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Tips & TacticsFilling Stations

INTRO: Though one's weaponry is needed to properly engage the enemy, without a place to fill/recharge them, the weaponry can be made useless very quickly. Filling station set-up appears to be one of the most overlooked necessary areas in many water wars. The following page will look a little deeper into different types of filling stations, the benefits of each as well as how to optimize them for varying situations.

FILLING STATION CATEGORIES: The following is a simple ranking system for different filling stations. Not that it needs to be adopted by everyone, but it makes explaining the rest of this page much simpler.

  • Level 1: Basic Station - Comprised solely of filled water bottles.
  • Level 2: Low Grade Station - Comprised of filled water bottles as well as a large water container (i.e. cooler)
  • Level 3: Mid-Level Station - Comprised of filled water bottles but also has a limited water source (i.e. small faucet, drinking fountain, etc.)
  • Level 4: High-Level Station - Comprised of filled water bottles and has a working hose available
  • Level 5: Top-Level Station - Has 2 or more working hoses available as well as filled water bottles

FILLING STATION DESCRIPTIONS:

Level 1 Stations have the most limited supply and methods of filling. SC-class weapons would not be able to use their quick-fill and the SC-Power Pak could not be recharged. However, being made of solely water bottles, this is also the most mobile filling station. If possible (and depending on the size of the water war), many small bases can be set-up with Level 1 stations in them since they are quick and easy to make. Of course, like the water weapons, once the water bottles are empty, the station is out as well.

Level 2 Stations have more water available to them than Level 1 stations, but are also unable to power-charge SC-class weaponry. These station types do have a "quick-fill" option for smaller weapons which can be simply plunged into the cooler (if enough water is available) and filled quickly. However, like Level 1 stations, once the water supply in the station is exhausted, the station is left high and dry.

Level 3 Stations have an "unlimited" water supply, but do have a limited recharging rate and are still unable to recharge SC-class weapons via the quick-fill method. Unlike Level 1 and Level 2 stations, Level 3 stations are fixed in position simply due to the water source. The main problem is that using small faucets or drinking fountains is that the amount of water coming out is slow. IT can take a few minutes just to fill one larger water weapon. The best option is that the one who is guarding the filling station should also ensure that many large water bottles are kept near and filled. When allies return to recharge, the water bottles will allow more to fill-up at the same time without having to wait for the water to come from the faucet/drinking fountain. Then, while the rest of the team is on a mission, the bottles should be refilled.

Level 4 Stations have an "unlimited" water supply as well as good recharging rate and can opt for recharging SC-class weapons via the quick-fill method. Filled water bottles, however, are still recommended to have since they will allow more people to recharge at the same time. The problem with only having one hose available is that a choice must be made whether or not to use the quick-fill stand for SC-class weapons (if they are being used). It takes time to switch between the SC-filling stand and a normal hose-nozzle. If possible, a Y-adapter should be purchased along with a short hose to allow both quick-filling as well as regular hose filling to be used simulaneously. As an aside, the hose, of course, can also be used for filling station defense.

Level 5 Stations are the "ultimate" filling stations. Two or mose hoses allow SC-power charging to be used without worrying about sacrificing a hose. Multiple hoses also allows a variety of station defense measures to be used (i.e. sprinkler traps, hose-arm plocal patrols, etc.) Using Y-adapters as described in Level 4 Stations further maximizes the usefulness of these stations. Of course, having filled water bottles available would still allow for more allies to recharge at once, but this is not as needed since lots of water can be quickly brought forth from multiple hoses.


Copyright 1998, 1999. R.G.

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