What you can learn from MoBA’s Series : Lesson 5 – Formations

In ancient times, the first armies were individualistic in nature. Men would form lines only to break them up as they charged the battlefields and die mindlessly.

I have seen a lot of MobA games, and so many losses could have been prevented if only each team member would do their role or plan. Some even get lost in-game…

Before we get started though for first time readers, I am Zamboangamer and this blog is dedicated to advocate video games as a learning tool and a self-improvement blog. In particular, this series focuses on the MoBa games and the tricks and secrets to give you the razor’s edge, and win more games.

https://zamboangagamer.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/what-you-can-learn-from-mobas-series-lesson-1-the-traits-of-a-mature-gamer/

Lesson 1 covers what you need to know on how the pros think like in the game, with the need for better gameplay and wins.

https://zamboangagamer.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/what-you-can-learn-from-mobas-series-lesson-2-know-your-role/

Lesson 2 covers how to maximize your role as a hero in-game. A team that effectively uses the hero’s role makes better games and more chances of victories.

https://zamboangagamer.wordpress.com/2014/10/05/what-you-can-learn-from-mobas-series-lesson-3-chatting-your-way-to-victory/

Lesson 3 covers team communication, a bit of player psychology and how you can rally your team to victory. Encouraging and good communication is the way to raise team morale, win games and make friends. 

https://zamboangagamer.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/what-you-can-learn-from-mobas-series-lesson-4-coping-up-with-defeat/

Lesson 4 deals with a better way to cope with those pesky defeats which creep up to you and ruins your day. It’s a must read.

And now we move on to the fifth lesson in the series which has taken a lot of research and study to compile and write. It’s also become a personal favorite of mine because since then, I have won more games than usual.

Ever wonder why you are always hit by Mirana’s or Ashe’s skill shot? Or how you could have avoided those AoE (Area-of-Effect) skills? Want to know the perfect way to catch the enemy off guard and make it off alive or with the enemy team wiped out?

This is why this post caters to formations. It is a secret to mastering warfare and why pro-gamers have the best plays that make you spam that replay button.

“When the victorious get their people to go to battle as if they were directing a massive flood of water into a deep canyon, this is a matter of formation.” -Sun Tzu

Formations have decided how armies would win the field. As a general your overview of how the battlefield works will determine victory or defeat. Of all the ancient armies that I have studied (HISTORY FTW!) it’s The Roman Legion that does the it the best. A lot of this generation look up to the Spartans with their recent movie 300. It is a movie that deals with the battle of Thermopylae and how the Spartans courageously fought even though they were outnumbered, while heroic in the eyes of many, military generals and scholars have seen easily seen the weaknesses and this is why the once glorified spartan armies have been conquered by an advanced foe. The Romans.

The Roman Legion was in my opinion the best army in ancient history, it expanded its empire through most of europe, north africa and the middle east. It’s armies were constantly improving and has become the basis for most modern-day armies today.

The key strengths that the Legion has is its disciple, flexibility and innovation. The army consisted of ranks that the Spartans did not have. They used every weapon from sword,spear,bow,siege engine and every man to his designated role. The generals studied their enemies and exploited every weakness they had. It was through the valiant effort of the Legion did the empire extend and lasted long. It’s legacy is even longer. To give you a glimpse of how the legion operates the YouTube clip below will give you a good idea. It was based on the movie Gladiator and a favorite childhood movie of mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxryaAPuV8

Are you as pumped up then? Now comes the discussion part, try experimenting these formations with your team and see how it will better help you win.

These formations will cater to every MobA game and can be used in several situations. These are but a few examples and there are more.

OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS

This is a typical wedge formation some also call it the arrowhead. It is an ideal formation for pushing the lane. Ideally the tanks are the first to the frontline while other hero roles support it. Take note that this formation has weaknesses on both the sides and can be flanked.

If the enemy sneaks behind the tank must turn his attention behind the formation, never get squeezed between a tower and enemy heroes like the pincer formation (discussed later). When retreating it is best to break up or go together in one general direction, usually to the safest one.

Overall, this is the first of many offensive formations, a good hero selection including items will ensure your victory.

This picture is the first prototype I made using paint, refer to the lower pictures for an improved diagram on what the roman numerals mean.

The spearhead formation is an offensive formation and can be perfectly used for attacking the enemy lanes. Tanks should be the tip of the spear followed by hitters and support. Either you are close enough to support each other or spare some distance between each hero is up to you, but the main point of this formation is to do as much damage as you can before making a run for it.

The weaknesses of this formation lies with the back area or sides. Enemies can easily exploit these areas and flank you so ward of the areas behind and have the map awareness to look out for them. When the enemy does flank you, turn the “tip of the spear” of the tank to the enemies, guide your team to an ambush spot or make a full retreat back to base.

Overall, Speed is your ally in this formation, make as much damage as you can in the lane and teleport or segway to other lanes. The tip of the spear must never be too far ahead otherwise team members can’t support directly.

 

The Line formation is similar to the arrowhead or spearhead but varies in the distance of the heroes and the direction on where your heroes are going to. This formation is inspired by the phalanx formation used by ancient Greeks to gain an advantage over their enemies.

Similar weaknesses also lie the said formations above, your best course of action when flanked by the enemy is to break off to every direction in hopes of gaining less attention from enemy heroes and teleport back to base or stand and fight. Sometimes sacrificing a hero while the others run back to the fountain is an ideal strategy, just make sure that every teammate understands the word sacrifice.

GANKING MANUEVERS/FORMATIONS

 

 

The Pincer formation is the ideal formation for clashing. It involves luring the enemy either at the lanes or jungles or the river that runes through the map.  Pincer formations are risky though. To enumerate the risks are:

1.Distance between you and your team

2.Coordination

3.Enemy status (never try this formation if the enemy is too strong)

4.The hunter is now the hunted (this means that you are trapped)

5.The right skills (heroes need to have the right set of skills)

This formation’s weakness is a gamble. It requires precise planning and timing to pull it off. No wonder the best games are mostly streamed on video sites. These clashes are always fun to see, but in-game its the most mind-numbing, some get even lost due to the multiple spell casting. The tank or the ones in the middle of the clash are the most

Overall, your teamwork is tested with this maneuver, but the good thing here is the escape points indicated to arrows moving away from the clash area, your losses can be minimized simply by having the map awareness to the direction of retreat and attack.

 

 

The Star Formation is similar to the Pincer but different in terms of the number of enemies, one or two enemies can easily be outnumbered if you close in and finish them off quickly. It is a sure-clash formation but might also leave you vulnerable. The strength of this formation lies in every teammate contributing a skill to earn that nice bounty.

The weaknesses of the star formation is not every member of your team has equivalent stats, skills or items. It also make you vulnerable on all sides. Your main counter will be to stand and fight as one just like the Avengers in that awesome camera shot where they are circled by the enemy.

Overall, the Star Formation is good for closing in on weaker enemies but is risky if the tables are turned. Retreating can either be a coördinated smart move or a panicked messy one. Again team coördination is necessary.

 

 

DEFENSIVE MANEUVERS/FORMATIONS

 

 

 

The Tower Formation

Using the towers in all stages of the game is a good defensive maneuver. The tower contributes the biggest damage early game, supports lane control in the middle game and annoys enemies during the late game (although they give out less damage).

The weaknesses lie in enumerated items below:

1.Tower’s limited attack range

2.Tower is stationary and its hit-points are low

3.Tower is vulnerable at late game stages due to enemy hero level and damage output

4.No allies to defend the tower or backdooring (damn that BD)

5.Allied Team is flanked and dead.

The Tower formation when used properly can pick off enemy heroes and aid you to launch an offensive counterattack, this tactic is known in the MobA game but is rarely acknowledged. Treat the tower as your sixth-man instead of a commodity and the tower’s full potential is unleashed.

Use these formations and discover new ones, Let me know what you think of these, comments, suggestions,likes,support,criticisms and discussions are welcome below. Keep on’ gamin 🙂

Zamboangamer039’s Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes

Hail fellow gamers! I’m so inspired today from what I have heard and seen on TV about our city and its heroes. Indeed the best of us is brought out in times of crisis. On my part however, I am using this blog to empower other gamers who feel worthless or who have lost on life. These heroes have made impacts in Zambogamer’s life and I hope they make impacts on yours. This is the male version btw and Zamboangamer is currently drafting the Female Heroes 😀

10. Niko Bellic – GTA IV

Now please don’t take this the wrong way if you asking why a GTA protagonist is among the top 10. Niko Bellic came to America but needed to do what he could to survive. Zamboangamer039 does not want you to steal cars, do drug runs or kill civies, the main point is Niko Bellic did what he had to. He paid his cousin Roman’s debts, and made a good living of himself by working from the bottom up. Aside form CJ, he’s one of my favorite GTA protagonists due to still being good deep down.

 

9. Jim Raynor – Starcraft 1 & 2

Jim Raynor is a space cowboy and overall fights for justice in a resourceful manner. No matter the odds of political intrigue or innumerable zerg he fights bravely even if he has to go and kill his former love Kerrigan. Zamboangamer estimates that many Starcraft fans love Jim Raynor and that includes yours truly. His moral is to always do the best with what you have for the good of all.

 

8.Megaman – Megaman Series

Throughout the years, Megaman has been a childhood friend to many of us, if you have played his recent games on the GBA or the NDS then he is Lan’s NaviPet, a sort of digital friend who deletes viruses (that would be awesome in real life). He is loyal to his friends and companions and acquiring powers and experiences over the years makes him adaptable for any situation. And that should be a lesson to many of us. 

 

7.Lee Everett – The Walking Dead Game Episodes

Lee Everett who stars in the Walking Dead game… not the crappy one gave such an emotional roller-coaster that it’s hard not to give him a spotlight. Aside from the usual killing zombies genre, Lee is given the responsibility to take care of Clementine. His fatherly care for the girl and his sacrifice is commendable. Much of the choices you have to make will impact upon Clementine’s life which will be continued in season two (this is not the tv show). He deals with many pressures but does it all for the sake of Clementine. Zamboangamer needs a tissue now, the memories are coming. 

 

6.Guybrush Threepwood – Monkey Island Games

One of the best heroes are the unlike ones. Sure a strong and brave muscly type hero is the usual stereotype but Guybrush is not likely to be that image. If you have ever played the Monkey Island games then Guybrush is known for his 10 minute holding breath under water ability, humor and sword wits. His simple dream of being a pirate made others laugh or discouraged him for taking of to the seas. But the dream was never relinquished. Throughout his journey his resourcefulness and quick thinking saves him and earns him a girlfriend, few can accomplish such feats. He makes it possible for guys like you and me who don’t have the muscle but have the wits and humor to contend with the best. Btw Don’t give up on your dreams. 😀

5.Super Meat Boy – Super Meat Boy

 

Wait, don’t tell Zamboangamer that you have never played this game? It might be something that passed you by so let us summarize. SMB (Super Meat Boy not San Mig Beer) is on a quest to save his love the Bandage Girl and doing this in a platformer can get frustrating for many gamers, but not SMB, if he gets killed another (clone/incarnation?) takes it place. Edison quoted that failing 10,000 did not get him down, and just like SMB, who also has a optimistic view of life. ONe you is despite of failures stills sees the brighter side of life is his moral to us.

4. Gordon Freeman – Half Life Games

 

This gaming icon seems to be in everyone’s list but for us here in Zamboangamer039 he has been a big influence not only in our gaming history but also on what he teaches us. When he comes to a certain scene people seem to go to him as if he had answers. But this silent protagonist does not have the solutions (pun intended) he does do what is right by the many puzzles in the game. This moral of solving our problems without question is what Gordon Freeman tells us…if he could only speak.

 

3. Ezio Auditore da Firenze – Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelation

 

The Assassin’s Creed series has been hit after hit, but few of the protagonists made a dent to our emotions. Ezio changes that as a major chunk of the games involve him. We witness and interact with his life from his teens to his elder years. He has been a major influence to the brotherhood for his shadowy heroism. It just goes to show that not just Knights can be champions of the weak. Ezio can tell us many lessons but to summarize it is to live life to the fullest. Experience it in unconventional ways and doing good things even if you are unheard of is beneficial in its own right.

 

2. Commander Shepard – Mass Effect 1,2,3

Shepard has been one of the best video game heroes that Zamboangamer has ever met and played. He has become an overall galactic hero for his legacy (Paragon). It kinda sucks to what happens with him after ME3, I can testify that it was an unfair ending.He’s not just a military stiff with formalities but a good friend. Shepard also makes it possible for us to realize the challenges of our lives can be dealt with, no matter how insurmountable or how impossible it would be just like Reapers. Anyone who has experienced the Mass Effect Journey can relate with us. We salute you Commander Shepard.

 

1. Minato Arisato – Persona 3

P3FES was a complete journey that made Zamboangamer039 laugh,cry,smile, and hope. It was a game that pulled heartstrings and it was overall awesome. Anyone can relate to the journey he has undergone, the relationships he made and the value of sacrifices that where needed to make to save humankind (like Jesus Christ). What’s more is that he is a student, something you and me can really relate to. Minato Arisato made Zamboangamer see life different, so many lessons can’t be made into this post because some have been mentioned above and a separate post is being drafted for what P3 has taught us. Thank you ATLUS, make more of this. P5 needs to have more!

So this wraps up Zamboangamers Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes. Stay tuned for more 😀 We know you have your own list, so comment them. 😀