Sweeper
This position is one of my favorites to play and it proves to be extremely effective in-game and fills a unique niche that no other class can fill. With the addition of the Outrider Hornet class in the public test, the Sweeper has some new components to play with. The added maneuverability from the outrider class is definitely a plus, as well as the damage drop being less severe while energy is being lost. Although I say the position is very effective in-game, it takes a player with great map-awareness, ability to identify priority targets, dueling capability, accuracy with a laser rifle, and flag-play. This position is very situational depending on what the team needs, whether it be offensive, defensive, or mid-field. Of course, the sweeper should not stay on one side of the map, because his position depends on the situation and flow of the match as well as the map being played on.
The role of an offensive approach of a sweeper is to distract the defenders for your teams’ cappers, kill outgoing cappers and Light Offense, kill the enemy capper as he comes in from mid-field and be prepared for a standoff. Yes, this sounds exactly like Light Offense, but it is executed differently and is only one part of what a sweepers does. With the addition of a rocket and sniper rifle, the hornet has an incredible amount of killing power and can bring outgoing offense down to a miniscule amount of health in two shots. That is of course if you can hit both, but that is what the position requires in the first place. It makes it much easier on the chaser if you can kill the capper mid-field with a sniper, rather than at the enemy base. That is something the gunner lacks, mid-long range capability. Do not stand in the bowl in front of the enemy’s base and snipe their defense. This method is ineffective and a waste of a team’s position.
The role of a mid-field Sweeper is much more complex than the other two approaches. This is where your dueling ability, map awareness, proficiency with the laser rifle, and flag-play comes into effect. The purpose is to attack the enemy’s offense coming in to your base, assist your team’s chaser and take down the enemy capper leaving the base, and keep the flag in your team’s possession at all times. Knowing your priority targets is also a major aspect in this role, because deciding who to shoot first could make or break to effectiveness of the situation. Who is more of a threat? The hornet has the same if not more killing power than the offensive set, because you have more opportunity to hit and kill incoming and outgoing offense. Keeping the flag in your (and the chaser’s) possession is not an easy task. You need map awareness to know where your flag is and correct decision making to formulate a plan to get it back, whether you should cut him off or meet him at the base. It is also not something new to say that the enemy team will become annoyed with your position and send one, two, sometimes three players after you. I’ve seen it happen more than enough times to make it known here. If done right, this position is priceless.
The defensive approach is similar to a defensive sniper, with the new option of using the front of your bowl as an area where you perform in. On your side of the field, you also have the opportunity to hit incoming and outgoing cappers. Remember to focus who is the bigger thread and kill him as quick as possible.