User blog:RefillSunset/Assault Build Part 2

Introduction
Well lucky me, I had the time to write/post the second blog on my assault build in my own account. This blog will be about things to take note when being the glass cannon, weaknesses of the build and maps specialties. For those who missed the first blog check it out here.

http://saszombieassault.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Bryan_Kwok/Assault_Build_Part_1

I know I said I would talk about the benefits, but after running through the first blog again, I think mowing down the entire enemy team, getting the most kills and generally being a bad-ass is a benefit enough, so let’s not waste words on that.

Things to take note:
1) Aggressive vs recklessness.

This is utterly crucial. Engage in fights that you are sure you can triumph or you can run away for a comeback. If there’s a horde coming and you feel confident, feel free to dispatch them! But if that horde is resistant towards your damage type and you don’t have adaptive on your guns? Would you rush forward in this case? You would look like a downright idiot running straight into zombies, more so if you know you cannot beat them but still try.

2) Situation Awareness.

Do NOT get ambushed by shadow minions, as your defense stat will be ignored, making you severely injured, if not dead, after two to three hits. Remember, retreating does not mean surrendering. You should try to deal the most damage while taking the least. You speed will allow you to re-engage very shortly; your defense stat and health pool will not let you take many hits.

3) Snap Decisions.

What will you do if your team releases Nightmare pods next to you? Will you fight, or will you run? Being an artist of speed, both for running and attacking, you need reflexes and decision-making to deal with sticky situations, such as being surrounded. Do quick calculations accordingly. If you have to blast your way out, which way is easier? Which way will be more damaging to the horde and to you? Trust your instincts and don’t hesitate. Otherwise by the time you decide, you won’t need to decide.

4) Positioning.

Sometimes you can just relocate and get a much better angle on the crowd. Sometimes relocation gives you a better failsafe plan (i.e. larger area to run to). Sometimes relocation forces zombies to take certain routes to get to you, so you can kill them all much more easily. Remember, the more space you have, the better you can survive; the more space they have, the harder it is to take them down.

5) Sniping.

If you make good use of your mini-map, you can take the zombies down before your team or even yourself sees them. This is great as you can save a lot of time dealing with zombies which you could have dealt with earlier.

6) Teammates.

Just because you don’t stick to them doesn’t mean you don’t need them at all. You can help them as much as they can help you. This assault is great for drawing the crowd away from you team, because you can easily kill the zombies, or distract them and allow your team to escape (though if it’s the heavies taking the damage, then don’t bother).

Also, check your team’s profiles and decide whether they deserve priority or not. Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing your life by ignoring the zombies on your back and killing the ones breathing down a good medic’s neck.

Consider how your team may be affected by your actions. If you rush ahead and die, will your team perish along with you? Or are you strong enough to deal with hordes of any size while your team pushes and heals you?

Weaknesses:
1) Lack of stable healing source

Any character except for medic has this problem. While Stim Shot is a great healing ability, it’s not a constant source. This greatly affects how you play, especially when you are rushing ahead of the team to take down zombies. A team without a medic means you will have to play extra carefully, or else you will be running around at less than half health most of the time.

2) Survivability

In normal gameplay, this Assault has no problem surviving, as he can easily dodge the crowds. However, surviving in enclosed areas or prolonged fights are problematic because the assault has insufficient space to run. Also, one wrong decision on the frontlines and you will possibly be screwed.

But I’d rather play the game with a sense of excitement and risk of losing than being all-rounded invincible and getting no fun out of the game.

3) Terrible at all events (though performs great in most contracts).

4) Somehow not very popular. Some people don’t like Assaults because…well, it’s the assault.

Nightmare Map Specialties:
1) Onslaught:

Quite difficult because there is limited space and zombies from all directions. You can’t really run around the map late in the round anyway, so it is recommended to just defend in the middle room, so that zombies are forced to come in from three directions only. Shadow minions mess up this tactic badly.

Also, if you are certain of your capabilities, you can actually engage the mid-boss on your own. By drawing the boss’ attention, you give your team a much better chance at defending.

2) Vaccine:

Rather simple. There is plenty of space to run around in any part of the map. The confined area of the lab is also easy because zombies are forced to attack from one direction only. The only possible problem is the train ride, but if you stay to one side of the train, you will only have to deal with zombies from one direction as well. Also, since everyone is confined in this small area, your team can easily assist you.

When facing the boss, you are probably the one with the best chance to dish out of it if you have to. You can easily skirt around the boss and make a beeline for the plane. Just be sure to grab the vaccine before you board the plane, or else you would be doing nothing entirely.

3) Survivors:

Beware of ambushes. This is one dark map and shadow minions can sneak up to you fairly easily. Also, be careful of houses that contain pods or zombies, and don’t rush in by mistake. Don’t set off zombies you cannot deal with, and remember you do not have to save ANY of the survivors. Don’t risk your life for them.

The boss zone is very hard because it’s dark, it’s small and zombies come from all directions. You must co-operate with your team on this point, or else if you run off on your own, you risk dividing the zombies into two groups and cornering your entire team. Deal with all the spawns first so you can fight the boss undisturbed, unless you can take down the boss THAT quickly.

4) Pods:

Not as difficult as expected. As long as you have a gun with good pierce, this entire map is your playground. Just be careful because dying will unleash the horde following you onto your team, and that is not something good. For boss zone, just keep clear of the sides and keep an eye for shadow minions. People who have mastered this build can literally draw the attention of all the bosses and zombies in the boss zone if you can run between them carefully, greatly helping your team. If your team decides to unleash one boss at a time, you are crucial to taking that boss down ASAP.

To avoid making this blog too long, I will end it here. The rest of the map notes will be included in the final blog for this assault. This is just my opinion and my build, feel free to ignore it. If there is anything you think is wrong or could be improved, comment below. If you think it’s good, tell me in the comments below. Thank you, and happy hunting.