Streams of Blood (Ranked)

Map analysis Terrain type Blocked Impassable Difficult Open Victory Total Quantity 14 32 0 96 1 143

Open terrain analysis No. of adjacent open terrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total Quantity 2 12 10 18 26 13 13 0 97

Open terrain analysis: For each open terrain, count the number of adjacent open terrains. An open terrain has a minimum of 1 adjacent open terrain and a maximum of 8 open terrains.
The quantity signifies the number of open terrains with X adjacent open terrains. The distribution indicates the map difficulty in relation to movement.

Offensive Map Control

Choke Points and Pincers

Streams of Blood (SoB) is a PVP map containing 143 terrains with 1 victory terrain. There are no difficult terrains but a variety of narrow restrictive paths and four dead ends make SoB perilous to the unwary. All figures adopt the 'offensive force attacking downwards and opponent defending upwards' orientation. Narrow paths give rise to choke points and kill zones, forcing your opponent to seek meager cover provided by blocked terrains. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the positions of various choke points in the map labelled as A and B. By occupying the various strategic points, opposing units are forced to fight on multiple fronts. Gradual pincer movements (as illustrated by the red arrows) squeeze the available pockets and entrap opposing units, making for quick easy kills. The primary difference between Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 lie in the victory terrain at B. When the map is split vertically, occupying B reduces the effectiveness of the choke point and pincer movement due to restricted line of sight. It can however be utilized as an ambush point for burst units equipped with Charge and step based attacks. Against the AI, SoB favors Amy's party of elves due to their natural Dash moves. An early Rockfall/Cave In combined with critical positioning and offensive attacks make short work of any party.

Fig. 1: Choke points splits map horizontally

Fig. 2: Choke points splits map vertically

Line of Sight

Due to the lack of open terrains, line of sight is a precious commodity crucial for ranged units in SoB. As Fig. 3 shows, a unit represented by X occupying the victory terrain can see 58 open terrains fore and aft providing much needed firepower and support for melee units. For a map containing 97 open terrains, this represents more than half the map. In addition, the unit occupying X can take a step forward and increase its forward line of sight coverage while leaving the victory terrain in close proximity for easy recapture, an advantage easily exploitable via Dimensional Traveller. This makes the victory terrain a great spot to hold, defend, attack and support from. In the event that the victory terrain is already occupied, an alternative position that provides excellent line of sight is represented by X as shown in Fig. 4. This position provides a line of sight of 40 open terrains for the offensive force attacking downwards. Utilizing map symmetry, it is possible to install another ranged unit on the opposite side of the map, giving complete map coverage using only ranged units. Note that the effectiveness of these positions are highly dependent on possession of the victory terrain. If the victory terrain is in enemy hands, the opponent could simply use pincers (as shown in Fig. 2) to eliminate X. Be especially prudent and wary in capturing critical spots.

Fig. 3: Line of sight at the victory terrain

Fig. 4: Line of sight at choke point

Defensive Map Control

Defensive Positioning

Defensive map control is a risk averse approach to the game. It maximizes a party's effectiveness in combat through synergy and unit positioning, preventing flanking maneuvers and countering offensives. A basic tactic of defensive map control is defensive positioning utilizing available terrains, blind spots and ambush points to shut down the enemy. In SoB, the number of blocking terrains allow for easy defensive positioning both for melee and ranged units. 1a & 1c: Camping points for side lanes. Units attempting to flank or pincer (from the top) are slowed and vulnerable. Anvil Strikes become extremely deadly. Limited line of sight for ranged enemies. Combined with ranged support from 1b, these defensive positions form vertical pincers. 1b: Camping point for mid lane and victory square. Excellent spot behind cover that allows for multi-directional offensives, support and counters. Also useful for sniping victory square. Useful cards in hand to exert area of influence: Bashes, Force Bolts etc. 2a & 2b: Useful spots for ranged units to cover and attack enemy units attempting to infiltrate from the tri-lanes. Large field of view with overlaps, creating kill zones. Long range attacks combined with AOEs shut down enemy maneuvers. 2c: Sniper's spot, considered inferior to 2a & 2b as the range requirement is longer and does not provide alternative for advance. Combines well with Surging Bolts and Surging Blasts.

Fig. 5: Defensive positions for melee units

Fig. 6: Defensive positions for ranged units

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg refers to a strategy that employs concentrating overwhelming force at high speed to break through enemy lines.