Nucleus

Nucleus has multiple variations, including King of the Hill

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A diabolical doomsday device is the foundation of this circular arena map, which features long sightlines and a bottomless radioactive pit underneath most of the game area. The cap, located in the center of the arena, is only accessible for most classes by catwalks suspended over a chasm, which open after the timer has run down. — The Sniper vs Spy Update (Day 2)

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Nucleus is an Arena map. Nucleus was released along with Sawmill as part of The Sniper vs Spy Update.

Your goal is to eliminate the entire enemy team or capture the central capture point when it becomes available.

Locations

• The Device - The swirling, colorful Doomsday Device which dominates the center of the map. It contains the map's Control Point, which unlocks after 60 seconds.
• The Pit - Directly below The Device is a bottomless radioactive pit with a narrow catwalk suspended just above it. The catwalk hold a Medium Health Pack, but the pit is an unavoidable death for anyone unfortunate enough to fall in.
• The Perimeter - The series of ledges and catwalks which directly surround the Pit. The Perimeter is further divided into 'RED-Side Perimeter' and BLU-Side Perimeter', based on which spawn room is on that side of the map.

Strategy

• Scouts with the Force-A-Nature and Pyros with the Flamethrower equipped can use their weapons to knock their opponents into the center pit, causing them to die instantly. This also works for Soldiers and Demomen, altough it's much harder to pull off.
• This is a very good map for Scouts. There are many fast routes that only Scouts can take. ie. Jumping over the chasm. Also playing as Scout, a medium health pickup is only two jumps away from almost any point on the map; seeing as it's placed low and in the middle.
• This map is also a good map for Heavies, because the narrow catwalks leading to the center point give enemies no space to avoid your weapons.
• At the start of a round, Scouts are able to jump on the roof of a low building to the right or to the left as they leave spawn depending on which team you are on (BLU = Left, RED = Right); allowing a fast route to the other team as well as an easy way to get behind the other team.
• Though overall a good map for Spies, the circular nature of the map disrupts line of sight, meaning you have little warning before enemies are suddenly upon you.
• Heavies and Soldiers should be alert of enemy snipers. Going into the doorway near the spawn is a good way to avoid them.
• The circular nature of the map allows for easy access to the opposing team's spawn entrance, which in turn opens for ambushing.
• As the Engineer, you can deploy a sentry near the medkit, which finishes off any enemies with low health trying to get to the medkit.
• The roof on one side of the map has an opening on the top, giving Soldiers and Demomen oppurtunity to do much damage without being noticed.

Control Point Timing

Control Point	Multiplier	Seconds
Center Point	×1	24 .000
	×2	16 .000
	×3	13 .091
	×4	11 .520

Trivia

• Nucleus has no 3D Skybox.
• Nucleus is the only official Arena map to contain a medium health pack.
• The static particles seen in the device are also seen in the ending sequence of Portal.