Dragon's Lair
Created by Ursus the Grim f.k.a. Stahldrache

An ancient map I've dredged up for you guys to tear apart before I resurrect it in Forge.

Map Used: Foundry

Supported Gametypes:

Story:

During the invasion of Earth, a lone Sangheili Ultra found himself the lone survivor of a costly battle between Sangheili and Humans and Jiralnahae alike. Driven mad by the event, he hoarded all the weapons and created a small fortress in an abandoned facility, denying access time and time again to many ground forces. One German soldier gave him the nickname "Stahldrache", meaning Steel Dragon, on account of his preference for pyrotechnics, explosives, and his habit of hoarding. Eventually, he was ignored as more attention was needed to combat the Flood.

Description:

((Thread is currently being adjusted.))

This is a very old map. I think I actually finished it back in November of 2005. I know its a far cry from perfect, so I never posted it to the Hub. But I've been considering recreating it on Sandbox, as this has been considered my signature map. It has not been noticeably altered since its initial creation.

My thought process was that I'd create a mini-fort that would become the focus of the action on the map. He who held the peak would have an advantage against those below, but it would be counteracted by the combined aggression of his enemies seeking to knock him off his lofty perch. You'll notice an excess of Power Weapons. I intended it that way. This is a map of choices. Do I risk investigating the cave at the foot of the mountain? Do I go for the Chopper? Do I use my grav lift to access the Spartan Laser or as a shortcut to the peak? Do I hang back and snipe from the relative safety of my base or do I snag a mongoose and try to make it to the mountain?

This map has only been playtested with small parties of four to six. Free-for-all is recommended. Team Slayer may be a massacre depending on team size and skill.

You will notice many of the Forging 101 checklists empty. I am aware of this, but this was done before I was aware of any of those techniques, and to update it now would defeat the purpose.

Forging 101:

[ YES ] __Floating Objects
[ ___ ] : Instant Respawn
[ ___ ] : Immovable Objects
[ ___ ] : Timed Map Events
[ YES ] __Effective Spawn Placement
[ ___ ] __Gravity Lift Techniques
[ ___ ] : Objects Placed in Water
[ YES ] __Used Symmetry Option
[ ___ ] : Interlocking Objects
[ ___ ] : Objects Merged with Map Geometry
[ ___ ] : Unlimited Budget Glitch

This is the main feature of the map, the Dragon's Lair. At its most basic, it consists of a small chamber containing flame-based weaponry accessible from the front and from the top, a spiral walkway that climbs the mountain and has weapons scattered along the way, and the peak that is home to most of the power weapons and the tactical advantage the height brings.

This is another angle of the mountain. Centered is the last stretch of the treacherous catwalk up the mountain. Note the weapons reachable by crouching under the metal fence. A mauler and grenades may be of use when attacking the peakholder in close quarters, while the Sentinel Beam and Firebomb Grenades can be used to ward off attackers further down. Visible on the peak are a Power Drain and a Rocket Launcher, paired on either side of the dropdown into the Cave beneath.

One at the peak may choose to drop onto a platform and crouch under the overlaying top of the peak to access another weapons cache. Here lies a sniper rife next to a gap in the wall as well as a pair of Spikers should you run out of resources. The two bridges that make up the very top of the Peak have been removed.

This is a bit more of the path up revealed. The start is reached by a staircase on the front of the mountain, that quickly leads a traveler through a pair of double boxes before going up a level and doubling back on itself (and coming back into view of the picture via the top of the double box) before continuing to the peak. Part of the structure has been removed to reveal this.

The previously hidden path on the other side is now revealed, illustrating the doubleback point. The dumpster conceals a small doorway to an Energy Sword, at which point the finder may choose to jump down into the Cave and try to claim it for himself or advance further up the mountain, new weapon in hand. Another Firebomb grenade lies on the corner.

You are in the Cave. A generally safe area once you reach it, this is where much of the Early-Game fighting is centered as people generally fight for control of the Flamethrower. These fights usually consist of suicide rushes down a narrow corridor met by gouts of flame until someone tries something different. The flamethrower rarely leaves its Cave because of its weight and the difficulty of fighting a vertical battle with it. There are a pair of Firebomb Grenades here as well for good measure.

Another vantage point in the Cave, one of two dropdowns into the area. The earlier is generally used by those who have picked up the Energy Sword, making standing under the grate a good defensive move to deter attacks from above while making one more exposed to the main entrance. The second is the drop-off at the peak, from whence rockets and grenades generally rain death upon unaware Flamethrower campers.

There is a Chopper in this map. As you approach the Mountain from Base 01, you may find said Chopper between you and the safer entrances to the Mountain. Should this happen, you will want to be close to this Sanctuary. located near the wall at the back of the mountain, it is protected on either side from any fashion of vehicular attack. Also located inside is a Plasma Pistol and one pair of Plasma and one pair of Spike Grenades to aid a refuge who has become pinned down. There is enough room behind the mountain for the Chopper to continue moving without getting stuck in a corner.

Pictured from left to right: The exposed Chopper platform, Base 02, the Laser tower, a tiny bit of Base 01, and part of the Mountain itself.

This shot features the Laser Tower. It may only be reached by using the Grav Lift from Base 02 to enter from the top. A set of doors allows for difficult but possible shots from within without exposing the Laser-wielder too much. A shield door at the entrance makes grenade-lobbing difficult but possible, and a quick-spawning Grav Lift at the bottom allows for exit.

This is the hallway in the back of Base 02. Base 02 houses mostly human weapons, and here there are two Battle Rifles, two Assault Rifles, and a Bubble Shield. The halls are not connected.

The armory and garage of Base 02. A lone mongoose can provide quick movement towards objectives, entering the battlefield down a ramp that crosses over the main stairs for the base. The Armory contains the following: 2 Magnums, 2 Spike Grenades, 2 Shotguns, and 2 SMG's.

This is the metal loading platform outside Base 02. Only new thing to see here is the Grav Lift that can be used to access the Spartan Laser or give an edge climbing the peak. The bridge to the right is the ramp the Mongoose uses to smoothly leave the armory and leaves enough room to climb the stairs beneath it. That Chopper is quite exposed, making a rush for it may prove more hazardous than heading for the Mountain, though it can help lock down the mountain for your team.

Base 01's corridor. Identical to Base 02's but replaces the Battle Rifles with Carbines.

Base 01's garage and armory. Differences are more pronounced here. There are two Needlers, two Plasma Rifles, two Plasma Grenades and two Plasma Pistols.

Finally, a view from the front of Base 01, helping put its location into perspective. The mountain is closer, and the Beam Rifle should be used to suppress anyone occupying the peak.

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