf]

lots if the advice still apply, just not the order of taking the nodes.

[legacy-Chan_Secodina]

Good stuff. Just thought I'd add something. If you really want to get to the first node quick the fastest way IMHO is to stand on top of a manta and have a bot or team mate fly it to the first node. Mantas are faster than hellbenders and you can easily get two people to the first node that much faster. I haven't really tried it but I don't see why you couldn't have 4 or so people ride on a manta. The only problem is if whoever's is driving the manta is a crappy driver and causes you to fall off or decides to go harass the other team instead of building nodes. Then you can get stranded in the middle of nowhere on foot. That sucks. Other note: If you see a teammate standing on the wing of a manta that means HE IS WAITING FOR YOU. Don't ignore him and go on foot. GET IN. Also, I have seen a lot of people take the hellbender or manta with no one in it but themselves, without waiting for people who spawned farther away to even get there. This is not terribly efficient. Carpool! Rideshare! Whatever you want to call it. I think I'll go photoshop some ut2k4 carpooling advertisements. :)

-Chan Secodina

[legacy-chrwil1973]

I wasn't aware you could carry people on the Manta's, I'll have to try it out. Thanks.

[legacy--JW-]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try to recall em on the field.

[legacy-Anewb]

Thanks for the info and taking the time to post it.

[legacy-Buh-Bye]

Yeah, all good stuff there! I've found the spider mines are great if you're on foot.... kick a bunch out as you're running to your objective then alt-fire them out in front of you and into the middle node pass.
Had a hot fight for the center node going on... myself and another who had picked up on this unloaded all our mines ... stood back at the entrance and directed them all into the fray! We took that node.... blew the hell out of everything...
Use 'em as your running off and direct them back to your node for protection...
Spider mines are GooooooD

Also, when riding the Manta's, crouch down.... it'll help keep you on there.

Was recently on a good server... most everyone had a clue! Manta rides... the mother trucks would wait for you and everything! Made it a very good experience win or lose.

[musilowski]

I have usually seen something like this (when the teamwork works):

Manta with one (or two) person(s) on the wing(s) to first node.
Hellbender filled goes to corner node.
Raptor gets the deemer and after that goes to the middle node.

With these stuff, everything goes well...

[legacy-papaschtroumpf]

yah, that's what a lot of people settle into... means that good players and teams will soon find a way to take advantage of this pattern.
Of course, other node configurations also throw a wrench in that nice plan! Epic had a stroke of genius with that one: change the nodes and it's like a brand new map.
Played on a server where nodes where one single line between the two cores: changed everything, very long game, but the other team finally figured out something (not sure how they did it) and suddenly we were owned!

[legacy--JW-]

I've tried a few tactics of my own, one of them being quite effective for fast advancements in the beginning of a round.
Just pack yourself up with the Lightning Gun and an AVRiL, jump into the Raptor and head for the Redeemer. While atop, you can either fire the Redeemer right away, and aim for the enemys first corner and wipe out who ever may try to construct a Power Node there. This will slow down the enemy's attempts to roam a tank into the center Node severely, and gives your team the opportunity to capture the middle Node first without the tank interrupting, and may also let you into a fight for the enemy's first node at an early stage. The enemy will surely not expect to be nuked at that point. After the Redeemer has been fired, you just start sniping and firing rockets at every vehicle you see. Also, keep a watching eye on the enemy's Raptors, since those are your only true threat if you're careful.
Or, you can start sniping and shooting rockets immediatley to slow the process of building power nodes down a little bit and aim the Redeemer for one of the enemy's Nodes once the battle for the middle has begun. That way, the enemy will carry larger guns, and be more prepared, but you can make more damage.

Another tactic to start with is to, as quickly as you can, build the first two Nodes, jump into the Goliath and roam avast to the hill closest to the enemy's base, and start buggin the opponent. It's an effective way to take out the enemy's first Goliath attac, since you're able to fire over a vast range from atop the hill, while the enemy's tank will have major problems with fighting back since you're at a much higher niveau. Just remember that a passenger shooting from the gun turret may expose your location in a critical moment, so keep calm til you actually can do damage.