Author Topic: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil  (Read 8258 times)

zybork

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A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« on: November 04, 2009, 01:53:26 pm »
As you may know, I am no killwhore, I am no l33t, I am more the tactical type. One tactic that in my humble opinion is WAY too rarely seen is a classic that goes back to nobody less than Alexander the Great:

Hammer and anvil

The idea is quite simple: You have two bulks of worriors facing each other, each of comparable strength, and none really in advantage. Then comes another force - needn't be especially strong, a relatively small force usually is enough - from the back.

This brings the enemy's fighting order into disarray, and even if their forces are stronger, this may be “it”, and you have a pretty good chance to elimate your opponent.

Alexander the Great did this with armies, but in Tremulous you can do that aswell. Examples are the edge of the platform of the default bases in ATCS and the bridge of human default in Karith station. In ATCS, you can get a raging tyrant between “hammer and anvil” if some defenders face him while it rushes up the ramp, while others jump down and get behind it. And even if those who get behind the tyrant may get killed by the big plushy friends of the tyrant, this will keep him from escaping and give the human team an extra kill. A similar trick works with the bridge above human default in Karith station or - the tunnel in ATCS. Ever seen aliens sneaking through human base and trying to get into the tunnel and behind an attacking human team? Exactly. Easy kills for the alien team.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2009, 09:03:21 pm by zybork »
I have retired from Tremulous. Definetely. If you play a game just because it has become a habit, but u'r only feeling like a kindergarten teacher - well, maybe I am just getting too old (hell, I was a teenager when DukeNukem3D was *new*) - it's probably not a bad idea to just let it be. And I do.

Don't take this personally. Have fun, guys.

AppleJuice

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2009, 08:30:02 pm »
One tactic that in my humble opinion is WAY to[sic] rarely seen

Actually, this is probably the most popular tactic used in scrims/some pub games (usually called a flank)
Currently: {&}AppleJuice

amz181

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2009, 10:52:03 pm »
One tactic that in my humble opinion is WAY to[sic] rarely seen

Actually, this is probably the most popular tactic used in scrims/some pub games (usually called a flank)

Apple you nub, zybork is clearly the first person to think of this inspired tactic, hammer and anvil FTW!

Bissig

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2009, 11:34:11 pm »
@Zy

You mean: running up behind the Tyrant rushing into ATCS default base - with a painsaw? ;-P

Grape

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2009, 03:59:50 am »
@Zy

You mean: running up behind the Tyrant rushing into ATCS default base - with a painsaw? ;-P
sorry i accidently clicked decon on u but i was just trying to click the page to scroll down

tskuzzy

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2009, 08:04:31 am »
Actually, this is probably the most popular tactic used in scrims/some pub games (usually called a flank)
The most popular tactic used in pub games is called feeding. It bloats up the humans which is why their view starts bobbing up and down after a while of dretch-munching. nom nom nom...

But in all seriousness, this tactic can only really be used for aliens because they have the mobility to do so. Flanking doesn't work so well for humans because it essentially splits your numbers which allows the bigger pack of aliens to concentrate at one group at a time. And the aliens are usually fast enough to make quick work of the first group before the second group can catch up and cause any significant amount of damage. Certain maps/bases may allow for this, but generally speaking it doesn't work so well for humans :P
[GI]tskuzzy at your service :)

Silver

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2009, 09:53:08 am »
Actually, you don't have to think largescale flanking.  It seems everybody confuses flank with going around atcs through human base back into hallway to get humans from behind.  A simple split around a goon or start running into hall then jumping back down is a way of flanking for humans and they can be very effective.  Any form of attempting to get behind your opponent unnoticed or at least out of their range long enough to get a free hit or two in is considered a flank and really humans rely on it just as much if not more than aliens do.  Aliens obviously need flanking for basic fighting because of short range, but humans need it the most in short range since it is not their ideal fighting conditions.
I SUKC AT TRMELUS

IABZ IS JESUS

Flux

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2009, 03:33:23 pm »
skoozy copy my sig which i take from ozzy, which bullseye also kopy so all in all, VERY NICE!

Silver

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2009, 04:16:17 pm »
How is that related to this thread at all?
I SUKC AT TRMELUS

IABZ IS JESUS

Flux

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2009, 07:52:19 pm »
HOW R U RELATED TO THIS THREAD AT ALL??

Bissig

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Re: A classic tactic: hammer and anvil
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2009, 12:17:31 am »
@Zy

You mean: running up behind the Tyrant rushing into ATCS default base - with a painsaw? ;-P
sorry i accidently clicked decon on u but i was just trying to click the page to scroll down

Best excuse ever.. thx for the laugh.