Noshahr Canals

Noshahr Canals (Persian: کانالهای نوشهر) is one of the nine multiplayer maps available in the standard edition of Battlefield 3. The map is set in the Port of Noshahr in Iran. This map contrasts the urban and rural areas with a more industrial setting. The Noshahr Canals were set up to serve as an industrial harbor, featuring a mix of infantry, land vehicle, and boat gameplay and was the only original map to feature mobile anti-aircraft on consoles.

Equipment
The attackers in Rush start out aboard the USS Essex and can reach the beachhead by amphibious vehicles such as the AMTRAC, which is often essential to take out any of the objectives, as it's the only armored vehicle of the attacking team, as well as Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats, a UH-1Y transport helicopter, and the AH-6J scout helicopter. Alternatively, players can also swim to the shore, but as swimmers are defenseless this is generally the path least taken.

Stage 1
The first set of objectives are located near Dry Dock—one in a warehouse and the other in a tin-plated shed. The defenders are offered only a mobile anti-aircraft vehicle and a Vodnik. It is advised to quickly attack the M-COM in the shed first because of how hard it is to detonate and protect. The AMTRAC should be parked nearby for direct fire support.

Stage 2
The second set of objectives are located in Train Yard. One is held in a shipping container and the other near the only major building. This set of objectives can be very hard to protect in that the large amount of cover gives enemies easy access to the stations without being noticed.

Stage 3
The third set of objectives are located up the hill fairly close to each other. One is located in a barrack and the other in a darkened room behind. If at least one objective is not captured quickly, attackers will find the uphill battle tough and will lose plenty of tickets accordingly. The darkened building with the M-COM inside is prone to campers and claymores. Throw grenades to flush them out or collapse the sides of the room for some more strategic entrances.

Stage 4
The fourth set of objectives are located down the hill at the Russian Conquest deployment, one in the warehouse and the other in a tin shed across the road. The latter is usually easily taken as many players don't bother to defend it. The warehouse is usually taken after taking out the walls so that the AAV can defend the charge.

Stage 5
The last set of objectives can be found up the road at the Russian Conquest Large deployment. One is located in a warehouse along the shore and the other across the road near some fuel tanks. The M-COM in the warehouse is recommended to be taken first because it is usually more defended. Still however, it can easily be taken if the AA is not guarding it. Also, if this objective is not attacked first, the AA can easily pin down any attacker approaching the main road, making arming the objective impossible. Be sure to have Engineers at hand to shoot down helis and destroy the AA.

Conquest
All of the conquest bases on the map have an industrial theme but still have different styles. As one of the original mid-sized maps, this allows for tighter vehicle combat while still featuring plenty of infantry action. Note that the Stormdrain base is PC only because of its larger maps.

Equipment
Armored transports (including the water-capable Vodnik) only appear on small servers. Light transports spawn at all flags on large servers.

Deployments
As with Rush, US forces spawn aboard the USS Essex. Although spawning further from flags on small servers, they can still make use of all their watercraft, helicoptors, and their C-RAM can assail much of the shoreline.

Russians spawn either at the Canal area on small servers (giving them a distance advantage to the flags), or at an airbase to the southeast on large servers. Aircraft will always spawn at the airbase.

Container Area
A maze of shipping containers make for tight firefights. There is also a dock crane by the waterline and a raised deck providing overwatch. A light transport spawns here on large servers.

Seacraft can enter the area using either of two ramps directly in front of the Essex, or a smaller ramp accessible from a side canal. This along with the Train Yard are both constantly fought over, especially since the players holding the Train Yard have easy access to the Container Area. Cover inside the containers is recommended but be advised for claymore and motion sensors. The base is also popular with tank and helicoptors to watch out for them too.

Dry Dock
The large drydock structure is the hallmark of this area, its rooftop easily accessible by air. Several catwalks line the east side of the structure. Snipers like to camp on the roof and are able able to peer into the Train Yard, the approach to Canal, and parts of Stormdrain so watch for them. The hill behind the train yard obscures further view.

Two warehouses also provide cover, as do a roofed storage area and a two-story portable building. An IFV and light transport spawn here on large servers.Seacraft can use the stormdrain along the west side. Two ramps provide access, leading to either bank. A large container yard on the west bank can provide protection, but combatants typically avoid this distant area. A more direct approach is usually the best way to capture the base.

Train Yard
This flag can be captured on the eastern raised area, where a SAM installation is parked, and part of the rail-level area beside it. On small servers, a Vodnik will spawn here for the Russians. It is here and the Container Area where most of the firefights will take place. The best tatic to taking this base is to remain hidden behind cover and have backup. Be aware for tanks and helicopters as well as light transport vehicles. This being said, lay down some anti-tank mines in and around the base to aid defense efforts.

Canal
[Conquest Large] An IFV, light transport, and RHIB boat will spawn here, making this an important flag to hold. Seacraft can reach this flag via a large canal along the east side.

A dirt path and a small canal passing underneath the warehouse lead to Stormdrain.

Stormdrain
[Conquest Large] Situated in a ravine, this area is overlooked by high cliffs linked by a bridge. Two smaller bridges link the lower areas. The trees and rock formations provide plenty of hiding places. The flag can be captured inside of the portable building or the covered areas. The concrete-lined storm drain empties near the Dry Dock area.

Team Deathmatch
Team Deathmatches use the Container Area and small portions of the raised train yard. Take cover in the containers and watch out for claymores and shotguns. Watch for snipers and LMG's positioned on top of the raised area next to the train overlooking the containers.

Long sight lines form two squares around the larger container yard, with the larger square including lanes along the dockside, behind the railway, behind the supply trailer, and behind the smaller container yard. Recon may place beacons to access the dock crane, though they can be countered by enemies on the railway or on top of containers. Stacked items give access to open containers above ground, providing flanking routes to ground patrollers. One particular "dead-end" container near the train yard is often used by campers to assail the dockside and surprise those exiting the container maze.

The two water ramps provide escape from attackers in the smaller maze, but are greatly exposed from the rail yard and respective side lanes. The two buildings near each of the ramps open towards the yard, with good sight of each other. They can be exposed via explosives. Players in the water behind the small maze are generally protected by the dockwork, as enemies above must risk falling in themselves to get angles. The smaller waterway is much more exposed due to the barges at the waterline and the rail bridge.

Squad Deathmatch
Much of the dock and train yard is used for Squad Deathmatch, with each squad receiving an IFV. Like in Team Deathmatch, teamwork is key. Stay together at all times and watch for claymores, snipers, and shotgunners. Find an area of the map and "hold it". When that area has become too well known, quietly change location. This can eventually lead to winning.

Trivia

 * Jets are only available on PC; Transport helicopters can only be used in Rush; Scout helicopters appear in both Conquest and Rush.
 * This is one of the only maps that demonstrates the Vodnik's ability to travel on water. The Russians can use this to their advantage. Although slower than the RHIB, it is better defended.
 * Some of the structures outside the infantry boundary are not completely modeled, and can be used by helicopter pilots as visual cover.
 * As of the November 2012 patch (in preparation for Aftermath), the map is simply called "Canals" in Battlelog.
 * This is one the two maps that features the biggest number of M-COM stages (the other being Death Valley), resulting in a total of five stages and ten M-COMS. It's also the one with the highest number of M-COMS in the base game