DM-1-on-1-Desolation

The Tower of Desolation, a series of rooms, ramps, and foliage, is an art museum converted into a battleground. The narrow, but open, layout means you’ll likely take fire from your opponent and have no clue where the projectiles are coming from. This is most dangerous on the rocket launcher ramp. There are many spots with a view of this ramp; since it’s a hotly contested area, beware of an ambush when grabbing the rocket launcher and the nearby adrenaline capsules.

The rocket launcher and double damage are close to each other. Take advantage!

If you go down the same ramp, you can spot the ledge where the double damage appears. You can use a shield gun jump to leap from the rocket launcher to the double damage very quickly. Otherwise use the nearby ramp (where the lightning gun rests) to reach the double damage in slower time. Likewise, if you’re near the double damage along the map’s top, grab it then drop down to the rocket launcher.

You can jump on the tops of the large plants. You can use them as sniping positions. For instance, at the top of the rocket launcher ramp you can jump over the two spires toward the planting in the distance. Navigate the narrow ledge and look to the hall below to keep an eye out for your opponent. Be careful fighting on the ramps along the tower’s edges. Should you fall off of these ramps, you’ll land in a corner leaving you vulnerable to splash damage. Because of the narrow passages, the minigun is a great finisher on this map. Inflict your initial damage with a better weapon then switch to the minigun for the finishing blow. The narrow passages leave little room to avoid the minigun’s high rate of fire.

DM-1-on-1-Idoma

Idoma is another organic one-on-one deathmatch level. The layout features wooden walkways, stone walls, and trees serving as pillars and supports for most of the map’s doorways and ceilings. You’ll first notice that the hallways are quite wide. It’s easier to dodge rockets and other projectiles within Idoma’s layout than a tighter map like Desolation. Weapons like the shock rifle’s primary fire and the lightning gun gain more importance with the long open hallways. The rocket is easily dodged at long-range unlike the shock rifle and lightning gun projectiles.

Why go around? It’s quicker to shield gun jump to this ledge and the shield pack in the distance.

A short tunnel connects the lower section housing the rocket launcher on one side and the shock rifle on the other. These recessed areas are danger zones if you’re moving through here and your opponent is on the higher floor waiting for you. The shield pack and lightning gun are found on the highest ledge overlooking the shock rifle. You can use the ramps to reach the position or use a shield gun jump to reach the shield pack from the opposite ledge. Sticking close to the rocket launcher does keep you away from the shield pack but closer to adrenaline capsules and health.

Take command of the rocket launcher, flak cannon, shock rifle, and lightning gun as much as possible. After obtaining the rocket launcher, get the adrenaline capsules and stick closer to the shield pack to gain the power-up at each respawn. Stick with the flak and rocket launcher in close skirmishes (the shock rifle combo isn’t a bad choice either) then switch to the shock rifle or lightning gun when you spot an opponent at the end of a long hallway.

DM-1-on-1-Irondust

You can’t control every Irondust power-up but you’d best check their spawn spots frequently!

Irondust is an all-out power-up war. The double damage, super shield pack, and shield pack are all present on the map and they’re all out in the open--but on opposite ends of the map from one another. So controlling every power-up is virtually impossible. But that doesn’t mean you can neglect them. You’ll have to make the most of every power-up opportunity and keep frequent tabs on their spawn locations. The super shield pack is located on the upper floor. Reach it either by a long-lift from the lower section or moving left from the rocket launcher or right from the lightning gun (when facing the long open hallway that connects those two weapons).

The shield pack is on the lower level in a relatively small room near the flak cannon. You can exit this room via the lift inside if you become trapped inside. You can also reach this room by dropping down the lift shaft. Move forward against the open room to avoid immediately taking the lift back up. The double damage is also on the lower section in a multi-level room. Find the double damage power-up at the end of a short catwalk. One of the best ways to reach this room is actually from above. Move through the long hall connecting the rocket launcher and lightning gun. Before the stairs leading to the lightning gun, drop down onto the pipes on either side of the stairs. From there, hop down onto the catwalk containing the double damage.

Irondust is a mix of small and large spaces. The hallway connecting the rocket launcher and lightning gun is expansive, which makes the lightning gun your optimum choice when battling here. Also look for unique sniping areas. For example, near the super shield pack you can maneuver onto the girders and watch for your opponent to pass by below (or to move up the lift to reach the super shield pack). You’re a relatively easy target here, however; don’t expect to be able to venture into this well very often.