Part 2 of where we are going wrong in vehicle map land. I wrote this quickly...I probably missed something obvious.

Complaints about armor and air...its something I see all the time these days. Yet ya know what...I usually see it from a squad thats trying to hold a flag far into enemy territory or completely unconnected to other friendly flags. Its silly.

Everyone needs to get in their heads a few basic things with regards to vehicle maps:

1. Air is annoying if you let it be. Too many times I have seen complaints about choppers yet I'll see the mobile AA sitting at the main and no one ever bothers to pick up a stinger/SA7. Do the pickup kits work very well?...not really...do they annoy the air and scare them off?...yes.

2. Flags get harder to hold the farther you are from your UCB. Your UCB acts as your reinforcement area...it gives you armor and AA to bring up. Outside of Carpathian Mountains there is not a vehicle map that does not follow this logic.

3. Flags closest to your UCB need to be held to allow armor/AA to move up. Highly experienced squads like to go for backflags...why? Well outside the challenge factor of holding it, its also a case where you can tie up their armor flow and keep them from moving out to other parts of the map. A map like Dnister is a good example. If you can lock half the enemy armor out from getting past the Statue or Radar Station then the rest of the map becomes that much easier for the rest of your team.

4. Your protection from enemy choppers comes from your own airforce. Duh?...yes. But do we understand that its much easier to get friendly chopper support away from the enemies UCB. A map that exemplifies this is Highway to Hell. Friendly choppers are not likely to support you around backflags...not because they don't want to but because its very hard to get there. Even if you do there will be enemy choppers and AA to keep you busy. When you go for a backflag on this map you better be prepared to get hammered. You will get minimal armor or air support. Thats the beauty of this map but half the server doesn't seem to get that...you have to play it frontlines mode style or you'll have a rough time.

5. Do not bring infantry to a tank fight. These are not infantry maps. You must change your tactics and utilize the assets you have at your disposal. Squads should have lots of variety in their kit layouts and armor should be in play and protected. AT's are obvious...less obvious are an ENG to keep armor up...a sniper for lookout and surpression of infantry...support for ammo! and a medic to keep everyone going. When all those kits are working together with armor is when you'll find some of your favorite moments playing this game. On the other hand...when your bring 3 assaults, 1 AT and 2 medics to a tank fight you'll get slaughterd. Plan your kit assignments ahead of time based on where your going and change your tactics to take advantage of the combined arms nature of the map.

Moral of Story:

- Hold Backflags. This is a job that needs to be done. You will see action and your team will suffer if no one takes up this task.

- Retake flags lost around your UCB. You have the superior tools to punish these daredevils...bring up 4 tanks and make them think twice about trying to go for that flag again.

- Think about your squads tolerance level toward air and armor and let that dictate what flag you wish to defend/attack. If your not fond of air then take up the job of holding a backflag. If you like manning armor then take up the job of supporting a middle flag.

- Get over the fact that your infantry kit is no longer the big fish in the sea on vehicle maps. You will die more often...sometimes in random bombings. Armor and air are the assets to fear and covet on these maps. Start playing with this in mind and enjoy the sheer carnage and epic nature of the round. Everyone is part of the food chain...everyone dies.