Capturing Bases

[nevica]

Hello,

I am new to the Planetside 2 universe having only played 3 hours so far.

What I would like to know is:

Is there a definitive written (not video) guide to how to capture a base?

Ie what bases can be captured? In what order do generators and shields have to be dismantled (hacked)? etc. Can the engineer only fix a generator?

At the moment I find myself at a base not knowing what to attack and what to defend. Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

nevica

[ShadetheDruid]

Originally Posted by nevica

Is there a definitive written (not video) guide to how to capture a base?

There probably is, but I don't have any links on hand. I can give you a quick overview though if that's helpful.

Ie what bases can be captured?

Each hex region on the map has its own base (tied into the capturing of the region itself), plus the bigger bases - tech plants, bio labs and amp stations - have "satellite" bases around the edges that can be captured (these act as little forward spawn areas).

In what order do generators and shields have to be dismantled (hacked)? etc.

Generally you'll want to go for vehicle shields first (the ones with the tank symbols), so you can breach the outer walls of bases (if they have them), followed by inner shields (the ones with the three bar symbols) so you can get inside the main base itself. Next is the SCU shield generator (the orange shield is the SCU shield, the generator is labelled with the same symbol), and lastly the SCU generator itself.

Sometimes you can skip steps (like you don't always need to get rid of vehicle shields, and sometimes you can get around the inner shields in certain bases).

Can the engineer only fix a generator?

Anyone can stop a generator overloading, but once it's blown you need an engie to repair it.

At the moment I find myself at a base not knowing what to attack and what to defend. Any help would be most appreciated.

Other than the generators, you'll also need to look out for the capture points. These are labelled with letters, and when you're far enough into a hex it will also show you them on the left side of the screen. A green border around the letter means your side owns it, if it belongs to one of the other two factions it will be labelled with their colour. The border flashes if its being captured.

It will also tell you how many people are on that point, and how many are needed to max out the capture speed for that particular point. More people, faster capture. You also do this for satellite bases, but it's a lot faster and works independently of the hex it's in.

Then you try to hold the points until you've worn down the enemy's capture bar and filled yours up.

Generally you'll want to hit the gens first, because you'll need to do that to even get in (or stop the enemy from spawning at the base) in some cases, and then capture points. Only the larger bases have them though, so for the smaller ones it's just capture points all the way.

Hopefully that's enough/not too much detail and helps you. I can clarify/explain more with anything if you need though.

[CraazyCanuck]

Good summary Shade. The thing that Shade was reference about the number you'll see beside a point is a must to remember. Too often you see people floating around and not focusing on the capture point itself. The more people you have on a lettered capture point,up to its max, the faster the whole process will go. You'll see a 1/2 or 4/6 etc that's the number that matters. The first number being the number of people actually on the capture point, while the second number is the most you can have on it that will directly affect the capture time.

Also, another thing to keep in mind when trying to capture a point is your factions influence on an area. Influence is shown as a pie graph on the left side of your HUD. If you don't see any of your colour in that pie chart when your trying to capture a point, don't waste your time any further. Seek fun elsewhere. The more of your factions coloured hexes you have bordering the one your trying to capture the more influence you have over that region and the faster you will capture a hex. For larger bases with multiple capture points it will all tie togther.

Clear as mud