bam4

(Report written by Shilka)

The first map played was bam4, 8 v 8, using QW2.3 and TF2.9 on SOB's One.Net server for OTFCR points, using old grens. Playing for Loki were Darkmane, Proto, AstroBoy, Victim, Beer, Goo, Zel and Mil.

The obligitory opening scout rush worked well for both teams. Both flags left their respective flag rooms in the opening minutes and the score straight away went to 10 - 10 thanks to [SOB] Mainframe then Mil. The difference here was the SOB defence established itself straight away while the Loki defence lapsed for a moment and [SOB] BadBoy managed to sneak in and grab the blue flag again. The Loki defence appeared to be on a break as DarkMane, unaided, chased a second blue engineer all the way to the flag. The spy didn't get far but a traitorous Loki sentry gun decided not to fire at several red scouts and the flag was gone.

Meanwhile, the SOB defence was tight. A sentry gun in their key room was causing huge problems for the Loki attackers. They were seldom able to reach it let alone kill it. A bizarre combination of soldiers, an engineer and a spy on defence made life difficult for the blue attackers. Luckily Zel managed to catch the SOB sentry gun snoozing and suddenly the SOB flag was out in the open. With the flag out, Beer went on attack and immediately SOB reacted by reducing their attack. The previously busy Loki basement became quiet. The end result of this was that Goo, Zel, Mil and Beer slowly carried the red flag up the spiral, escorted all the way by a group of red defenders. This major faux pas helped Loki as another capture followed before the SOB defence could reorganise, and Zel equalised the game at 30 - 30.

From here on the mood of the game changed completely. The previously amiable (confident?) red attackers, weakened after SOB added extra defence, flamed Loki with accusations of spamming - calling them very unlikeable people. A few nasty insults were traded before the SOB attacker in question realised that insulting the other team wouldn't help him win the game. With SOB visibly stressed after perhaps expecting a comfortable win, scores were even. This was not the case for long though. Beer scouted past the SOB defence and bounded up the spiral to put Loki ahead 40 - 30. From this point on, Mainframe from SOB let everyone know he was not a happy chappy and [SOB] Seal annoyed everyone on the server with his inane and childish 'Arf, arf' messages flooding the already frantically scrolling console. More flame coursed the airwaves and the SOB attack dwindled. Loki kept the pressure on SOB's defence, making sure they didn't move the new defender back on attack. This tactic worked and the game ended with a narrow victory to Loki.

Map score: Loki 40, SOB 30.