Part 7

Your friendly guide to ONS-Aridoom in Unreal Tournament 2004. Learn about the map layout, weapon locations, and essential tips for dominating this desert Onslaught arena.

Alright, let's dive into ONS-Aridoom. This map throws you into a dusty desert with some cool steampunk vibes. Think rocky mesas, steel, and concrete – pretty desolate, but it's got its own charm. A big, old road cuts the map in two, which is a good landmark to keep in mind. This is an [Onslaught](https://unreal.fandom.com/wiki/Onslaught "Onslaught") map, part of the _XP Bonus Maps_ for _[Unreal Tournament 2004](https://unreal.fandom.com/wiki/Unreal_Tournament_2004 "Unreal Tournament 2004")_. ## Map Layout and Links The node setup here is pretty straightforward. It's a single line connecting the two power cores: Red Power Core ➡ Red Prime Node ➡ Center Node ➡ Blue Prime Node ➡ Blue Power Core. Not too complicated, right? Keep an eye out, though: Aridoom doesn't have a ton of high-tier pickups, and you won't find any flying vehicles here, even though there are flying pathnodes. ## Weapons and Pickups Here's the lowdown on what you can grab: ### Weapons * Grenade Launcher: You'll find 1 weapon and 2 ammo packs near the Red Base, and another 1 weapon and 2 ammo packs near the Blue Base. They're usually on ledges overlooking the tunnel. * AVRiL: There are 6 AVRiL weapons scattered around. Two are in the central area at the southwest and northeast barricades. Each base has one on an upper level ledge. The last two are inside the bases themselves. For ammo, you've got 10 packs: 2 near each base's weapon, 1 near each barricade weapon, and 2 near each base's interior weapon. * Lightning Gun: You'll find 2 Lightning Guns, one at the barricade in the Northeast base and another at the Southwest base barricade. Each comes with 2 ammo packs nearby. * Redeemer: There's only 1 Redeemer, and it's located in the Central Area, up high. Grab it if you can, but be ready for a fight! ### Pickups * Shield Pack: You'll find 2 Shield Packs. One is located in the central area, near the southwest barricade. The other is inside the Northeast base. * Health Pack: There are 4 Health Packs: 1 in the Red Base, 1 in the Blue Base, and 2 in the Central Area. * Super Health: You'll find 2 Super Health packs, one in each base. ### Vehicles * Manta: 1 Manta is available in the Red Base. * Scorpion: 1 Scorpion is available in the Blue Base. * Hellbender: 1 Hellbender is located in the Central Area, near the southwest barricade. * Goliath: 1 Goliath is available in the Central Area, near the northeast barricade. ## Walkthrough This section is a bit light on specific walkthrough details in the source, but generally, in Onslaught, your goal is to capture and defend nodes to push towards the enemy's power core. Focus on securing the Center Node first, as it's the linchpin. Use the vehicles strategically – the Hellbender and Goliath are great for pushing, while the Manta and Scorpion offer mobility and flanking opportunities. ## Tips and Tricks ### Offense * Vehicle Control: Securing the Hellbender and Goliath early can give your team a massive advantage in pushing the front lines. Coordinate with your team to use them effectively. * Redeemer Rush: If you can get the Redeemer, use it wisely. A well-timed Redeemer shot can wipe out a key defensive position or even the enemy power core if they're exposed. * Flanking: Use the open desert areas and the central routes to flank enemy positions. The Scorpion is excellent for this. ### Defense * Node Defense: The Center Node is crucial. Make sure it's well-defended. The barricades near the Lightning Guns are good spots to set up ambushes or defensive positions. * Vehicle Denial: If the enemy is heavily relying on vehicles, try to take them out with the AVRiL or target their spawn points. * Base Defense: Don't neglect your own base. Keep an eye on the upper ledges where Grenade Launchers and AVRiLs are located, as these can be vulnerable spots. ## Trivia ### Location Bugs There are reports of location bugs on this map. Be mindful of unusual geometry or areas where you might get stuck. It's always good to be aware of potential exploits or glitches. ### Author's Notes Sidney 'Clawfist' Rauchberger is the designer behind ONS-Aridoom. Maps by him often feature interesting layouts and strategic considerations. That's the rundown for ONS-Aridoom! Good luck out there, and have fun!