Yeah, it's really situational and depends from map to map, but I try to never go right up at the enemy base myself, unless it's the final 10 seconds or something.
Yeah, me too, but sometimes it's so tempting to go ink their undefended spawn point (at least I think it's undefended, sometimes I get proven wrong quickly), especially on Blackbelly (it's so easy to just walk through the center, drop some ink on their side, and return if it looks like I'm in too deep), Underpass (usually when we hold the center in Turf Wars (not Splat Zones, center is too important there to even consider going that far in), I start inking up their area; sometimes I go for their corridor, usually I just go left through the fence and try my luck getting up the ramps), Arowana (only when we're winning, but I always do so well in infiltrating their side (probably because they'reall on mine thinking the same thing, but still)), and Mackerel (Seekers make it so easy to go a long way into enemy territory and ink it, since they have to get out of the way, but it's not so great for escaping).
It's more difficult on Saltspray (I don't think you CAN ink their base without a charger of something, but it's too frantic to say any side is definitively ours or theirs) and Walleye (it's actually really easy here, but I almost always go back to deal with people by our spawn point on this map; why that only happens here, I'll never know), at least for me, but it's certainly a good idea to stay near the center. I've been trying to do that lately (mostly through playing Ranked more).
If I'm intentionally acting as a spawnpoint for my team/playing a support role, I'll try to camp in spots that are more in the center of the map but have a good view of the enemy base. The best example for this to me is the raised up area on Blackbelly Skatepark that's down the side path with the half pipes. From there you can see the center platform people love to camp on(and also kill people up there with certain weapons) and you can also deny the enemy the ability to flank from that path.
I know that spot! I've seen people on that spot more often lately, I should try it.
It's also a great spawn spot for teammates because they can easily get all over the map from there. Most maps have spots like this, such as the raised up towers on Saltspray Rig, or the 4 platforms up around the center area on Arowana Mall.
Yeah, I see people on those all the time in Ranked (and try to flank them, with varying results).
On the subject of good super-jump points, on Blackbelly, would the center platform or one of the little square areas off to the sides be better to super-jump to? I only ask because both seem good (center platform is a good vantage point if your team has it, but you can flank the center from those side areas.
Anyway, when you're in that situation where you're at the enemy base and enemies are spawning, in my experience it's always best to back away and give yourself some breathing room. Chances are, there's some spot in the middle of the map or a little further away that you can paint while they flow out of the base. While you're doing that teammates can safely get to you and deal with the enemies. I used to use the .52 decal, so I know it has okay range and can fill the support role pretty well. You should be able to cover your teammates as they arrive, or even just take out the enemies if you feel like you have an advantage. It does always depend on the situation and your weapon though. If you have the roller for example, you can just hide in your ink and ambush the enemy as they flow out.
Yeah, I've been doing that more lately. I used to just stand there and try to splat them again (and fail, of course), but now I at least attempt to back off (most of the time; if I think I'll win, I stick around).
But the short of it is, if you're at the enemy base and you see enemies spawning, back away and try to deal with them from a vantage point once they're out in the open. Dying costs your team time and points in the end, so long as you're painting something you're better off than you were trying to fight them at their base and dying for it.
Took me a while, but I've finally figured this out. Thanks, man.