Half Life: Counterstrike cs_assault map Strategy Guide By Lord Zero (dskzero@yahoo.com) Version 1.0 ************************************************************************* Index: 1.- File History. 2.- Introduction. 3.- About this file. 4.- The Assault Map. 5.- Graphics. 6.- Map overview. 7.- Tactical Ideas. 8.- When the Action Starts. 9.- Frequently asked questions about this map. 10.- Credits. 11.- Legal Stuff. ************************************************************************* 1.- File History. -0.1 Start of the file (10/22/2001, 23:04) -1.0 File Ready (10/23/2001, 11: 49) -1.1 Email Changed. (10/29/2002, 16:30) ************************************************************************* 2.- Introduction. Welcome to this guide. Counterstrike is a MODification of the FPS (First Person Shooter) Half Life, which, while it hasn't been the most successful FPS game in history (That spot will remain owned by DoOm)has spawned a legion of MODs and gamers looking into it. While the original Half Life was played on a somewhat futuristic setting, Counterstrike simulates Counter-Terrorists missions with objectives to accomplish. The game plays on two teams, the Terrorists (the bad guys), and the Counter Terrorist (The good guys). While the game can be won by simply killing everyone on the other team, is much more satisfactory to play by the rules. Game modes include VIP (One player assumes the role of the VIP, and has to escape poorly armed from the map while the Terrorists have to kill him or her), Defuse the Bomb (The Terrorist have to plant a C4 bomb on a marked site while the CT have to either prevent it, or disarm it once is planted), and Hostages (The Terrorist have to keep the CT from rescuing the Hostages), and more. This has made this game a hit, and one of the points (and precisely the one I will treat) is that choosing a weapon actually requires to know it, unlike, say, Quake III, when you only need to know that the Rockets explode and the slugs kill. This guide is the first on the series for especific map strategy guides. This is based on my own experiences when playing both sides, and shows the best ways of finishing a level with the victory on your hands I've found, always from the view of playing on a cooperative-comunicative teamplay. It's also important to note that I'll be focusing mostly on getting the map objectives, that's rescue the hostages, protect the bomb site, or so. Good Luck! You'll need it ^_^. ************************************************************************* 3.- About this Guide. I recommend reading this on 800 X 600 to avoid scroll moving, which is annoying, believe me. This guide is focused to get the maximum effectivity on the cs_assault Map, commonly named just "Assault". It's somewhat based on team comunication, and it would probably work much better for LAN based games than for internet games ('coz you can yell and hit your partners). ************************************************************************* 4.- The Assault Map. cs_assault, or the Assault Map, is a "rescue the hostages" scenery that plays on a deserted warehouse, and an industrial alley. It's quite a fun map because it lends itself to many strategies, and, while the terrorists (T) are given a lot of advantage here, the counter terrorists (CT) have a very good time trying to enter the warehouse to rescue the hostages. It can be downright frustrating when playing CT, if you don't take a little time to study the map, something I have done, and it's actually my second to best map (I _Rule_ the siege map ^_^). These are my plans for you to follow, but feel free to invent your own strategies, as long as you follow the same security parameters I show you: they are general, and probably are the only way to survive this map. ************************************************************************* 5.- Graphics: This section will show a few ugly ascii graphics to help you and myself to show the strategies. They aren't pretty, but I guess they do they work (I think). NOTE: I'm doing these from memory. I'm fairly sure they are right, but if you spot any mistake, I'm happy to correct it) Also, when I say (X,Y), X is the horizontal axis, and Y is the vertical axis. MAIN BATTLEGROUND ______ |####|______________________ #= Dark place || |________|V<-|L| | |a b= Back door || |<-U | T b |b B= Bridge || B |<-| D W | |c V= Air vent entrance || | __ |_________L |d L= Ladder || | | | X| L |e U= Place under the bridge || | |__| |__| |f d= Doorway || | __ |g D= Garage door ||----| d | |h W= Warehouse | |__| __ ___|i T= Terrorist HQ |____ ____ | | | |j CT= Counter Terrorist HQ | |_| | |__| CT |__L|k APC= Armored Personal Carrier (A |___________|_____________APC|l battle vehicle) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n X= there is a crate over here but | I couldn't draw it :^P |-> This is the point where I might be wrong. Also, there might be a few more boxes scatered around, but they aren't of tactical importance if they do exist (you'll see why). WAREHOUSE, FIRST FLOOR __________ | *********|a *= Plataform to second floor _____| *________|b P= Pilar | _ P P P P |c B= Boxes |_|B| _ |d D= Garage door |B|__P______|B|_ |e L= Ladder D |BB| |f b= Back door D |BB| bg D |BB| |h D________________|i | |B| ____|j |___________LBBBB|k a b c d e f g h i WAREHOUSE, SECOND FLOOR ___________ | ********* | a V= Air vent entrance _________| *_________|__ b d= Sliding door into hostage room | |c L= Ladder | |______V________ |d L1= Ladder inside Air vent d | # | |e h= Hole to the hostage room d W # | |f | V |####### | |g |_h___W # |__|h | | L1 i | | j | | __ k | |__________________| L|l |________________________|m a b c d e f g h i j k l m ************************************************************************* 6.- Map overview. COUNTER TERRORIST: OBJECTIVE: Rescue hostages. TERRORIST: OBJECTIVE: Keep the CT from rescueing the hostages. The CT have a tough time playing this map though they have more fun. Their spawning position (k,k- first map) is wide opened, and they are provided with an APC which holds three buttons which are actually security monitors. Checking them out is an strategic advantage which levels the challenge, but be careful not to get caught looking at them. The whole map is wide open, and it's a field for snipers, making grenades a must. A few sniping points are the building next to the APC (m,k), the bridge (b,c) and the warehouse roof. The floor also offers a good view for keeping funny terrorists trying to assault the CT spawning point, I ussually choose (j,k)(j,j)(i,n), as they are somehow difficult to spot. The terrorist start inside the warehouse, and they have a huge advantage. The warehouse is indeed a complex thing,it sports a half opened garage door which is needed to walk under crouched, and a back door which does a chirring noise when opened, which leds to a dark alley which can serve as a massive frag place, as it's damn easy to kill people there. It has a lot of cover places, though once the CT have breaked the T first line of defense, they are in for a beating. The back alley also leads to a ladder to the roof, an important place. It has the air vent, which is a dangerous place to enter, as it's easy to fall into an ambush inside. The Airvent has two other ends: one in the second floor of the warehouse, and another directly to the hostages room at (b,g). Back to the roof, it's the highest place on the map, and is very open, which serves as a good sniper place, as long as you can keep people on the bridge and on (m,k) at bay. From the roof, you can jump to a nearby crate at (e,f), or to the ledge which goes from (d,a) to (h,a). Under the bridge is a fence which covers the vision, and serves as an interesting sniper or ambushing point, more useful to the terrorist than to the CT. The bridge itself is an incredible strategic point: It's not only an sniping point, it's also damn hard to reach there untouched, and the dark part is perfect for cover. The best way to reach up there is HE grenade at hand to rain upon the unsuspecting foe. ************************************************************************* 7.- Tactical Ideas. COUNTER TERRORISTS Suggested Teams: _________________ | | | FRONTAL ASSAULT | (Reccomended) |_________________| (based on a 6 person team) ATTACK TEAM: M4A1, HE grenades. (2 CT) SNIPER ON THE BRIDGE: AWM, HE Grenades, Flashbang, Gas Grenade, Sigg P28. LEADERS TO THE GARAGE DOOR: Steyr Aug, HE Grenades (2 CT) MOBILE SNIPER: AWM, HE grenades, Flashbang, Desert Eagle. (this is my main strategy, and has prove to be extremely hard to stop. I suggest following this one strongly if you are CT) __________________ | | | MULTIPLE ASSAULT | (If above fails) |__________________| (based on a 6 person team) GARAGE DOOR TEAM: Steyr Aug, HE Grenades (2 CT). MOBILE SNIPER: Scout or AWM, HE Grenades, Flashbang, Sigg p28. BACK DOOR: MP5, HE grenades, Flashbang (2 CT). AIR VENT: (I would suggest the AK-47) M4A1, HE Grenades, gas Grenades, Flashbang, Desert Eagle. (This idea is based on the way of setting the two leaders on the garage door first, then, under this cover fire, break thru the back door with the best guy, followed by a partner. By this point, the firefight would be enough to let the Air vent guy enter and surprise the enemies, and the mobile sniper enter the place without too much trouble. Expect a couple of casualties, though, and to lose if the air vent guy takes too much time- he's the core of the strategy) The CT deployment area only offers a nice sniping spot in (m,k), but it's quite vulnerable to attacks from the warehouse roof. It's best used as a partial recon spot, with an artic wielder (or an scout), and with a guard securing the ladder from the ground, because if the sniper is attacked, he has to climb down the ladder without a doubt, or he would get slaughtered. The guard is best armed with a FN P90, or a auto shotgun. The guard isn't always needed, but if you got the spare personnel, is a good idea (I ussually don't have it, so I move this sniper to the floor as soon as the attack starts. Also, if he's alone, is better to leave him with an scout to get the maximum mobility at the endgame) However, as soon as the roof is secured, or the whole CT strike team has entered the warehouse, get out of there, and set this pack on the floor for maximum security. The Counter Terrorist have three ways of entering the Warehouse, those being a) the Air vent, b) the back door, c) the garage door. The most recomended is the garage door, but is ussually a much better idea to secure all exits and attack from everywhere. The Air vent is a kamikaze entrance. Is best coordinated with a full frontal assault on the garage door, so the Terrorist would be confused trying to cover both entrances. The back door is way too noisy, and you'd best cover the sound with either a grenade (HE or flashbang), or gunfire. Enter the place firing, get the hell out firing. The main garage door is a tough spot. First off, when entering this place, it's always good to first set an sniper in the bridge, armed either with an artic or an automatic sniper rifle. The scout isn't such a hot idea, since any T surprising the team with an AK-47 will most likely kill the whole team before the sniper has time to set sights, if isn't killed soon enough. The entrance from the garage door is the only real alternative for a group attack, since the other two entrances are too risky. Once the sniper is set, prepare the way waiting for the sure grenades that the T will send once they think you are near. Then enter the first two CT crouch, and one for each side, covering each other. Is not a good idea to send a flashbang before entering because you would most likely blind yourself, but a gas grenade, or a couple of HE grenades aimed towards (a,j) and (c,e) in the warehouse, first floor map, work wonders for smart-ass T trying to ambush you. Indeed, that is the only effective way of stoping this kind of attacks. I've found (b,i) and (b,f) to be two extremely strong positions once the (c,j) and the (c,e) spots are cleared, since the boxes cover so much of the warehouse, that these guys can really cover the rest of the team without any single problem, provided they have reasonable aim. Following this strategy, even if you fail to rescue the hostages, or the four guys inside die, the two snipers (on the bridge and the mobile one) should be able to cover each other, the mobile could keep on the ground looking for the enemies going out, and the one on the bridge covering him. They have to suck too badly to allow anyone escape this way, just be careful with the back door, which can surprise you. Keep the mobile with an scout on the ground, if he has the AWM, best keep him on (m,k) next to the APC. Finally, another good place to snipe out Terrorists coming out too fast, is to keep the mobile sniper on (h,e), as long as the one on the bridge keeps an eye on the warehouse roof. THE DAMN SNIPER ON THE BRIDGE IS, theorically, THE CORE OF THIS MAP. The bridge, on the hands of an expert, is the most important strategic position for the CT, IMHO. TERRORISTS Suggested Teams _______________ | | | DEFENSIVE WAY | (Suggested) |_______________| (based on a 6 person team) SECOND FLOOR SNIPERS: AWM, Double berettas, HE Grenades, Flashbang(2 T). AIR VENT GUARDS: AK-47, HE grenades (2 T). MOBILE GUARDS: Either AK-47, MP5, or Krieg 552, HE Grenades, Flashbang, gas grenade(2 T). (This is the most effective way, IMHO, and is the tactic I will explain. The two mobile guard better be damn good, however, or you may screw up) ___________ | | | RAMBO WAY | (If above fails) |___________| (based on a 6 person team) WAREHOUSE ROOF SNIPER: AWM, Sigg p28, HE grenades, Flashband. WOLFPACK: MP5, HE grenades, Flashbang (3 T), AK-47 (2 T). (This tactic is based on the idea of mounting an sniper on the roof, then get out to strike at the CT team before they coordinate an attack to the warehouse. The Sniper has to get up quite quickly, is best to go for the ladder by the alley of the back door, then everyone goes out under the cover of the sniper to kill the CT team. Killer tactic, but it heavily depends on the ability of the sniper) The warehouse has a lot of sniping points: (m,c), (m,m), (a,m) and (m,c) on the second floor. On the first floor, (f,k) and (i,j) can be covered easily. Is important to note that you shouldn't get the whole team sniping, and (i,j) is better sniped with an AK-47, or another heavy auto rifle, not an AWM. (g,e) is a great sniping point, provided you have a good hearing for listening to CT coming from the backdoor. Setting two guards on (c,e) and (a,j) is also an important thing to do, since two CT crouching entering the garage door are a very hard thing to kill unless they are set, or a sniper is on (m,m). But that sniping point is very vulnerable, and you got to keep an ear for HE grenades. Instead, as soon as you hear the steps, send the HE grenade to chip away health, and confuse the enemies. When you see them, unload. It's a good idea to set a gas grenade at the door to allow you to shoot, instead of the CT of your opposite side, aim down to kill the one on your side: is more likely to get the headshot. It doesn't matters if the CT do, or don't manage to enter the warehouse, after the first attack, the two mobile guards have to get on movin'. Is up to the snipers and the two air vents guards to cover the place. The two MG have to run over the place watching over the two doors, regulary taking a peek outside to spot any sniper if you think so. But don't venture too far alone: EVERYBODY IS IN, or EVERYBODY'S OUT. Securing the roof is always good, but you have to be incredible fast to get there before the CT are out of reach (even more if you haven't got the AWM from the past round). There is a point in the roof to buy things, use it to rain HE grenades down the floor. More so, you have to watch out for (m,k) outside, where is likely to find a CT already. As soon as you see that (m,k) is safe, take a breath and a peek at the bridge. If there's an sniper, chances are that he won't notice you before you open a new hole on his head. Once he's dead, you can snipe or send HE grenades to the CT trying to break the garage door. If you have a brave man with great aim (Or if you are that brave man with great aim), arm him with an scout and HE grenades, and move out. Score a few hits ( i recommend going out from the garage door, because they can get you from the back door), then inmediatly go back, and maybe get a new weapon if you have the money. Setting a guard with an AK-47 at (h,d) is very powerful to kill a few idiots who don't check where are they going. After the first couple, unless you plan to sacrifice yourself for the glory of your team, better get your ass inside before someone gets smart, or a bridge sniper gets you a bullet in the middle of your eyebrowns. Guarding the airvents needs a)a rifle to shoot thru the metal, b) an HE grenade in case you need it (And if there's more than one people there), and c) a terrorist (duh). The second airvent exit near to the hostages is also better if you open it up, it tends to screw people up. I can't count how many unsuspecting people have been killed by my AK-47 inside that tunnel. Keep an ear to the sound of the back door. If you suspect a CT entering the back door, send an HE grenade there. Finally, beating the snipers in the bridge, (m,k) or the alley below the the bridge will require a roger clemens wannabe to throw grenades over there. ************************************************************************* 8.- When Action Starts. Both CT and T will learn that this map really requires a lot of strafing and intuition. You are in for a battle against snipers, and you will need to know, or better said, feel your way to evade their shots. CT also will learn how hard can it get. Teamplay is important when playing CT, going alone is not going to work. Stick together team, get in position then wait for my go, and taking fire, need assistence all are keys to survive. T will have to develop a good sense of hearing, since the key for them to win is to hear their surroundings, and predict the CT movements. Once you dominate these points, you can go outside and kill them on their game. ************************************************************************* 9.- Frequently asked questions about this map. Q. Which side actually has the advantage on this map? A. The Terrorists, but lack of organization is a killer for them on this map. Q. Why do you plan with just 6 people on each team? A. Because that's what's ussually avalaible on my LAN place. I've played with as much as 11 persons on each team, and it's amazing, but it's not what you could call "organized". It's a damn madness. Q. Is there anyway to get on top of the third building next to the bridge? A. Rocket jump? Actually, nope. I think is actually off limits, being way too high for the maps limits to manage, you will only end up in the "Hall of Mirrors" effect, known for many of us DoOm Fans, though is present on any FPS game out there, is when you use a cheat to go thru the map and wander out of it. Without any images to display, the engine only shows clones of the last image seen, eventually repeating itself until it's repeated above itself (it's hard to explain). Q. Can bullets go thru the walls of the warehouse? A. Rifle bullets can go, but it's pretty useless. Q. Is there another map like this one? A. Miltia is pretty much the same, but less favoured to the Terrorists. On a much higher level, Siege is a great option for veterans. ************************************************************************* 10.- Credits. - Thanks, somehow, to Jonat4z, Yunqu3, MaNsOn, Marilyn, Phantom Phreak, and all the guys who lurk in Time Net and like to get slaughtered by me (Yeah sure... ^_^). - To my hands, as always. - To CjayC for hosting this guide on his site. - To Gorillaz for giving me a new sound to listen before I get a full-time rock monster. - And to everyone I would like to thank but I can't recall them or they have nothing to do with this faq, but thanks anyway ;^) ************************************************************************* 11.- Legal Stuff. This file is owned by Lord Zero (dskzero@yahoo.com) You MAY distribute, print, read, show to your friends or enemies this guide freely, AS LONG as you credit Lord Zero as the author, keep the copyright on it, and is used for non-profit purposes. You MAY NOT change ANYTHING on this guide, adding or taking anything out of it, including banners, links, or anything else. You MAY NOT distribute this guide on any non-electronic media. All I ask from you if you wish to publish this guide on your site, is to keep it updated, and to notificate me of your URL. All Rights Reserved. Anything not mentioned on this text can be discussed via email to the address below. Copyright 2001-2002 By Lord Zero (dskzero@yahoo.com). The last version can always be found in gamefaqs.com. __ / \ \||/ ______ ______ |||| <_____ \ <_____ \ |||| ____ __________________________\ \______\ \__||||______ / \ \ / Lord Zero (dskzero@yahoo.com) / |||| / / /| \ /\ < --------------------------------< ||||/ / / | < @ \__________________________ ______ \_||||_/_/__| / \/ _____/ / _____/ / |||| \_/__/ <______/ <______/ |||| |||| /||\ \__/