Driving is not something that can be anticipated or guessed at. However, with practice we can train ourselves as drivers to be prepared for any number of situations that can arise during a match. Valhalla is one of the more difficult maps to drive because it's terrain and the amount of anti-vehicle weapons. By memorizing the knowledge and potential dangers to these maps we become better drivers.
Team:
Drivers need the support of their team as much as they need our support. Valhalla is a big problem for weak teams who do not communicate and work together to keep their hog alive and finish their objective. Because of the amount of ways a hog can be effectively taken out of the fight in Valhalla; team is THE key element to this map. The ground-pounders should always be focused on controlling the main hill and raiding the enemy base. By doing this, we control the laser and gives us complete map control. This not only helps your Hog driver, but helps the team as a whole. Effective base raids start from the main hill.
Routes:
It should be known that no driver should take a designated path several times during a particular match. Enemies that adapt to your movement throughout the map can wreak havoc and cause the death of your hog. That being said, there are some acceptable paths that can be taken through Valhalla. It is a general consensus that all drivers should wait on their side of the laser hill and tear up on that side. This allows time for the Missile Pod to be wasted by players who do not expect the enemy hog (or to be killed). While waiting try and keep some fire on the main hill and support your ground-pounders so that your team acquires the laser. As for specific routes, there shouldn't be any. Drivers should show the versatility to driver anywhere and everywhere that is demanded by the job.
Because base-raping is so efficient (and so damn fun) a lot of drivers will circle in order to rack up kills. However, try and throw the other team off and chase after the ones who make it onto a mongoose or man-cannon away. This will lull the other team into a false sense of security and the next time you make a pass, a lot more will have come out of their hiding holes.
Dangers:
This list will be in order of most dangerous to least dangerous.
Laser:
The Spartan Laser makes the top of the list because it is by far the quickest and most efficient anti-vehicle weapon. Absolute Death. The best defense to the laser on Valhalla is your team. Procure the laser at the beginning of the match, and keep control of the laser hill and you've effectively taken this problem out of the game. The point of controlling the laser should be stressed. Most Drivers feel this is their biggest cause of death's on Valhalla and it is universally felt that it is most strategic weapon against Hogs.
Missile Pod:
Each team has a Missile Pod on their base in Valhalla. Listen for your lock on warning and pull evasive maneuvers through the terrain of Valhalla to rid of those pesky rockets.
Plasma Grenades:
There are several common areas that people will visit to pick up stickies. These places should be memorized because a driver needs to watch the infantry around these areas. Each base spawns with plasma grenades, all of the caves, and the right side of the map (Notably Flag 1 and Flag 3 locations). Any ground-pounder in these areas are high risk targets.
Enemy Hog:
In Valhalla the best way to rid of an annoying enemy hog is out driving and gunning him. Use the terrain to your advantage and lead him towards your friendlies to assist you in the kill.
Banshee:
Most of the time the enemy Banshee can be and will be taken out at the beginning of the match. The skies of Valhalla aren't friendly. Friendly Banshee's and anti-vehicle weapons are the best defense against Banshee's however if you do get into a fight with a Banshee try and keep your distance so you gunner has a good shot on him and driver on flatter terrain. Bumpy terrain won't affect his aim, but it will affect yours.
Energy Drain/Plasma Pistol/Frags:
Each base spawns with a Plasma Pistol and an Energy Drain on Valhalla. Keeping your speed up around the enemy base is key to avoiding EMP blasts from Plasma Pistols and Energy Drains that become deadly when combined with a grenade. Frags are easy to come by but hard to place on a hog going full speed. These should also be watched for around enemy bases where maneuvering becomes tight.
Boarding:
Because sometimes getting boarded cannot be avoided practice all anti-boarding techniques. Watch out for boarders when going straight up the heavy incline of the main hill (River Side). This is the point of the map where a hog trying to climb up the hill moves the slowest and is most vulnerable.
Zones:Zone 1:Zone 1 is the less preferred base. When you're assigned this base as your primary during an objective, it makes map control difficult due to the layout of the main hill. When driving through Zone 1 you'll need to be careful when coming around the large rock near the caves. This area can hide foot solders that are waiting to plant a good stick on you. Also watch out for ambushes by the Missile Pod from atop the base. Make sure to make your turns wide when base raping. Also players can spawn on the cliff nearest the river side, there are a couple of Plasma grenades located there so be careful when spawn killing in that area. Zone 2:Zone 2 is the preferred base due to the lay of the main hill. The edges of that hill point toward the opposite base and offer more cover from battle rifles and sniper rifles. This allows your team to control the main hill, and the laser, easier. However if your enemy has this base try to avoids driving through the river as much as possible, it will slow you down and make it easier to get stuck or boarded. Watch both sides for spawning victims and anyone foolish to come out of the bases side doors. |
Zone 3
Zone 3, otherwise know as the "Bubble Shield & Tower" side, is more than likely one of the easiest sections to drive. It has the flattest land and some good jumps off rocks. The main danger you have to worry about here is the Turret and no cover from the Laser. Some good kills can be racked up on unsuspecting enemies that are coming through the niche in the rocks.
Zone 4:
Zone 4 includes the caves, the main hill, and the downed Pelican. This area can be frustrating to drive if the enemy controls. The high points offer enemies plenty of cover to rain down fire on you. However, it is a great place to rack up kills on enemies that man cannon to the middle. Hit and run tactics are best implemented here. Also watch out for laser fire from the main hill and plasmas thrown from the caves on the side.
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