dm_lockdown

Based upon areas from the single player chapter "Nova Prospeckt”, the areas of Lockdown should seem intimately familiar to any HL2DM player. Besides the large nostalgia factor, the map is perhaps the single most popular for competitive players. Therefore, learning this map until it becomes second nature will serve you well as virtually every sever out there will feature the level at some point in its map cycle.

Similar to Steamlab and Powerhouse, this map stresses tight quarters and close combat while offering you precious little maneuvering space. The map is also notoriously narrow and linear, meaning that virtually every hallway is a prime space for Combine ball attacks. Without a doubt, controlling the assault rifle and Combine ball spawn point is a pivotal factor in determining your victory or defeat on this map. Additionally, the map is littered with countless physics props and explosive barrels which can only mean one thing… gravity gun assaults coming from every angle. Lockdown is also the only map of the stock HL2DM levels where a supercharger exists. This charger works on in a manner similar to the standard health and armor chargers, but replenishes both rather than one or the other. Additionally, the charger can raise your total armor well over 100 points, but tops off at 200. At max life and supercharged armor, you can survive a direct rocket hit and even a combine ball attack, so keeping close tabs on it and deny access to it by your opponents will ensure your survival.

As mentioned above, narrow hallways dominate much of Lockdown, limiting the overall effectiveness of your speedy maneuvering and explosive rounds. While launching a rocket may seem effective at first, the knockback from the blast will only harm you in the long run. Grenades tossed by your gravity gun, on the other hand, are a cheap and efficient way of cleaning house without exposing yourself to unnecessary risk. Additionally, shotgun blasts and assault rifle fire will also work well due to decreased chance of them missing your targets. Since many of the map’s hallways and atriums are constantly exposed from different angles, the magnum and crossbow can actually be used with surprising efficiency here. Keep in mind, however, that the slow rate of fire on these weapons can also be an extreme liability when a desk is flying towards your head. The overall effectiveness of these weapons is also limited since the supercharger will provide so much extra armor.

Though the map does downplay the usefulness of the RPG somewhat, there are certainly many effective techniques one can employ to clean house with it. First, don’t simply aim at your targets, try and score splash damage off the walls, floors, and ceilings of the map instead. The blast will kill your target nine times out of ten, but make sure you keep a shotgun or magnum at the ready to finish off those stragglers that do survive. Second, employ try and fire your rockets into the caches of explosive barrels. Though you may not deal as much damage to your intended target, the ensuing chaos and subsequent explosions will provide you ample time to unload a clip of assault rifle or SMG rounds into them. Finally, avoid using the weapon in narrow hallways. Halfway decent opponents know that you’ll lack any close range counter attack when using the RPG, so they’ll most likely attempt to close in on you. Don’t fall for it, either keep backing up or switch to a better weapon for the situation.

One of the other reasons Lockdown is incredibly popular is due to its lack of elevation and environmental hazards. Supposed "pro gamers” are a stubborn lot that cannot handle other players using environmental hazards to their advantage, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few ways you can have some fun. First, the RPG is located in the vent shaft with the giant rotating fan. On the opposite wall, however, you can plug the fan’s charger into the outlet and grind up any unsuspecting player. In addition, shoving a small filing cabinet into the shaft is a surefire way to slow down most players. Your next best weapon are the all the props themselves! Block up stairwells, cover up useful weapons, and even use them as a makeshift shield when being attacked. You’ll need to do all of these when playing against a competent Lockdown player. Oh yea, don’t forget about camping the stairwell with a Combine ball, when the others start to complain tell them Planet Half-Life sent you.

Please click here to download the optional screenshots .zip that goes along with this strategy guide. (Coming Soon!)

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