Water War Scenario 3: Under Cover
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:24 pm
You and seven other friends have gotten together for some games of Capture-The-Flag (CTF) using one-hit-kills (OHK) rules. Basically, the goal of each short game is to either eliminate the other team and/or capture the opposing team's flag and bring it safely back to base. Anyone who is hit with a fist-sized splotch of water is out and, if they were carrying a flag at the time, the flag would be dropped where the player was soaked, but could not be picked up and brought back to the original base until the start of a new game (of course, if another opposing player came along to try to bring the flag back to their base, they could). Games were also set to a total time span of 1 hour each so that a few games could be played over the course of the afternoon. Each team is comprised of four players, each armed with blasters roughly classed between Super Soaker XP310/Max-D6000 to Water Warrior Blazer/ Super Soaker CPS1000/CPS1200 in power and performance.
The flags are located in known places at each team's base. The bases, themselves, are comprised of two members' backyards, roughly 500' apart. The houses are separated by a park with a central playground, bushes, etc. which could be crossed in a few spots with minimal chance of being spotted (i.e. there are a few known paths that offer a good amount of cover for passing through the park). However, as these routes are known to both teams, there is also a good chance that one may end up encountering an opponent also attempting to use one of these routes.
For the first game, you and your team decided to split up a bit; one would remain near to the base to guard the flag, two would start working their way slowly towards the enemy base, while you, being the fastest runner of the group, were recruited to move more quickly ahead to scout out what the opposing team is up to.
After crossing about 2/3rds of the park quickly, yet quietly, you catch funny motion on a nearby path. About 50' from your location, you manage to make out three of your opponents making their way towards your team's base. You are fairly sure you have not been seen or heard, yet, but are still about 10' out of range, not to mention not having a clear shot without giving up your own cover. Based on your knowledge of the terrain, you figure your opponents will end up encountering your two other teammates if they continue down that path. You also figure that your teammates are about 300' back from your position. However, you still have not ascertained where the fourth player is, though you currently guess that he is on guard duty at their base.
What would you do? Would you circle back to meet up with your teammates? Would you attempt to snipe your opponents? Would you follow the group to help surround them once they encounter the rest of your team? Would you continue towards the opposing team's base? Or would you do something else altogether? What would YOU do?
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As always, there is no absolute right answer to these scenarios. Results depend on so many factors including how well you perform, what your opponents end up doing, and, of course, to some luck, too. However, sharing alternative ideas and tactics can prove invaluable for dealing with similar real life situations when the time comes. It always good to have multiple options from which to choose.
Soak on!
The flags are located in known places at each team's base. The bases, themselves, are comprised of two members' backyards, roughly 500' apart. The houses are separated by a park with a central playground, bushes, etc. which could be crossed in a few spots with minimal chance of being spotted (i.e. there are a few known paths that offer a good amount of cover for passing through the park). However, as these routes are known to both teams, there is also a good chance that one may end up encountering an opponent also attempting to use one of these routes.
For the first game, you and your team decided to split up a bit; one would remain near to the base to guard the flag, two would start working their way slowly towards the enemy base, while you, being the fastest runner of the group, were recruited to move more quickly ahead to scout out what the opposing team is up to.
After crossing about 2/3rds of the park quickly, yet quietly, you catch funny motion on a nearby path. About 50' from your location, you manage to make out three of your opponents making their way towards your team's base. You are fairly sure you have not been seen or heard, yet, but are still about 10' out of range, not to mention not having a clear shot without giving up your own cover. Based on your knowledge of the terrain, you figure your opponents will end up encountering your two other teammates if they continue down that path. You also figure that your teammates are about 300' back from your position. However, you still have not ascertained where the fourth player is, though you currently guess that he is on guard duty at their base.
What would you do? Would you circle back to meet up with your teammates? Would you attempt to snipe your opponents? Would you follow the group to help surround them once they encounter the rest of your team? Would you continue towards the opposing team's base? Or would you do something else altogether? What would YOU do?
---------------------------------------------
As always, there is no absolute right answer to these scenarios. Results depend on so many factors including how well you perform, what your opponents end up doing, and, of course, to some luck, too. However, sharing alternative ideas and tactics can prove invaluable for dealing with similar real life situations when the time comes. It always good to have multiple options from which to choose.
Soak on!
Thanks for pointing that out; now fixed!