Dustbowl

**The Dustbowl** is a map in Ravenfield.

## Map & Characteristics

A massive open desert with greatly varying terrain, Dustbowl is easily the largest map in the game, or at the very least the map with the largest fully navigable surface area. While it appears large and flat at first glance, the flag distribution and terrain actually lend it a mostly horseshoe-shaped layout where the flow of battle is concerned. The Northern and Eastern sides are mostly open dunes, whereas the South West edges take on a mountainous relief, home to rock formations, a massive land-bridge and other structures.

The sprawling nature of the map means that vehicles and interceptors will reign supreme. Tanks will often pull the weight of any capture endeavour, whilst aircraft will have ample opportunities for strafing runs. Despite this, however, the sheer spread of battle will often see certain units ignored or forgotten, frequently resulting in lone Quadbikes sneaking into undefended territory, often with devastating results for their careless opponents.

## Points of Interest

### Oasis

The Oasis is one of the main capture points, acting as the main base for the Eagles or the Ravens. The Oasis has very little cover compared to the other capture points, having only a few palm trees and boulders for units to hide behind. However, being far away from the other capture points compensates for this disadvantage.

### Airstrip

The Airfield acts as the secondary base for the team controlling the Oasis, providing the air power for their operation. It consists of an unpaved dirt runway with two hangars, one of which spawns two Attack Planes and a Bomber. An AA gun situated atop the nearby hill provides defense against enemy aircaft.

### Quarry

The Quarry lies adjacent to both Oasis and Airbase am spawns, and is also open to attack from all other flags except for Fortress. It consists of a large recess in the cliff side, with mine cart rails, crates and huts forming a rough perimeter along the surrounding hills. The implied Mine shaft is inaccessible.

The cliff is an excellent location from which suppressing fire may be laid down from a distance. However, the cliff is also incredibly steep, so enemy troops too close to the cliff face cannot be eliminated and immediate descent is unsafe. The need for close-quarters warfare may render use of the cliff a mistake. The Cliff is also an excellent location for practicing sniping against Helicopters if you have the time to do so.

### Checkpoint

The Checkpoint sits directly north of the Airbase. Due to its close proximity, it is likely the team spawning from the Fortress and the Airbase will capture it first.

The Checkpoint consists of a one-story building blocked off by gates at either end, and fortified by concrete barricades and stacks of pipes. A tank spawns on one side of the building, while a jeep and a quadbike spawn on the other side.

Just southeast of the Checkpoint is a small canyon which leads to the quarry. At the northern head of the canyon is an AA gun.

### Town

The Town sits in the northeast corner of the map, amidst a cluster of assorted huts. The surrounding buildings affer intermittent cover between The town and Airstrip, but shield the elevated base very little from direct attack. Though it offers an excellent vantage point against most other flags, it is still prone to being blind-sighted by tanks.

### Airbase

The Airbase is the second Raven-controlled starting flag, and the seat of their Air support. It consists of a paved runway with three hangars, The spread-out nature of its two turrets offers a solid defense against both air and ground attacks from at a distance, but the absolute lack of cover means that the flag will almost immediately succumb to any concentrated enemy assault

### Fortress

The Fortress is another main capture point and main base for the Eagles or Ravens. The Fortress consists of a large grey structure with a satellite dish on top and a helipad. Unlike the Oasis, which is out in the open, the Fortress lies in a valley, with steep hills covering it on three sides, shielding it from long-range assault.

## Other Points of Interest

### Bridge

Formerly the location of an Airbase-equivalent capture point, (Beta 5 and prior) the bridge now serves as an exclusive route between The Checkpoint and Fortress. It sports a small structure at its midpoint (the old capture zone) and a larger, unused building at the Fortress-facing end.

## Gallery

The old Flag configuration of Beta 5 DustbowlA rock arch near Checkpoint
## Trivia

* Dustbowl seems to be inspired by Middle-Eastern Warzones.
* Unlike most maps, each team by default controls two points.
* Pre-EA5, Hydra is a secret weapon found in this map.