Sabotage...

Sabotage is a bomb-based game type somewhat similar to Search and Destroy. Unlike S&D though, the bomb is neutral, there is only one round, and both teams are simultaneously trying to destroy the opposing team's base. Whichever player is carrying the bomb is given a marker (green with the word "Defend" for friendlies, red with the word "Kill" for enemies) that updates every 2 seconds. When a player is killed during regulation, he must wait 7 seconds to respawn. A team needs only one score to win the game, though this can take a lot if not all the 20+ minutes of regulation (clock starts at 20 minutes, though at any time the bomb is armed at one of the two attack points the main clock will be frozen). If no winner is declared by the end of regulation, the game goes into Sudden Death. At the beginning of Sudden Death, all dead players are respawned, and the mini-map will permanently show all enemy targets, with the exception of Modern Warfare 2. There are no respawns, effectively turning the game into a neutral Search and Destroy. The game then ends when an entire team is eliminated, the target is bombed, or the 90-second sudden death timer runs out (thus ending in a draw).

This tends to be one of the more unpopular game modes, especially with players looking to level up. Given that only one score is needed, games can end in under two minutes, or last the entire 20 minutes with no winner. Either result is often unfavourable for gaining EXP, especially compared to modes like Headquarters. Additionally, teams may be reluctant to plant the bomb on the enemy base so that they can prolong the game as long as possible so that the players will get more kills and more EXP. Whenever a talented team wins the game in the first few minutes, games become short, kills are few, and tirades of abuse are common from players more interested in EXP than winning the game.

Also, since no team is actually winning until the game is over, a Host Ended Game scenario can be very ruinous to a team should their victory be imminent.

Because of the short respawn and bomb plant times in this game mode, a team with a few quality aggressive players can often overcome a good defensive team. Even if a bomb carrier trips a claymore or is killed by C4, his teammates will often be close behind to continue the attack. If they should fall as well, the first player will by then have respawned and sprinted back to the attack area to take his revenge. In these types of matches it becomes important to "push the bomb" as far towards the enemy plant site (and as far away from yours) as possible.

A defensive class for this gametype should have a sniper rifle and either C4 to put under the target or claymores to block the entrance to the room. With C4, go prone facing the target and toss some C4. If you do it right, the C4 will go under the boxes and be unable to be seen unless the player with the bomb goes prone. Then go away but keep it in your scope. When someone tries to arm the bomb, detonate the C4. Claymores can be used to prevent the bomb holder from getting to the target.

SitRep is a good perk to have because it lets the user disarm the C4 or claymores before they can kill you. The Bombholder should not have this perk. An escort should because if they die, the bomb is still possessed by a team and not just sitting there.

Post your tips and strategies for Sabotage here...