In general I think better maps overall for the game are ones that don't innately benefit certain squad types.

Sure, if a map benefits the squad type you like to play, you're going to love that map. That doesn't mean that it's overall good for the game.

There are 2 maps on the current list that I think inordinately benefit very specific squadtypes.

1. Outlaw City.
At first it feels like a map that multiple squad types can compete on, but in actuality it has proven to really benefit one major squad type over so many others. Highly mobile shooters with strong Disruptive. I've seen players use the claustrophobic quarters of the center cluster of rooms completely shut down any opportunity to crack into the cocoon without being blown away. The abundance of green lined squares (low cover) is an issue for melee to slog through, and advantages Mira and her still 100% functional rigged detonators double grenades. Unlike Cantina (also a ton of green), it's very easy to get within 6 without being hit. The latest change to Rigged Detonators is useful for Cantina, but does virtually nothing for Outlaw City. It also has a several 1 square wide doors that can easily be blocked to turtle up in. It's an extreme map that can be used to amazing effect with a very narrow squad type, mainly Mandos with Mandalore the Vindicated.

2. Starport Terminal.
Shooters paradise. Once doors get open you can shoot all the way across the map. High powered shooters and uber fast melee (especially when CLOAKED - IE Nightsisters) are just so hard to overcome. Especially with additional movement. I have found that games last LONGER on this map because there is so much cat and mouse, with so little safe spaces. Advancement is very hard for anything without Cloaked or uber fast movement breakers. Jabba squads, Nightsisters, Jabba Nightsisters just dominate on it.


I think these 2 definitely need to be replaced. The other maps have balancing factors that make them ok to stay.

^^ That's Cantina ^^

Corrected

IMO the biggest problem with this map are the choke points in general. This map getting added was an oversight by me, but too far along to make a correction. this map was a problem well before this year and, like I stated, a complete oversight by myself. Not only heavy disruption, but heavy distraction is king on this map. Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors were a HUGE problem the last time it was on the restricted list and for that reason it will get a huge timeout.

Who makes the restricted list? Is there a map committee same way as a balance committee?

Asteroid Base has lots of green in the center (and elsewhere).
Anchorhead's center room is almost entirely green terrain (or adj to green).
Smuggler's Base has almost no safe squares in the center room.
Starport Terminal...
Starport District...

So yeah, it's not just Cantina and Outlaw City.

I just got on vassal and looked at every map on vassal. I really enjoy the "Theed Palace" map. It doesn't have direct lines to Gambit, but Gambit is decently open. It has green squares in different places. It also has walls to hide behind that make it a tad more difficult to be found. It has doors that need to be gone through to get to Gambit.

It looks fun to me.

I like it.

It's a fun map but horrible for competitive play, I doubt it would make it through the season before being removed.

It's a visual mess of clutter with inappropriate line art.

The gambit area is a narrow corridor with a large pit.

It cuts out 9 gambit squares, 7 are walled off and 2 are in the pit.

Of the available gambit squares, only 2 are not adjacent to low cover or a pit.

Fastest route to gambit from the left is 19 squares, well protected, and offers great los on an approaching enemy.

Fastest route to gambit from the right side is 17 squares and ends adjacent to the large pit.

The Rancor Pit fix tile is actually in Vassal. It's somewhere in the Tiles menu.