WARDOGS FIELD MANUAL

Map reading field manual

Verification status: editorial. Last verified: 2026-09-06

The map panel is most valuable when the team uses a shared language. This manual describes a repeatable way to talk about direction, route quality, and uncertainty. It does not claim that a particular map, grid, icon, or coordinate system is present in every build.

Start with direction and intent

Pair a direction with an action: "east route to observe," "south lane to rotate," or "hold the rear exit." A marker without intent creates noise; an intent without a direction makes teammates search the entire map.

Describe cover as a chain

Instead of calling a single piece of scenery, identify the next two safe positions: where to leave from, where to pause, and where to finish. This helps a teammate follow the plan after the first route changes.

Mark uncertainty honestly

Use language such as "last seen," "likely route," and "unconfirmed" when information is old. A clean uncertainty call is more useful than a precise-looking but stale marker.

Hand off the route

Before moving, make sure one teammate can repeat the plan. If the squad loses its leader, the route should remain understandable from the map rather than relying on one person's memory.

Related field notes

Use this with objectives and rotations and the artillery calculator. Calculator output is an aid to planning, not a substitute for live observations.