Endocrine

Recommended Players: 4-10
Recommended Gametypes: Slayer, Symmetrical Gametypes

Stress, the human body’s fight or flight response, is governed by a series of glands known as the Endocrine system. When the time comes pupils dilate, a heart accelerates, muscles tense, all whilst your mind chooses weather to run or fight. A narrow walkway stretches below a Spartan’s feet, bordered on either side by a consistent wall and a four-story drop. Hostile dots appear close behind and a Red brandishing a battle rifle sweeps around distant cover to your open side. Now it’s your choice: fight or flight?

Weapon List

Battle Rifle x4
Assault Rifle x2
Carbine x2
SMG x2
Spiker x2
Brute Shot x2
Plasma Pistol x2
Needler x2
Rocket Launcher x1

Equipment:

Plasma Grenade x4
Spike Grenade x4
Frag Grenade x8
Bubble Shield x2

Map Description

Endocrine is a symmetrical map placed in the crypt which takes its main design cues from the map “Melatonin” in Marathon Drundal. The map features an octagonal perimeter. Along the top one can find a circling walkway leading around the map. One level below, two perpendicular walls intersect at a square, dividing the lower map into four quadrants. Among these symmetrical areas (four levels lower than the walkway), a player can find, along with a host of weaponry and cover, teleporters to bring you to the top of each quadrant.

The map’s design is delightfully simple, adding cover and diversity through relatively straightforward elements of the map. A player can, for example, drop from the main walkway onto the ground level to avoid confrontation with rifles or overwhelming force but in doing so he risks losing his high ground and freedom of travel. The map is easy to learn and features a layout suited well for both big teams and small parties.

Overview 1

Overview 2

Red Basement

Glance at the Rocket

Reds Hold Center

Downstairs Skirmish

Counterattack

Entanglement

Endocrine is the first map of three in the Entanglement Map Pack, released by N1NJA MERC. In brief, the goal of this map pack is to encourage innovative, yet conventional gameplay through unconventional design.

Side Notes

Thanks to all the unofficial testers who made this map a joy to create: I had as much fun as you did. Thanks to all the women that made my life miserable enough to need this respite: I had as much fun as you did.

Download: Here