I've noticed on this map that the Axis dominate the defence of the fuel depot easily on this map, especially since nowadays there are less bots and more skillful players. So to combat this, i've made a few changes to the layout of the fuel depot itself:
- The east depot barricade (one closest to the Axis spawn) is now fully constructable
- The west depot barricade (one furthest away from the Axis spawn) is now only partially constructable
- The Axis garage spawn (in the building with the truck) has been removed
- An MG42 nest has been added in the depot wall's west bunker (next to the 2nd tank wall) facing inwards
The general idea behind this is not necessarily to make it more difficult for the Axis, but to make it easier for the Allies to access the fuel dump. The east depot barricade is now fully constructable which balances it in favor for the Axis due to the west depot barricade now being open which balances it for the Allies more. The reasoning behind this switch over is to give the allies better passage to the fuel depot through a less axis-defended area, as well as being further away from the Axis spawn.
However, the Axis can still defend the area using the MG42 nest added on the depot wall's west bunker; this MG42 nest may be the biggest, most important addition to this map. The MG42 nest faces inwards to the depot and easily covers the whole area where the west depot barricade is as well as a part of the middle section where the transformers are near the steps up. The MG42 does not cover the stairs leading up on the wall and into that west bunker however, and the MG42 operator will not be able to see players coming up to kill the operator; so situational awareness will be important as well as relying on your team.
This MG42 nest works both ways, if the allies have managed to get through and plant a dynamite. Axis rushing to get around and through the west depot to defend the fuel depot itself might be faced with an Allied player on the MG42. Since the Axis come from the direction of the door, the Allied operator may be killed quickly, but it may or may not buy the allied dynamite enough time to blow up.
If Axis focus all their defence on the west depot barricade though, the East barricade can still be satcheled/dynamited, so don't forget that axis! An Allied player may also sneak up to the MG42 and clear the area of defenders as well. Of course the garage spawn for the Axis, right in the middle building of the fuel depot, has been removed since it allowed the Axis to re-deploy their defenses far too quickly for the Allies after getting killed.
Let me know what you think of the changes when you play, it may take some time for some to adjust or realize the changes. I may also be making some changes to Goldrush in the future, but please let me know more about your own experiences on that map before I do.