I can’t even begin to understand why people like this map.
There are no control points. In all the other maps there is usually 5 or 6 places where I know for a fact I have some sort of tactical advantage over the person attacking me and that I won’t get shot at from behind by some moron. Countdown has none of these areas Everywhere you go your getting shot at by everybody. It’s not fun and yet everyone picks it.
If someone could explain to me why they like countdown that would be great.
> I can’t even begin to understand why people like this map.
>
> There are no control points. In all the other maps there is usually 5 or 6 places where I know for a fact I have some sort of tactical advantage over the person attacking me and that I won’t get shot at from behind by some moron. Countdown has none of these areas Everywhere you go your getting shot at by everybody. It’s not fun and yet everyone picks it.
>
> If someone could explain to me why they like countdown that would be great.
cheap kills with sword and shotty?
also its not forgeworld gray
They pick it over maps that aren’t forgeworld grey though 
Because it could be worse, I could have to play Arena Zealot =P
> Because it could be worse, I could have to play Arena Zealot =P
Eh I like Arena Zealot better to. Though that’s pretty bad. Countdown is terribad.
But there are control points… The upper area near Big Door. The two lifts, and the balcony between. Good coke points/map control, as well as good sight lines.
> > Because it could be worse, I could have to play Arena Zealot =P
>
> Eh I like Arena Zealot better to. Though that’s pretty bad. Countdown is terribad.
And I like Countdown better.
Personal preference my friend, personal preference.
> They pick it over maps that aren’t forgeworld grey though
this. forge world is borring
> > Because it could be worse, I could have to play Arena Zealot =P
>
> Eh I like Arena Zealot better to. Though that’s pretty bad. Countdown is terribad.
With so many lifts on the map I can set lift traps all day long on it, which pleases me to no end =D
The weapon layout is terrible. Two CQC weapons on the most CQC-heavy map in the game? #bungietrolled
If the Shotgun and sword were replaced with the Sniper and Rockets ala MLG it would be greatly improved.
My reason for choosing it usually boils down to wanting to own the people who try to ambush me with shotty/sword with my concussion rifle 
???
because all of the kiddoz love sword and shotgun … and Reach’s flawed host migration/weapon spawn system allows for plenty of childish and crazy play…
MLG Countdown is pretty good and actually flows really well.
Default Countdown always ends up being slow paced and frustrating.
The only difference is the presence of sword and shotgun.
I like countdown because its a mix of cqc and longer ranges.
I’d like to see the sword become the grenade launcher though.
Countdown is actually one of my favorite maps. I think its a bit reductionist to blame games there on “the kids” who like their cqc. Is your trueskill bad enough to match you with that kind of opponent? If so you probably have other problems to work on before you start complaining about maps.
IMO the map just plays well. If you’re playing with a team (which you should be if you take this game seriously), it’s easy to keep tabs on the enemy and know when you’re safe. The movement on the map is fantastic, and the balance is pretty decent in that there aren’t any powerful defense points. Every room has several entrances and every power weapon is in a tricky spot. There are some long sight-lines but enough cover and escape routes to give you a chance if you don’t get the first shot. The one thing I don’t like about the map is how powerful random grenading can be. Squad slayer on countdown, for example, could be absolute hell with those four extra frags every spawn.
If you’re complaining that you keep getting shot from behind on this map, you’re either playing by yourself, like a scrub, or you’re just not paying attention, like a scrub. If you’re complaining about shotgun and sword, try learning how to actually use armor lock. Only one person on your team needs to use it to completely shut down the cqc.
I personally like Countdown. It and Zealot are the only good non-forged maps that shipped with Reach for pretty much all gametypes.
One reason I like Countdown is that finding a DMR/NR isn’t difficult. With 6 DMRs and 3 NRs, I can get a utility weapon in a non-DMR start gametype with near certainty. Also, the map’s size is decent for most matchups, except when it was in BTB.
The power weapon layout should be revised though. The shotgun should be the only CQB weapon with one less clip, perhaps as a power weapon. Rockets and a Sniper would be nice, like MLG, or perhaps some Camo.
As for power positions, the top radios are actually good spots to hole up if you account for Jetpack.
Nothing worse than playing Assault Rifles on Countdown.
As mentioned above, the weapons are what kills this map. If there was only one
power weapon, it could be a good map.
If you are running solo because you only have a few minutes to play, this is not the map you want to come up.
If you are playing Arena, the jetpack is being removed, so bypassing the lift traps is no longer going to be possible.
For me, because it’s easy to get from place to place. And plenty of places to make different uses of the map (dropping down). Another reason is…You know locations. If someone says sword, bottom of the main lift. You know where it is.
There are maps that everyone likes. Alot of people didn’t like snowbound on halo 3 because that one room connecting the two bases underground became a blood bath.
@SOUPWAR@ Hmmm, interesting and I quite enjoy AR’s on it
It’s an absolutely stinker of a map. The DMR battles are non existent. It’s just an Assault Rifle and Melee map. it’s ugly and boring. It’s almost as bad as Sword base.
I agree with OP, it’s AWFUL.