Air Combat Guide

VTOLs

Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft are some of the cheapest in the game. VTOLs are not starter assets, but can be purchased with a small donation from another player or with at least one increase in rank.

VTOLs fly differently from aerospace. Pressing [w] will force the VTOL to take off into the air and gain elevation. By rolling with [a] and [d] and pitching and 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 are extremely effective in the early game against individual targets. VTOLs can baloon 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, balooning 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.

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 than any other asset.

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.