Map Strats from Me: Canals

[Defector]

Canals: We all know, and I think we all love it. I havnt had any real 4v4 teams, but plenty of 2v2 matches with buddies. Here is what I have taken from the map, and you guys can add some suggestions or tactics or whatever.

Routes:
1. Sniper Rush
2. Mid Bridge Fortification/ Low ground Suppression
3. River Rush Down
4. High Ground Flank

definitions
Low Ground- where the revolver spawns. can enter the canal or step up onto bridges.
High ground- walled off area with equal elevation to the bridges. Only connects to three bridges.

1. Sniper Rush
I think most of us know this one. If you are first in line at the spawn you should roll-roadie run all the way around to your bridge, next to some sandbags. Then, without looking, just press left/right and roadie run up to the sniper. Grab cover and take out the enemy sniper, if possible. Also watch the river for the torquebow or a rusher coming under your bridge...

This spot is essential to take control of the power weapon spawns. The bow, sniper, and frags can all be seen from this vanatage point. After you feel things are secure on this level, take back to the lower ground or to the higher ground as support. Note: Only one person should ever take this route.

2. Mid Bridge Fortification/ Low ground Suppression
This is a fun one, if you are fast enough. High Sensitivity is required. On spawn, roll-roadie run as usual, and follow whoever is headed for the sniper, but continue past your bridge and head towards the center bridge. This should all be done in a single roadie run without any pauses.

Mid bridge fortification: Should you arrive un-interrupted by enemy fire, run up the the middle bridge and take cover agaisnt the wall. Never use a center block here as you are just sniper fodder. This spot is great for a good communicator- you will be able to see most of the enemy team and help your sniper get his weapon by suppressing the enemy sniper.

Enemies taking the low ground cannot move past the middle bridge if you have a guy in the rear, taking the low ground spot. If you encounter no enemies, its best to head towards high ground and meet with allies there. Note: Forget the grenades for a while... you can pick them up when you have the enemy snipe dead.

Low ground suppression: If, while running towards the middle bridge, enemies start taking shots at you, it is best to take cover. From here you should be completely protected so long as an enemy does come under the center bridge- so watch it. The main idea is to not die, hold the enemy back, and draw fire. If the enemies die or you have nothing to shoot at, you have three options: get the bow, head up to high ground from the center bridge, or head towards the enemy side base. It is probably best to do something with the sniper, tho, or stick with other teammates.

Tip: Take a teammate or get onto the center bridge.

3. River Rush Down
I am sure there is someway to get past that boat without interrupting your roadie run:( This is a doozy. Run for the torquebow and cover it. Or run for the torquebow and snag it. Or if you are up front and have backup, try to rush all the way to the backside of the enemy spawn. That would be the quickest flank in the map, and a near guarenteed victory.

This route leaves you the most open while also giving you many options for flanking. Running under the middle bridge and seeing a guy in the "low ground" area under cover is a kill. just watch for his teammates. taking the torquebow makes you a serious threat, but keep in contact with your sniper to see what is going on with the enemy sniper...

tip: dont stay in the river

4. High ground Flank
This is probably the most important route to take on Canals. It is well protected and leads to everything. You have easy access to every bridge and lots of cover and hiding spots. It is probably best to move down the map and come around the enemy's bridge, or if needed be, take control of the center bridge to help the "low ground" guys.

How to: Roll-Roadie under your bridge and veer off towards the stair case. Continue running until the stairs ar eto your side. Without aiming or looking, press left/right on your movement stick and roadie run up the staircase. Your camera automaticall adjusts. At the top of the staircase veer off to one side away from your bridge and stop. Again, without looking, start to roadie run along the high ground path. this is the trickiest part, as there are so many damn sand bags in the way it is hard to not get stuck. Practice makes perfect.

Cover the enemy side and try to spot the sniper. If he is unguarded, flank and kill, otherwise you may have to shotgun your way thru. If you are outmanned, try to just hunker down and wait for another opening elsewhere.

If you want, take the center bridge and move towards lower ground. You can put pressure on the enemy sniper or help flank some lower ground enemies. grenades are an easy pickup from here as no one can see you going for them until it is too late.

the ideal route would be to take out the enemy sniper, retrieve it, and start taking out the enmies from behind them- this forces a pinch on all you enemies and screws there cover system. If you are on the receiving end, take to high ground or pull back to under your bridge.

Comments? Rants? Flames? If this goes well, I'll do another map. Your choice.

[Pwning j00z]

I'd only provide a different tactic for the River Run.

Let's use Carmine, Marcus, Dom, and Cole as examples for our 4 man team.

Carmine goes under the first bridge from the spawn, cuts to the stairs in the water leading to Sniper, gets the Sniper Rifle and camps the top of the stairs with it, covering the lower area of the map. This also allows him to keep an eye on the opponents side of the map to see if they're trying to flank up top and warn his teammates.

Dom takes the same route but cuts to the right and aligns himself with the right side of the middle bridge, stopping about halfway between it and the first Bridge to cover with a Lancer or Pistol underneath the Bridge and to provide support to the Sniper by having the stairs right behind him to assist if the Sniper happens to call flank. Also provides primary cover for Marcus if anyone rushes from the bottom area.

Marcus cuts left under the bridge and remains about 50% to 75% to the second bridge, covering primarily underneath the Bridge but also keeping an eye on the lower level to ensure nobody is rushing straight across to flank. Primary concern for Marcus is to keep Cole covered when he rushes the Torque, Dom at this point is keeping an eye semi-under the bridge but primarily to pick off anyone that Marcus says is flanking along the bottom.

Cole rushes straight to the Torque. Best way to do this is Roadie Run 80% of the way and to stop just short and L-trigger immediately upon stopping to quickly dispense of whoever may get there first. This also allows a moment to gang up with Marcus on whoever he may have in his sights. After gettin Torque, stay together and adjust your positioning according to the enemies movements.

I never strategize more than the first minute or so of an upcoming encounter with my friends. A good general knows that no plan survives contact with the enemy so we start as solidly as we can, then stay together and move in sync to cover each other constantly and be there for a revive if needed.

As for the getting around the boat while running, make sure your sensitivity is on high. Besides that, just practice. I've gotten the path from both spawns down now to the point that I can Roadie run from spawn to Torque without touching a barrier/cover @ all.

_NOTE_ Something I've noticed with all maps and matches, step up and lead. Not only that, but allow yourself to be led if you're not going to lead. Every team needs a leader, otherwise no matter your coordination, individuals get killed, teams survive.

Jesus, that was a long ass post. =D

[GDMFSOB]

I've got a little one that isn't a whole strategy but one little thing that people always (I mean, like, round after round after round) fall for. Rush like crazy-person to either the boat, if you're on that side, or to the rectangular cement block, if on the other side. Stay there and way for whoever in the other team has that's always (there's always one of those in ranked matches, at least) going for the bow. If you have teammates with you, tell them not to shoot and reveal their position. The opponent steps up to the bow, thinking all is clear, and you all unload and he's dead within seconds.

The next round, he'll think he's smart and wait around longer before going for the bow. You just counter that by waiting until he shows up.

I guess this is a tactic most people know, but it seems the great majority forget about not revealing their positions too early and about the fact that bow-rushers usually stick to it, no matter how long it takes them to show themselves. Also, if you stay as early as the boat/rectangle, you can see people trying to flank you from the left/right. That's another mistake people keep making time and time again -- they go too close to the bow and can't easily see the flanks.

Edit: Oh, and if you're fast enough getting to the boat/rectangle, don't forget to LT-aim and line up a perfect shot on the bow so you can just pop up and slam RT without having to adjust your aim when your opponent shows up. This strategy pretty much works every time since nobody can flank you and the bow-rusher simply cannot get to it. People on the other side have a very tough time hitting you too, in case they try to provide suppressing fire or other support for the bow-rusher.

Just my two cents...haven't been playing ranked seriously for very long (a little less than two weeks), so maybe this is common knowledge amongst serious players.