Raptor - tactics

Raptor is another team-based game where you can choose between controlling one of an army of Uga Bugas or a Raptor. In this game you must reach a pre-determined score total by either killing your enemy or by returning to your base with something of theirs. The Raptors need to return home with an Uga Buga to feed their baby while the Uga Bugas need to throw a Raptor egg into their oversized frying pan.

The Uga Buga team accrues 1pt per kill and 2pts per egg delivered to the frying pan. The Raptor team scores 1pt per Uga Buga they chomp down on and can get an extra point if the Uga Buga is fed to the baby in the nest. The map pits each team’s base on opposite ends of a large "S" with an ancient 2-story temple occupying the middle of the map.

There are a seemingly infinite number of ways to divvy up teams in Raptor, as anywhere from 1 to 4 human players can play with as many as 8 Uga Bugas in some situations. Obviously, your strategy will depend on not only which team you are representing, but how equal or off-balance the teams are. This, and the fact that you are completely defenseless when carrying an egg or Uga Buga, will determine whether you choose to make capturing eggs/Uga Bugas a priority. For example, it is not advisable to go for the eggs unless you have at least a 2 Uga advantage.

	Raptors

First off, the Raptors are at a disadvantage when it comes to attacking as they are devoid of weapons. Their only attack comes from their giant set of chompers hence you had better be up close and personal when you go for the kill. Another disadvantage is the fact that in all likelihood the Uga Bugas are going to outnumber you. So this leaves you with essentially three strategies–one for even strength, one for being slightly outnumbered, and one for being grossly outnumbered.

	The easiest way to win as the Raptors is at even strength, or even when there are 2 Uga Bugas to your 1 Raptor. Simply wait at the nest and throw them to the baby Raptor as they attack. Let the first go for the egg, kill the second, and then grab the one with the egg as he runs down the ramp.
	Things are a bit tougher when there are 3 or more Uga Bugas coming for you. You have got to stay on the move and all but ignore the concept of feeding the baby. Watch the radar for slow-moving blips as they will likely be carrying the egg. Catch him near the frying pan, as it is likely to be the only place there aren’t any Uga Bugas.
	A full game of Raptor involves 8 Ugas and 2 Raptors. Not a pleasant situation if you’re the Raptors. And all but impossible if you’re not playing with a human teammate. Assuming you are, stick together and find a home in the Temple of near the Uga Buga base. Keep your backs to one another and try to simply kill one or two Uga Bugas for each time you die. Good luck!

	Uga-Bugas

Switching from the Raptors to the Uga Bugas is like stepping out of a Hyundai and into a Porsche. Uga Bugas are mean little buggers and they aren’t about to take any crap from a couple of Raptors outliving their species’ welcome. For not only do the Uga Bugas have the ability to overwhelm the Raptors in numbers, but the ability to use ranged weapons alone all but guarantees victory. Once again, your decision to steal the Raptor eggs or simply go for an elevated Kill tally will likely depend on the numbers of the teams. But, contrary to what you may expect, you are warned against stacking your team with an army of bot-controlled Uga Bugas as they will only help to increase the Raptors point total. The less Uga Bugas the better.

	First things first, winning with an army of Uga Bugas is not easy–but you couldn’t resist the 8 on 2 challenge, right? Well, you might as well do as the other Uga Bugas do… grab the knives and stick it to them. Follow your loincloth-wearing brethren to the Raptor nest and slice them up. You might lose an Uga or two but the knives and bats will surely polish off any resistance. Since most of the Ugas will simply wait there to kill more Raptors, you can rush home to the frying pan with an egg.
	Now let’s address the other extreme: when the Raptors outnumber you. If you’re playing a dare devil game of 2 on 1 and you’re the 1, you have only one chance for survival. And it has nothing to do with eggs. Follow the trail past the frying pan and up and over the temple’s ledge to the rocky walkway in the distance. In the corner will either be a Crossbow, Handgun, or Chainsaw. If it’s anything but the Chainsaw you would be wise to stay on this ledge (only one way up to it) and snipe Raptors as they cross the courtyard below. Should they get past the frying pan, they will still need to cross the temple and then charge you.
	Ok, so the two extremes aren’t all that hard, how about 2 on 4? The best bet for winning in this situation is to find the Handgun or Crossbow and make your way to the Raptor nest with your fellow-Ugas. Get up on the ledge over the baby and blast away at the Raptors while your buds go for the eggs. Just don’t fall, the baby will get you!

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