Today we have a preview for CAL's 12v12 Battlefield 2 Week 2. This week's map is the Zatar Wetlands and should provide for some very interesting gameplay. Trevor "chlorox" Hodge has put together this overview and basic strategy list for you to read over.

CAL 12v12 Season 1 Week 2 - Zatar Wetlands 32



Weapons
East MEC Main: 2x Vodnik, BTR-90, T-90, Tunguska M1, Stationary AA, TOW Missile, MiG-29

Weapons
West US Main: 2x Vessex-Saaker, LAV-25, M1A2, Linebacker, Stationary AA, TOW Missile, F-35B

Overview: Well believe it or not I had this article just about done yesterday when my editing software decided it was going on strike. My struggle for your BF2 entertainment was not quite over, last night at approximately a quarter (15 minutes) to 1 in the morning I was struck down once again by the hand of God himself. As the fifty year storm made a miraculous turn from a heading of west back to east I lost my power again, and thus I lost my article... again. I think even God doesn't want me to tell you how to play this map. So therefore, at the request of the Almighty Himself I will not give away those classic BF series trade secrets like camp their plane, use squads, or maintain a good KDR. I know, I know, all of those tips are priceless, but let's face it, if you don't know those tips by now it might be time for you to Pay Pal me some cash for lessons. Ok back to Zatar, this map has flags and you can cap them, but not all of them.

Live Action: At first glance the crux of this map seems to be flag 3 where the attack helicopter spawns for either team who caps it. However, just because your team doesn't get this flag on the initial rush doesn't mean the round is over for you. If you utilize the mobile AA, stationary AA, 4 APC's, and a tank your team should be able to corral that attack chopper and take it down rather easily. Controlling 3 flags means your team is in the bleed so it is important to remember that even though you're even on the kill battle, your team will still be losing overall until you pull off the immaculate cap. Throwing all your forces at flag 3 to cap it in order to start the bleed is about the smartest idea since the pet rock. Utilize your transport helicopter, jeeps, or spec ops players to get into position for a back flag cap (flags 1, 2 as MEC or flags 4, 5 as US). As all BF2 pilots have figured out by now, the MiG-29 on this map is far more effective than the F-35B. Therefore I give the advantage to the MEC side on this map even though the map layout and vehicle balance is even. Commanders will need to pay attention to every little red dot they see and ensure that their guys on the ground are aware of where the enemy is attacking. With all the vehicles on the map anyone that is left on the ground will need to be AT or spec ops to help suppress an attack. However if you find yourself on foot on this map and you weren't told to be there, you're probably out of position and not helping your teammates too much.

Flags 1 and 5 both provide 2 additional APCs while flags 2 and 4 provide yet another APC for a total of 4 APCs on each side. A team that attacks heavy on flag 3 to ensure they secure it for the attack helicopter cannot neglect their back flags otherwise they will end up in the bleed if the other is smart enough to make a quick flanking maneuver. This is certainly the most vehicle heavy map we have featured so far so you infantry types need to get off the GP-30 and start working that Eryx. The saving grace that makes this map somewhat sane is that teams don't need to commit forces to their main base since it is uncappable. This allows for a bit more head to head action towards the middle of the map.

Conclusion: CAL season 1 week 2 will be a week where we see which teams have the coordination to shutout their opponents. This map seems to be more about response time than actual head to head combat skill. Therefore put your money on the veterans this week, and if veteran teams are matched up on this map expect some really close scores. Zatar is a great map, and if I had worked at EA/DICE(whatever it's called now who knows!). I would have nominated this for the demo map. Maybe that's why I don't work there. At any rate, at first I assumed this map would be another boring plane spam fest like Operation Clean Sweep was in preseason week 1, however after playing this map a few times it is extremely well balanced for as many vehicles as EA has thrown in there. They even threw in radio towers that AA will lock onto and makes it difficult for AA guys to get good shots off while at the same time providing cover for low hovering helicopters. Zatar matches should be an interesting listen on BFRadio and TsN this week. Support the BF2 scene by listening! Good luck to all the teams. BF2-4-CPL.