[RFC/SUGGESTION] : Rebalance ESCALATION on several maps
About
ESCALATION is one of the most outstanding game modes in recent BF.
However, tactics exploiting the game rules' specifications are rampant on certain maps, significantly undermining game balance.
This discussion will identify the current issues and propose solutions.
Details
ESCALATION is designed so that as the game progresses, specific flags (A, B, F, G) are eliminated, finally adjusting the gameplay so that players fight for control of the flags near the center of the map (mainly C, D, E).
However, a flaw exists in the rule design that makes victory easier by continuously capturing the enemy's eliminated flags. Exploiting this flaw can easily lead to overwhelming margins like 3-1, and in severe cases, even 3-0.
The maps described below are prone to back capping(flanking), making it easy for a team that fails to respond to this to lose or putting a specific team at a disadvantage. This is particularly pronounced in Manhattan Bridge.
- Manhattan Bridge
The team that captures C generally wins. NATO, which holds A and B (flags that are easier to access from there), is at a disadvantage.
- Siege of Cairo
Pax Armata is at a disadvantage because there are numerous hiding spots near B.
- Liberation Peak
NATO is at a disadvantage because B is relatively easier to access from E compared to F and has more places to hide,
- Iberian Offensive
There is no inherent advantage or disadvantage to either side, but teams that fail to respond to back capping (flanking) will generally lose.
- New Sobek City
There is no inherent advantage or disadvantage to either side, but teams that fail to respond to back capping (flanking) will generally lose.
Suggestion
For these maps, I suggest reducing the flags to five and increasing the size of C (near the previous D).
This change means that even with back capping(flanking), we must constantly maintain C, which is highly vulnerable to enemy penetration. Consequently, C—the map's central hub—is likely to become the main battlefield.
For Liberation Peak, I think it's fine to shift B slightly toward A.
