How not to block on ATCS (and in general)

Since ATCS is a commonly played map, I thought I would start with it. This mainly concerns the Alien team since that is the team where blocking happens the most. I will break this down into five main areas: Hallway, Base Entrance, Castle, Staging and Charging.

Hallway: This is the are that leads between bases. But, in the context that I am going to talk about, it can also cover ANY area where two aliens can pass each other (including the outside). The easiest way to prevent blocking is to STAY TO YOUR RIGHT SIDE of the hallway. Simple huh? Let em break it down a little more for you. If you imagine that hallway is split into two parts (half). Now, if you stand in the middle of both halves, you will have one part on your right and one on your left. Lets call there the travel lanes. If you use the travel lane to your right, then the travel lane to your left will be for aliens going the other way. Kind of like driving on the roads in most of the world. When you are going towards a base, you stay in the travel lane that would be on the right side. This keeps the other travel lane open for others going the other way. If your going to stop, be sure to pull into a corner.

Base Entrance: Here is another sticky area. This area can be called "circular". How would this break down using the "travel lane" scenario? Easy! Think of it as a traffic circle. The traffic flows one way and goes in a counter clockwise direction. This means that as you enter, you stay to your right. As you exit, you continue to stay to your right and follow the counter clockwise direction. Doing it this way will lead to less blocking even when you are trying to escape as a wounded alien.

Castle: When I say the Castle, I mean the middle building. One of the main types of blocking I see here are aliens waiting on the front edge. Whether they are waiting for a Human to come out or are healing, they like to sit right on the edge. While this may be good for you to jump onto a human, it can mean death for an escaping goon who is trying to pounce to safety. I cannot even start to count the times I have tried to pounce up to escape, hit a tyrant, fall back down and get shot by a human. I have also pounced up and tked a granger or a wounded teammate. So, if your going to wait up there, get over to the side. If you look at the edge, there are two blocks near the edges, stay the sides of these (or the other side of the steps) and you should be good.

Staging: Have you ever noticed that Tyrants and Goons will get lined up or try to attack at once? Well, if you get too many big aliens in one area, a blockage will occur. The best way to prevent this is to line up. Wait in line for your turn to come (just like the cash register at the store). Your turn will come and when it does, go crazy!! Now, a second part of staging would be the snipers. Many times I have been sniping right below the human base and have my hp's start getting low. Once that happens, it is time to go and fast! When I go to back up, guess what. Someone is behind me blocking my escape. So, if you see a goon sniping, please do not get behind them! I know, I said to line up right? Well, this is one time to not line up. Leave the goon some space to get away.

Charging: This concerns the Tyrant and the mighty charge! I can understand charging out of human base to get away with low hp's BUT, do you have to charge all over the place? Yes, you are fearsome and impressive when you charge. But guess what? When you charge for no reason and hit a teammate, they get damaged. And it is usually more then a little damage. Many times I have been coming out of the alien base as a goon only to get bled by a charging tyrant. The tyrant may be the biggest alien but what happens with that human that hides in a small space (like under stairs)? Can you get them? Heck no! Because you are too damn big! So just because your big does not make you more important then any other alien.

I hope this all makes sense. If you stop and think about it, it is pretty simple! And if we all follow these simple ideas, the Trem world will be a better, more organized place which will allow more killing! And for you Humans, this can all be adapted to you as well. Just think about it.

-Heckle