Frontlines Basics

I decided to try to compile a quick list of general knowledge and tips that it seems many new players attracted by Freelancing and the Garo even don't seem to know. Many of these things I say at the beginning of matches, and yet still see players fail to heed. So I'd like to give the advice a little more exposure here.

1. Keep Your Map Open
I used to have the biggest issue with this when I started. As it stands now, I've resized my map so that it sits just above my chat window. I have it set so that it goes transparent once I'm moving. But most importantly, I can see the enemy team's movements almost all the time. This is crucial for strategy as you can perhaps move to pincer a team between you and the 3rd team, or avoid the same. In modes such as Seize or Shatter, you can see nodes activate and move for them immediately; it is very much to your advantage to get there first, and where you can't, you can move to counter. As I always say, "When you know where they are, you know where they aren't."

2. Base Guarding
This requires special attention as it's really only specific to Shatter and the old Secure mode, but some facets of it hold true for Seize as well. This goes hand in hand with keeping your map open as well. Let's say a node activates in the north of the map, and your base is south. . . Guess where everyone's likely to be going? Standing on base, "guarding" it is effectively a waste of time, and you could perhaps help your team more being with them.
"But Lace, what about Ninjas?" Well, Ninjas are a thing, yes. However, Ninjas can't stay hidden while trying to steal your base. If you have your map open and you see an enemy symbol suddenly appear on base - ALONE - everyone go ambush the Ninja for a free kill, if he's not smart enough to run. What if he comes back? Pretend to leave, but watch your base. When the familiar capturing field reappears, go let him have it. He'll either learn or continue to get farmed for points all match. SIMILARLY, if I know you're alone guarding your team's base while your team is across the map, I'll grab a few teammates, ambush you, and steal your base anyways. So really, no base guarding is necessary for the most part.

3. Dismount Near Enemies
I can't say this one enough. If you are hit while riding a mount, you get a Heavy debuff that remains even if you dismount. Once you're heavied, you're effectively a free kill. You can also be slept, stunned, or bound while on a mount (and need I remind you, that's the requirements for the MCH's 450 potency PvP skill, Between the Eyes. . . AND if can crit). Get off your mounts near enemies. Do not try to get ON a mount near enemies. And if you see someone do that, attack them. They'll perhaps learn.
Also, consider these factors as well:
- Larger mounts are easier to target
- The Manacutter is actually slower on land, and cannot fly
- You cannot ride with someone on a 2 seater mount, and those tend to be larger.

4. The Battle High/Battle Fever Mechanic
This is Frontlines' version of a kill streak buff. Players with a Battle High (4+ kills) or a Battle Fever (8+ kills) deal increased damage and charge their Adrenaline gauge faster. They are effectively high threats and should be treated as such. Healers, assume this player will be targeted as much as you might, if not more, and do your best to keep them alive. Tanks, defend your Highs/Fevers, and do your best to hinder and mitigate enemy Highs/Fevers. Everyone needs to focus and crush an enemy High/Fever, especially if they have a healer focused on keeping them alive (tanks, you can move to mitigate the healer while others attack the main target). Having just one High/Fever can really be a huge advantage for a team; allowing your team or an enemy team to gain multiple Highs/Fevers can really shape the flow of battle. And speaking of. . .

5. Learn to Understand the Flow of Battle
Consider this the composite of many previous points. There's a time to fight, and a time to fall back. The balance between these can shift at a moment's notice, and being able to recognize and understand this is cruicial to victory. Unless you have a strong lead or are clearly outmatched, a passive strategy is rarely to your benefit. Now of course, if 2 GCs are deadlocked in battle to the point that they're ignoring objectives all match, you can simply capitalize on their lack of focus. Other than that, you HAVE to fight. In Shatter specifically, unless you get a large ice uncontested, or are able to hit more small ice than the other teams all over the map, ice alone won't get you the win. Especially if dealing with teams that will target enemies at the ice. Know when to push, know when to fall back, keep your map open to read enemy movements, and be sure to cover each other as needed.

6. Use the Terrain
This should be marked specifically for the different modes, but overall, be mindful of the environment and terrain you're fighting within. Both Seize and Shatter have many blind spots, many open areas, and a few great points to ambush from. Shatter specifically has more verticality than Seize does, and can be used to a ranged player's advantage if done right. All Frontlines maps have choke points and areas of heavy traffic - a caster's dream (especially SMNs). There are also bridges and cliffs, useful for knockbacks, or countering knockbacks (Tanks, this is where your PvP skill, "Push Back" really shines). Use the terrain as strategically as possible, whenever possible.

7. Capture and Hold (Seize-specific)
It's one thing to make a strong push against a captured node in Seal Rock (Seize). But recently I've seen players storm the enemy and simply get locked into battle, all the while the enemy is still gaining points from the captured node. Someone has to get in there amid the fighting and seize the node, or all your fighting is for naught.
By that same token, don't run if your team captures a fresh node. Fight for it! It's yours. You got there first. Don't let anyone else have it. There are exceptions to the rule of course. Are you holding a B rank node but an S popped nearby or closer to your spawn? Strategically, give up the B and capture the S (if you can with less risk). Or if the node you're holding is almost done for, let them have it while you ready for movement and the next new node.

8. Casters and Icebound Tomeliths (Shatter-specific)
Now this isn't an ironclad strategy, but it works for the sake of team synergy. Icebound Tomeliths in The Fields of Glory (Shatter) have a 50% magic resistance, thus casters naturally deal less damage to the ice. For that reason, casters are played much more effectively as anti-infantry/crowd control at ice nodes. Put targets to sleep, use Wither (SMN PvP skill) to strip off buffs, attack, slow, heavy, bind, MITIGATE the enemy team. They can't gain points from the ice if they're not alive/not allowed to hit it. As well, use your aoe Adrenaline Rush to pull double duty and hit both players and ice. You may do less damage, but damage is damage. Target melees close to the ice, or perhaps grouped up ranged/casters/healers on enemy teams.

I hope this guide helps you to achieve better Frontlines experiences and more victories!