The Watchtower

The Watchtower Version 2.0 - Armories Removed
by Backwards Logic

Supported Gametypes

This map was designed with 1 bomb and 1 Flag CTF specifically in mind. However, it will work with other Team Games, such as slayer, King of the Hill, and Oddball as well as the other CTF and Assault variants. 4 v 4 and 5 vs 5 is best, but it can support larger parties.

Map Layout

As the title implies, the map is dominated by a large central watchtower where the flag spawn and bomb depository is located inside an open room. The lone entrance to this room is blocked by a large dumpster, but this can be moved out of the way by a constantly respawning grav lift. Just be careful when walking underneath the lift that you don't get sucked to the top. If this happens, just destroy the lift, and the dumpster will still be far enough away that you'll be able to jump out.

To the left of the main watchtower lies another two-story structure that is crucial to control. Atop this tower is a sniper rifle which gives a clean line of sight to the top of the main tower as well as other parts of the map. Due to its proximity to both attacker and defender spawns, this typically becomes an urban fight to the death for tower supremacy. Also added in here is a lone rocket launcher with extra clips, so acquiring this tool of destruction should be a high priority.

To the right of the main watchtower lies a smaller sniper tower as well as what I call the exploding room. the sniper tower is just that - a narrower sniper tower that's taller. A teleporter at its base gives easy access to the top room. From here, the sniper has great sight lines to almost the entire map, but there is no cover up here as well. The exploding room is a rather interesting area. Giant barriers act as door which can't be moved by almost any sort of weapon fire. So, how do you get inside? The only way to open this room up is to set off a chain reaction by shooting the fusion coils atop the structure. When this starts, stand back, as the doors open with a ton of speed. Inside this room rests a lone gravity hammer along with a speed boost power-up, perfect for taking down anyone camping atop the watchtower.

The defenders have access to a handful of shotguns and battle rifles along with a few grenades and the aforementioned sniper rifles. Atop the main tower sits a flamethrower as well. Their tough, defensible location makes it a challenge for the attackers to storm the towers.

So how do the attackers actually accomplish their mission? They start with access to the power weapons before the defenders do, as well as proximity to battle rifles, smg's, carbines, and a beam rifle. They also have an invisibility power-up for an element of stealth. This respawns quickly for them, so should their first attack run not work out, it will be back shortly later. Once geared up for war there are a number of ways into the complex, so the attackers can mix it up as they like. They can all go in together, or they can split up for flanking maneuvers. Either way, teamwork is crucial to oust the defenders.

Screenshots:

The view from the attackers main spawn area. The larger sniper tower is in the foreground.

By BackwardsLogic

Here's the view from the right side. The exploding room is in the foreground with the taller sniper tower looming in the background.

By BackwardsLogic

Opening the exploding room. See if you can find the invisible guy!

By BackwardsLogic

Here's a close-up of the watchtower. Note the grav lift to the left of the room. This respawns every 10 seconds.

By BackwardsLogic

Opening the room up to get inside. Try not to walk underneath the grav lift!

By BackwardsLogic

Here's a good reason not to camp inside. He was crouching in the room.

By BackwardsLogic

Well, I hope my presentation was good enough to earn your download. I thank you for taking the time to look at my map, and please leave feedback - good or bad! I'm constantly looking for ideas to improve the map, and your input would be appreciated. And for the map's Easter Egg: There's a Fuel Rod Cannon hidden somewhere accessible in the map. See if you can find it without going into forge mode for a challenge!

Download The Watchtower

 

Screenshots have been fixed. Thanks for posting and let me know what you think!

 

In initial game testing, the armory did make for a terrible spawn camping site. This was removed by the addition of multiple spawining areas for the attackers along with a second armory (covenant themed - sorry no pics yet). The defenders could camp all they wanted, but it still left the base open to attack.

 

Thanks for the input everyone! It seems the most obvious thing to do to improve the map is take apart the armory and spread the weapons around. I'm thinking of a putting a rocket launcher or Laser in the large sniper tower on the main level - perhaps there will be a rush for it in the early game? Maybe another weapon atop the exploding room? I'll start working on it as soon as I have time, but in the meantime I'd like some feedback on gameplay overall, especially in 1 flag and 1 bomb variants.

 

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I have finally gotten around to it and have removed anything resembling an armory from the map. The attackers still start in that room, but it has been stripped of all power weapons, save for one shotgun. The entire back hallway now has a number of weapons, mostly battle rifles and carbines, but smg's and plasma rifle combos can be found on the ground too. The opposite side armory (the one near the exploding room) now has a few battle rifles and has a beam rifle to help out the attackers a bit. As for the other power weapons, I have moved them out of the former armory, but they are still closer to the attackers for balance issues. Respawn points remain spread out for both teams, so camping in one room where all of the weapons spawn is no longer a viable strategy. Overall, pretty much every weapon has been moved to a new location, and I think this is for the better. Please download and let me know what you think of the map now!