Prebrief

Highrise features opposing offices overlooking a central rooftop worksite. Tunnels wind below the surface and an imposing Helipad offers access to some of the map’s best vantage points alongside other perilous crossings for the brave and foolhardy.

Whether you plan on using every odd angle to outplay the enemy or prefer a more direct approach to combat, this guide to Highrise will ensure firm footing in all areas of the iconic skyscraper.

INTEL CARD — HIGHRISE

Tactical Overview

In team-based modes, squads will either enter the map through the elevators in Phonic Reception (north) or deploy into the Actibase Office (south).

The top of the skyscraper lies between the two buildings. Operators must battle amid ongoing construction, the building materials offering passage to some of the map’s best power positions.

We’ve divided Highrise into four sections based on key areas around the map:

·       MAIN SPAWN POINT: Phonic Office (+ Phonic Reception, Phonic Storage)

·       MAIN SPAWN POINT: Actibase Office (+ Actibase Reception)

·       ADDITIONAL AREA: The Pit (+ Mechanical Room, Tunnels, Substation)

·       ADDITIONAL AREA: Helipad (+ Propane Tank, Propane Shack, Green Tarp, Green Shack)

MAIN SPAWN POINT: Phonic Office (NORTH)

The Phonic Office puts you on level ground with the central rooftop, offering easy access in and out of the building. A single room stretches east to face the Helipad, while the opposite side branches into Phonic Storage and Phonic Reception. A staircase by the restrooms descends into the Phonic Tunnel, a maintenance corridor that leads straight to the Pit.

Climb the ladder at the back of the Phonic Office to access the rear platforms, giving you great coverage over the inside, plus a partial view of the path running between the Helipad and the Pit. There’s no way to the front ledge inside the building; instead, look to the path created by the Crane Platforms extending west from the Helipad. Get onto the Crane and head back to the Phonic Office for access to the upper ledge.

Want an even better view? Smash the windows by the outer scaffolding and climb into it for a great rooftop view. Just keep in mind your added exposure here; don’t overstay your welcome.

MAIN SPAWN POINT:  Actibase Office (SOUTH)

Fight around the cubicles, side offices, and the lobby of Actibase, an office in a pristine skyscraper setting. There’s just one accessible level inside, so the majority of threats here will be encountered face-to-face. Of course, the front windows open up to all kinds of sightlines across the rooftop, the Helipad, and the opposing Phonic Office, so always be aware of your position in relation to them.

The southwest corridor leads to a staircase descending into the Actibase Tunnel, which offers a means of escape when the building gets too hot. It’s also a great way to attack enemies in the building, allowing you to flank behind the central office, sneaking up on their position as they’re engaged with your teammates in the center.

The highest position on the map is accessible from the front of the building here, though you’ll need bravery, timing, and placement to achieve the vantage point. Start by taking a running jump via Tactical Sprint toward the ladder on the building’s left side when facing it. From there, walk the edge of the building to the hanging platform on the other side. Use that to reach the rooftop. If you can make it without getting eliminated en route, you’ll be rewarded with the highest power position on the map. Beware of the propane tank behind you; if it takes enough damage, it will explode wiping out anyone on the roof!

ADDITIONAL AREA: The Pit

For close-quarters and stealth operations, the Pit can’t be beat. Its path runs in a trench along the left side of the map in two sections, the Orange Pit and the Red Pit. Each extends into maintenance Tunnels running underneath the two main buildings.

When running through the Pit, the high surrounding walls help to partially obscure your position to those above. Be mindful, however: Some half-wall sections and a chain-link fence provide rooftop players a means to spot you, not to mention those up in higher positions like the Helipad and Crane.

In the Tunnels, close-quarters combat reigns, while the Pit adds some midrange sightlines to the mix. For those looking to stay as mobile as possible in this confined area, consider attachments that improve your hip-fire accuracy or move in Tac-Stance for a balance of mobility and accuracy. Use the Mechanical Room to escape to the Helipad or as a means to breach the Pit from a lower-profile angle.

ADDITIONAL AREA: Helipad

In an already highly dangerous environment, the Helipad is positively lethal. With staircases on the north and south ends, it’s easy to get up top for a commanding view of the area. The Crane Platforms extending from the nose of the helicopter lead to further powerful vantage points.

The Propane Tank and Green Tarp sections adjacent to the Helipad offer their own challenges. Large cover pieces hide enemies from sight, and the Shacks on either side provide partial cover to those within. The Shack rooftops are also accessible for those seeking a higher view.

Need to get out of sight fast? Drop off the northeast corner of the rooftop where a low-hanging platform will catch your fall. Take a breather and then climb back up and renew the fight.

Objective Overview

Overall Tactics

From the interior corridors to the Pit and Helipad, Highrise offers plentiful opportunities for every style of play. The map excels, however, in its daring longshot positions: The better you know the layout, the better prepared you’ll be to utilize, and evade, these power positions.

The major points to be aware of are the Helipad, the Crane, and the elevated positions in either building. The Sign is another contender, though really any area where you can climb up for a view over the action becomes a potential power position.

Learn to recognize these points instinctively as you move toward objectives. By anticipating problem areas, you’ll be better prepared to counter them when they arise.

Domination

The Domination flags run a ragged line down the middle of the map, one in each building, with the B flag positioned in the center lane running between the Pit and Helipad.

Of the two buildings, the A flag in the Phonic Office presents the greater challenge to capture and hold, considering its proximity to the front-facing windows and the danger of enemies coming in from the upper Crane path. Use the adjacent columns and building supplies for cover when capturing the flag, then fall farther back into the building to force the enemy to come to you.

The C flag in the Actibase Office, on the other hand, sits behind cubicles and office supplies, making it easier to avoid direct fire from the rooftop. Most of the fighting around this flag will take place up close inside the building.

Set in the crossfire between the buildings, the B flag makes for a tough capture. Once you’ve got the A or C flag under control, make your push for B, coordinating with your teammates to advance at full strength.

Hardpoint

It’s all about control of the central rooftop in Hardpoint, with all five objectives placed between the two main buildings. While some sharpshooters are certain to remain in the offices for their long-ranged sightlines onto the rooftop, it’s the Operators in the middle of it all who will be making the scoring plays.

Expect building-to-building crossfire to hit its height at the start of the match when the Substation pulls Operators down the center line between the offices. Toss a Smoke Grenade on the other side of the objective to reduce the enemy team’s vision from far back.

The remaining Hardpoints create plentiful close-quarters opportunities in the tightknit areas of Propane Tank, Red Pit, Green Shack, and Mechanical Room. Keep in mind that blasting any of the Propane Tanks will trigger an explosion, a useful tactic for dislodging stubborn defenders. When navigating the other Hardpoints, consider using Tac-Stance for greater mobility and close-range efficiency.

Cutthroat

Highrise supports all kinds of tactics, each round offering its own brand of mayhem. Teams can move to the major vantage points and snipe the other two teams as they slog it out in the middle or make a close-quarters push through the Pit and toward the overtime flag. Each approach has its strengths and flaws.

Though long-ranged sightlines remain potent, Cutthroat rounds will often be determined by who has the best close-quarters skills. Taking the overtime flag is a key round-winning strategy, so get in close and make it yours.

A mix of close- and long-ranged Loadouts can do well, too. Send a sniper up to the Crane while the other two move through the Helipad or down by the Elevators. Whatever your strategy, look for ways to counter the tactics of the other teams, whether that’s taunting them into close range or falling back to watch them fight as you pick off the scraps from afar.

Search & Destroy

With just one life per round, you’ll want to utilize all the tricks available on Highrise in Search & Destroy. From building-to-building sniper battles, close-quarters fights along the Pit, and the tug-of-war for dominance over the Helipad, there are plentiful risks and opportunities around every corner.

With both bomb sites positioned on the central rooftop, it’s up to the attacking team to push forward out of the Actibase Office in order to plant the bomb. The Pit makes for a strong path forward, considering the south-facing ladder providing access to the A site as well as the underpass leading to the Helipad and the B site.

Defenders may want to push toward the top of the Helipad, providing a commanding view over both bomb sites. If you’re feeling risky, take the Crane Platforms toward the Crane for an even wider view; stop by the tank above the Elevators for a concealed look right over A and toward B. You might also approach the enemy head-on by rushing through the Phonic Tunnel and out to the Pit.

Of course, rounds often turn into a game of total elimination, in which the entirety of the map opens up into a hunting ground. This makes for some great tactical plays, but don’t let the objective slip from your mind, lest you get stuck far from the bomb sites, thus losing the round through a plant or defuse.

Top 10 Tips

. Launcher duty. Achieving a power position won’t help much if you’re lit up on the minimap for all to see. Keep your team’s cover by blasting enemy UAVs out of the sky.

2. Practice solo. First time on Highrise? Or maybe it’s just been a while. If you’re not yet comfortable with the various trick spots on the map, try loading up a Private Match so you can move along the Crane and Actibase rooftop without the pressure of an ongoing battle.

3. Watch your step. This is a skyscraper, after all. See those rooftop ledges? Take one step too far and you’re toast . . . or rather, pancake.

4. Cat in a maze. Become the hunter by utilizing all of Highrise’s vantage points. Get comfortable climbing the face of the Actibase Office up to the rooftop, navigating the Crane, and getting onto the Phonic Office upper ledges. Anything you can do to get above your prey is well worth it.

5. Keep it simple. On the other hand, overusing all the map’s trick spots can slow down your game and make your plays predictable. In objective modes, you might even end up hurting your team, as the time it takes to get into position leaves the objective wide open. Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple and approach the threat head-on.

6. Watch that Killcam. Getting attacked from angles you didn’t even know were there? Take a few seconds to watch the Killcam to see exactly how you were taken out, then use that info to get retaliation and to add another strategy to your deck of plays.

7. Tac-Stance in the Pit: Tac-Stance can make getting through the Pit and around the Helipad a much easier affair, especially if you have an LMG or other heavy weapon that struggles in close quarters. With Tac-Stance, you can navigate tight areas more nimbly while retaining accurate fire.

8. False sense of security. Notice an enemy Operator moving over the Crane or edging along the Actibase Office toward its rooftop? These precarious pathways require focus to traverse, momentarily keeping the player off the objective. Let them waste precious time getting into position, and then blast them just when they think their work has paid off.

9. Over the Elevators. Take up a position over the western Elevators for a view through the windows into both buildings as well as over a large section of the middle rooftop and Pit. Get here by traversing the Crane Platforms extending from the Helipad or climbing the ladder on the south side of the Elevators. Oh, and watch that tank; if it hasn’t exploded yet, it can be used against you.

10. Speak up. With so many wild angles and power positions on the map, it quickly becomes a team effort to track down all threats at any given time. Assist your squad by calling out and pinging enemy positions so the whole team can make better decisions about how to tackle the objective.

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