CTF-January

Reach the top of the submarine and discover the double damage spawn spot.

Unreal Tournament 2004’s January is an update to the classic maps November and December (from Unreal Tournament and Unreal Tournament 2003 respectively). A submarine in its bay separates the two symmetrical bases (find the double damage at the sub’s peak). The docking bay is once again filled with water. There’s now an underwater entrance into each base; both routes feature the super shield pack. Defenders at this position should grab the super shield pack at each respawn then defend the surrounding halls to prevent base invasion from this entrance.

If you’re assigned to defend the flag station, explore the room above the flag to recover the big keg o’health and a shield pack at each respawn. There are also a couple of rocket launcher ammo packs here; find the rocket launcher down the ramp on the right side (facing away from the flag). Keep stocked on the adrenaline capsules scattered around the base and use the translocator to ascend to the ledges around the flag area. Use the rocket launcher or lightning gun (near the keg o’health and shield pack) to pick off invaders.

When attacking, look for the hole in the ceiling up the left ramp from the underwater entrance (where the minigun rests). Translocate through the hole to reach the upper room of the flag area. Stock up on your enemy’s power-ups before assaulting the flag station. It’s also a decent escape route. Grab the flag, head up the ramp, drop through the hole, then go down the ramp and to the right into the underwater exit.

CTF-MoonDragon

The mountain of Moon Dragon is home to one of the most visually impressive--and largest--maps in Unreal Tournament 2004. Expansive mountainous terrain lies between the two formidable citadels. Routes between bases are numerous and then coverage within a central cavern. Take an aboveground route to the left, right, or over or under a bridge toward the map’s center. Navigate through the central cavern taking the high route (a super shield pack spawns at the middle of the high land bridge) or the lower routes (locate rocket launchers across these paths).

Try not to be distracted by the gorgeous scenery when hunting down incoming base attackers.

The massive bases look mighty from the outside but are much tighter within. Hallways through the structure are plentiful but narrow. There’s a main entrance through the structure’s front and alternate upper and lower doorways on the left and right side of base. The shock rifle and flak cannon are optimum base defense weapons (use the shock combo in the tight hallways) since both are found within the base walls. You’ll have to venture out into the caves to recover a rocket launcher or the exterior bridge to find the lightning gun.

Snipers can use the translocator to reach the ledges and overhangs along the structure’s front. But snipers will likely miss attackers penetrating the base’s side entrances. It’s the likely attack point because the main entrance is easily defensible--defenders should fire down staircases with flak cannons or shock rifles. Continue to back pedal toward the flag room and inflict as much damage as possible against any incoming threat. Within the flag room, use the translocator to reach the upper ledges or even the top of the dragon head statues to maintain a close watch on the flag station below.

CTF-Smote

Check the alcove near the castle’s side entrance for the double damage.

The CTF map Smote features two imposing, identical castle bases separated by a fiery volcano. There are multiple entrances into each base. Move through the front entrance and either attack the flag directly by continuing through the hall on the right or scurry toward the left tunnel and end up below the flag position. Each base also features a side entrance and an upper entrance (use a translocator to reach the upper ledge). Search a hidden alcove across from the castle’s side entrance to find the double damage power-up--ideal for attackers looking for an extra boost moving into the castle’s side entrance.

Snipers should move out to the castle’s upper ledge; the sniper rifle and its ammunition are positioned here. A couple sniping defenders is ideal. One watches the path through the volcano’s base and the other watches the alternate side route around the volcano (this route also features the big keg o’health). These interior paths connect to one another. Flag defenders can use the translocator to reach the dark beams above and across from the flag position. This offers good line of sight at the flag and at the entrance below the flag position.