First off I think the new map we have coming, will have similar features to those found in any up coming desert maps. By that I mean we can expect a good chunk of the map to be made up of rock formations and canyons. Features that give Predator a way to break line of sight. I do think we could have dunes and flat sand in places or as an edge that extends out till it hits the out of hunting grounds notice.
The above photo is not as compact as I would like but shows how terrain could be used to give Predator escape and attack routes.
This kind of rock, barren landscape can be part of the map. I assume if we do get a desert map it will have a rather large compound for STGR, possibly built around an archeological dig or an excavation. Yeah, we have an excavation map coming but I think it will be a repeating theme, as any old Pred tech is likely still here on earth, just buried. So please don’t be annoyed when you notice me mention it on other map types. Digging into the past is one way to share information with us, they couldn’t otherwise share.
Trees, while I do think we will see some trees near any water that’s found on the map, it won’t be plentiful… neither will mud, which I’ll cover in a second. Trees and the Predcore paths through them are important tools for the Predator. I think we can make up for some of it by using the existing mounting system on canyon walls for reaching the high ground, same red glow and prompt. In more open areas crane masts, power line towers and other man made structures can exist to at least provide a straight path from A to B. A few balanced rock structures or high ridges on a few of the walls themselves could also make it easier to establish high ground for the Predator.
If there are elevation differences on the map a tram lift with hanging cars could also provide elevated Predcore paths.
Mud, this ones a bit trickier in my opinion. There will be mudding spots not nearly as many. Any water that exists on the map is likely to give a spot, so even a well or water truck with a hose could work and be present. We may need to add gear that lets you spray on thermal protection or have clothing options that do the same (some camo already seems to break it up). For the spray option it could be a piece of STGZ tech we pick up from them. There could even be spray booths to apply it by running through them. A combination of both might give us reasonable coverage. Smoke grenades can have bits of chaff added to block thermal as well and I think they should be upgraded to do so.
Cloak, I can hear you thinking it is going to be useless but I have an idea that is especially for the desert that might help you out. The desert can be very hot, so hot the air dances with shimmers of heat. These shimmers can be distance based and give a perimeter that beyond seeing the Predator would be near impossible. They can also exist as features of the map, a wall might have a path up it for the Pred laced with shimmers on the wall and rock itself.
Last when I pictured it in my mind initially I saw the map as kind of a plane, with a secondary plane running like a treadmill so the top of the treadmill reacted through the floor of the map. On this treadmill was bumps of heat distortion that would reach up through the map and slowly drift across it, sometimes rising into the air as the shimmer dissolves to nothing, like plumes of heat.
Hope that makes sense. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Hopeful this is the first in a series of map posts, I have other ideas for other maps. Dinner time, might come back and fill out more later.
Edit - something like this but with more canyons at the one end…
