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Subject: Welcome to Rolling Thunder, the ultimate vehicle action map (video)!
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I'm finally releasing the finished version of Rolling Thunder (once known as Action Canyon as a work in progress), an epic BTB map focused entirely on vehicle action. Rolling Thunder stands above the crowd of other vehicle maps because it is well balanced and difficult to spawn trap on, there are multiple vertical levels of play space, and it offers a wide variety of vehicles that are constantly available.

General overview screenshot
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255105 54&player=the%20pib

The three levels of play space are the grassy ground (Hemorrhage, basically), the Big H, and the High Bridges, which are accessible by Vehicle Cannons (don't try them on foot without a jet pack) on the ground near the ends of the bridges. 2-way vehicle teleporters in the middle of each High Bridge link them together and make moving around the map seamless.

Youtube intro video here. Sorry for the crap quality but I don't know much about video editing. Yes, I do have a cold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xQv7R5KPpA&context=C38c4f e1ADOEgsToPDskIxp91q8Gq_eyvBJihSr85q


For teams of 6 to 8. Incompatible with Multi Team or FFA. Incompatible with Elites (they don't fit through the teleporter frames, this is intentional). Too laggy for split screen play, but no framerate issues otherwise. Works best with specialized variants (downloadable below) designed to prevent vehicular spawn trapping, which have the following loadouts.
-Sprint, DMR/Magnum, 1x Frag 1x Plasma
-Evade, DMR/Magnum, 1x Frag 1x Plasma
-Jetpack, DMR/Magnum, 1x Frag 1x Plasma
-Armor Lock, Plasma Pistol, 3x Plasma
-Armor Lock, Grenade Launcher, 2x Plasma
CTF and Territories coming soon. Crazy King is my personal favorite on this map.



Download the map here.
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=253841 09&player=the%20pib

Download "Rolling Thunder King", a Crazy King gametype made for this map with 45-second hills and special defensive loadouts to prevent vehicles from camping bases. Players in vehicles and on foot can score points in the hill.
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=253841 10&player=the%20pib

Download "Rolling Thunder Slayer", a Slayer variant with special defensive loadouts to prevent vehicles from camping bases.
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255098 92&player=the%20pib

Download "Rolling Thunder Bro Slayer", a Bro Slayer variant with special defensive loadouts to prevent vehicles from camping bases. Spawning on vehicles reinforces team play. Untested.
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 99&player=the%20pib




VEHICLES
-Each team has 2x Warthog, 2x Revenant, 1x Falcon, 1x Wraith and 1x Rocket Hog at their bases, and 1x Rocket Hog and 1x Wraith at their Side Bases accessible by one-way teleporter from the main base (see screenshots #5 and #6 below). All these vehicles are on a 10-second respawn.
-There is a neutral Banshee at a 90 second respawn, and a neutral Scorpion at a 120 second respawn that first spawns one minute into the game.
-There are two Mongooses at the right ends of each High Bridge.



WEAPONS
1x Rocket Launcher at the top of each base.
1x Grenade Launcher underneath each base, 1x Grenade Launcher at the top of Right High Bridge near the teleporters.
4x DMR, each at the base of the Vehicle Cannons.
4x Concussion Rifle, two under the small ramps in the Big H and two near the ends of Left High Bridge.
2x Fuel Rod Gun (0 spare clips), one next to the Banshee and one in the middle of Right High Bridge.
1x Hammer, next to the Banshee.

SCREENSHOTS
The "Big H" is the giant center structure of the map, accessible by ramps at the ends, or by drop down from the High Bridges.
(1) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 39&player=the%20pib

Blue Team's vehicle fleet in their base.
(2) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 32&player=the%20pib

The High Bridges are accessible by four Vehicle Cannons on ground level below each bridge's end. Every vehicle in the map except the Scorpion can make these jumps. Some are more difficult for some vehicles than others, but they're all possible. Here, a Revenant is propelled to the top of Left High Bridge.
(3) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 03&player=the%20pib

A Revenant fires at enemies on the Big H from the top of Right High Bridge.
(4) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255106 99&player=the%20pib

Blue team spawns behind their base at the start of a match. That little white thing barely visible behind frontmost Spartan's head is the teleporter to the Side Base.
(5) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255098 45&player=the%20pib

The Side Bases are good places to go to escape spawn trapping or to quickly access the map's center, similar to Hemorrhage. Each Side Base features a Rocket Hog, a Wraith, and a Man Cannon to propel you onto the Big H close to the Scorpion. Here is the red Side Base.
(6) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 28&player=the%20pib

The Scorpion spawns on top of the Big H in the center. That 2-way teleporter next to it takes Spartans on foot to/from the teleporter in the center of Left High Bridge, visible in the top right corner of this screenshot.
(7) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255106 96&player=the%20pib

The Banshee spawns under the Scorpion in the center of the map under the Big H. The Hammer is visible to the right.
(8) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 35&player=the%20pib

Each team has a Rocket Launcher on top of their base.
(9) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 31&player=the%20pib

A Falcon engages enemy vehicles controlling a Hill.
(10) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255106 88&player=the%20pib

A Wraith (me!) blasts a boosting Banshee out of the air.
(11) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 13&player=the%20pib

At each leg of the Big H is a small ramp for vehicles to jump. Underneath each small ramp is a Concussion Rifle or a Plasma Grenade stash for infantry to ambush vehicles.
(12) http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255107 08&player=the%20pib

You can drive on top of a base via the ramps on the back or on either side, or take the man-cannons stuck to the rocks in front of the bases. Aerial view of Red Base.
(13)http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=255105 47&player=the%20pib




I'd like constructive feedback on this map, but only if you've tried it out or at least watched the video. If you don't like vehicles this map isn't for you anyway.

*Note* Rolling Thunder is not meant to be perfect enough for Matchmaking, I know the Vehicle Cannons are iffy if you don't know what you're doing, and I haven't been able to make them 100% reliable.






[Edited on 12.21.2011 4:04 PM PST]

  • 12.21.2011 1:30 PM PDT

I must certainly check this out.

[Edited on 12.21.2011 1:44 PM PST]

  • 12.21.2011 1:42 PM PDT

My theme
Battlelog
Halo Stats
My moment of fame =D Beat DeeJ (In Rocket Race) and won a T-Shirt. =D x2

My youtube channel

Nice map. One suggestion is adding more cover to the tops of the bases. You mentioned the map was playable with CTF, having some cover for the defenders would help.

  • 12.21.2011 1:47 PM PDT
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Posted by: Horse Repairman
RC RuNz the internet. Like the superintendent.

Posted by: SouthPoIe
Clone is an internet God.

Posted by: DerpRoids
RC Clone is the anti-thesis of a lurker.

Lolbro slayer.

I remember when Bungie thought that was a good idea.

  • 12.21.2011 1:48 PM PDT
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The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the overview screenshot was Gephyrophobia...

  • 12.21.2011 2:00 PM PDT
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Posted by: Boomdeyadahh
The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the overview screenshot was Gephyrophobia...

Yes, the inspiration for Rolling Thunder was a combination of that with Hemorrhage, but with the side bridges being much more interactive with the main area.

  • 12.21.2011 2:07 PM PDT
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Posted by: RC Clone
Lolbro slayer.

I remember when Bungie thought that was a good idea.

It's a sweet idea as long as it's a game you're not taking too seriously. Like Rolling Thunder!

  • 12.21.2011 4:00 PM PDT
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good morning bump

  • 12.22.2011 7:51 AM PDT
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I skimmed through the stuff above. I swear to god if there's a sniper on the map.....

  • 12.22.2011 8:11 AM PDT

/=\ncient \_|_/arriors

Queued for when I get off work!

  • 12.22.2011 8:25 AM PDT
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Posted by: Sandtrap
I skimmed through the stuff above. I swear to god if there's a sniper on the map.....

There's no sniper, no laser, no blueberries. I didn't want there to be any weapons that could effortlessly kill vehicles from across the map. There are plenty powerful weapons for infantry, but you'll have to get up close and personal to use them.

[Edited on 12.22.2011 9:25 AM PST]

  • 12.22.2011 9:19 AM PDT

Does anyone have lotion?
*Raises hand*
Is mayonnaise a lotion?

Looks cool!

OP, are you having a test of this map at any point? I would gladly join.

  • 12.22.2011 9:21 AM PDT
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Posted by: ICanHazRecon911
Looks cool!

OP, are you having a test of this map at any point? I would gladly join.

If enough people express interest I'll hold a lobby to test Bro Slayer and CTF on it tonight at 10:00 Eastern. Bring friends if you can, we need at least 12 people.

12/22 CTF AND BRO SLAYER ON ACTION CANYON
-The Pib
-ICanHasRecon911

  • 12.22.2011 9:24 AM PDT

Does anyone have lotion?
*Raises hand*
Is mayonnaise a lotion?


Posted by: the pib

Posted by: ICanHazRecon911
Looks cool!

OP, are you having a test of this map at any point? I would gladly join.

If enough people express interest I'll hold a lobby to test Bro Slayer and CTF on it tonight at 10:00 Eastern. Bring friends if you can, we need at least 12 people.

12/22 CTF AND BRO SLAYER ON ACTION CANYON
-The Pib
-ICanHasRecon911


Ok awesome! So 7:00 where I am...I can probably convince 2 or 3 of my friends to join so...

Send me a friend request,(ICanHazRecon911) I don't want to end up forgetting.

[Edited on 12.22.2011 9:29 AM PST]

  • 12.22.2011 9:28 AM PDT
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Edit: never mind, I'm working a night shift tonight, I'll reschedule a lobby for another day :(

[Edited on 12.22.2011 10:33 AM PST]

  • 12.22.2011 10:28 AM PDT

Such a noobishly made map, throw down a few walls, chuck in loads of vehicles and you got a BTB map. Just wow.

  • 12.22.2011 10:43 AM PDT
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Posted by: mcclintonsl
Such a noobishly made map, throw down a few walls, chuck in loads of vehicles and you got a BTB map. Just wow.

It's supposed to be simple. The whole point is for there to be lots of space to drive around.

  • 12.22.2011 11:38 AM PDT


Posted by: the pib

Posted by: mcclintonsl
Such a noobishly made map, throw down a few walls, chuck in loads of vehicles and you got a BTB map. Just wow.

It's supposed to be simple. The whole point is for there to be lots of space to drive around.

Maps can look half decent and give an appropriate amount of cover.

  • 12.22.2011 11:55 AM PDT
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Posted by: mcclintonsl

Posted by: the pib

Posted by: mcclintonsl
Such a noobishly made map, throw down a few walls, chuck in loads of vehicles and you got a BTB map. Just wow.

It's supposed to be simple. The whole point is for there to be lots of space to drive around.

Maps can look half decent and give an appropriate amount of cover.


It's practical, not pretty.

But there's plenty of cover. You just have to drive around to get a feel for where it is. Don't forget that even though cover appears to be sparse, you're 3-5x faster in a vehicle, and kill times are slower, so it's not a problem.

The Big H protects people above it from people below it and vice versa, there's the natural cover of Hemorrhage, a couple rocks around the bases, the small ramps on Big H (see screenshot 12), the pillars supporting the Big H block lines of sight across it and across the ground level, the Side Bases, and to take cover from the High Bridges just drive under them or under the H.



[Edited on 12.22.2011 12:15 PM PST]

  • 12.22.2011 12:04 PM PDT
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Posted by: Darknova24
no. doesn't work with elites. they can go through the spawn things, you need to tweak it a bit. plus AAs are used on this map so no.

I intentionally made the map so Elites would be at a disadvantage (they can't fit through the teleporter frames) because people who use Elite models in custom games are dicks, and there's no real reason to play any game involving Elites on this map anyway.

And AAs are not required on this map, you can play it with MLG or Classic or whatever you want, they're just useful for countering spawnkilling.

  • 12.22.2011 9:34 PM PDT

i suggest add less scenery and more cover for protection as well as neutral structures with a support weapon ie. laser

  • 12.22.2011 10:28 PM PDT

lotta fixing

  • 12.22.2011 10:31 PM PDT
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My biggest disappointment with Rolling Thunder is that nobody uses the High Bridges, because the Vehicle Cannon jumps are difficult and people get discouraged once they fail once or twice. I'm considering replacing the cannons on one or both sides with Vehicle Teleporters that you simply drive through down below and pop out of on top. I predict some pros and cons to that.

pro: there's no skill involved in using the teleporters, they'd be 100% effective every time for every vehicle.
pro: the map would finally function as intended, with people using all three levels.
pro: Spartans on foot could make it too without needing a Jetpack or dying.
pro: I could use two Vehicle Cannons instead of the current two-way vehicle teleporter between the High Bridges, which would be even cooler.

con: the Scorpion could make it up top, which might be extremely overpowered. I might have to take the Scorpion out of the map entirely. What could I replace it with, to make center of the Big H remain important... maybe a Rocket Launcher with four rockets?
con: the teleporters could be blocked by an empty vehicle, maybe intentionally, which would limit one side's ability to move around the map.
con: teleporting vehicles aren't as fun as flying vehicles.

Your thoughts?


[Edited on 12.23.2011 8:04 PM PST]

  • 12.23.2011 7:42 PM PDT
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Posted by: the pib
My biggest disappointment with Rolling Thunder is that nobody uses the High Bridges, because the Vehicle Cannon jumps are difficult and people get discouraged once they fail once or twice. I'm considering replacing the cannons on one or both sides with Vehicle Teleporters that you simply drive through down below and pop out of on top. I predict some pros and cons to that.

pro: there's no skill involved in using the teleporters, they'd be 100% effective every time for every vehicle.
pro: the map would finally function as intended, with people using all three levels.
pro: Spartans on foot could make it too without needing a Jetpack or dying.
pro: I could use two Vehicle Cannons instead of the current two-way vehicle teleporter between the High Bridges, which would be even cooler.

con: the Scorpion could make it up top, which might be extremely overpowered. I might have to take the Scorpion out of the map entirely. What could I replace it with, to make center of the Big H remain important... maybe a Rocket Launcher with four rockets?
con: the teleporters could be blocked by an empty vehicle, maybe intentionally, which would limit one side's ability to move around the map.
con: teleporting vehicles aren't as fun as flying vehicles.

Your thoughts?


I tried this today, and it worked just fine for Warthogs, but every other time a Revenant or Wraith would come out the upper teleporter, it would somehow get blasted into the air and spin like a flipped coin. What gives?

  • 12.24.2011 7:19 PM PDT

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