Map Strategy: Abbey

Abbey is a smaller map that is usually decided very quickly based on which team strikes the first major blow.  Abbey is designed so that both sides are nearly identical with minor differences that give one side a small advantage in a specific area.   Most of the fighting will quickly take place in the E and F lines since both teams usually meet there.  Most of the map funnels players down specific lanes.  This makes it difficult to play lights, mediums, and frail tank destroyers difficult like you usually would.  Most matches are decided up close by brawls.  This World of Tanks Abbey strategy guide will go over the basic routes, positions, and tactics you will see in most random World of Tanks battles on Abbey.

World of Tanks Abbey Strategy Video Overview

Video is from pre-1.0 and will be updated in the near future

World of Tanks Abbey Strategy

World of Tanks Abbey Strategy 1.0

Amphitheatre (1-3 Lines)

The amphitheatre side of this map envelops the 1-3 lines.  You have two clear paths that run north to south.  Limited cover dots these paths and typically having heavy armor and/or more tanks will be a benefit.  The 1 line road is largely protected from SPG fire unless the enemy SPG is located in the 1-3 lines.  Both sides are able to either defend the 1 line from a distance or they can advance will hugging the sides for cover.

The 2 line is more dynamic since you are open to receiving fire from the Abbey in the center. SPGs also have clear shots on both D1 and G2 where tanks will often be.  If you see more than 1 SPG in the battle keep in mind that sitting in these areas will mean a lot of SPG fire.  If you need a quick escape make sure to drop down through the amphitheatre area since otherwise you run the risk of drowning.

Playing this flank from either side is straight forward.  If your team has a ton of tanks in the 1-2 line then usually making an early strong push takes the flank.  Splitting your tanks so that you cover both the 1 and 2 line makes things easier.  If you have under 5 tanks on the flank then taking a more cautious approach is wise.  For the yellow team I like to set up in D2 far enough back to retreat through C3.  From the south H1 typically allows you better shots and a faster exit back to your base.

Abbey (4-6 Lines)

The abbey is located dead center in the map and tempts many push out to it.  While it may provide shots into many other flanks the same can be said about taking fire in return.  Usually if you are not in a light or medium tank then it is ill advised to go here early in the match.  With 1.0 the “hidden” route from the northern side was removed in D5 that gave the yellow team a clear advantage.  Now the only path into the abbey is located through the main road in the 5 line.  You can exit the Abbey through here or use one of two exit only paths. One located in E6 and the other in G5.

Early Game

If you do decide to go into the abbey at the start of a match expect to encounter a tank similar to yours.  If you aren’t confident you can take on whatever the enemy has on their team then don’t press to far too early.  From the Abbey you can fire down into the river flank(7-9 lines) and also hit the amphitheatre area(1-3 lines).  Throwing in a quick spot on the enemy base may get you a lucky SPG spot. Keep in mind that usually there are 1-3 tanks camping the base that usually only have you in their sights.

Mid / Late Game

Later on in matches the abbey becomes more important since it provides vision and map control.  If your team is doing well on the amphitheatre side of the map then pushing through the 4 line is your best bet.  Either push through to their base, or turn and clear out the 5 line.  On the other hand if your team has control of the river flank.  Then you will want to play the 6 line instead.  Unlike the town side of the center there is no path here other than directly to the enemy base.

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River (7-9 Lines)

Last but not least is the river flank that is located in the 7-9 lines.  While this flank isn’t particularly bad to focus on.  I find it does pose problems for teams more often than not.  Looking at the river flank you can see it has one direct path north to south.  There is very little cover from SPGs unless you push past the halfway point of the map.  There are two alternate routes that either take you into the river or up onto a ledge towards the 6 line.  At first glance it doesn’t appear to be very different than the 1-3 lines.

The difference between the river and amphitheatre is that the river is cut off from every other flank of the map.  This leads to teams putting the bulk of their tanks here and then encountering little resistance.  By the time you reach the other end you have lost the rest of your team and also control of the map.  Usually I only play the river flank when my team completely abandons it and leaves 0-2 tanks defending it.  Set up close to your base to where you can retreat back around the openings in B8/J8.  Your goal is to stall the enemy while your team cleans up the rest of the map.

If you do decide to play this flank aggressively.  Avoid being caught early on in the “kill zones” located in the C8/D8 for the yellow side and G8/H8 for blue.  Artillery has excellent shots here and more deadly are the tanks camping the ends of the flank watching this area.  Pushing to the D7-F7 areas will provide more cover and allow you to dictate the fight directly in front of you.

Artillery Placement

For both teams setting up artillery is dependent on which flank your team is most likely to hold.  It doesn’t make sense to position towards the river if your team only places 2 tanks there.  The same goes with the amphitheatre side if your team isn’t strong there.  Whatever flank you do pick will dictate where your best shots are going to be.  Setting up towards the 1-3 lines you will have great shots down the 1 line and also into the 7/8 lines.  Setting up towards the river you will have better shots into the 2 line and also shots far back on the 8 line.

Pre-1.0 Abbey Map Strategy

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