Thread: Everything "Flanking"

So I wanted to get down to the truth of FLANKING! I'm sure this thread will be some help to some of the new players at TPG and even some of the REGS who may not completely understand the rules set at TPG. There are no real problems with the team that performs the flank, but rather the team/player/s that guard against the flank. I understand that waiting for the other teams flankers or rotaters is NOT ALLOWED here at TPG, but I think a explantion why this is not allowed is in order.

Ever since joining TPG I have wondered why guarding against the flank is frowned upon? I understand that the ENTIRE team needs to pursue the objective together because this is TeamPlayerGaming. The whole entire point of why we play in this community is because we are sick of campers and baiters killing us in the most ridiculous spots. Instead we thrive on team communication and working together to complete the objectives. See I understand the rules, but I still think that there are times when the team needs to send 1-2 players to watch the flank. The is especially frequent on Pira! Almost every round CTs will rush B-Courtyard, and unless you have some T-sharpshooters picking them off, they will always get behind the Ts and kill them at Sneaky, Mid and T-Roof. Unlike the shower scene in The Rock the players with the high ground do not always have the advantage. IMO I feel like 1-2 players watching B-Courtyard would not be that bad of an idea, but actually Tactical. I've never/rarely heard any caller ask 1-2 players to watch any flank, but maybe it should happen more often.

There are a lot of arguments that I can think of for this subject, but I still wanted to hear what some of the Long time Regs/Admins have to say. Again I must state that I COMPLETELY understand that guarding against the flank is not allowed at TPG and am not promoting this action. Doing so will get you banned!

Oh you can watch the flank all you once. But only after your team captures the bomb site. If your team is taking to long your stragglers should listen for footsteps from behind, but to "watch the flank" from the VERY start of the round doesn't make much sense. Theres usually 2-4 ways into each site, so what are the odds the flank your watching is where they are coming from?

Wait, so watching the flank is bannable?


I'm lost

Originally Posted by Watsyurdeal?

Wait, so watching the flank is bannable?


I'm lost

Not exactly...Now, I'm no expert here but I have been playing here off and on for a while now. The RULE is that ALL T's must follow the call, no ifs ands or buts about that. Now "flank watching" is a very loose term with alot of different scenarios. The bottom line is you must follow the call (I will use Dust2 as an example.) Say the call is rush B site; upon entering upper B tuns the Caller says hit it straight in (but there could possibly be CTs coming up from lower B tuns. Now if you break off from the rush to wait at the top of the stairs to ambush any CTs that may or may not be coming, that is not conducive to rushing the site and will probably be frowned upon (maybe, I am not positive) but I think a more appropriate way of "flank watching" would be for the people in the back of the pack to back-pedal into the site; watching everyones backs while still moving towards the objective. In this way, you would still be with the team, you are still moving towards the objective and following the call, and you are able to let the guys in front of the pack know what's going on behind you.

I do not think there is an official rule about "flank watching" but make sure that whatever you decide to do falls within the callers' orders. If he/she tells one or two to stay back, then by all means, stay there; otherwise, stay with the pack and do what you can while still following the call.

Originally Posted by Langrad

Theres usually 2-4 ways into each site, so what are the odds the flank your watching is where they are coming from?

There is pretty much a guarantee on Pira that 1 or more CTs will be rushing B-Courtyard. The first time I learned that this was a punishable offense was around the time when I first started playing here. There was a constant 3-4 CTs rushing B-courtyard every round. I did not do anything the first couple rounds because I did not want to break away from the call, but then it started becoming detrimental towards the team because the were gaining access to our FLANK and killing the Ts at Mid and Sneaky. So for the next 2-3 rounds I sat at the back double door looking at sneaky and killed the CTs that came through B-courtyard. I was told by an admin not to camp B-courtyard so I stopped immediately. Ever since then I have followed that rule with some exceptions, but I have always wondered why 1 player can not tactically watch B-courtyard instead of simply letting the CTs flank the T-side.

Yes, watching the flank from the beginning of the round is more the issue at hand. Not having anyone allowed to stop on a rush and just watch the flank is in support of the mentality that you can't protect what you don't own. Legitimately watching the flank is more appropriate AFTER THE BOMB IS PLANTED. Once you own the site, then get those rotators. This type of mentality supports teamplay, in that it's not your job to take site and plant the bomb while I watch flank. It's our job to take site and plant the bomb.

Are there exceptions to this, yes, of course. If the strat calls for someone to watch flank, then so be it. But just remember all you "flank watchers" out there, having the flank of a downed bomb that never got planted is a recipe for disaster.

I've always thought it the best idea to watch the flank from a position where you are watching other areas as well. For example, on Pira you can watch B courtyard flank from both mid and roof. You don't need someone solely watching the flank. There's plenty of time for the T's to get into position to watch this flank and even if they don't pick them off, they can make the call to watch out for the CTs coming through B courtyard. The T's at mid, who are primarily there to make sure CTs don't push through mid (and make sure they pick off any CTs that rush to mid windows) can back peddle a little bit in case the CTs come through mid and the guys on roof can watch their backs.

If you're making the calls and the bomb is getting planted consistently, then call out for 1-2 people by name to watch the flank. Obviously always having yourself do it would be self-serving, but I guess you could a few times.

This has been a big adjustment for me on TPG as well. In other servers where I can't rely on my team to be intelligent like they are here, I generally am the person that goes off on my own and watches the flank. I've played that style for a long time. Since I've been here, it's been a change for me, but I've tried to learn ways to watch the flank while still contributing to the objective. Using the B-courtyard example for Pira, if I rush Sneaky as a T, I will usually turn back and peek behind me at B-courtyard very quickly before completely committing to A-site. If I don't see anyone, that's a fairly long run for them, and I usually assume I can get into A before any B flankers get to me through Sneaky.

The set-up of pira spawns a whole mess of issues. If your bomb doesn't get planted it's your fault for not being in the site with it or on roof covering from there. You can't watch the flank and help the bomber. Also the placement of how close T spawn is from where most people watch B flank causes the issue of "spawn camping."

Send 4 roof. One covers ct side, one A, That leaves two people to be able to watch flank courtyard side. Send two mid from the roof(that way you're with your team). Send 2 Mid. One covers mid itself while the other is either watching the ramp door or from balcony. One person is enough to keep ct's out of mid long enough for T's to plant. That leaves 4-5 people to get sneaky and straight out. Do it right and the sites yours.

With that said. Pira is the only map set up to where flankers can get around to the flank fast enough to cause any damage. Every other map gives more than enough time for the bomb to be planted before ct's can make use of a flank(with the exception of Nuke, but you rarely have that issue there).