Main Path
Overview
The main path is the primary movement route available to a player from their starting bunker to their next key position, determined by bunker layout, lanes, and field geometry.
Key Points
- Represents the most direct or strategically important route.
- Heavily affected by opponent lanes and angle dominance.
- Used to plan breakouts and early game movement.
- Often mirrored on both sides of the field for fairness.
- Players must know alternate paths in case the main one is blocked.
Details
A main path is the default route a player intends to take from their breakout bunker to their next destination. On standardized airball fields, these paths are often predictable snake insert to snake 1, dorito corner to D1, home to center brick, and so on.
Main paths are defined by: Lane exposure – Whether opponents can easily shoot the route. Bunker spacing – Whether bunkers are reachable without overexposure. Field role – Snake players, dorito attackers, and center players each have distinct main paths. Team strategy – Some teams prioritize wide routes; others focus on controlled interior routes.
Mastering the main path ensures a player reaches their power position safely and consistently. However, high level players also maintain knowledge of secondary and inside routes when the main path becomes too risky due to lane pressure or early eliminations.
Video References
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