When the match starts, it's best to stay out of the centre ground for the opening seconds. Too much open space that leaves you exposed to enemies from too many entry points means you're simply a sitting duck.
Even during the mid- and endgame, it's best to stick to the flanks and only cut across the middle when you absolutely need to. The best way to cut directly across the middle is to powerslide under the flaming jeep. You won't stop powersliding until out the other side, unless you hit one of the end walls at such an angle that it breaks your momentum.
As a general rule: spending too much time out in the open is never a good idea.
Back to TopOn one side of the map it's possible to head up flights of stairs on either side and run along a central wall which has a scrolling "RED ALERT" warning. Take the hint: it's rarely, if ever, a good idea to use this run.
This run leaves you completely exposed to anyone inside the central zone, which at the best of times is a huge choke point and has so many lines of sight looking at the wall it makes you a giant fish in a tiny barrel.
If you're looking to get to the other side of the map quickly, try using the outer wall (the one with Welcome to Terra Farm written on it) as a better, safer alternative, then double back to inside the labs.
Back to TopThere are some doors and windows which can give clear lines of sight across the map. The doorways either side of the RED ALERT wall are a good place to nab a kill or two, but as soon as you fire your gun and put down a foe, get moving.
Don't forget that unless you have the stealth perks equipped, as soon as you shoot you become visible on enemy radar, so sticking around in a narrow pathway just makes you an easy target. Get your kills then get on the move again looking for the next one. Don't be looking down your sights the whole time, either, as it narrows your field of view and unable to spot potential threats.
Back to TopAs soon as the game starts, sprint to the side of the map with the green boxes. Most players run to this side first in the hope of getting quick kills. Get yourself here first and get a good shooting position for some early hits yourself. Be mindful of the central alley leading back to the middle of the map, as players can look to enter from here and get a sneak attack.
You can get to this location quicker from the side with the giant boulders.
Back to TopThere are two levels in which people can fight, the ground and the second floor of the interior buildings (coupled with the wall run path). So as you're rushing around, be mindful of where attacks can come from. If you're on the floor, look out for vantage points above in case any foes try to make a break across the map. Equally, from up high you need to keep alert for windows and other spots snipers might try and pick you off from.
Back to TopHave a look on your minimap as often as you can. If your team is spawning right next to you, there's a good chance there aren't any enemies in the immediate area, so you can sprint to somewhere else.
Equally, if you've decided to rush all the way over to the other side of the map, you better watch your back as there's a good chance opponents will spawn behind you and get an easy starting kill. Because Combine is a pretty small, clearly defined map, it's easier to tell where your opponents are most of the time, so try not to go too gung-ho.
Back to TopSpecialists’ offensive abilities and weapons are better suited to this map thanks to how small it is. Ruin's Gravity Spikes, Outrider's Sparrow and Prophet's Tempest all do well here thanks to the likely-closeness of targets, especially in objective modes like Domination and Demolition.
Prophet's Glitch also works well on account of the frequent wall-running. If you find yourself landing amongst several enemies and can't take them out, glitch back to before you began the run to get to safety.
