Black Ops: Domination Tactics on Radiation

CALLOUT MAP
I found this map at HupitGaming forums, I believe it was created by a forum member named INFINITE.  If she sees this I would like to thank her for creating it.  It saved me a lot of work.

STRATEGY MAP
STAGING GROUNDS:  These three spots on the map are the safest places to call in your Killstreak packages. You run the risk of trapping your care package on the roof in the factory.

A,B & C: Approximate locations of the DOM flags.
S1-9: Likely sniper nesting spots & their site lines.
A1, A2, C1, C2: Attack paths.
C1, C2: The best 2 places to plant a claymore.

GENERAL NOTES
The key to winning any DOM game is holding down 2 flags, most importantly the B flag, usually located in the middle of the map.  The B Flag on Radiation is one major choke point. With the doors closed there are two ways directly in and out of the tunnel, plus the two ladders that come down from inside the shacks at the S5 and S3 sniper spots. Once you have control of the B flag get those doors closed. Having them open makes it easier to gain control of the flag as your team has high ground advantage and can clear the tunnel fairly easy with a few well placed grenades and a couple of heavy machine gunners. Most people like the direct confrontation approach on this map and will spend a lot of match time attacking B from inside the tunnel, leaving them highly susceptible to rear attack. I have found that most of the games I’ve won on this map are the ones in which my team controls C and B. This map is also good to run Hardened on, the walls are thin and it will make it easy to take out campers and snipers.

GENERAL STRATEGY
This is not an all inclusive strategy guide for this map in domination. Just my observations on how people tend to play this map with a couple of overlooked (or understated) strategic maneuvers thrown in. Always remember to adapt to the SitRep of the match.

If you spawn at C plant a claymore immediately in the nook between the barrels (C1) right next to the C flag, this is pretty much a guaranteed kill. There is always a rusher on the other team whose going to go for the C flag on this map. If you spawn at A plant a claymore on the small set of stairs (C2) that leads into the factory. This will take care of the rushers coming from C. I got the same two rushers 5 times in one match using this strategy. Why they didn’t learn not to bunch up while running after the same claymore got them both twice within 2 minutes I’ll never know. Just one of those universal mysteries I guess.

The attack paths are simple and similar no matter what direction you are coming from (A or C). There’s the basic straight forward direct attacks right into the tunnel but while your team is doing that try running through the factory and coming up behind the enemy near the A flag. The enemy will be preoccupied with the fight in the tunnel. When you get to the stairs at C2 (claymore spot 2) pause, don’t rush around that corner. Wait a second and give the other team a chance to respawn. When you see 2 or three of them run down into the tunnel zip on in after them (it’s probably best to be running a Lightweight/Marathon class for this strategy). If you time it right you can easily kill the entire squad defending/attacking the B flag.  Be watchful of any enemy in the ladder nook or the dark corner of the tunnel near it. As long as the doors above are closed your team should easily capture B (if they haven’t already). I tend to run back the way I came and catch the enemy off guard as they try to recapture the ground they just lost and give my team those extra few seconds to capture and take up defensive positions.

Attacking from the A flag is a bit trickier. Most guys try to run in and cap that C flag first. It’s best to avoid it all together. And run into the tunnel (without setting off the C flag warning by going down through the C2 path) and come up on the enemy’s 6 and wipe them out. Taking the elevated catwalk to get to C from A will give you more cover, though a sneaky git hovering on the descending stairs will cause you a problem so keep an eye out for him. Also make sure to check the switch alcove as you run by.

Once you have B make a push for C and let A fall to the enemy. Keep a couple of guys in the tunnel to guard B and have the rest of the squad push for C. With the doors closed, your guys assaulting C, and A still under your control the enemy can only come down the ladders. If timed correctly this can throw the other team off guard. Their first reaction is to try and get B back but now they are losing C too. Once they’ve lost C, panic may set in and they’ll scramble to get any flag they can. Let them have A. It’s easier to win on Radiation controlling C and B IMHO.

SNIPER SPOTS
Most of the action takes place underground and this map is usually too hectic for snipers to set up house anywhere but there’s always that one git! The sniper in the elevated shack at S1 one is the biggest pain in the ass, he does not have too many lines of sight but the two he has are more than enough. He’ll usually hide in the corners to reload and protect himself with a claymore at the ladder. If you have Hardened on he’s as good as dead. Just shoot him through the wall when he’s cowering in the corner. The guy at S2 is another annoying git, only one real good line of site line along the lower switch catwalk but he has good cover. Run the elevated catwalk (or avoid the catwalks and run up the middle under the catwalks) to get by him and try and take him out in the shack, he will have a claymore guarding the stairs and be hiding to the left in the back of the room when he hears you coming. Alternatively, a few well placed grenades through that widow should take care of him or keep him busy enough for you to get around him. After all is said and done, if you are attacking A, the route through the factory makes more sense.

A lot of guys like to fight for the elevated room in the factory (S6.1) and take up positions at S6 and S7. Not really snipers per se, these lads are trying to control the factory path and usually only stop at the sniper spots to pop off a couple of rounds at anyone bold enough to traverse the center of the map before jumping back down into the factory. A talented player can slow the other teams progress greatly by controlling the factory in this manner.

The guy taking up position at the top of the conveyor (S8) is the dangerous one. He’s the dirty camper. He’s hanging out in the factory picking off people as they run through, taking advantage of the fact that your team is probably not communicating and trying to build up that slow and steady killstreak award to Dogs or a Blackbird. It’s imperative you warn your team about him.

These are some of the strategies I use on Radiation.  They are not the only strategies for this map.  I’m sure many of you have your own tactics for this map and I would love to hear about them in the comments section.

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