Silk Road (Chinese: 絲綢之路) is a map included the Battlefield 4 expansion, China Rising. It takes place within the Gobi Desert in northern China.
Overview[]
The map consists of a small military outpost surrounded by sand dunes and numerous mesas, with some canyons in the northern part of the map. Large, open spaces in areas creates mostly vehicle-based engagements. The Levolution event on this map is much like the one on Golmud Railway, with IEDs being placed around the map.
Conquest[]
Map layout for Conquest
All of the Conquest bases on the map have an encampment theme but with differing styles. As one of the mid-sized maps, this allows for open vehicle combat while still featuring plenty of infantry action. The map has five flags in Conquest, and seven in Conquest Large.
Flag Layouts[]
| Flag | Conquest | Conquest Large |
|---|---|---|
| Camp | A | |
| Supply Drop | A | B |
| Barracks | B | C |
| Army Base | C | D |
| Radar Station | D | E |
| Crash Site | E | F |
| Fortification | G |
Equipment[]
 United States Marine Corps
| |
| Light vehicle(s) |
Multiple Dirt Bikes |
| Infantry fighting vehicle(s) |
1 LAV-25 |
| Main battle tank(s) |
2 M1 Abrams (4 on Conquest Large) |
| Helicopters(s) |
1 AH-6J Little Bird (2 on Conquest Large) |
| Fixed-wing aircraft |
2 F35s |
| Emplacement(s) | |
 People's Liberation Army
| |
| Light vehicle(s) |
Multiple Dirt Bikes |
| Infantry fighting vehicle(s) |
1 ZBD-09 |
| Main battle tank(s) |
2 Type 99 MBTs (4 on Conquest Large) |
| Helicopters(s) |
1 Z-11W (2 on Conquest Large) |
| Fixed-wing aircraft |
2 J-20s |
| Emplacement(s) | |
Deployments[]
US Deployment[]
In Conquest Large, the American deployment is located on the easternmost side of the map, around a relatively small dirt road that leads to both the Camp and Supply Drop (objectives A and B in Conquest Large). However, in Conquest it is situated where the Camp is, placing the US forces much closer to the Supply Drop and the Army Base (objective D in Conquest Large).
CN Deployment[]
In Conquest Large, the Chinese deployment located on the westernmost side of the map, around a relatively small dirt road that leads to both the Crash Site and Fortification (objectives F and G in Conquest Large). However, the deployment for Conquest is situated where the Fortification is, placing the CN forces much closer to the Crash Site and the Army Base (objective D in Conquest Large).
Bases[]
A: Camp[]
The Camp is the easternmost objective of the entire map. However, it only serves as a capture point in Conquest Large, instead serving as the US deployment in Conquest. The Camp itself is about as large as the Supply Drop, with a dirt road dividing the area. On either side of the road are multiple yurts, as well as some equipment strewn about. An IED and its detonator laptop are located to the west of the base. When captured, depending on which faction has it, the Camp spawns either an LAV-25 or a ZBD-09 as well as a Quad Bike and a Dirt Bike.
B: Supply Drop[]
The Supply Drop is located in between the Camp and the Barracks. Roughly the same size as the Camp, it is surrounded by tall sand dunes and rocks, providing some cover from an aerial bombardment or shelling. In the immediate vicinity of the flag, there are several parachutes and unusable supply crates. When controlled, the objective yields a Dirt Bike and either an M1 Abrams or a Type 99 MBT, depending on which faction controls it.
C: Barracks[]
The southernmost objective, the Barracks hold a resemblance similar to the Army Base. Like the Army Base, it is surrounded on all four sides by relatively tall but climbable walls and guard posts with .50 Cal emplacements set up.The inside of the complex holds several bunkers and a number of large tents containing cots and other living quarters. Vehicles can only enter from the northwest and southeast entrances. When captured, depending on which faction controls it, the Barracks spawn an LAV-25 or a ZBD-09 and a Dirt Bike.
D: Army Base[]
Situated in the center of the map, the Army Base is a rather large objective, and due to its location and the presence of the Air Raid Bunker control of the base is often contested over. Like the Barracks, it is surrounded on all sides by relatively tall but climbable walls and guard towers that hold .50 Cal emplacements. Inside the base are multiple bunkers, tents, pieces of equipment, and a few hangar-like structures. These create narrow 'alleyways' inside the complex, offering an excellent close combat environment. The compound also holds the Air Raid Bunker - a crucial objective of the map. When captured, the Army Base only spawns a Dirt Bike and the Air Raid Bunker will become active, regardless of which faction commandeers it.
E: Radar Station[]
Located on the northern reaches of the plateau region, the Radar Station is also the highest objective on the map. This high ground advantage offers a vantage point over the nearby Army Base. Roughly the same size as the Barracks, it holds multiple radar-centered facilities as well as several bunkers and emplacements. However, there is a lack of protection regarding aerial bombardment and shelling, leaving the occupants vulnerable. When captured, depending on which faction has it, the Radar Station spawns an LAV-25 or a ZBD-09 and a Dirt Bike.
F: Crash Site[]
Placed in between the Fortification and the Radar Station, the Crash Site is located in a depression of the map, surrounded by plateaus on all sides. Next to the actual flag lies the wreckage of a UH-1Y Venom and a small bridge, which can provide some cover during an aerial bombardment. When controlled, the objective yields either an M1 Abrams or a Type 99 MBT, as well as a Dirt Bike.
G: Fortification[]
The westernmost objective of the map, it is approximately the same size of the Radar Station. Built on top of a plateau, it serves the function of a small outpost, with military-grade equipment and barricades placed there. It is only an objective in Conquest large, but serves as the CN deployment during Conquest. When captured, depending on which faction has control over it, the objective spawns either an LAV-25 or a ZBD-09, as well as a Dirt Bike.
Rush[]
This map has three stages in Rush mode with the USMC leading an assault on the defending PLA from the eastern flank of the map.
Stage 1[]
Stage 1
The assault begins as the attackers advance to the area west of their deployment. As they make their first push, they engage the PLA when assaulting the MCOMs situated in the general area of the nomad camp (objective A in Conquest Large). MCOM Alpha is placed in between two sand dunes on low ground. However, there are numerous crates surrounding it that can provide cover from the defending forces firing from the tops of the dunes. MCOM Bravo is in the general vicinity of the camp, close to where the dirt road enters the area.
The USMC deploys from where they spawn in Conquest Large. To start out, the equipment they have access to is an A-10 Warthog, 2 M1 Abrams tanks, and several Dirt Bikes.
The PLA deploys at the supply drop (objective B in Conquest Large) in close proximity to the MCOMs they are tasked with defending. They only have access to 2 Type 99 MBTs and one Q-5 Fantan attack jet to combat the attacking opposition.
Stage 2[]
Stage 2
After the first set of MCOMs has been dealt with, the PLA is forced to fall back in order to defend the new set of MCOMs located at the army base (objective D in Conquest Large). MCOM Alpha is placed in between the two hangar facilities in the army base, while MCOM Bravo is located around where objective B is in Domination.
The USMC moves up to deploy at the camp where MCOM Bravo in Stage 1 had previously been. The vehicles issued to them during Stage 2 are the same as they were in Stage 1.
The PLA, being pushed back after losing the first set of objectives, deploys 40 meters outside of the northern side of the army base. Just like the USMC, the PLA is able to keep all vehicles they held during Stage 1.
Stage 3[]
Stage 3
On the third and final set of MCOMs the Chinese are pushed back all the way to the area of the fortification (objective G in Conquest Large) in order to establish a final defense against the opposing forces. MCOM Alpha is located on the southern edge of the fortification near a plateau, while MCOM Bravo is inside the fortification, which creates a CQB environment if the attackers are to plant the charge on the objective.
The USMC advances to the army base for their deployment. In order to reach their final objectives, they have to advance on the Chinese position in the fortification, using the rocks and natural geography for possible cover. For the final assault, the USMC gets to keep the same vehicles as they had in the earlier stages of the round.
The PLA is forced to retreat to defend their final set of MCOMs around the fortification. Likewise, their deployment is pushed all the way back to the area northwest of the where their objectives are. Finally, the defending forces are able to keep the same vehicles as they had the entire match.
Team Deathmatch[]
Map layout for Squad and Team Deathmatch
The Team Deathmatch gamemode is present in the entire compound of the army base (objective D in Conquest Large). Although the general setting is largely the same as the complex in Conquest Large, there are more objects that could be used for potential cover if a firefight occurs. This is also present in the Squad Deathmatch and Domination gamemodes.
Squad Deathmatch[]
The Squad Deathmatch gamemode is present in the entire compound of the army base (objective D in Conquest Large). Although the general setting is largely the same as the complex in Conquest Large, there are more objects that could be used for potential cover if a firefight occurs. This is also present in the Team Deathmatch and Domination gamemodes.
Obliteration[]
Map layout for Obliteration
Equipment[]
| United States Marine Corps
| |
| Light vehicle(s) |
Multiple Dirt Bikes |
| Infantry fighting vehicle(s) |
1 LAV-25 |
| Main battle tank(s) | |
| Helicopters(s) | |
| Emplacement(s) | |
| People's Liberation Army
| |
| Light vehicle(s) |
Multiple Dirt Bikes |
| Infantry fighting vehicle(s) |
1 ZBD-09 |
| Main battle tank(s) | |
| Helicopters(s) |
1 Z-11W |
| Emplacement(s) | |
Obliteration utilizes the entirety of the map area. The bomb tends to spawn in the area of the army base (objective D in Conquest Large), leading to intense firefights for possession of the bomb. USMC forces have MCOM stations placed on the eastern side of the map, with the three of them located at the three easternmost objectives in Conquest Large (not including the army base). MCOM Alpha is placed at the location of the camp (objective A in Conquest Large), MCOM Bravo is situated at the supply drop (objective B in Conquest Large), and MCOM Charlie is in the northwest corner of the barracks (objective C in Conquest Large).
PLA forces, on the other hand have MCOM stations situated on the western side, with MCOM Alpha at the fortification (objective G in Conquest Large), MCOM Bravo at the crash site (objective F in Conquest Large), and MCOM Charlie at the radar station (objective E in Conquest Large) to the north. Both teams have their MCOMs distant to one another, so vehicular travel to reach them faster would be recommended. However, considering that the map is very open and spread out, one should be wary of possible marksmen. The US and CN deployments are the same as in Conquest Large.
Air Superiority[]
Map layout for Air Superiority
This map has three objectives in Air Superiority, and because of the gamemode, the map's borders have been increased to accommodate aerial warfare.
Equipment[]
| United States Marine Corps
| |
| Fixed-wing aircraft |
12 F35s |
| People's Liberation Army
| |
| Fixed-wing aircraft |
12 J-20s |
Deployments[]
US Deployment[]
The US deployment is located on the southwest reaches of the map, close to objective B.
CN Deployment[]
The CN deployment is situated on the northwest boundaries of the map, with relatively equal distance to objectives A and C.
Bases[]
Objective A[]
The westernmost objective of the map, objective A is roughly around where the PLA would deploy in Conquest Large.
Objective B[]
The southernmost objective and also the closest to the US deployment, objective B is to the east of the body of water that is present near the US deployment.
Objective C[]
Located northeast of the camp (objective A in Conquest Large), it is also the easternmost objective, present where sand dunes blanket the ground below.
Domination[]
Map layout for Domination
The Domination gamemode is set in the entire compound of the Army Base (objective D in Conquest Large). Although the general setting is largely the same as the complex in Conquest Large, there are more objects that could be used for potential cover if a firefight occurs. This is also present in the Team and Squad Deathmatch gamemodes.
A: Logistics Area[]
Located to the south of the facility, the Logistics Area is also near where the air-raid bunker is in Conquest. As the name suggests, the area is meant for military intelligence purposes, with radar-based equipment and other military-grade equipment in the general area. The flag is placed somewhat close to several concrete walls that can provide cover if need be.
B: Sleeping Quarters[]
Flag B is northeast of the Logistics Area, and as the name suggests, it is situated in the general living quarters of the military compound. With this, there are several tents with cots in them and other materials meant to accommodate soldiers for a period of time. The tents are destructible, so cover they provide will last long if explosives The flag is directly outside of one of the tents near a storage crate.
C: Hangar[]
Placed in the northern corner of the army base, the actual flag is in the middle of the northernmost hangar, hence the name of the objective. Since it is the only flag that actually has some form of a roof, it is relatively safe from possible shelling, unlike the other two objectives. Inside the hangar there are multiple possibilities for cover in order to protect the flag.
Defuse[]
Map layout for Defuse
Like in Domination and the Deathmatch gamemodes, Defuse is set in the Army Base (objective D in Conquest Large). The USMC spawns at the southwest corner of the base next to an entrance and several bunkers, with the bomb spawning in close proximity. The PLA spawns in the northeast corner of the compound, opposite the USMC, also in front of another entrance.
Both MCOMs are located inside the actual compound; MCOM Alpha is placed in the southernmost hangar of the military complex, while MCOM Bravo is at the same location as objective B in the Domination gamemode, right outside one of the tents in the living area closest to the CN deployment.
Levolution[]
The levolution event on this map is much like the one on Golmud Railway, with IEDs being placed around the map.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The map's name is a reference to an ancient series of trade routes by the same name that went through China to other parts of the world.
- There are visible dinosaur tracks throughout the sand dunes on the map.
- The map was originally supposed to have a sandstorm as the main levolution event but this was later scrapped.
- Heat haze mirages can observed on the map, especially when looking through a sniper scope. Ironically, the Gobi Desert is a cold desert, meaning that this would not occur.
- At the crash site (objective F in Conquest Large), the wreckage is of a downed UH-1Y Venom, the transport helicopter for the USMC. However, in any gamemode on Silk Road, the Venom does not appear as a usable vehicle.
- On Conquest Small, neither deployment features automated AA guns, unlike Conquest Large. This can lead to severe spawn killing by air vehicles, as there are no anti-air vehicles present on the map to deter them.
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