With the first week of CAL's 8v8 Battlefield 2 Division just finishing up, we have a preview for next week's action. The map will be Kubra Dam and Trevor "chlorox" Hodge has a nice write-up with some detailed information about the bases and flags.

CAL 8v8 Open Season 1 Week 2 - Kubra Dam 16



Overview: Its week 2 of CAL 8v8 and the league is wide open. I wouldn't make a sure bet on anyone yet to win the championship. This map is rather simple, as all the 8v8 maps are. You're probably asking yourself why I provided the slightly annoying-ly large graphics of each flag. Well in order for non-BF series players to get a gander at what they're facing, and to expose what we see in game to those who have yet to experience the orgasm that is a BF2 match. So I've switched the format slightly since there are only 4 flags to cover on most 8v8 maps I can explain each flag individually. Overall this map is about as wide open as my ex-girlfriend's legs are when I was out of town. This means expect attacks on any flag at any time. Since either team has the possibility for losing their main base they must commit good infantry players to the defense of those main bases because those bases contain the tank and AA battery that alone can control the vehicle warfare on this map. Teams with a good ninja infantry squad leader will be the most successful at this map. Due to its relatively small area this map creates for constant battles at every point around the map. This teams that are holding 3 flags cannot neglect any of their flags at any time, because if they do it will surely translate into a +1 in the L column on the CAL website.

Main Base Intel



Main Base: Obviously the first thing any defender sees is the perfectly placed building to the right of the flag. It will provide cover from artillery strikes, Black Hawk camping sessions, or rushes from enemy vehicles. The flag is vehicle capable and that means C4 or mines could be useful to suppress those kinds of attacks. It is important to remember that if the enemy cap's the bottom flag they get a transport helicopter that can make a direct run onto your main base. So the MEC main is extremely susceptible to tanks, helicopter spawns, and infantry squad groups therefore I have given the advantage on this map to the US.

Defensive Weapons: Stationary AA, TOW Missile
Offensive Weapons: T-90 Tank, 2x Vodnik

Main Base Intel



Main Base: Another hollowed out building in BF2, what are the chances? These buildings are little buggers, while they should be easy to defend given their height advantage over any advancing forces, they are extremely vulnerable to helicopter based attacks as well as a smart squad leader that stays alive on the lower floors. This base is the focal point of the US on this map. It contains their only armor vehicle, a M1A2 tank. It also has a very useful stationary AA mount on the roof that can help suppress the advance on the enemy spawn helicopter. The TOW missile on the ground just outside the main base will provide for some protection against a tank rush, unless that tanker is a good shot and can take it out. Your best bet is to stay inside and stay alive at all costs.

Defensive Weapons: Stationary AA, TOW Missile
Offensive Weapons: M1A2 Tank, 2x HMMWV

Neutral Flag Intel:



Upper Flag: Basically is a dry spawn, it's in the open air, susceptible to any sort of BF2 attack that a team can mount. It provides no vehicles, not even a friggin jeep! Although if you control this flag you control access to your back base which will help secure your team's side of the map.



Bottom Flag: This flag is not strategically valuable due to its poor location, though it does provide for an APC, jeep, and transport helicopter for either team that conquers it. Therefore, a team that controls this flag has the advantage in vehicle warfare and can use the access ramp on either side to get to their opponents main base.

Conclusion: There is so much that can be done with AT and engineer on this map that it would be impossible to explain all the possibilities in one sitting. Maps like these will allow teams to tailor their strat to what their strong points are. This means that even though they are shallow in their line-up on engineer/AT guys, they can supplement them with good spec ops and transport helicopter attacks. Make this map work for your team by knowing your players and allowing them to play their strongest kits and be completely dynamic on your defense. Don't give up your main base or your team will be trapped in the middle of a 2 tank spam fest that will surely leave your team with another loss. So stay accountable for your actions, and commanders don't let your babies grow up to be tankers. BF2-4-CPL.