Hello, I am writing this today because I'm interested in the opinions/reasoning on both sides in regards to the front stairs of de_penstock's redroom. It isn't my goal to change anything other than our community's outlook on defensive play. This is merely an example of many such positions that exist just like it.

In my eyes, the red room is clearly linked to bombsite B. While there is a CT in red room, B is mostly covered. To that end, the "standard" defensive position for red room has typically been:

1) In red room, on the left waiting to be flashed and naded.
2) Behind the red room, exposed to scouts.
3) In the gully next to red room, which tends to leave your team's flank exposed. Also, you're exposed from white room.

Seeing this, I thought: If one were to move up slightly closer and look around the corner, one could at least get warning and essentially skirmish the red room area. The other spots it's a simple matter of reflexes; who has the best shot (something that I lost in my early twenties). But now, in realistic terms, the objective is being pursued more smartly. Two "steps" to the left, and you're looking at B. Two steps to the right, and you're looking at the intersection leading to middle, probably at the side of a hapless scouter's head. The scouter that is actively trying to kill your team and further HIS objective, mind you.

Now to me, tactical defense means countering the offense - if a scouter is pushing middle, and we know it, it would be foolish NOT to take such a prime opportunity. Furthermore, as I previously stated, you're only about 3 steps away from the "okay" position. Therefore, the case can't really be made that it is not a defensive position. Also, the case that people aren't "used to it" or "ready for it" feels weak and frankly counter-productive in tactical play.

That being said, the case HAS been made (to me quite well) that although, in a perfect world, my point has merit, so does the point that we are an OPEN community there for anyone who genuinely wants to play according to our rules. Understandably, such people will look to those who sound or act like they know what they're doing. If these "role models" are engaging in the type of defensive play described above, they may get the wrong idea and generally degrade the enjoyment of every player on the server. This is obviously not what I am looking to do.

Rather, I simply submit that each individual moment of gameplay on PCS at TG should be SUBJECTIVELY and personally analyzed by each player, and therefore the results should naturally be different. The one common feature of these spots would of course be that the person playing them is furthering their objective. Ask yourself, "if my team goes down on the other bombsite right now, will I have time to react? if *I* go down right now, will my team have time to react? If the bomb suddenly becomes planted, will I have time to react?". If any of these answers are NO, you need to rethink your strategy. If none of them are no.. well then you've got yourself a strong case. Having any kind of "no fly zone" or "boundary" - whatever you want to call it - dumbs down the game and the players. Instead of getting upset that you were shot in a position you weren't expecting, analyze its strengths and weaknesses and TAKE ADVANTAGE! I mean, that's what I was doing when I moved up in red room to start this debate to begin with! Someone pushed up in redroom means you may be able to take white room or the catwalk more easily.

Here's an image of the room with a couple really crappy paint edits to illustrate what I mean.



As you can see, position 1 (green) is reduced to 1 angle with no warning of incoming attacks. Position 2, being practically touching position 1, is clearly more advantageous without losing a single bit of defensive merit. In fact, it's more sheltered and at a more ideal range to take advantage of the weapons that typically are used on this map.

Again, I just want to get some gears cranking in the communal mind of PCS, not rock the boat per se. It's been a while since I took part in TG forums, and I miss it. Let me/us know what you think!