Firefly
2003-12-08, 08:20 AM
This also comes from the Black Widow Company battle handbook. Before copy/pasting it, please at least attribute it to our outfit, as several people worked on it.
Liberator Crew Configurations:
First and foremost, if you're using the Liberator as a bomber, you *NEED* a crew of three (including you). That tail gun will protect your aircraft and do devastating damage versus enemy aircraft. If you don't have a dedicated or pre-made Liberator crew, then I would advise filling your tail-gunner position FIRST, so you have rear defenses while in transit to find/pick up a bombardier.
Dodging Fire:
If you're flying along and you're attacked, immediately switch to third-person and zoom your camera out as much as possible. This actually should be done when you first acquire the aircraft, so all you need to do later is hit Third-Person hotkey. Once you're in third person point of view, you are better able to dodge incoming fire. Dodge by strafing side to side while wiggling your mouse in controlled, random directions. It's advisable to climb to maximum altitude so the enemy cannot get above and behind you, where you have no defenses. Being able to stave off damage will increase your survivability and enable your tail gunner to get in extra shots that may actually save your aircraft. PS: do not dive down to the deck and try to lose any pursuing aircraft, it simply will not work.
Bombing Runs:
If you're a Liberator pilot, your first order of business is to spend time in the bombardier seat so you know exactly what he (gender-neutral he) is going through when you're at the controls. The aircraft needs to be at medium altitude (so the bombardier can actually see enemies), and it's advisable to be moving at about 60-70% speed. LEVEL ALTITUDE can be attained simply by hitting ALT-R. To line yourself up on a target, hit the map button (M key) and right click your target. Then close out the map and orient yourself to the target. Use the black level-indicator line to line up with your personal waypoint. Stay at max speed (hit the "0" key)and altitude (preferably) until you reach the target area, then hit the "6" or "7" key. You can easily correct deficiencies in trajectory by hitting the SPACEBAR to view the bomb camera.
Liberator Gunship:
The Liberator packs the most punch out of every single aircraft. Pilots often forget they have a 35mm nose cannon that utterly destroys anything in its path. DO NOT FORGET that you (the pilot) have a weapon too. When using this weapon, your best bet is to make a level strafing run, holding fire until you have a good shot. Once you are about to overtake your target, let your bombardier (if you have one) drop a round on him, and maybe the tail gunner can pick him off. If you're bombardierless, your best bet is to perform as a gunship. Empty your load at a terminal by getting rid of all your bombs, and maximize your use of Liberator 25mm and 35mm ammo. Then climb to maximum altitude and stay there, coming down only to repair, rearm, or get a bombardier. You can perform combat air patrols and take out Galaxies and Lodestars with the greatest of ease.
Bombs:
I've found that the secondary mode (anti-personnel) makes for some nasty damage. The only time I use the anti-tank round is when I am directly over the vehicle pad and want to seriously fuck things up for someone coming out. You can also wreak mayhem on the gagglefuck at a vehicle terminal with AT rounds, but the air-bursting anti-personnel does a better job. Therefore, I generally switch to Secondary mode almost immediately upon getting in the bombardier seat.
AA MAX:
The Vanu AA MAX has the most lethal capability for taking out Liberators. If you're fighting Vanu smurfs, you're going to have a rough time at any altitude. They can nail you at max altitude, and I've found that staying a few inches off the ground on bombing runs is the key to living a long, healthy Liberator lifestyle. When fighting the NC, I like to stay as high as possible. And of course since we're Terrans, we don't need to worry about flak unless some assclown is trying to TK you.
Liberator Flying:
If you're in transit to a target and you don't know what enemy forces are ahead of you, and you expect heavy air cover, then stay high. Otherwise, you can do a lot better by staying as low as possible and also staying away from bases and towers. I usually select one friendly air tower way out in the middle of nowhere to repair and rearm at, and the rest of my time is spent hugging the ground. Discourage enemy air patrols from following you by flying through forests at low altitudes (practice this in Sanctuary) and occasionally try flying under a bridge. An enemy pilot may not go after you if he thinks you're suicidal and therefore not a threat. And of course enemy ground forces can't maintain a lock on you long enough because you're weaving through and around things. If he chooses to attack you, immediately switch to third-person and climb to max altitude. Also remember that while you're on the ground, you can ram enemy players and kill them without even firing your nose cannon. This makes for comic hilarity against the Vanu, and you can further add insult to injury by saying "I used to drive Magriders" or some other stupid n00brider reference. For turning, I've found that the easiest way to make a hard turn is to strafe right or left when making turns (in addition to hard-wheeling the mouse). I strafe-left when making a right turn, and strafe-right when turning left.
Flying nap-of-the-earth also scares the shit out of whoever is riding with you.
Liberator Crew Configurations:
First and foremost, if you're using the Liberator as a bomber, you *NEED* a crew of three (including you). That tail gun will protect your aircraft and do devastating damage versus enemy aircraft. If you don't have a dedicated or pre-made Liberator crew, then I would advise filling your tail-gunner position FIRST, so you have rear defenses while in transit to find/pick up a bombardier.
Dodging Fire:
If you're flying along and you're attacked, immediately switch to third-person and zoom your camera out as much as possible. This actually should be done when you first acquire the aircraft, so all you need to do later is hit Third-Person hotkey. Once you're in third person point of view, you are better able to dodge incoming fire. Dodge by strafing side to side while wiggling your mouse in controlled, random directions. It's advisable to climb to maximum altitude so the enemy cannot get above and behind you, where you have no defenses. Being able to stave off damage will increase your survivability and enable your tail gunner to get in extra shots that may actually save your aircraft. PS: do not dive down to the deck and try to lose any pursuing aircraft, it simply will not work.
Bombing Runs:
If you're a Liberator pilot, your first order of business is to spend time in the bombardier seat so you know exactly what he (gender-neutral he) is going through when you're at the controls. The aircraft needs to be at medium altitude (so the bombardier can actually see enemies), and it's advisable to be moving at about 60-70% speed. LEVEL ALTITUDE can be attained simply by hitting ALT-R. To line yourself up on a target, hit the map button (M key) and right click your target. Then close out the map and orient yourself to the target. Use the black level-indicator line to line up with your personal waypoint. Stay at max speed (hit the "0" key)and altitude (preferably) until you reach the target area, then hit the "6" or "7" key. You can easily correct deficiencies in trajectory by hitting the SPACEBAR to view the bomb camera.
Liberator Gunship:
The Liberator packs the most punch out of every single aircraft. Pilots often forget they have a 35mm nose cannon that utterly destroys anything in its path. DO NOT FORGET that you (the pilot) have a weapon too. When using this weapon, your best bet is to make a level strafing run, holding fire until you have a good shot. Once you are about to overtake your target, let your bombardier (if you have one) drop a round on him, and maybe the tail gunner can pick him off. If you're bombardierless, your best bet is to perform as a gunship. Empty your load at a terminal by getting rid of all your bombs, and maximize your use of Liberator 25mm and 35mm ammo. Then climb to maximum altitude and stay there, coming down only to repair, rearm, or get a bombardier. You can perform combat air patrols and take out Galaxies and Lodestars with the greatest of ease.
Bombs:
I've found that the secondary mode (anti-personnel) makes for some nasty damage. The only time I use the anti-tank round is when I am directly over the vehicle pad and want to seriously fuck things up for someone coming out. You can also wreak mayhem on the gagglefuck at a vehicle terminal with AT rounds, but the air-bursting anti-personnel does a better job. Therefore, I generally switch to Secondary mode almost immediately upon getting in the bombardier seat.
AA MAX:
The Vanu AA MAX has the most lethal capability for taking out Liberators. If you're fighting Vanu smurfs, you're going to have a rough time at any altitude. They can nail you at max altitude, and I've found that staying a few inches off the ground on bombing runs is the key to living a long, healthy Liberator lifestyle. When fighting the NC, I like to stay as high as possible. And of course since we're Terrans, we don't need to worry about flak unless some assclown is trying to TK you.
Liberator Flying:
If you're in transit to a target and you don't know what enemy forces are ahead of you, and you expect heavy air cover, then stay high. Otherwise, you can do a lot better by staying as low as possible and also staying away from bases and towers. I usually select one friendly air tower way out in the middle of nowhere to repair and rearm at, and the rest of my time is spent hugging the ground. Discourage enemy air patrols from following you by flying through forests at low altitudes (practice this in Sanctuary) and occasionally try flying under a bridge. An enemy pilot may not go after you if he thinks you're suicidal and therefore not a threat. And of course enemy ground forces can't maintain a lock on you long enough because you're weaving through and around things. If he chooses to attack you, immediately switch to third-person and climb to max altitude. Also remember that while you're on the ground, you can ram enemy players and kill them without even firing your nose cannon. This makes for comic hilarity against the Vanu, and you can further add insult to injury by saying "I used to drive Magriders" or some other stupid n00brider reference. For turning, I've found that the easiest way to make a hard turn is to strafe right or left when making turns (in addition to hard-wheeling the mouse). I strafe-left when making a right turn, and strafe-right when turning left.
Flying nap-of-the-earth also scares the shit out of whoever is riding with you.