DM-Curse3 (UT2003 map)

Overview

If you're looking for other versions of the map, you might want to check Recurring maps#Curse.

"Feel the walls closing in on you? A little claustrophobia maybe? When the flak starts flying and the shock combos fill the air, as you find yourself backed into a corner by a relentless pursuer you'll come to learn the meaning of the word cursed."

– Map description

DM-Curse3 is a Deathmatch map from Unreal Tournament 2003.

Map description[]

A more sinister and darker take on the Curse series, the layout of this version remains mostly unchanged when compared to the UT version. However, it introduces new areas to the map, namely a new hideout connecting the Bio Rifle area with the Minigun ledge. Some named areas were kept while others have been given new names:

Lightning Gun: (f.k.a. Sniper Corridor) The corridor that holds the eponymous weapon, starting from the stairs of the Double Damage area all the way to the end of the corridor where the Bio Rifle area begins. Also contains a detour to a wooden ledge leading to a secret cache room.
Catwalks: The upper level of the Main Lift area, where the platform stops, including the Super Shield Pack hideout and the dropoff to Rocket Launcher/Bio Rifle.
Lower Halls: The corridors that connect the Double Damage area with the Main Lift.
Minigun - The new corridor that connects the Bio Rifle area with the Minigun ledge.
Flak: (f.k.a. Flak Chamber) The small chamber where the eponymous weapon rests as well as the Shield Pack below the stairs.
Rear Lift: The two-level area with the lift to the Shock Rifle courtyard.
Rocket Launcher: (f.k.a. Rocket Chamber) Yet another small chamber, holds the eponymous weapon as well as a dropoff to the Bio Rifle area.
Double Damage (f.k.a. Damage Amp Chamber) The nook located west of the map, holding the eponymous item as well as the stairs to Lightning Gun and three exits (two near said stairs and a bigger one next to the Double Damage) to the Lower Halls.
Shock Rifle: (f.k.a. Courtyard) The outdoors part of the map where the eponymous weapon can be found. Contains a dropoff point to the Flak chamber.
Main Lift: The area located at the very east of the map, composed of the titular lift to the Catwalks as well as the Minigun Ledge.
Bio Rifle: (f.k.a. South Corridor) The small area that connects the Lower Halls with the Main Lift and serves as the destination of the dropoff from Rocket Launcher. Holds the eponymous weapon.

Weapons and pickups[]

Weapons[]

Weapon	Count	Location
Bio Rifle	W: 1 A: 2	Weapon: Bio Rifle corridor, next to the entrance to Lower Halls. Ammo: Near the weapon.
Shock Rifle	W: 1 A: 3	Weapon: Shock Rifle courtyard, center point. Ammo: 1x Bio Rifle, next to the entrance to Main Lift. 2x Shock Rifle courtyard, among the pillars.
Link Gun	W: 1 A: 2	Weapon: Main Lift, next to the lift. Ammo: Minigun area, next to the entrance to Main Lift.
Minigun	W: 1 A: 2	Weapon: Minigun area. Ammo: Main Lift, at the ledge.
Flak Cannon	W: 1 A: 4	Weapon: Flak chamber, between both exits to Lower Halls. Ammo: 1x Bio Rifle, next to the entrance to Main Lift. 2x Flak chamber, below the stairs. 1x Shock Rifle courtyard, at a small ledge southwest of the area.
Rocket Launcher	W: 1 A: 2	Weapon: Rocket Launcher chamber. Ammo: 1x Near the weapon. 1x Shock Rifle courtyard, at a small ledge southwest of the area.
Lightning Gun	W: 1 A: 2	Weapon: Lightning Gun corridor, at the T-junction with the detour. Ammo: Lower Halls, at the secret hideout above the entrance to Double Damage nook.

Pickups[]

Pickup	Count	Location
Health Vial	4	Catwalks, at the wooden bridges.
Health Pack	2	1x Minigun area. 1x Shock Rifle courtyard, at a small ledge southwest of the area.
Shield Pack	1	Flak chamber, below the stairs.
Super Shield Pack	2	Catwalks, at the secret hideout.
Double Damage	1	Double Damage nook, at the hideout.
Adrenaline	7	2x Flak chamber, below the stairs. 5x Rear Lift, on the lift ledge.

Walkthrough[]

Curse 3

1
2
3
4

UT2003 Team Deathmatch Ladder
Mission 2
Previous	Next
DM-Insidious	DM-Antalus

Walkthrough info

Gametype

Team Deathmatch

Rival team

Crusaders

Frag Limit

15

Players per team

4

Difficulty

0.3

"Feel the walls closing in on you? A little claustrophobia maybe? When the flak starts flying and the shock combos fill the air, as you find yourself backed into a corner by a relentless pursuer you'll come to learn the meaning of the word cursed."

– Mission description

Tips and tricks[]

Main article: DmCurse

Main article: DM-CurseII

Prima Official Guide[]

"Curse3 is a large level, but its difficulty doesn't stem from its size. It's the complexity of the map that baffles most players. As with any other level, the most valuable weapon in your arsenal is comprehensive knowledge of the floor plan, so run through the level several times to get it in your head.
In these cramped quarters, stick with weapons that have a good spread or do splash damage, or both. If you're handy with the Shock Rifle, don't be shy about letting loose with some Shock Combos. Other good weapons for the level are the Flak Cannon and the Lightning Gun (there are many good camping spots).

Top
At the top of the level are the Shock Rifle, a Health Pack +25, four Health Vials +5, and pits and catwalks from which you can jump to reach lower areas of the level. One of the two pits drops you down near the Flak Cannon, and the other pit takes you to the Rocket Launcher.
An elevator goes to the bottom and another takes you to the middle. They are in opposite corners of the upper part. As you might imagine, this upper level sees a lot of traffic.

Middle
You can find several Adrenaline capsules, the Minigun, a Health Pack +25, the Rocket Launcher, the Flak Cannon, a Shield Pack +50, and one of the two Lightning Guns in the middle part of the level.
Like the upper part of Curse3, the middle floor consists almost entirely of catwalks, narrow ledges, and floors with gaping pits. It's easy to reach the bottom from here, but there are many good ambush spots and you might not want to drop down immediately.

Bottom
The dungeon-like floor of Curse3 is home to the Link Gun and the Bio-Rifle. This is the most dangerous area in the level because your foes can shoot you from above or jump down on you. Moreover, this bottom has no Health Packs to patch you up.
An item of great value, however, is the hidden Double Damage modifier. It's secreted away behind a stone wall near the skulls with the glowing red eyes.
To open the wall and retrieve the Double Damage modifier, you just need to shoot the flimsy wall in front of the modifier. The wall opens slowly, and you can run in and grab the modifier.
If you're healthy, well-equipped, and quick on the trigger, you can rack up a number of kills by running around the bottom. It's easy to get obliterated quickly, so minimize your time down here.

Campsites
One of the best camping areas in the entire level is right next to the Lightning Gun, near the skulls with the glowing red eyes. Hop up into the small tunnel near the Lightning Gun and walk through to the other side.
From this vantage point, pick off any foe who comes through the large room between the Double Damage pickup and the Flak Cannon.
You can also fall down onto the catwalk below the tunnel, and run along it to the corner of the room. From there, you can watch all entrances to the room at the same time.

Hot Spots
The entire bottom is one big hot spot, but the corner with the Bio-Rifle is particularly nasty. This area has a great deal of traffic, and you often find players (especially Bots) waiting here.
Hanging around the top or bottom of an elevator is a good way to pick off opponents, but you're pressing your luck in these high-traffic areas. Your foes will catch on to the fact that they need to keep their Flak Cannon handy while riding elevators.
Another hot spot is the small room with the Flak Cannon. This room has a half-dozen openings into it and the Flak Cannon is one of the most desirable weapons for this level.
After picking up the Flak Cannon, head into the alcove under the stairs to pick up the Shield Pack +50. Hang out here for a bit. You are well-hidden, so pick up Shield Packs as they respawn and pick off opponents whose shadows you see on the floor.
Be forewarned: One well-placed rocket, grenade, or Shock Combo can quickly spoil your plans. You have no chance to dodge, and it won't take long for your opponents to figure out you're lurking down there."

– UT2003 Prima Official Guide

Trivia[]

According to Cliff Bleszinski, although he initially was feeling good about this map^[1], post-release he felt the map was "way too tight and cluttered", and promised a fix for the Bonus Packs right after the release of 2003. The fix itself wouldn't made the cut for the Packs, and wouldn't be shipped until a year later.^[2]

Easter eggs[]

Main article: Easter eggs

References to other works:
- A previous description for the map in the 927 beta contained the phrase "The place of three deaths.", a possible reference to one of Quake's maps, called "The Place Of Two Deaths" and one of Quake III Arena's maps, "The Place Of Many Deaths".

External links and references[]

↑ QAPete (May 17, 2002). "Cliff Bleszinski Interview". BeyondUnreal. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
↑ "New (well - to me it is) CliffyB's Ownage". Infogrames Forums (November 20, 2002). Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved May 9, 2019.