Air Combat Guide - Revision history

Warlord Kentax at 01:26, 17 July 2024

2024-07-17T01:26:31Z

Warlord Kentax: /* Bombers */

2022-08-01T20:00:13Z

‎Bombers

Warlord Kentax: /* Attacking */

2022-05-08T21:44:29Z

‎Attacking

Warlord Kentax: /* Maneuvering */

2022-05-08T21:41:43Z

‎Maneuvering

Warlord Kentax: /* High */

2021-12-20T18:36:45Z

‎High

Warlord Kentax: /* Aerospace */

2021-12-20T18:35:40Z

‎Aerospace

Warlord Kentax: /* VTOLs */

2021-12-20T18:34:28Z

‎VTOLs

Warlord Kentax: /* Aerospace */

2021-11-24T06:17:50Z

‎Aerospace

Warlord Kentax: /* Bombing */

2021-11-21T22:02:27Z

‎Bombing

Warlord Kentax: /* Dogfighting */

2021-08-27T05:24:46Z

‎Dogfighting

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft are some of the cheapest in the game. [[VTOLs]] are not [[Starter Asset Guide|starter assets]], but can be purchased with a small [[CBills#Transferring_C-Bills|donation]] from another player or with at least one increase in [[rank]]. VTOLs have a longer [[MWLL_Basics_Guide#Buying_the_Mech|build time]] than ground [[assets]], players will have to patiently wait 25 seconds for their VTOL to be constructed.
-==Maneuvering==
+==Maneuvering VTOLs==
 VTOLs fly differently from [[Air Combat Guide#Aerospace|aerospace]]. Pressing '''[space]''' will force the VTOL to take off into the air and gain elevation, while '''[Left Shift]''' will cause the VTOL to descend. By [[roll|flying on a roll]] with '''[A]''' and '''[D]''' VTOLs can strafe left and right. '''[W]''' and '''[S]''' cause the VTOL to fly forward and backward. Forward and backward flight speeds can be increased by [[pitch|pitching]] down or up, respectively, using the mouse. Using [[yaw|yaw]] on the mouse, the VTOL can be made to aim at targets. VTOLs have a functional maximum [[pitch]] of 30 degrees up and minimum pitch of -45 degrees down, this means targets directly above or below the VTOL cannot be aimed at.
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 After taking off the aerospace player should reanalyze the state of the battle. If they need to avoid getting shot by nearby enemies, the aerospace should pitch up near 90 degrees until getting close to the map [[ceiling]]. If there are no nearby enemies and the player is planning to attack from a [[Air Combat Guide#High|high angle]] they should take a modest 45 degree pitch to gain elevation while maintaining speed. If the player is planning a [[Air Combat Guide#Low|low angle]] attack, they should keep a shallow pitch around zero degrees, taking care not to collide with the terrain.
-===Maneuvering===
+===Maneuvering Aerospace===
 Aerospace throttle up and down with '''[W]''' and '''[S]''' just like a mech, but unlike a mech, '''[A]''' and '''[D]''' cause aerospace to roll. [[Pitch]] and [[yaw]] are controlled by the mouse just like mechs. By Rolling to the intended direction and holding '''[Space Bar]''' or Pitching up using the mouse, aerospace can turn much more quickly than using yaw. Aerospace have an optimal turning speed between 245 and 315 km/h depending on the particular aerospace and what classification [[Fighters|Fighter]], [[Attackers|Attacker]], or [[Bombers|Bomber]]. The specific optimal turning speed for each aerospace variant can be found in the variant information column on each [[aerospace|aerospace's]] page on this wiki. This optimal turning speed is very important for avoiding lock on missiles like [[LRM|LRMs]] and in [[Dogfighters|dogfighting]]. Since most of the time aerospace are flying at maximum throttle, it is easiest to achieve the optimal turning speed for any aerospace by pressing '''[X]''' to cut the throttle to zero, then adjusting the throttle back up partway by pressing '''[W]''' for a short time and then releasing it sometime before it hits 100%. Keep in mind that going slower than the optimal turning speed also prevents sharp turns. By throttling up and/or using the [[Boost]] in these cases, the optimal turning speed can be reached quickly.
@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 *Boosting - [[Boosting]] quickly overheats an aerospace, but by periodically, briefly pressing '''[c]''' to dump coolant or by not firing any weapons, the boost can be maintained for longer allowing distances to be closed or widened as needed.
-*Dodging - Similar to circling, when [[lock on]] missiles are approaching, get the aerospace as close to it's [[Air Combat Guide#Maneuvering|optimal turning speed]] as possible and take a sharp turn to make the missiles miss.
+*Dodging - Similar to circling, when [[lock on]] missiles are approaching, get the aerospace as close to it's [[Air Combat Guide#Maneuvering Aerospace|optimal turning speed]] as possible and take a sharp turn to make the missiles miss.
 *Weaving - On maps with terrain dangerous for aerospace, players can fly through narrow gaps, near buildings, rocks, and antennae to hopefully shake a pursuer and deny them opportunities to fire.

@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
 ==Bombers==
-Bombers are aerospace variants with small engine sizes, low top speeds, poor maneuverability, many weapons, and have bombs with available reloads. Bombers are nearly always intended to be used against ground targets.
+Bombers are aerospace variants with small engine sizes, low top speeds, poor maneuverability, many weapons, and have bombs with available [[free tons|reloads]]. Bombers are nearly always intended to be used against ground targets.
 ===Bombing===

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 ===Ground Targets===
-VTOLs are extremely effective in the early game against individual targets. VTOLs can [[ballooning|balloon]] over their target, preventing return fire from nearly any starter asset. Most early game assets have a difficult time pitching their turret or torso high enough to be able to shoot an aircraft directly above them. When attacking a large group of enemies, ballooning becomes a mostly ineffective as they can return fire much more easily in a group. When dealing with large groups of enemies VTOLs should either wait for their allies or stay at a low elevation so that terrain can be used to block incoming fire.
+VTOLs are extremely effective in the early game against individual targets. Most early game assets have a difficult time pitching their turret or torso high enough to be able to shoot an aircraft directly above them, this provides VTOLs the ability to escape combat by flying directly over the enemy and then ascending. When dealing with large groups of enemies VTOLs should either wait for their allies or stay at a low elevation so that terrain can be used to block incoming fire.
 ===Air Targets===

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 ==Maneuvering==
-VTOLs fly differently from [[Air Combat Guide#Aerospace|aerospace]]. Pressing '''[w]''' will force the VTOL to take off into the air and gain elevation. By [[roll|rolling]] with '''[a]''' and '''[d]''' and [[pitch|pitching]] and [[yaw|yawing]] with the mouse, the VTOL can be maneuvered in a vertical fashion with some horizontal movement. By holding '''[Left Shift]''' the VTOL's thrust is directed backwards causing the VTOL to fly more like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft.
+VTOLs fly differently from [[Air Combat Guide#Aerospace|aerospace]]. Pressing '''[space]''' will force the VTOL to take off into the air and gain elevation, while '''[Left Shift]''' will cause the VTOL to descend. By [[roll|flying on a roll]] with '''[A]''' and '''[D]''' VTOLs can strafe left and right. '''[W]''' and '''[S]''' cause the VTOL to fly forward and backward. Forward and backward flight speeds can be increased by [[pitch|pitching]] down or up, respectively, using the mouse. Using [[yaw|yaw]] on the mouse, the VTOL can be made to aim at targets. VTOLs have a functional maximum [[pitch]] of 30 degrees up and minimum pitch of -45 degrees down, this means targets directly above or below the VTOL cannot be aimed at.
-While not as fast as a [[Solitaire]] with [[MASC]], VTOLs can easily fly over difficult terrain and travel directly to nearly any base on any [[Terrain Control]] map faster more reasonably than any other [[asset]]. (aerospace can sometimes capture a base more quickly than a VTOL, but landing and take off at most bases is impractical for aerospace.)
+While not as fast as a [[Solitaire]] with [[MASC]], VTOLs can easily fly over difficult terrain and travel directly to nearly any base on any [[Terrain Control]] map faster more reasonably than any other [[asset]]. (Aerospace can sometimes capture a base more quickly than a VTOL, but landing and take off at most bases is impractical for aerospace.)
-Late game VTOLs lose much of their effectiveness in terms of firepower and armor. Most late game [[assets]] can deal massive damage to VTOLs. In the late game, VTOLs work best at [[back capping]] (so long as the rear bases are unguarded) and [[electronic warfare]].
+In the late game,  VTOLs lose much of their effectiveness in terms of firepower and armor. Most late game [[assets]] can deal massive damage to VTOLs. In the late game, VTOLs work best at [[scouting]] and [[back capping]] (so long as the rear bases are unguarded).
 ===Landing===
-To land a VTOL, let go of '''[w]''' and allow the VTOL to drift towards the ground. If the VTOL is still forwards, sideways, or backwards, tilt the VTOL towards the opposite direction and briefly press '''[w]'''. Repeat as needed. Once the VTOL nears the ground, press '''[w]''' in short bursts to slow the decent. Once the ground is only a few meters away, let go of '''[w]''' completely. Be careful, it is difficult to avoid damage while landing a VTOL.
+To land a VTOL, hold down on '''[left shift]''' until the VTOL is about 20 meters above the ground, let go of '''[left shift]''' in order to reduce speed. Then gently tap '''[left shift]''' a few more times until the VTOL touches down. Thanks to this landing method, VTOLs can much more easily repair at [[repair bay|forward repair bays]] than other aircraft, but do be careful as allies are not always gentle and my deliver a fatal kick to the VTOL.
 ==Attacking==

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 [[File:High Attack 2.jpg|150px|center|]]<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">High Attack</div>
 </div>
-When attacking from up high it is best to use long range weapons if the player plans to pull up outside of enemy weapon ranges. If the player intends to get in close, then [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|Cluster Bombs]] or [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|Laser Guided Bombs]] as well as larger lock on weapons like [[LRM20]] are appropriate. Due to pulling up and accelerating out of range after completing an attack run, attacking from a high angle results in surprisingly long engagement windows and low speeds at close range to the opponent. This can result in the aerospace taking heavy damage.
+When attacking from up high it is best to use long range weapons if the player plans to pull up outside of enemy weapon ranges. If the player intends to get in close, then [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|Cluster Bombs]] or [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|Laser Guided Bombs]] as well as larger [[lock on]] weapons like [[LRM20]] are appropriate. Due to pulling up and accelerating out of range after completing an attack run, attacking from a high angle results in surprisingly long engagement windows and low speeds at close range to the opponent. This can result in the aerospace taking heavy damage.
 {{Clear}}
 ====Low====
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 [[Aerospace]] are fixed-wing aircraft that compose the majority of aircraft choices and roles in Mechwarrior: Living Legends. Aerospace have three primary classes. [[Fighters]], [[Attackers]], and [[Bombers]].
-In [[Terrain Control]], aerospace generally do not help the losing team due to their poor ability to capture points and especially long [[build time]]. Players are advised to reconsider flying aerospace if their team is losing.
+In [[Terrain Control]], aerospace generally do not help the losing team due to their poor ability to capture points and especially long [[build time]] of 45 seconds. Players are advised to reconsider flying aerospace if their team is losing.
 ===Taking Off===

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 To conduct a more deliberate bombing run, first pick the [[Air Combat Guide#Attacking|angle of attack]] that best suits the bombs quipped to the the aerospace. High for [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|LGBs]] and [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|Cluster Bombs]], low for [[Bomb#Gameplay & Hints|HE Bombs]]. It's best to find a target that is already heavily damaged, especially if the aerospace is low on ammo.
-* LGBs - Fire them towards the target once it is within 1500m. If the target is [[TAG|TAGed]] or [[NARC|NARCed]], the bombing run is complete unless there are other weapons with shorter ranges that need to be fired during the bombing run. Otherwise, the bomb needs to be guided down with the aerospace's [[reticle]]. Remember that while LGBs do travel faster than aerospace, they take time to get out ahead of the bomber, meaning that LGBs dropped too close to the target will miss since the bomber will have to pull up before the bombs have impacted.
+* LGBs - Fire them towards the target once it is within 1500m. If the target is [[TAG|TAGed]] or [[NARC|NARCed]], the bombing run is complete unless there are other weapons with shorter ranges that need to be fired during the bombing run. Otherwise, the bomb needs to be guided down with the aerospace's [[reticle]]. Remember that while LGBs do travel faster than aerospace, they take time to get out ahead of the bomber, meaning that LGBs dropped too close to the target will miss since the bomber will have to pull up before the bombs have impacted. Once they have impacted, LGBs also remove [[NARC]]s in the same way that [[PPC]]s do.
 * Cluster Bombs - Use the radar screens and the rotating green circle bomb indicator to aim the cluster bombs. Cluster bombs may be dropped from a high altitude, but must be given a substantial lead and their damage is often very spread out. To focus the damage of cluster bombs, fly in closer at a high angle and pitch down while dropping the bombs to force the bombs to hit more precisely where the bomb indicator is targeting. Be careful to not be too close to the ground while dropping cluster bombs as they will damage the bomber.
 * HE Bombs - Use the radar screens, exactly like cluster bombs in order to aim HE bombs. No particular [[Air Combat Guide#Attacking|angle of attack]] will dramatically affect the damage dealt by HE Bombs so long as the the target is under the bomb indicator. Be careful to not be too close to the ground while dropping HE bombs as they will damage the bomber.

@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 ====Dogfighting====
-Dogfighting has a few key techniques that are needed to be effective.
+Dogfighting, or air-to-air combat, has a few key techniques that are needed to be effective.
 *Diving - To gain extra speed for a short time either to close or escape an enemy, pitch down.