Help?

[dirtylove]

I know there are the video guides on the way, but despite my best efforts I am unable to find any guides in plain text for n00b's who are looking for some quick advice. I just started playing and according to my stats on planetsidestats.com I suck!

I just started to get the hang of the game, but I have been playing for about two weeks now and am just able to put up a fight despite being an avid FPS player. The main problem was on my end for not knowing how to find the battles that were going on, or realizing to join a squad EVERY game. Sounds simple enough, but it took me some time to find my place in the game world.

I'm on track now though and thats what counts, but I would enjoy reading some guides that may help me improve my game until the video guides are made available. Anyone know any good links? I looked on PSU but only saw a select few guides that were mainly done before the games release from everything I was able to judge.

[FraudulentBob]

Ask questions, lots of questions.

[Incompetent]

Join a good outfit, not just the first one that sends you an invite, but a good one. Nothing is more important then that. I don't mean the most skilled outfit, i mean one you'd be at home in and where you like your outfitmates.
What server/empire do you play on? Most of the people here could point you towards a few decent ones on there server/empire.

[dirtylove]

Right now I play on Markov as Vanu Sovereignty. Right now I am part of Smoke & Mirrors but not really sure if they are answering all my questions for me ;p

Right now I seem to have the hang of the battles, just trying not to die so much! I tried to lead a squad last night and had no clue how to place waypoints, or communicate on the Squad Leader channel which the other leaders never answered. I am addicted to this game, but just seem to have a hard time getting small things answered.

[Incompetent]

Well, first of all you need to get CR1 to set waypoints, and CR2 to use command chat chat, but you probably shouldn't be leading a squad at this point. Command chat is less then useless anyway. Just focus on getting BR and being skilled at whatever role you've decided to take, once you start getting into the higher BRs and don't need BEP as much you might want to try leading a squad.

Lots of people get annoyed when they're asked about little things, thats one of the keys to finding a good outfit, you need to be able to ask them anything (reasonable) and get only a mildly sarcastic reply.

[321]

Look around for some of Biohazzard56's written startagie guides that are all ready out and to the best of my knowledge he is still writting more. They're really good and if you are in a outfit it'll make the game easier to learn but if you don't want to join an outfit then it isn't that hard to learn by yourself I mean I had to do it I didn't get a outfit for a long time because I didn't wnat to just join some outfit that some person I don't know invited me into.

[dirtylove]

I appreciate the help! I hope to be a member of this community for some time to come.

Incompetent - Thanks for the info on the waypoints and everything else!

[gonnagetyou]

Don't worry about sucking at the moment. Being new to a game means you got to play before you get good. Just get in there and watch people and experiment. Getting into a squad is a good way to learn the game and never be afraid to ask questions. Most people have no problems showing a new guy a few tricks or tips. We could give you some specific tips if we knew what sort of certs you have and what type of role are you most interested in playing. Welcome aboard!

[dirtylove]

Right now have Air Cav and Air Support. I enjoy being a pilot in the game but my frequency of death is a tad higher than I would like. All in all I enjoy the Reaver but often run into dieing before I can purchase a new one ;p

I was considering getting rid of Medium Assault and getting engeinering so I can repair my own plane. Any advice on that?

[Jagd]

Lose Air Support to get your engineering. As you have probably figured out by now there are plenty of times when you can't quite get airborne and have to fight it out hand-to-hand. When that happens, Medium Assault gives you a fighting chance. Air Support is very handy to have later on, but for now get good at flying Reavers as much as possible, and Mosquitos when you have no choice. Also, you should focus on capturing and using air towers, they will extend your sorties out much longer than engineering ever can. Mostly because Reavers are ammo pigs and eng can't help you there, but also because repairing by hand is sloooow and makes you incredibly vulnerable. Also, fly like you're sneaking around. Hide behind hills and gullies a lot, this will also help you break those annoying missile locks you keep getting.

Do you understand how the different base types work, and what they allow you to do? Without a Tech Plant under your empire's control and all facilities between it and you with working generators, you won't be able to buy Reavers or Liberators (and more besides). Dropship Centers are the only places you can buy Galaxies and Lodestars, and they also "turn on" the repair pads of all linked bases making air towers less of an essential. AMP Stations give vehicles shields, and also slightly increases the size of friendly SOIs (the circle on the map around every base). Interlink Facilities make radar work better so you can see more enemies, and Bio Labs speed up respawn times. As I mentioned with the Tech Plant, every intervening base must have a working generator, otherwise the benefits do not pass forward. Tech Plants are your bread and butter as a pilot, and a Dropship Center will make your life a whole lot easier.

[dirtylove]

I agree that Air Support just isn't much use for me at this point. Going to unlearn that and pick up engineering. With medium assault presently I am just using the standard armor as I have not bought more. Would the infiltration suit be my best bet since I don't experiance a lot of hand to hand combat?

I know I set a waypoint to the Dropship Center (the tower with the repair and reload pads on top) when I play. They extend the life of my battles ten-fold.

So far the best strategy I have found is to either stay high, or as close to ground as possible while flying. I tend to "camp" the hills surrounding a base for snipers and will open up with rockets first, then switch to gun to finish them off. This seems to be quite effective for ground troops. I can not figure out how to to air to air yet as my missles miss 90% of the time, and I am just getting out flown.

I appreciate everyone's help.

[gonnagetyou]

When going up against other aircraft you should use your guns in most cases instead of your rockets.