MAP10: The Rats (32 in 24)

MAP10: The Rats is the tenth map of 32 in 24, a deathmatch megawad. It was designed by Taisto Valdlo (Mephisto) and uses the music track " ".

It was the thirteenth submission to the project, arriving eight and a quarter hours into the session, a significant amount of time after MAP09. According to the author, it took two hours to build.

Map layout
The Rats is a small sewer-themed map with moderate lighting. The slime pools found in the map are not damaging. Mephisto himself describes the level as having lots of corners and pillars which can be used for cover, whilst providing very little health.

The level is roughly rectangular in shape, with the length of the map running from north to south, plus a small additional area to the west. There are four small alcoves around the map containing super shotguns, which indicate the spawn positions. Quick travel from the north to the south-west of the map is possible by using the teleporters found at these ends of the map. The additional western portion features a ledge running along its outer wall, accessed from the western stairs in the north of the map. A megaarmor can be found on this ledge, as well as a nearby alcove containing a chaingun, both of which are clearly visible from the ground below. In between the two sets of stairs in the north of the map is another alcove, this one contains a rocket launcher.

The south-east corner of the map contains a green armor. Nearby is a BFG9000, which can be retrieved by simply running at it from the ledge. By the author's own admission, this is much easier than is normal for obtaining a BFG, the large number of pillars and corners built into the map as cover are intended to balance the easy access to the weapon.

Player spawns
This level contains four spawn points, the fewest of any map in the WAD. All spawn points are place on top of a super shotgun.


 * 1) In the western section, facing north. No additional items. (thing 23)
 * 2) In the south-west of the map, facing north. Close to the teleporter, and closest spawn to the green armor and actually accessing the BFG, though the latter in particular may be guarded by spawn #3. (thing 24)
 * 3) In the south of the map, not on the ledge with spawn #2, facing east. Closest in unobstructed distance to the BFG, but with a longer path to get to it than spawn #2. (thing 25)
 * 4) In the north of the map, facing south. The rocket launcher and teleporter to the south are nearby. (thing 26)