Flying Guide
by Warrior-101
Getting to grips with the warhawk is one of the hardest things to do in the game and can put off players who are not prepared to persevere, but once mastered, is in my opinion the most enjoyable aspect of it. And that is the word folks that is key to flying: perseverance. You will not be able to read this guide and suddenly become a flying god, it took me a long time without reading any tips to get too where I am now, and a load of deaths too. Hopefully this guide can help you master the skies much quicker than you would have done without reading so.
The Controls
Warhawk: In-Flight Controls
Movement: PS3 Motion Sensation (analog sticks can also be used)
Power Slide: L2 + R2
Gas/Speed: R2 (hold)
Afterburners: R2 (double tap)
Hover on/off: Triangle Button
Weapon Select: D-pad
Secondary Fire: L1
Machine Gun Fire: R1
AirBreak/Slow Down: L2 (hold)
Dismount: Square Button
Toggle Map: Select Button
Menu: Start Button
Warhawk: Hover Controls
Ascend: R2
Descend: L2
The Begginer's Guide to Flying
This section is for those who wish to start their long road to success, or alternatively have played for a while yet need some help in order to become reasonably competent in the air.
The first thing you will probably do when you boot up warhawk for the first time is jump in one, you're excitement will probably turn to anguish as time after time you see that red bleeping message that just wont go away, no matter what you do. Here's the thing, switch to pro flight mode - straight away. (Press start and find options, it is not difficult to find). You will notice that the pre-programmed flight evasion techniques are gone, instead the right analogue stick gives you much more controlled and responsive evasion methods.
That annoying red bleeping thingy won't go away!! HELP!!
I have realised, after flying in a hawk longer than before, that missile dodging is exceptionally easy. You just have to understand the mechanics of how they work... basically treat the green and yellow missiles as the same, now bare me with me on this, I'm not saying they are the same, but the technique to evade them is exactly the same, but obviously one does more damage than the other. So, how to apply it? This is quite hard to explain, but I have got people to achieve this so it can be done, and when you've mastered it you won't have to worry about missile evading again
You need to remember that the RIGHT ANALOGUE STICK is a further EXTENSION of the left, what I mean is, if you are moving the LEFT ANALOGUE STICK left, then you would move the RIGHT ANALOGUE STICK left with it simultaneously. After about 0.5secs moving left, change direction up, then down, then up, then right, then down, any combination will do. Just remember to move both analogue sticks together, simultaneously and eratically. Now, what I thought before was that the homing missiles (yellow pic-ups, big damage) were almost impossible to shake off, but I was wrong. The same technique can be applied for all missiles, even without boost though I recommend using it to distance yourself from the enemy. There is one drawback to this method however, when a missile come close to you, if its released close, swarm or homing, it will HIT. No matter what you do, it will hit you. How do you tell? By the sound of the missile. That distinctive loud booming sound for the homing missile and the quiter noise of the swarm will tell you that impact is imminent, at this point you need to CHAFF the missile or it will damage you. This applies for every missile except rocket launchers.
These ******s are nasty. Two hits and you are dead, if they are released close to you you will get hit. Check your health bar, if half of it has suddenly gone, fly away and chaff any other incoming rockets. I actually find these the hardest missile to evade simply because they are so quick, to evade them you have to head up and then move both analogue sticks simultaneously to one side so it flies past you.
*Top Tip* I also cannot stress how important it is to use the terrain around you and the only way to achieve this is by practising doing it. It prevents other planes from locking on and gets rid of sometimes a load of missiles that would otherwise hit or trouble you, remember to always look at your map (select) to check your surroundings, where enemy planes and turrets are.
The Weapons
I will now describe the various weapons in the game and at the end rate it out of 10 for how good it is at attack, (how well it destroys) defence (how well it protects) and usefulness. (Usefulness being how effective it can be used for other tactics, which you will discover after playing the game more or reading some of the advanced tips).
Chaff
These are the WHITE PICK-UPS, and it VITAL that you have 2 of these wherever
possible, if you have 0, find that white pick-up. You will find, when you have
played the maps a fair few times remembering where these are. To bring the chaff
up, you simply press 'Right' on the keypad. When you hear that bleeping missile
coming your way, the first thing you will want to do is use it, but hold. Use
the evasion technique explained to shake off the green missiles, if that red
writing is still bleeping, usually because it was released closely, press L1
to activate it and shake off that potentially deadly homing missile.
You can use it against swarms if you like, if they get too close that is, but
its not disastrous if you get hit by these things. So remember - If you cannot
shake off the missile - Chaff it - If you havn't any Chaff - Find it.
Attack: 0/10
Defence: 10/10
Usefulness: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
*Top Tip* This is the reason why you do not have to be able to evade the yellow missiles in order to become a competent pilot, if you know a homing missile is coming, chaff it!*
Invisibilty
This is the YELLOW PICK-UP and I recommend carrying at least 100 of these.
Activated by pressing down and left on the keypad, it is the bottom left of
your weapon selection. Very useful for regrouping yourself, I.E. on your mini-map
you notice 2 planes on your trail, you have 1 chaff, and invisibility. It would
be tempting to use the invisibilty straight away, but hold, it is likely that
you are already being locked onto, so, wait until you hear that bleeping noise,
chaff it - then cloak. You're perfectly safe with this activated, and although
you cannot use anything bar the Machine Gun it's a great pick-up for regrouping
and picking up more pick-ups. (HP and chaff the main two.)
Attack: 2/10
Defence: 9/10
Usefulness: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Machine Gun
Activated by pressing R1, but never press, tap it to prevent overheating.
You will struggle to hit ground units at the beggining, but keep practising
and you will develop a knack for it. Always use in air useful in every situation.
Attack: 8/10
Defence: 0/10
Usefulness: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Swarm Missile
The GREEN PICK-UP, you come with 5 of these, and do not worry about wasting
them. Good pilots will find these extremely useful however, see if you can find
out ways of using these to your advantage yourself. Activated by holding 'up'
on the keypad.
Attack: 6/10
Defence: 0/10
Usefulness: 7.5/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Homing Missile
The YELLOW PICK-UP, finding this will give you 3, and they are the most powerful
weapon you can use. They are difficult to evade, remember though, they take
a while to lock on, during in which time they may have hid behind some terrain,
but because you are locked on, you know where they are: wait until they come
out again then release. Activated be pressing up and right on key-pad.
Attack: 9/10
Defence: 0/10
Usefulness: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Lightning Gun
The BLUE PICK-UP, this gives you 10 'bolts' that can be used in one of two
ways. The first is the standard L1, which is the best and the most under-rated
weapon in the game. When you are chasing a plane, and you see your aim reticule
go red, bash the L1 button and add a bit of machine gun fire and they will die,
basically. The second is it charged. Hold L1 until you see the aim reticule
full. (when charging is starts of empty). Charged is the most over-rated weapon
in the game, it is not very effective versus all ground units/vehicles/turrets,
and although great against other planes, it is hard to aim and hit. Activated
by pressing 'left' on your keypad.
Attack: 8.5/10
Defence: 4/10
Usefulness: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
*Top Tip* I would advise skipping the lightning gun while just starting, you will find it tricky to aim and use, however, skipping it entirely when you've got to grips with flying is NOT reccomended.
TOW Missile
The PINK PICK-UP. Activated by holding up and left on the keypad. This sends
out a controllable missile that will decimate anything that it touches. Great
for taking out a vast amount of ground units, and even a turret from a safe
distance if you know where it is. Un-advisable against other warhawks. Beware
though, you will be stationary when firing this so make sure you press select
and have a look at you mini-map to see if there are any nearby planes.
Attack: 10/10
Defence: 0/10
Usefulness: 1/10 (stupid nooby bsk members have told me to put this up, don't
listen to them they are crap btw).
Overall: 10/10
Cluster Bomb
The BLUISH-GREENISH PICK-UP, activated by pressing 'down' on keypad. Best
used when hovering against any ground unit/vehicle/turret. Although if it is
too dangerous to hover you can fly over, try to predict where they will be and
release. Do not go to close to the ground, because you will blow up yourself.
Attack: 8/10
Defence: 0/10
Usefulness: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
AirMine
The PURPLE PICK-UP, activated by pressing right and down on keypad. Great
to use against chasing warhawks and also great to use strategically placed.
Attack: 8/10
Defence: 8/10
Usefulness: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
These are all of the available weapons in a Warhawk, and almost all of them can be used for different and various methods of killing. I hope this gives you a good knowledge of flying in general:
Fundamental Tips for a Begginer
* Perseverence is key
* Always carry chaff
* Learn how to dodge missiles using technique explained
* Use map (select) at all times
* Learn to differentiate between the various missiles
* Learn where the pick-ups are on maps
* Know where all the weapons are on your d-pad
Advanced Tips and Tricks
This section covers the more advanced methods of flying, if you're a good
pilot already you probably know about these little tricks anyway.
Turrets
Extremely easy to destroy, simply find some invisibilty and/or cluster bombs, cloak yourself, head to where the turret is, go behind them. Release Homing missile with a bit of MG when it hits, or release cluster bombs. If you have no invis, go behind them making sure they are not looking at you.
Lightning Gun
Deadly, can decimate an enemy if used properly. Get to grips with this weapon. If you do not believe me, my KDR with it is 120, underused and underrated. The standard method is best, but charged is also handy if you can hit them, and quite effective against tanks, turrets, jeeps too. Plus useful for checking for mines when taking over a base.
Terrain
Use it, always, with pro flight and some practice you can manouever your plane around with ease, great for evading missles and to keep you safe from other planes. Tricky to get to used too though.
The Map
I know, I've mentioned it before, but I cannot stress how important this is. Always press select and look at the happenings of the game.
Homing Missiles
Release as close as possible to target, combine with lightning gun and MG for instant kill.
Swarm Missiles
Release this as you please, again good for combining with homing missile, but remember to release these first, as if they chaff these they are pretty screwed when you release a homing missile.
Invisibility
So important, but remember to chaff first. When you cloak, find some more if possible and also life and chaff, after, look at map, find a target and kill.
Outnumbered
If you are outnumbered, you will die unless you have a constant supply of chaff, invis, health and air mines. When you are being chased by 3 or more planes, try and wipe a couple out with a well placed mine. When they start attacking, chaff-invis, flank them and kill one with a combination of MG, missiles and lightning.
Hovering tactic
If you are being chased by one plane sometimes you can use this tactic and hide behind a mountain/building. Hover, and when they do, (or fly around you) bash em with the lightning gun. Get ready to chaff a likely missile however.
Chasing
While pursuing an enemy, if you cannot lock on because they are too close,
hold L2 to slow down, you can turn much quicker too.
The mine trick (courtesy of scotty)
A good one to use if you want a bit of variation, equip the mine, and if you
see a hovering plane just casually fly over releasing it right by them, carefuly
not to release it too close or you will die with them.
**bleep** I'm Invisible But I've been Hit? (courtesy of sugardave)
Loads of people complain about this so called "glitch", its not, when
you activate invisible.... if you are locked onto before you activated invisible....
you will still be locked onto even though you have cloaked. So the person with
the lock on can follow you and/or release them when they please. Its useful
for tracking and annoying the pilot who thinks they've got away.
Remember, reading this guide will help, but applying this into a game will be difficult, just practice, and soon you'll be owning the skies.. Thanks for reading, hope I helped.