Skyguard still the worst vehicle in the game

[Wahooo]

The buff was nice... but skyguard still fails at even scaring air away. Oh you might scare one or two away and if you have air up you will get a few assists but skygaurd is a big flashing light that says KILL ME FIRST!

As soon as I was reloading after doing the expected job of a skyguard and doing it perfectly I got a scythe to 1/2 health and he ran off broke LOS and I was killed instantly by rocket pod and a lib. I did a bit of damage to the lib as I was trying to run away but hmmm... aiming AND driving over bumps and stuff while trying to shoot UP vs a pilot and a bomber that has a 50x faster ttk against me... oh and surprise but sex by his buddy I didn't see.

Still nothing but a death trap.

[RSphil]

the spread is still far too much imo. its hard to hit the side of a gal ffs out of a full mag you might get 1/4 of the rounds hitting. these are AA guns and should be more accurate. if this is the future then guns have gone down hill. lol

[Sardus]

Yah I agree the skyguard needs some love

[stargazer093]

yeah....have to admit that even after the buff, skyguiard still suck. btw i always think that what AA lightning needs is a pair of AA missile instead of flak cannon

[RSphil]

missiles are a wast of time these days. everyone has counter measures ffs. lol

[RobUK]

The recent AA chnages might as well not have happened for all the difference they made.

[Papagiorgio]

I agree completely. The Skyguard makes the trade off that it's essentially useless against infantry and ground vehicles. Since it requires a vehicle pad, I'm puzzled why it's still outclassed by burster maxes which can be pulled from any AMS.

[thegreekboy]

I think its fine as it it. One skyguard is NOT meant to clear the skies. Its meant to drive a couple off and IN GROUPS be a massive air threat.

[The Messenger]

I think the SG is far more effective with the reduced recoil and COF. The biggest thing I've seen with AA is that the projectile animation is very missleading with how fast FLAK actually travels. You have to lead way ahead of a target for anything to hit, especially when engaging at long range. But if an ESF is dumb enough to try a barrage head on and not break off, a SG can take him down before a reload. Once you learn how to lead, most ESF's don't bother unless they can get you with a full barage to the rear. I also suspect the render distance is slightly farther than the range of the gun. I can't hit gals/libs that hover way far off but I can hit a medium range ESF at full AB? Weird

[Lieken]

Take it from a pilots perspective, it's fine how it is. It is an area denial weapon, I never die to it, but it will always make me fly away and prevent me getting kills.

Don't buff the Skyguard, give some XP for dealing damage to air, or something of the sort.

Or better yet just get in an AA max and be invisible to any air :D

[Alrikster]

When me and my buddy fly a liberator over enemy territory and we take damage i look at how much damage we get.

If the hp drops down fast i know its either an esf or a max and we break off and fly back to our next base to repair.

If the hp drops really slow we know its just a skyguard and we might as well kill 2-3 more tanks before turning around or if its within our reach (which it most of the time is) well just kill it off and continue as if nothing happened.

[The Messenger]

Take it from a pilots perspective, it's fine how it is. It is an area denial weapon, I never die to it, but it will always make me fly away and prevent me getting kills.

Don't buff the Skyguard, give some XP for dealing damage to air, or something of the sort.

Or better yet just get in an AA max and be invisible to any air :D

I agree, the problem is that people are not accustomed at leading targets. I do get more assists with the recent buff but most people want the kills. I'm perfectly happy keeping my team from getting rocket podded to high hell. Whenever I usually roll into a heavily contested air space, I can clear it pretty fast. I don't get a lot of kills, but the fact that I can consecutively hit aircraft seems to keep them out of the area. If people cared more about teamwork than their K/D ratio, they're would be less complaints.

[bpostal]

I would have argued a against you as little as yesterday, today I'm gonna go ahead and say it needs a little love. Not much! but more than what it is atm would be lovely.

[MUXUN]

I hate the sky %>_<%

[fod]

i also think skyguards are a little weak (even as a pilot)

id like to see skyguards and the tank AA buffed (i think its called the g30 now - not a30) but the max AA nerfed

as a pilot i laugh at skyguards but AA max's seem to be really lethal and scare the S**T outta me

[yonman]

Skyguard is working as intended. Yes, it can be taken out easily - but so could the ps1 buggy version. The leap from lone Skyguard to two or three is quite amazing in results but requires team work.

If you don't want to run into trees, take a mag and a gunner ...

The one thing that bothers me is that Libs are very accurate even when high high away and out of reach. Naturally I expect a bomber to be out of reach so that there's a reason to play an interceptor - fair enough. However it being able to land three consecutive (and deadly) shots on a lone moving target is a little much imo.

Yes, I do expect a lib to be able to take out a lone skyguard but it should take some time if they won't fly closer and risk taking some damage (Which will never kill a healthy lib btw).

[KaskaMatej]

Yup, still don't see any Skyguards around (at defence or offence), I do see lots of Bursters. The saving grace of Burster MAXes is the render distance.

Skyguard still worthless IMO.

[ShadetheDruid]

Skyguard is working as intended. Yes, it can be taken out easily - but so could the ps1 buggy version. The leap from lone Skyguard to two or three is quite amazing in results but requires team work.

This here is exactly why no one wants to use Skyguards. A Skyguard driver has to pay the same costs in both certs/SC and resources to field their vehicle as an ESF pilot, while being infinitely more vulnerable and giving up all ability to harm anything but aircraft.. the same can't be said of the ESF pilot (and that's not even getting into rocket pods, because that's another conversation entirely).

The Skyguard is the only thing in the game where you're expected to pay massive prices, give up all your ability to do anything else, and still have to work in groups to be effective.

They need to either halve the cost of a Lightning with a Skyguard turret (and the cost of the turret itself to buy), or buff it. At the minute, we have this stupid situation where burster MAXes, a much cheaper and less vulnerable target, are doing a better job than the Skyguard.

[EisenKreutzer]

One Skygurd is not a threat to anything. Several Skyguards can clear the skies with ease. Working as intended.

[Deadeye]

As both a skyguard and Burster Max user, every time I pull a skyguard, I get a little mental slap as I think "You coulda pulled a Burster!"

The only advantage a skyguard has over a Burster is speed but that negated by the fact that any good armor column has at least one suderer in it. Skyguard still needs a damage buff.

One Skygurd is not a threat to anything. Several Skyguards can clear the skies with ease. Working as intended.

Why should it take a squad of Skyguards to do the same as I can do with 2 Bursters? Skyguards are not working as intended or, if this is intended, then they are broken and should be removed from the game and a cert refund issued. We did not pay to get a Dedicated AA vehicle that is out done clearly by Burster Maxes and even cheap HA Missile launchers are often not a bad alternative since hey, neither skyguard nor AA launcher will kill a fighter in one pass but they both scare them off.

[JumpJetter]

Do Dumb fired base rocket launchers still OHK fighters? I know they would one hit kill reavers in beta(September), but did they keep that? I haven't tried to kill a fighter with one, as the noobs learned not to hover too long around HA's.

[EVILoHOMER]

While I agree it sucks, I'd also hate for it to become useful, imagine having loads of these roaming about, you'd never be able to fly again.

Dual Burster MAX units already make flying unfun because they shoot you before they even render in so you cannot do anything.

[Alrikster]

Nerf AA Max buff skyguard.

Skyguard only has 1 advantage over the maxes. Mobility. As already stated this is easily negated by taking a sunderer along.

Maxes do more damage, can hit more reliably, are easier to resupply and theyre not even in danger of getting shot down by a lib most of the time.

Why would you ever pull a skyguard when you can have a burster max instead?

[The Messenger]

Skygaurd has more range, AA max does more damage. That's a bit odd though considering ROF on the SG is higher.

[Galron]

Do Dumb fired base rocket launchers still OHK fighters? I know they would one hit kill reavers in beta(September), but did they keep that? I haven't tried to kill a fighter with one, as the noobs learned not to hover too long around HA's.

I was derping it out in my mossie (hovering and using the needler) and almost got OSK'd with a dumbfire. It left me at red. I cant remember if I had the first rank flak armor upgrade yet or not.

[Rahabib]

just like in all the other threads... its plain to see who the flyboys are

[Wahooo]

Take it from a pilots perspective, it's fine how it is.
...
I never die to it,

They need to make more 1000 cert weapons that you don't get kills then the skyguard won't feel so bad.

[Wahooo]

While I agree it sucks, I'd also hate for it to become useful, imagine having loads of these roaming about, you'd never be able to fly again.

Dual Burster MAX units already make flying unfun because they shoot you before they even render in so you cannot do anything.

It would ALMOST be like trying to be on the ground when enemy ESFs and Libs are around huh? almost like that. :rolleyes:

[EVILoHOMER]

It would ALMOST be like trying to be on the ground when enemy ESFs and Libs are around huh? almost like that. :rolleyes:

huh?

[Sturmhardt]

&Nerf AA Max buff skyguard.

Skyguard only has 1 advantage over the maxes. Mobility. As already stated this is easily negated by taking a sunderer along.

Maxes do more damage, can hit more reliably, are easier to resupply and theyre not even in danger of getting shot down by a lib most of the time.

Why would you ever pull a skyguard when you can have a burster max instead?

No way, just because the skyguard sucks it does not mean that aa maxes are too strong. They are not.
Skyguards could get a little buff.

[Rahabib]

While I agree it sucks, I'd also hate for it to become useful, ...

This is the point of the thread. Right now its not useful so its pointless. Just take them out of the game.

[Gortha]

The buff was nice... but skyguard still fails at even scaring air away. Oh you might scare one or two away and if you have air up you will get a few assists but skygaurd is a big flashing light that says KILL ME FIRST!

As soon as I was reloading after doing the expected job of a skyguard and doing it perfectly I got a scythe to 1/2 health and he ran off broke LOS and I was killed instantly by rocket pod and a lib. I did a bit of damage to the lib as I was trying to run away but hmmm... aiming AND driving over bumps and stuff while trying to shoot UP vs a pilot and a bomber that has a 50x faster ttk against me... oh and surprise but sex by his buddy I didn't see.

Still nothing but a death trap.

That´s exactly like i am experiencing driving the Skyguards after update1, too.
It´s projectiles a still a tad too slow to hit good moving pilots.
Damage is also a bit too low. U need a full clip of 50 hits to kill an ESF.

Whats also very wrong is the Liberator Healthpoints. U need 5 to 6 hits of a tank to kill a lib. Thats too UBER.

[Mavvvy]

That´s exactly like i am experiencing driving the Skyguards after update1, too.
It´s projectiles a still a stad too slow to hit good moving pilots.
Damge is also a bit to low. U need a full clip of 50 hits to kill an ESF.

Whats also very wrong is the Liberator Healthpoints. U need 5 to 6 hits of a tank to kill a lib. Thats too UBER.

Yeah those not in favour of buffing the skyguard could argue aa maxs are stronger because they lack mobility. But even so, dispite having been a proponent of air being the counter to air I gotto say even post-buff the skyguard is still not even good at being a deterrent.

Concerning the lib,
Well to be fair it depends what you are hitting it with, I presume heat, an ap lightning can do it in 2.

[Gortha]

Yeah those not in favour of buffing the skyguard could argue aa maxs are stronger because they lack mobility. But even so, dispite having been a proponent of air being the counter to air I gotto say even post-buff the skyguard is still not even good at being a deterrent.

Concerning the lib,
Well to be fair it depends what you are hitting it with, I presume heat, an ap lightning can do it in 2.

No, i am talking of about hitting a Liberator with the Saron(Anti-Vehicle Gun(Gunner Seat)) of the Magrider. Often Enemy Libbies hovering about bases and when i come from the outside to the base, it´s easy to get 2 or 3 hits in row on each Liberator.

But to Kill One of them i had to hit em 5 to 6 Times with the Saron. The Same or More some MainBattleTanks need.

[Gortha]

Suggestion:

Build the old, epic Vanu Lancer on the Lightning and call it Skyguard:LazerVariant.
This would be epic. A super Fast Beam of Energie with good damage but requires good Aim.

[ShadetheDruid]

Suggestion:

Build the old, epic Vanu Lancer on the Lightning and call it Skyguard:LazerVariant.
This would be epic. A super Fast Beam of Energie with good damage but requires good Aim.

I had a little poke at that sort of concept once in the ideas section. It was wrapped up in a general "what if Lightnings had empire specific options you could cert into" sort of thing, but one of them was a pew pew laser VS-specific Skyguard.

Though I think my version of the concept was a fast(ish) firing, multi-barrel, lower damage, but super accurate variant.

[Hmr85]

Still the best way to clear air at the moment.

302 Found

[KaskaMatej]

Though I think my version of the concept was a fast(ish) firing, multi-barrel, lower damage, but super accurate variant.

Like TR getting a Vulcan Cannons for their Skyguard? And NC getting a slower, even single shot firing flak but with faster projectile, less drop and more damage?

[Figment]

Worst vehicle in game is the ATV. :/



;_____; *pets PS1 Fury* One day... ONE DAY...

[ShadetheDruid]

Like TR getting a Vulcan Cannons for their Skyguard? And NC getting a slower, even single shot firing flak but with faster projectile, less drop and more damage?

That was pretty much what I was thinking, yeah. I think it would be pretty interesting if we could cert into empire-specific variants for our NS vehicles, there's so much variety you could add just through adding a few simple turret (for example) options.

[Ysanne]

Skyguard needs some love. I would vote for G2A launchers. Yes, they can be outrun by most ESF but the beep of a lockon makes most ESF pilots break off the attack and could finish crippled air in some cases.

It should remain a Sky Guard, not a Skykiller like the AA-MAX currently is.

[Figment]

Still the best way to clear air at the moment.

302 Found (http://youtu.be/57Q5Shz9XJ0)

I'm watching the killspam in that video and see and hear a very big group constantly firing AA.


Yet either I'm missing something or people aren't actually clearing the skies. >.>

One kill every how many seconds? How many of the aircraft engaged get away?



With that much AA? >.>


Even 5-6 people firing at one single ESF don't guarantee a kill. Try that 5-6 ESF against a single ground unit... I wouldn't dare call that clearing the skies, rather looks like an extremely inefficient use of manpower, despite of a well setup AA battery. :/


In all honesty, looks like they're only effective under 75m. And really, if that's how AA must be done, then you need a zergfit to do anything.

[Hmr85]

I'm watching the killspam in that video and see and hear a very big group constantly firing AA.


Yet either I'm missing something or people aren't actually clearing the skies. >.>

One kill every how many seconds? How many of the aircraft engaged get away?



With that much AA? >.>


Even 5-6 people firing at one single ESF don't guarantee a kill. Try that 5-6 ESF against a single ground unit... I wouldn't dare call that clearing the skies, rather looks like an extremely inefficient use of manpower, despite of a well setup AA battery. :/


In all honesty, looks like they're only effective under 75m. And really, if that's how AA must be done, then you need a zergfit to do anything.

I started recording late into it. When we arrived there must of been 20+ ESF and libs over that facility. We cleared them all out in under 2 mins. and locked that area down for well over a hour. It took a combined TR Armor assault / foot zerg to get us out of there. It was also extremely effective.

[Figment]

I started recording late into it. When we arrived there must of been 20+ ESF and libs over that facility. We cleared them all out in under 2 mins. and locked that area down for well over a hour. It took a combined TR Armor assault / foot zerg to get us out of there. It was also extremely effective.

How many of those units were camp-hovering still upon your arrival?

[Hmr85]

How many of those units were camp-hovering still upon your arrival?

Maybe 3 or 4 where camp hovering when we arrived, NC was throwing a assault at the time from the tech to the south. So there was plenty of buzzing going on. After we arrived none.

A few things I want to note from that video. If you notice half way through it we where unable to engage that liberator way the hell up high. I wouldn't mind seeing a increase in range on the Bursters.

[Calisai]

The best way to buff the skyguard? Get rid of the awful lightning body and make it a two seat buggy. A dedicated driver/gunner variant will be much more effective than the lightning.

A single person gunned skyguard is just a little more mobile AA turret. You cannot aim/fire/drive/dodge at the same time. Especially with the limited ground driving...narrow canyons, peaks, valleys, small Over Powered rocks that stop you dead in your tracks...

in PS1, a good two man skyguard crew could do massive damage, while still being vulnerable to a good ESF (but also able to dodge and weave a bit more) Being able to fire while moving is a huge buff that the current lightning platform cannot do.

[HiroshiChugi]

The best way to buff the skyguard?...

A single person gunned skyguard is just a little more mobile AA turret. You cannot aim/fire/drive/dodge at the same time. Especially with the limited ground driving...narrow canyons, peaks, valleys, small Over Powered rocks that stop you dead in your tracks...

Being able to fire while moving is a huge buff that the current lightning platform cannot do.

i agree 100000000000000000000% on this post. It needs to be a 2 seater vehicle.if anything,have the SG turret cost 100-200 more certs to add a 2nd seat strictly for this turret.

[Rahabib]

Still the best way to clear air at the moment.

302 Found (http://youtu.be/57Q5Shz9XJ0)

so thats what, 12 people to clear out 4-5 planes? no its not the best way. apparently the best way is to get 5 people in planes and use the rest of your troops for something constructive.

[Fear The Amish]

Yeah i own a skygaurd and pull it occasionally... you know how it goes? i see a lib flying high i start unloading on it... the lib goes "oh that tickles" and then 2 shots from a dalton and im dead. We grouped 2 up fire it lib and he goes "Oh that REALLY tickles" and 4 dalton shots and we have 2 dead skygaurds.....

[Hmr85]

so thats what, 12 people to clear out 4-5 planes? no its not the best way. apparently the best way is to get 5 people in planes and use the rest of your troops for something constructive.

As I stated earlier, I did not have the program recording when we first got there. Yes we cleared all 20+ ESF and libs in the area in under 2 minutes. It was extremely effective. That video picks up after the bulk majority of the air was cleared out and we where standing around just picking off randoms coming into our AO.

[ShadetheDruid]

I feel that video is still pretty illustrative of the point of this topic, considering the default for "we need AA cover" is AA MAXes (with a few HA AA launchers), and never Skyguards.

Whether AA MAXes are effective or not is a side issue really.

[Wahooo]

Still the best way to clear air at the moment.

Exactly not a single SG to be found.

Not only that but for AA to be effective it has to be in the correct placement and situation. This won't work in every base or every continent. You have here a great perch, not vulnerable to ground forces with an overwhelming number of bodies and a direct line of site to where they are pulling the air from. The other AA video i've seen was a bunch of bursters a few HA and Engies on a little hill on Esamir in between a fight by the OTHER two faction basically picking off Air that was hurt running off for repairs.

Honestly These AA videos look to me like some of the Burster "special ops" I did in PS1 with my NIC buddies. AKA collecting hate tells.

http://i.imgur.com/ygwhX.jpg

I just don't know how you argue that AA is effective by showing pad camping.