Conquest Shale Valley

Predicide · 01-12-2009

Shale Valley
There's gotta be something here worth dying for, right?

-Map download link retired. Available by request (PM)
Download Gametype: Conquest V3

At The Ghosts of Onyx, we recently hosted another one of our famous contests. This time, the mission was to build a new Pre-DLC map. My submission was a new Conquest, set on Sandtarp.

Instead of Red vs Blue, imagine that the teams fighting are....

....and that huge profits are at steak for whoever secures the drilling rights to this sandy stretch of land.

Alright, down to the map. Shale Valley is most definitely a non-traditional Conquest map. Obviously, it's wide open, and actually takes a straight-line path. It features a rocket launcher (2-shots, long spawn), bubble shields (1 spawn per round each to secure territory 1 and 7), and mongeese (for quick access to a coveted area), all of which are not on the approved Conquest list.

This map plays different than classic Conquest. It feels much more like BTB Conquest, and that gametype could conceivably be used. Players must be aware of the territories they are leaving behind as they advance, as enemies can easily slip behind them. Thus, it's much more about ranged control than close encounter brute force.

This depicts the territories in cyan, and the red and blue spawn hives.

Here we have the entire overview.

....and straight down the middle.

Eithre monolith can be climbed, the Brute Shots are up here.

Center territory and Custom Power Up placement

Rocket launcher in the aesthetic piece

blue spawn hives

aesthetic arch

At 90 seconds in every round, the Sniper is delivered to each base via drop pod

Flock of Geese

Sniper

using the baracade

Fighting in the center

Brute Shot from above

Jousting

-Map download link retired. Available by request (PM)
Download Gametype: Conquest V3

Black Theorem · 01-12-2009

This seems very interesting. I am no Conquest fan, but i do know a bit about it. It's very unique, obviously. but what i dont see is the gameplay advantages compared to a normal Conquest map. I won't DL, but this seems like it will have potential.

Master Debayter · 01-12-2009

This reminds me of a paintball map that I saw on Sandtrap a LOOOOOOOONG time ago when I first started playing Halo 3. Only, this map has an awesome aesthetic arch XD. The reason why I'm not going to download this, and why I never download Sandtrap maps, is that Sandtrap is such an open map, that if the game needs to stay within a specific area of this map, people will definately feel some sort of insignificant need to wander off and explore the blank, unforged Sandtrap.

DeathDriver86 · 01-13-2009

With the gas crisis coming to a slight close, it will be nice to take a lighter side. I will be giving this a shot with some friends.

Glad to see another Conquest map. They seem to be extinct lately.

RivalMass · 01-13-2009

This looks like a really nice map because you managed to shift the focus to a nontraditional playing field. The arches look nice and are pretty original. The map is very open which will give conquest a completely new feel. The use of mongeese is also interesting and I can see people messing around alot on those. I wonder if it is even effective to use those to shuttle people around behind each spawn zone. Anyway it seems like everything is balanced. I am sure the sniper will dominate as long as it is in the right hands and every shot counts.

Nice job 10/10

Boston · 01-13-2009

Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't say I've ever seen Conquest used on Sand Trap. Very unique looking map, and I'm sure as a lot of people will say, nice job swaying away from Avalanche and Standoff. I don't recall ever downloading a map variant of Sand Trap, and given it's used with Conquest, you got my very first Sand Trap download! Haha I will say it looks very balanced as well! Also, like what someone else said, I like the arches. 4.5/5

Cosmic Rick · 01-13-2009

Holycrapawesome!

Looks like you've managed to extend the book of conquest a little further with this one, Pred. I'll definitely have to give this one a play soon. (4/7, here we come)

The arches are awesome. The map looks lovely. And I love the rocket-launcher-inclusion. It should play like no CQ map before.

Also: I love the Exxon v. Chevron theme. I'm kind of working for Chevron, so I guess I should go blue...

squidhands · 01-13-2009

We need to have another Conquest Night just so I can play your map. I love the idea of having the fight on Sandtrap, but if I may why didn't you choose the very linear center temple for the fight? I imagine it was because you wanted to give the gametype such a radical new feel, but that would have been my first choice for a more classic feel. Then again, it wouldn't take a whole lot of thought to throw down some territories in a line and block off the sides, so nevermind. Bravo on pushing the concept of Conquest to new boundaries.

Shanon · 01-13-2009

Ah yes, I remember this one. Twas a great Conquest map to play on.
Although I didnt feel that satisfied wuth the Custom being so close to the Rockets. I felt that it overpowered the guy taking the Middle first, considering he is invincible and has Rocks. Maybe on top? Just a suggestion. Overall the maps was one of my favorites to play on during are Customs party.

Vinyl Hippo · 01-13-2009

For a non-traditional Pre-DLC Conquest Map this has to be one of my favourites