Chapter 5 - Bombing Run

Bombing run mixes capture the flag with football. Grab the ball and pass and carry it to your opponent’s goal. Score seven points by running with the ball into the goal and score three points by shooting the ball into the goal. Since you can’t shoot weapons and carry the ball at the same time, teamwork becomes incredibly essential.

• Learn the pass the ball, especially if you’re about to die. Instead of suffering the fate of three rockets headed your way, toss the ball toward a teammate instead of just dropping the ball upon death (likely easily grabbed by your killer). Pass the ball to a teammate on a higher ledge or to a teammate on an alternate route to shake defenders and open a lane toward the enemy goal.
• Memorize the location of the enemy goal and how to reach it. For instance, on BR-Colossus you’ll use the bounce pad to run into the enemy goal. This section provides map strategies for the new bombing run maps included in Unreal Tournament 2004. See GameSpot’s Unreal Tournament 2003 game guide for additional strategies for the bombing run maps included in both games.
• If you’re pursued by just one player, drop the ball and retaliate with your weaponry (assuming you have something better than just the assault rifle). You can’t attack with the ball so you’re essentially a sitting duck unless you can elude the weapons fire all the way to the goal. A one-on-one situation is a good match-up. Dropping the ball to fight three pursuers likely won’t have the same success rate.
• Know the game situation. If you need seven points for a victory, go for the seven-point score instead of settling for the three. It takes three three-point goals to reach the seven needed for victory. Likewise if you just need a three to reach victory, fire the ball into the goal and don’t be a hero trying to run it in.

BR-BridgeofFate

The BridgeofFate bombing run map features a near-identical layout to the CTF map of the same name. The ball replaces the super shield power-up at the bridge’s center and the goals replace each team flag. The extremely high ceilings in each base’s initial room offer some unique passing and ball fight situations. If you’re under attack, shoot the ball high in the air toward the enemy goal. Present allies can move toward the ball’s landing spot while defending the area from the enemy players. The center bridge area also provides an area for daring passes. Launch the ball to a fellow teammate on an adjacent bridge who can then use the side entrance into the base.

Defenders shouldn’t have much trouble spotting incoming players. The goal room’s pillars obstruct the view somewhat but the elevated goal position offers a wide view of the front and side entrances. The biggest problem is the open goal. It’s not difficult to launch the ball from a great distance and score a three-point goal. At least one defender should attempt to intercept attackers on the ground level. If attempting to score a seven-pointer, note that you can double jump up the ledges instead of taking the staircase. Either route will be difficult with defenders positioned near the goal. Multiple attackers should assault from both staircases to avoid easy double or multi-kills.

BR-Colossus

Like BridgeofFate, BR-Colossus closely mirrors CTF-Colossus with a few tweaks. It’s a wide open map and will be dominated by long-range passes and clear outs. Think of a hockey game when a team is penalty killing without worry of an icing penalty. Teams can use the massive propellants to launch the ball out of their own side of the field. If you’re a defender and stolen the ball near your own goal, fire it into the propellant over your goal, the one underneath the goal, or along the map’s sides (one of the changes in the bombing run version of Colossus) to launch the ball on the other side of the map.

An accurate passing game will pay dividends as a ball carrier can maneuver around the safer lower area of Colossus then pass the ball to an attacker on the upper catwalk. A bounce pad lies near the goal; hop on the bounce pad and drop onto the goal for a seven-pointer. Three-pointers will be more difficult and aren’t unlike long-range threes in a basketball game. Locate double damage power-ups in the underground tunnel on each side; the redeemer and the super shield pack spawn on ledges on the left and right side of the map’s center.

BR-Serenity

A serene forest valley is home to the bombing run map Serenity. The map is essentially one long course from one goal to the other. The war of field position becomes increasingly important as the game progresses. Making it all the way to your opponent’s goal isn’t easy; therefore, it’s important to try and keep the ball on your opponent’s side of the map and keep the pressure on. Since routes are limited, teamwork is even more important. Stick together as a team so you can wipe out opponent interceptors in force. The lightning gun works well, particularly in long-range support, since it can terminate an enemy in a single hit. Make sure you grab the health packs around the map edges to keep your team healthy--and to keep the packs away from the enemy!

Each team has a redeemer on their side of the map. Use the super weapon to help clear defenses.

There are two redeemers on the map. Each spawns near the center bridge (upon which the ball appears) with one on each team’s side. Find the red team’s redeemer along the right edge and the blue team’s redeemer along the left edge (just past the waterfall and pool). Grabbing and utilizing the redeemers is invaluable to clearing out defenders and maintaining a strong push toward the goal. Use the redeemer’s alternate fire mode to guide the rocket beyond your offense and into the heart of the enemy’s defense. If you’re on the receiving end of this tactic, remember you can shoot down the redeemer missile! Defenders should also utilize the arch bridges as long-range defense against incoming ball carriers.