Tips for flying after the 1.2 patch...
The guide to chopper piloting/gunning in the Wiki section worked great before the 1.2 patch, however I believe that following those rules of flying/gunning are a quick way to die now...
The new patch has made flying the choppers much more realistic. In real wartime situations helos are very powerful but extremely vunerable machines, especially when air superiority has not been established. If you have ever played Helo simulations you know that the instruction manual pounds NOE (Nap of the Earth) flying into your head. NOE flying requires you to fly as low and as fast as possible using all available terrain features to your advantage. Terrain features such as hills/mountains and buildings allow you to hover behind, assess threats, pop up long enough to get a shot off and then dropping back down before anyone can lock on. You only pop up to take out known targets, popping up otherwise is usually a quick way to die. As a pilot you MUST ALWAYS know where you are on the map at all times and what escape routes are available.
Before the patch taking on AA, be fixed or mobile, was pretty easy. Fly straight at them with all guns/missles blazing and 'poof' they were toast. After the patch this is a good way to find yourself back at the spawn point with 2 white trails still burning your retinas. Most of the fixed AA positions are behind some type of fortification, so if you are low enough they cannot get a lock on you. This allows for pretty free reign on most maps. If your gunner knows the map well you can easily stop behind a building/hill, pop up, watch as he launches a TV and then settle back down before the AA gunner knows what hit him. Also, CHECK YOUR MAP! If the icon for an AA emplacement is missing it is a pretty sure bet that it is manned, know this and avoid that area or take it out. The wild cards are the maps with mobile AA as these can be located almost anywhere. Flying low and fast around these weapons will not save you if they have positioned themselves on a hillside, but it will still make you harder to hit. Hopefully you have a good rapor with the jet pilots on your team and can get them to take these bastards out for you.
If you find yourself in a dogfight with another helo, after the obligatory long distance TV launch, close the gap ASAP. This will hopefully discourage the experienced AA gunner from shooting at you for fear of taking out his own chopper instead of you. If the AA persists in firing there are 2 courses of action you can take: continue dogfighting while dumping flares and side slipping (old style pre patch) or dump flares and dive with/into them leaving the other pilot high and dry with his own AA coming to get him (this has worked several times for me in the past couple days).
I would suggest staying away from the aerial acrobatics these days. Barrel rolls and loops may look cool but they do nothing against AA other than making you look like an expensive firework when you blow up.
I am not the best or most experienced pilot in BF2, but I have almost 100 hrs (93) under my belt and I fly with a mouse and keyboard. I expect to have my Vet badge by next weekend...Hey don't get on my case I am 34 with a wife and a job I can't play this game 24/7.
Let the suggestions/criticisms/flames BEGIN!
The guide to chopper piloting/gunning in the Wiki section worked great before the 1.2 patch, however I believe that following those rules of flying/gunning are a quick way to die now...
The new patch has made flying the choppers much more realistic. In real wartime situations helos are very powerful but extremely vunerable machines, especially when air superiority has not been established. If you have ever played Helo simulations you know that the instruction manual pounds NOE (Nap of the Earth) flying into your head. NOE flying requires you to fly as low and as fast as possible using all available terrain features to your advantage. Terrain features such as hills/mountains and buildings allow you to hover behind, assess threats, pop up long enough to get a shot off and then dropping back down before anyone can lock on. You only pop up to take out known targets, popping up otherwise is usually a quick way to die. As a pilot you MUST ALWAYS know where you are on the map at all times and what escape routes are available.
Before the patch taking on AA, be fixed or mobile, was pretty easy. Fly straight at them with all guns/missles blazing and 'poof' they were toast. After the patch this is a good way to find yourself back at the spawn point with 2 white trails still burning your retinas. Most of the fixed AA positions are behind some type of fortification, so if you are low enough they cannot get a lock on you. This allows for pretty free reign on most maps. If your gunner knows the map well you can easily stop behind a building/hill, pop up, watch as he launches a TV and then settle back down before the AA gunner knows what hit him. Also, CHECK YOUR MAP! If the icon for an AA emplacement is missing it is a pretty sure bet that it is manned, know this and avoid that area or take it out. The wild cards are the maps with mobile AA as these can be located almost anywhere. Flying low and fast around these weapons will not save you if they have positioned themselves on a hillside, but it will still make you harder to hit. Hopefully you have a good rapor with the jet pilots on your team and can get them to take these bastards out for you.
If you find yourself in a dogfight with another helo, after the obligatory long distance TV launch, close the gap ASAP. This will hopefully discourage the experienced AA gunner from shooting at you for fear of taking out his own chopper instead of you. If the AA persists in firing there are 2 courses of action you can take: continue dogfighting while dumping flares and side slipping (old style pre patch) or dump flares and dive with/into them leaving the other pilot high and dry with his own AA coming to get him (this has worked several times for me in the past couple days).
I would suggest staying away from the aerial acrobatics these days. Barrel rolls and loops may look cool but they do nothing against AA other than making you look like an expensive firework when you blow up.
I am not the best or most experienced pilot in BF2, but I have almost 100 hrs (93) under my belt and I fly with a mouse and keyboard. I expect to have my Vet badge by next weekend...Hey don't get on my case I am 34 with a wife and a job I can't play this game 24/7.
Let the suggestions/criticisms/flames BEGIN!
Last edited by [CF]Snowytheman (2006-02-19 17:16:36)