With phase three of the National PUBG League on the horizon, a new map is being added to the official pool for competition. Sanhok, the smallest map PUBG has to offer, will be thrown in the mix. Feelings are very mixed on this addition, but players are going to have to adapt if they are going to win. Sanhok is very small, so the matches are going to play much faster, and new strategies will have to be formed in order to seal the Chicken Dinner.
Image courtesy of Gamepedia
One of the biggest questions asked is: Why is this map being added? PUBG officially responded with an article on their Esports website. They gave many reasons why this map will be a good addition to the pool, but some of them stood out more than the others. The top reason that they presented is map diversity. Erangel and Miramar have been the only maps for the past year, so now they are looking to shake things up so new strategies will arise and players can show how well they adapt. This will also make things a little more interesting for viewers who have become used to seeing the same things play out on the old maps.
Image courtesy of Gamepedia
Sanhok is going to introduce a whole new level of focus due to its small size. The average match on this map only lasts 23 minutes, which is around seven minutes shorter than the other two. This map’s terrain also makes it much more difficult to take out players from a distance. Teams are going to have to focus more on their ability to fight together. Looting will also move much faster. The scramble at the beginning of the match to find a good weapon will move much quicker.
Image courtesy of Gamepedia
With this new map addition, a lot of players seem to be on edge. Many individual players took to social media to state their discomfort of the map addition. It seems that their biggest issue is that they feel that there is not enough time to get practice in on this map and formulate new game plans. With phase three approaching quickly, they feel like this should have been announced earlier. Teams that have been building momentum through the past two phases and global tournaments are worried that this change could affect how they finish in the end of this run.
Other players are open to the idea. They acknowledge that this will be a challenge, but they are excited to add new strategies to their game. This map has been a fan favorite since its release in the world outside of Esports. There is something to be said about its ability to be a good map for competition.
Whether you like it or not, Sanhok will be featured in the next phase. Prepare to watch battles unfold on the small, jungle landscape. How are the NPL teams going to deal with the changes? Even if it is difficult for some, it is sure to be a spectacle for the viewers.
Tune in again for more coverage of PUBG.
Featured image courtesy of PUBG Dev Blog
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other TGH writers along with Bain!
“From our Haus to Yours”
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
