TBD

Overview

TBD - Team Base Destruction is a game type that revolves around teamwork in order to destroy the opposing team's base in order to win. Each team has a base which they have to protect from the other team while at the same time destroying the other team's base. In order to inflict damage upon the enemy base a player must carry the bomb item and use it to hit the enemy base. By using one's own team as cover this is easiest accomplished with the cooperation of one's teammates. Another new object that enters into the game with TBD is the turret. Turrets are team designated and only shoot at enemy planes. Turrets can be destroyed using bullets or bombs, unlike the base. Time limits for games can also be set by the person who hosts the server. If the time runs out while the game is still being played, the team currently with the most damage done to their base loses. There are two types of TBD maps:

• Shared bomb: This version is easiest compared to a game of tag, where the bomb item is not team designated. This means that both teams must fight for the same bomb. Usually the bomb is passed between teams a few times before one team eventually hits the base. Shared bombs are also known as neutral bombs, and maps that have these are known as neutral maps. This TBD type relies more on speed and team work.

• Team bomb: This type entails that each team has a bomb that can only be used by one's team. This changes the game play because the only way the bomb can be stopped is by killing the player with the bomb and then defusing the bomb by flying through it. If a player with the bomb is killed, the bomb times out if not touched by a player within a few seconds. This game type calls for more coordination because often the game calls for a constant defense as well as offense.

Play Strategies

For a team to perform well in TBD there are several considerations to be made.

Plane Variety:

• Explodet should defend and control the middle ground, especially important when the bomb is team neutral and in the middle of the map. Laying mines at choke points and shoving the other team away from the bomb allows other teammates to get kills even if you don’t. Explodet also is excellent lead cover for the bomb runner. While slow, it can still be a damage-absorber for other planes (taking the bullets), as well as knocking incoming planes off their course of attack.

• Bomber plays a similar role to the explodet - either patrolling the high ground with its bombs or leading attacks with its instant death grenade launcher. The bomber is a good plane to lead the charge into enemy territory, clearing the way for the other planes to swoop in behind and the bomb runner to cross into enemy territory without immediately being a target.

• Biplane with its good speed, maneuverability, and decent hull protection it is built for running bombs. With its short range machinegun fire it is also an excellent plane for tracking down lone enemies. Best to try to remain out of center focus as the plane lacks the firepower to take on multiple enemies at once, though the heavy cannon feature can allow the plane to take pot shots at groups of enemy planes.

• Loopy is built for speed. Best used to track down the bomb runner and wounded enemies. Also fairly decent for bomb running. However, its low health means its an easy target when facing multiple enemies, especially when it finds itself with no near allies. A quick dart into enemy territory dropping some acid while getting in a few licks can be a good distraction for the bomb runner, but be careful - it only takes a few shots to turn the plane into a smoldering wreckage.

• Miranda is both deadly and hard to hit - between reverse and time anchor it is often hard to tell where to place your shot when facing one. Keeping the enemy off balance is vital in keeping the ship intact. The Miranda can take a number of roles, popping in and out of the center, flying into hostile territory for a kill only to quickly reverse away, or even finessing a bomb across enemy territory.

Any good team will have a variety of planes with players occasionally willing to kamikaze either into enemy territory to clear the way for the bomber or into an incoming bomb itself. Controlling both your 1/3 of the map and the center is important in having the power up advantage and limiting the other teams access to the bomb.

Bomb Running:

• Flying the bomb directly into the base and releasing it right before impact. This is usually not advisable. Generally the turrets or enemy planes will have their way with you long before you reach the moment of impact. It does ensure an opposing plane will not block the hit however.

• Long distance bombs from a height, or a low trajectory at high speeds, can be prevented by enemy planes sacrificing themselves and taking the bomb damage. If this occurs close to the base, the blast radius can still caust slight damage, but will be a fraction of the damage caused by a complete impact.

• Try to use terrain to your advantage, swooping close to contours and using them as a shield, as well as using layers such as clouds to temporarily hide the released bomb.