Invasion: First Tracks

Invasion: First Tracks
The first map in the Great Outdoors Map Pack

By Flying Shoe ILR

EDIT: Video Link- YouTube - ‪Invasion: First Tracks by Flying Shoe ILR - Gameplay‬&rlm;

After 4 months of rigorous building, testing, and revising, Invasion: First Tracks is finally ready for action! This is my first Invasion map, inspired by a ski resort and designed to have great vertical gameplay. First Tracks has undergone between 30 and 50 tests since late January, making it work for enjoyable, medium-sized, action packed invasion games, and designed for that gametype only.

First Tracks began as an idea that I wanted to make a ski resort after seeing a friend's map based on a ski lodge. After realizing I couldn't capture the feel of one on a 4 v. 4 map, I expanded it into my first larger design for around 10 or 12 players. While the map still plays well with 8 players and is possible with 14, 10-12 is optimal. First Tracks is also an expanding invasion map, so old areas are not left behind after each phase, but instead integrated into the next.

I will describe the map in three stages to show how each phase works, but first here are a few overview shots to make things simple.

This overhead shot shows all 3 slopes of the map, the first leading from attacker base at the bottom left to the P1 objective area (bottom right), left to the P2 objective (mid left), and to the defense base (top right.)

Here is a view from the left side of the map.

Phase 1

Phase 1, attackers will spawn at the bottom left base and attempt to take 2 territories at the top of the slope, with the intent of turning on the power for the parks lift and to shut down security for the upper slopes. There are 3 main paths for the attacking spartans- to the left a rocky path leading to bravo, to the right along the beach 2 gravity lifts leading to alpha, or straight up the slope in between the two. Defense spawns in the nearby buildings or on the rocky area connecting to the top base. ALL AREAS ABOVE THIS ARE OFF LIMITS FOR PHASE 1, YOU WILL DIE IF YOU CONTINUE UP.

Loadout Camera showing both territories

Attacker Spawn

Defense Spawn

All three paths up

A very hectic battle for Alpha

A quieter fight for Bravo

Tips: -Use/Watch all three paths. This is a good strategy for distracting the defenders.
-Attack both territories, defense is able to entrench themselves well, so keep them on the move.

Phase 2

After the first capture, a bomb spawns in the circular fountain nearby. This area is now attacker controlled, but spawns are also available at bottom base and near the large circular building. A sniper spawns at the lower base and a grenade launcher by the bomb. A teleport (ski lift) is now open between the lower base and the circular building as well. As security is down, the entire map is now open, and defense spawns at the base at the top of the mountain's third and final slope. A Concussion rifle and Focus rifle are nearby. The bomb must be planted at the small control station near the circular building, up the next slope. Spartans must move the bomb up while using new weaponry and positions to flank the outpour of elites shooting down on the Spartans.

Overview of phase 2 areas

Lower base with new teleport

Newly accuired spartan territory and bomb spawn

Fight for bomb plant

Spartans coming up new teleport from lower base

Tips: -Attackers should use circle building as a secondary base to hold off elites coming down to control the plant spot, and also to pick off elites shooting down at the bomb carrier.
-Defense should use their height advantage to slow down the bomb and not let spartans take over the circular building.

Phase 3

In the final phase, spartans have fully taken over the circular building and bomb plant. Fried controls have revealed the prized snowboard (core) in the defense base and also have turned on the parks snow machines, which provide a quick way to the core and from the lower base. Players control some of the same ground, but elites have spawns on the beach to help them intercept the core after it has been taken. Attackers should be ready to split forces again, this time having the bulk of the group assault the top base from the final slope while small squads attack from the P1 objective area through the man cannon or by jetpack. Defenders should guard the core there until it goes off the cliff, then counter with one group firing down on the core and another spawning on the beach and returning it. Shotguns, swords, grenade launchers and concussion rifles are now in the loadouts, so be wary... or just plunge in headfirst. Your survival isn't exactly the point of the game. Stealing a shiny core that looks like a snowboard is.

The defense base for phases 2 and 3

The side routes for attacker's during phase 3

Is that my snowboard they are stealing?

The core gets back down the slope pretty fast after it is stolen...

But the final battle at the lower base is a doozy. Don't put the core in the man cannon!

Tips: -Distract those silly elites so they don't notice the core is gone
-Elites, listen very well for the CORE STOLEN sound, it is hard to hear. Set someone aside before hand to alert the team.
-Don't count your chickens before they hatch. The core is most often stopped right before it reaches the capture zone. Drag out that time to stop it, and never give up!

Special Thanks

Bones 153- consistent help with testing, feedback, and ideas
Soul Slasher X- Inspiration came from his map Lodging on FH
Mazz, Bluerunner, Hyokin, and other Custom's Clan friends- testing/comments
Daboiboibert, Wienermelon- gave a significant review of the map
All of the good people on FH, HBO, and otherwise who helped with testing and revisions
Park City Mountain Resort- Inspiration

Thank you for reading this long, tiring post. This map took a lot of work, but don't be afraid to vent all of your comments, frustrations, and condemnations into the comments box below. If I missed your name for the thank you box, it's not that I forgot you, I just didn't feel like it, so you are included in a general thank you. No seriously, thanks to everyone who made this map possible, I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I have had making it, and expect more in the near future- this is a map pack if you recall.

Once again, thank you all, please enjoy (and freely criticize) Invasion: First Tracks. See you on the slopes!

-Flying Shoe ILR