Warhawk Tips & Tricks

General Tips

Use your radar

Unless your opponent is on foot with a knife, you should know exactly where he is and when he is close to you. Check the radar constantly, keeping track of your opponent's positions to get the drop on them.

Always pick up items

This is a no brainer. If you run by an item, even one that you don't want, pick it up. Unless you have a teammate close by who can actually use the item, taking the item will keep it out of enemy hands. The bottom line: you must take everything you can and keep away from the enemies.

Reload

Surprisingly, players often run out of ammo in a fire fight, because they didn't reload when they won the last fight. To reload a turret hit the D-pad in any direction. To reload a weapon select a different weapon and switch back to the weapon you want reloaded -- this will start an automatic reload.

Don’t be afraid to jump

Players can jump from a very tall place and take little to no damage. If the fight looks hopeless, and you have the option, run and live to fight another day!

Destructible terrain

There are lots of canisters, barrels, and crates that will explode if you shoot them enough. Try to use these pieces of destructible terrain to destroy an enemy on foot or in a vehicle. You may not be able to kill them with your machine gun, but your machine gun can deal some heavy damage with the assistance of an explosive barrel.


Warhawk Strategies

Flight types and their basic use

Warhawks have two flight modes: hover and standard flight. In hover mode you use the R2 and L2 shoulder buttons to ascend and descend while using the analog sticks (or Sixaxis tilt) to move your character side to side, and forward and backward. In standard flight, toggled with the Triangle button, the player controls the plane with the analog sticks (or Sixaxis tilt), using the L2 and R2 shoulder buttons to brake and accelerate, respectively.

Hover mode should be used to provide cover or to destroy ground troops. You can use it to kill jeeps, but we don't recommend using this tactic to destroy tanks. Tanks will shoot you out of the sky with a single shot, and you don't have the maneuverability to make yourself a difficult target in this mode. Your missiles won't lock onto ground targets, but can still be fired in a straight line with similar effect. Remember, when hovering you are mainly providing air support and sticking with your troops until the enemy planes show up.

Standard flight mode is the best way to travel from point A to B, useful to capture bases or the enemy flag. (Note: you must exit the Warhawk to capture points or flags, unless the host enables the ability to fly with the flag). In this mode, if you double tap the R2 shoulder button rapidly, and hold it down the second time, you will perform a boost. It recharges and is extremely useful when running for your life or for beating an enemy to an important item or waypoint.

Advanced flying tactics

The following Warhawk tactics concentrates on ship-to-ship combat. Chances are, if you are fighting enemies on the ground, you will be in hover mode.
Your first encounter with an enemy Warhawk will appear similar to this situation: two Warhawks heading straight to each other, trading swarms of missiles. After you pass the opponent, it's vital that you sweep around and get behind the opposing Warhawk. The best move we've found is the aerial powerslide, performed by holding both R2 and L2 buttons simultaneously. While the powerslide does keep your forward momentum, increasing the distance between you and your target, it spins you around much more quickly than by simply pulling up on the left analog stick. It will take some practice to pull out of the slide at the proper moment, but it is a skill worth learning.

Another essential tactic useful for aerial combat is the proper time to switch between hover mode and standard flight mode. It's most useful when the enemy flies behind you and, just like the previous move, the purpose is to put the enemy Warhawk in front of you. Simply pull yourself out of standard flight by hitting the Triangle button, allowing the enemy to pass you, and then hit the Triangle button again after he is front of you. It doesn't always work, but it will throw some enemies off. The main thing to remember is that the Warhawk has two flight modes, and they should be used together to maneuver -- don't get stuck in the mindset that you have to do one or the other!

Shaking missiles off

The easiest way to shake off an incoming missile is by hitting right on the D-pad, and rapidly pressing the L1 shoulder button to deploy a Chaff. That still leaves the question of what to do when you don't have any Chaff?

Once a missile is locked onto you, fly behind a building or a piece of terrain, directing the missile into an obstruction instead. If that doesn't work, hold both analog sticks to the side in order to spin -- great at shaking off at least some of the missiles. Be warned, though: flying behind something or spinning won't save you every time, but it’s better than flying in one direction.

Busting up turrets and ground targets

As a Warhawk pilot, turrets and ground troops can be difficult kills. In general, fighting against a missile turret in a Warhawk should be avoided, but if you have to fight one, use homing missiles, cluster bombs, or, ideally, a tow missile.

If you have a tow missile, pull behind a cliff or other obstruction blocking the line of sight from your target. Fire the missile in hover mode, then guide it to your target using the standard flight controls. Look for the kill information in the upper left of the screen to confirm the death of the turret.

If you are unable to get a tow missile, a cluster bomb or homing missiles can do the trick as well. Neither of these weapons track, but rely on your ability to aim. With a little practice, and a little luck, you'll be busting bunkers in no time.


Personnel Strategies

The rocket launcher is your friend

Find the rocket launcher on every level, an extremely useful weapon against vehicles, especially in Capture the Flag matches where vehicles play an important role in stealing enemy flags. Beyond its awesome power and tracking ability against enemy Warhawks, the rocket launcher is fairly efficient at taking out personnel as well.

Close the gap with a gun, finish the fight with your knife

This is a pretty straight forward idea. If you spot an enemy in the distance, blast him with your pistol or machine gun, and then pull out your blade when you are close. It may take some practice to switch to the knife in the heat of battle, (hit right on the D-pad), but it's a necessary skill to learn. The knife not only keeps you off the enemy radar, but also kills other foot troopers in a single hit.

Pick up all backpacks

Backpacks from dead soldiers will provide not only the weapon the soldier was holding, but also health. It won't restore your life fully, but it will keep you in the fight a hell of a lot longer than if you just run by them.


Turrets, Tanks, & Jeeps

Turrets are deadly but often ignored. People tend to be too impatient, seeking out the nearest Warhawk so that they can take to the skies. Don't be mistaken, Warhawks are an amazing part of the experience, but turrets can provide an absurd amount of points and help turn the tide in a battle.

Tanks are another oft misused piece of mechanized death. Often, they're simply used as armored transports to get from point A to B. But, with the help from Warhawks and foot troops, they're main strength is to secure positions, or to push through an enemy stronghold. Never ignore anything on the battlefield -- it will save you and make you an adaptable opponent.


Turrets don't just kill Warhawks

The missile turrets can blow away a tank, a person, or a jeep with a single blast. You'll have to work on your aim and figure out the proper way to lead a target, but these turrets are amazing at defending both the sky and choke points.

Flak turrets, like missile turrets, are great at defending a position against both air and ground defenders. Once the enemy realizes you're sitting in the turret, they may approach on foot and get close enough so you can't shoot them. While this makes the turret useless, it also brings the enemy within knife range. Pop out of there and cut them.


Tanks and jeeps are not just transports

All too often you'll see players jump in the jeep or tank, using them to get between two points instead of maximizing their team's effectiveness. While tanks and jeeps are fantastic ways to get people to a base or flag, they shouldn’t be abandoned once you arrive at your destination. Tanks provide cover for troops against turrets, and serve as distraction against enemy Warhawks. Jeeps, too, can provide good support against personnel if they have a person on the rear turret. When alone in a jeep, hold Square and hit the D-pad in the direction of the turret to quickly switch positions; this allows you to move between the gunner’s and driver’s seat in the bat of an eye.

The bottom line: use vehicles as more than just transports -- they have guns and can take a beating for a reason!


Tanks can carry a second person

You won't see too many tanks crewed by two people, but it can be an effective offensive strategy if they are coordinated. The second person can pop in and out of the top hatch, firing at enemies who are either too fast (Warhawks), or too close (troops). Ideally, the second man has a rocket launcher, to pop out and lock on to a Warhawk.


Map and Gametype

Although Warhawk has only five maps, the map layouts are pretty daunting. Every map and game mode has a specific zone where players take damage, shrinking the size of the game in order to focus the action for specific game types such as Capture the Flag. More important, though, is that the maps are essentially the same on each side; they mirror images split right down the center of the map.

Map key for personnel items

We haven't listed the locations of vehicles, because of one simple fact: you'll see the vehicles on your map whenever they appear. Instead, these maps detail key personnel items and locations.

To use these maps refer to the key:

1. Rocket Launcher: RL
2. Flame Thrower: FT
3. Sniper Rifle: SR
4. Binoculars: BI
5. Highground Sniper Position: reached only by a player in a Warhawk.

The rest of the names are self-explanatory. You might notice machine guns and grenades aren't detailed on these maps, but never fear, they are placed all over the maps.

Archipelago

You'll rely heavily on the Warhawks in Archipelago. At the start of the match, since all the islands are split by water, most players take to the skies immediately. The map strategies depend on how you choose to fight on the ground or in the sky.

In the skies, you'll need the proper equipment. Most of the valuable items for the Warhawk are located underneath the islands. Grab the homing missiles, found around locations 3, 5 and 7, and learn the locations of the health items, which keep you flying non-stop if you manage to run them in a rotation as they appear. See the Archipelago Warhawk Item Map below.



Other notable Warhawk items found on this map are the Tow Missile, found under the island at location 5, and the avionics packages found under locations 4 and 6. Though these items will appear fast enough that you can’t really keep the opposing team from getting them, having them will help you take on more situations.

Also, you'll secure bases on Archipelago. Spawning at your main base is fine at the beginning, but even on maps where the objective is not to conquer the map, having more bases will prove extremely necessary. Having additional bases means you can spawn closer to the action, and perhaps closer to a new Warhawk or tank. Early in the game, it will be less important to secure the skies with your Warhawks, than to use them as a quick transport to the various island bases. Secure the bases for your team and then utilize any available missile turrets to soften up the enemies flooding the sky. See the personnel map below.



After immediately securing the bases to the left and right of your starting location, head for the center base at location 5. Secure this base and then, if you have enough players in the match, post snipers at the positions to the South West and North East of location 5. These positions provide an excellent base of fire to cover your teams as you take the bases at location 4 and 6 (Note: these sniper positions can only be reached by Warhawk).

These are not the only sniper positions that are accessible only by Warhawk. Locations 1, 3, 7 and 9, have sniper positions that will prove useful if you have a person posted there with a rocket launcher or sniper rifle. Many of the smaller land masses in Archipelago lack bridges or bases on them, but allow you to land and dismount from your Warhawk. These and other key land items are detailed in the map below.

Badlands

The Badlands consist of several bases throughout a gigantic canyon. At either side of the canyon are the main bases, where players can find every vehicle and turret.

Warhawks can be a deathtrap on this map. The best way to keep the enemy Warhawks off your team's back is to secure the base closest to their main base (location 2 or 6 depending on if you start in the North or South). Secure these bases and have at least one team member stay on the missile turret. This turret should obliterate all Warhawks as they try to take off, and also kill the occasional jeep rushing out of the base. More importantly, securing this base will allow you to spawn right next to the enemy, assisting in modes like Capture the Flag. Most of the time players will leave you alone, more concerned with getting into the skies then first taking out the huge threat that you pose. Personnel map below.



If you're primarily using a Warhawk, learn the locations of the health. The discernable health items are above both of the main bases. Players should fly very low to the canyon, diving into the canyon if the enemy manages to get a missile lock. Players should also make note of the Tow Missiles, located to the West of locations 1 and to the East of location 7. These Tow Missiles will help you deal with any enemies that are in the opposing team’s missile turrets. Warhawk item map below.



While Warhawks may be the fastest way to travel, they're not the safest vehicle in Badlands. Jeeps will prove invaluable. Whatever the game type, the jeeps will allow you to move fast and safe across the Badlands, its canyons usually preventing Warhawks from gunning you down. Vehicle health items are located all throughout the canyon passages.

Destroyed Capital

Like Archipelago, the map Destroyed Capital relies heavily on Warhawk. The map is split into several smaller buildings surrounding a larger building mass in the center. Success depends on who controls the skies, since players can't get between the structures without using a Warhawk. The Warhawk Items are detailed below.



To make sure your team stays in control of the sky, secure bases as fast as you can. One to two players should take each station, and leave a man behind to man a turret. Turrets are absolutely essential to winning on this map, because they allow you to take out Warhawks easily. Also, beyond securing turrets for the sheer number of kills, they will become such a distraction that the enemy will inevitably mount a large attack on said base, allowing your team to secure positions that would otherwise be heavily defended. See the map below for the locations of important personnel items.



Though all the bases are important, the bases at locations 2 and 8 are of the utmost importance. These bases have a rocket launcher, a sniper rifle, and a missile turret. In the hands of a skilled player you can use the items in these bases with devastating effect. These locations give you the ability to cover most of the sky with the missile turret, as well as the ground that covers the area around locations 4, 5 and 6, with sniper fire.

Players should also take note that there are several places around locations 4 and 6 that provide excellent sniper positions. These positions can only be reached by flying up there in a Warhawk and dismounting, making them highly effective camping positions. It is advised that you take a rocket launcher up there for when the enemy gets smart and tries to fly up to you.

Island Outpost

Island Outost is a map where anything works. Warhawks, tanks, jeeps, foot troops -- they all have a purpose. Unlike Archipelago, you can get anywhere on Island Outpost by ground. The bases at locations 4 and 8 are necessary on this map, since they contain turrets, vehicles, and towers with sniper rifles. Keeping these bases under your control will allow you to keep your forces well outfitted. See the personnel map, below, for the locations of key items.



Teams should, at the minimum, secure the bases closest to their starting position (locations 2 and 9). After this has been accomplished they should leave behind one, at most two, team members to defend this base and watch for any enemies that try to invade your main base

While Warhawks are certainly an important part of the fighting on this map, they can be avoided pretty easily if your team loses control of the sky. Players using a jeep or even running on foot can run along the island's center path, using the trees for cover. Within the trees players will also find Rocket Launchers that they can use to take down enemy Warhawks.

For players who insist on using Warhawks as their primary mode of assault, the map below will show you the location of key weapons you’ll need to survive.



The Cluster Bombs, located by locations 4 and 8, are great to use to take out players hiding in the forests on either side of the bridges.

Island Outpost has bases containing items for players of any style. If you like to assault, pick up a flame thrower (usually in the shed of the base you are spawning in). If you like to snipe, just hit up the first watch tower you see. Any strategy can be valid on this map, thanks to its sheer scope of land.

Eucadia

Eucadia is similar to Island Outpost: every place can be reached by land. Therefore, it's important to utilize all types of vehicles. Diversify your forces!

The most defining feature of Eucadia is the run down city consisting of a considerable portion of the terrain by locations 3 and 6. Players can use this terrain to hide from enemy Warhawks, channeling them into choke points where foot troop's small arms will have a chance to take them down – flamethrowers in particular work great for this. See the personnel map below for the locations of key items such as the flamethrower.



Unfortunately none of the building’s roofs are made so that you can dismount onto or get into on foot. They make up a small, but often important part of the map.

Should you avoid the streets of the town, players can find excellent sniper positions to the northwest by location 5, and to the southeast by location 4. Out of the way and easily overlooked, these elevated positions can be reached by personnel and vehicles.

This map isn't Warhawk friendly, it is easy for players to pick you off with rocket launchers or turrets. To prep yourself for the onslaught of turret fire see the map below for the location of Warhawk items. Grab the Tow Missile located by either location 3 or 6 to help destroy turrets. Having the Tow Missile allows you to fly off the map and fire from a safe place.



Game Types and Tips

There are four types of games: Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, Zones, and Capture the Flag.

Team Deathmatch: Kill the other team. Players are awarded points for kills.

Deathmatch: Players are awarded points for kills, just like in Team Deathmatch, except now it is every man for themselves. If it moves, shoot it.

Zones: Capture bases and keep them. Teams are awarded points for holding bases over an allotted amount of time. Capturing bases right next to another will result in larger scores for your teams.

Capture the Flag (CTF): CTF places two teams against each other in a contest to see who can steal the other team's flag and bring it back to their own. Capturing the enemy's flag is only half the battle, as players can only capture the enemy flag if their own flag is present. This game requires a balance of offense and defense.

Team Deathmatch and zone strategies

What's the most important aspect in a team game? The word team. Ideally, you should stay in pairs at all times. If your team stays together and faces a team who just scatters, your overwhelming firepower should be enough to put a quick end to the match.

And remember to capture bases. It's the key to winning, and it will help in any team game. Capturing bases will allow you to spawn closer to the action, and provide turrets to take out enemy vehicles.

If you are playing Zone, remember to chain together the bases you conquer. Conquering bases right next to each other gives your team a stronger hold over bases, making them harder to take back. Also, remember to leave at least one man on defense at each base after it has been conquered. There is nothing more infuriating than having the base you just captured taken back due to poor communication.

Capture the Flag strategies

Capture the Flag requires the most teamwork. Split your team into two sub teams: offensive and defensive. The offensive team moves together, ideally in a mix of Warhawks, jeeps, and tanks, in order to take the flag. The defensive team should split up, putting players in turrets, tanks, and on foot with heavy weapons.

Use the jeep as your main vehicle to capture the flag. Unless the server has enabled the ability to fly with the flag, the jeep is the fastest vehicle in returning the flag. The tank is a tempting alternative, but its slow speed will make it a target for enemy Warhawks and rocket launchers. Most jeeps are located next to enemy flags, so steal one if you have to.

If the enemy steals your flag, don't have your entire team chase after them. Instead, split them in two groups: one team chases the flag, while the other half defends enemy advances. All too often players will use their whole team to rush after their flag, only to have an enemy, who walked into their unmanned base, wait at the flag spawn point.

Deathmatch strategies

There isn't a whole lot to say here. Refer back to the strategies for vehicles and turrets, Warhawks and personnel. Remember to shoot everything you see. If you get into a fight involving multiple enemies, pick one and focus your fire on it. Splitting your fire between multiple targets will just result in your death, raising the enemies' kill count.