Hydra VS Buzzard - Which to buy?

[Quadro]

Hi Everyone!

 

I've been seeing a lot of Buzzard VS Savage and Hydra VS Lazer topics lately, but they aren't really answering my question.

I have been saving for a while now (1.5 mil) and have been looking at buying my first military air vehicle for missions and FR.

 

Should I buy the Hydra? or should I buy the buzzard?

 

The Buzzard has been hailed the vehicle of choice when it comes to missions (except when a savage is available).

The Hydra has been getting mixed opinions, mainly due to its comparison with the Lazer. (acceleration and agility not comparable)

 

I have had my eyes on the buzzard for a while (or even the savage) but the Hydra just looks so versatile.

 

Do you find the hydra good for Missions? Do you prefer the savage/buzzard instead?

Do you find using the heli's in freeroam more rewarding than the Hydra?

 

I realize that these things are just pixels in a game, but after buying a tank just before its nerfing, I want to get as much information before forking out the cash.

 

 

 

[Terrato137]

Which looks cooler to you? They all cost a pretty penny, either way, doubt you'll be using either of them extensively.

[Hunter54711]

I think the Buzzard is the best for missions. Fast, moderate firepower, very agile and can hold 4 guys. It's the cheapest and a great all rounded aircraft

 

The savage however does excel VERY good on missions like Los Santos Connection, especially in the hanger, so many enemies in close proximity and with no missile cool down... EPIC also the savage can shoot its cannon if rockets keep missing. The hydra is nearly incidental to the buzzard in firepower , the biggest downside is it can't aim down very far so you have to be near ground level to really make work of it. The hydra can move faster but it also can only hold 1 person.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Hunter54711

[Code Haruna]

Buzzard

[Terrato137]

I've also heard that the Buzzard is the most agile of the bunch. As someone who owns a Buzzard, i've never been let down, but I can only truly give a valid opinion on the Buzzard.

[cjohnsonjk5274]

I'd get the Buzzard.

[T.V. Eye]

Buzzard -

1) there are FAR more places it can spawn for you so you can spend more time flying and less driving. If you have to drive 5 miles to get your Hydra, you might as well just steal a Lazer.

 

2) It is much easier to land a Buzzard, due in part to its compact size.

 

3) Carries 4 (useful for missions where you need to pick up an NPC)

 

4) Price

 

If you can afford and want to buy both, do. Otherwise, definitely get the Buzzard.

[diperro]

If you can, hold on to get a Savage. If you don't want to hold on just get a Buzzard. It's a pretty all-rounded heli.

[CrysisAverted]

Hydra cuz its the only armed Jet you can buy, can hover and shoot rockets just like Buzzard, can shoot explosive rounds. It may spawn at less convenient places but with it being the fastest vehicle in the game, it will get to where it needs to be real quick. It carries 29 players assuming you hover carefully. Can land more places than any other aircraft too.

Edited May 25, 2015 by CrysisAverted

[Sangers]

I've also heard that the Buzzard is the most agile of the bunch. As someone who owns a Buzzard, i've never been let down, but I can only truly give a valid opinion on the Buzzard.

 

No way the buzzard (a helicopter) is more agile than the Hydra (a jet).

 

But yeh, the Buzzard is way more useful, being available to spawn at all helipads and carry more than 1 person.

 

The Hydra is way more fun but.

[Terrato137]

 

I've also heard that the Buzzard is the most agile of the bunch. As someone who owns a Buzzard, i've never been let down, but I can only truly give a valid opinion on the Buzzard.

 

No way the buzzard (a helicopter) is more agile than the Hydra (a jet).

 

But yeh, the Buzzard is way more useful, being available to spawn at all helipads and carry more than 1 person.

 

The Hydra is way more fun but.

 

Well, i've personally never been in a hydra, so...

[Vehicles]

 

I've also heard that the Buzzard is the most agile of the bunch. As someone who owns a Buzzard, i've never been let down, but I can only truly give a valid opinion on the Buzzard.

No way the buzzard (a helicopter) is more agile than the Hydra (a jet).

 

But yeh, the Buzzard is way more useful, being available to spawn at all helipads and carry more than 1 person.

 

The Hydra is way more fun but.

Out in the open?The buzzard probably ain't that agile. But it flies well in the metropolitan area.

[Quadro]

The Buzzard does seemed to be liked by all. From what I can gather - the only issues with it are being that its got no protection from bullets & prone to homing launcher? (being a heli)

@Crysisaverted: Do you have more fun in your Hydra than you did in a Buzzard? It seems like you were having a ball in your .gifs from another topic.

In the end, that's what we all play for - fun, even if R* is against it.

@terrato137 - I liked the look of a buzzard but the hydra looks like such great fun!

Edited May 25, 2015 by quadro09

[TheGoodSgtScooter]

I've been getting way use out of my Savage then both of those combined. Out of the two, I'd have to say it depends on how you play. Completely offensive, usually have no buddies on, just like killing, get a Hydra. Have buddies on, like killing, do missions, gey a Buzzard or a Savage.

I personally prefer the Savage to both. It offers much more protection than the buzzard, is more useful in mission than the Hydra, can carry other players and can shred any armored vehicle or aircraft, including tanks.

[Quadro]

Thanks for the reply dear Mayor.

I have been seeing more Savages than Buzzards lately, especially in missions. Hard to say no to spamming rockets and explosive rounds I guess. The only problem I see with a savage is the useable distance of the exploding rounds, which I guess renders the gun useless in free roam.

[TheGoodSgtScooter]

The gun is far from useless in free roam, especially among buildings or off radar.

 

Edited May 25, 2015 by TheGoodSgtScooter

[CrysisAverted]

The Buzzard does seemed to be liked by all. From what I can gather - the only issues with it are being that its got no protection from bullets & prone to homing launcher? (being a heli)

@Crysisaverted: Do you have more fun in your Hydra than you did in a Buzzard? It seems like you were having a ball in your .gifs from another topic.

In the end, that's what we all play for - fun, even if R* is against it.

@terrato137 - I liked the look of a buzzard but the hydra looks like such great fun!

 

Sure do, only way to be safe in the sky with other jets around without going passive.

[Quadro]

^ Can't argue with that video. Distance didn't seem to affect it at all.

[xLtBlazex]

Buzzards will spawn because you have reached the level to unlock it, so I wouldn't consider buying it due to its rarity value compared to the Hydra - unless you want to own it.

 

It is really based on preference at this point if you're more into helicopters or jets, and considering both of their pricing value costs (3mil vs 1.75mil).

 

I cannot answer something that is completed one-sided, but for you to decide on your own.

[marco6158]

Buzzard all the way. You can't enter in a parking lot with a Hydra.

[CrysisAverted]

Buzzard all the way. You can't enter in a parking lot with a Hydra.

 

According to who?

[Mr. Larson]

Order to buy:
1. Buzzard
2. Savage
3. Hydra

Use in missions:
1. Savage
2. Buzzard

662. Ratloader
663. Hydra

First heli should always be the Buzzard, Savage is better in some missions, but the Buzzard still does its job there. It's also good for single npc targets in FR or for transport. Only real downside is that the co-pilot can take over the controls of the missiles. The hydra is useless in missions, first of all because of its spawnpoint, but the hydra is a toy in general. It's fun to do some stunts or any kind of nonsense with it, but it's not a mission vehicle at all.

[CrysisAverted]

Why would you buy the Buzzard if you're going to get the Savage?

 

The Hydra is hardly "useless" its speed makes up for the distance, jobs that require lots of travel are done quicker thanks to it.

I personally call for whatever is closest in missions though, if near an airfield I always go with Hydra though.

[crack1king]

U can have what ever u like aye!!! "T.I"

[Quadro]

@ Crysis - I can imagine your eyes lighting up seeing that post. "Challenge Accepted!!!"

You are definitely making a good case for the Hydra - it just looks like so much fun!

 

It might be a case of Buzzard/Savage, then using that in missions to save up again for the Hydra.

Edited May 25, 2015 by quadro09

[Mattoropael]

The Hydra is far from useless in missions, but your days are gonna suck if you ONLY have a Hydra due to its inconvenient spawns.

 

Personally, I find my Hydra to be supplementing my Savage very well when I'm playing missions. The Savage is better in most cases, but the Hydra does come in handy from time to time. It is better at saving incompetent teammates' asses in Extradition, that's for sure.

 

Still, I'm considering a Buzzard purchase to further supplement my armed aircraft collection. For one thing everytime I play High Priority Case I wish I had a Buzzard - easier to land on the roof, and I can try to kill EVERY guy on the roof instead of having to leave the guys around the briefcase carrier alone before landing.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Mattoropael

[Mr. Larson]

Why would you buy the Buzzard if you're going to get the Savage?

 

The Hydra is hardly "useless" its speed makes up for the distance, jobs that require lots of travel are done quicker thanks to it.

I personally call for whatever is closest in missions though, if near an airfield I always go with Hydra though.

Lets take Los Santos Connection as an example. It takes longer with the Buzzard, but you barely have a chance to crash or destroy it. Savage is way much fun here. If you use the hydra, you can stay at the airport anyway.

It might be the first choice on Base Invaders, maybe Chop Chop, but if I dont forget something, these are the only missions with a spawnpoint nearby a possible hydra spawnpoint. Savage is just to slow if you go for single targets like in On the List or Judging the Jury. That's why my personal order to buy is different from the order to use. I would change my mind about the hydra if it would just spawn like a helicopter.

[SuperJude™]

Buzzard is the best all around aircraft in the game. Back before Heists came out, the Buzzard was king of the missions.

[SJH1991]

The Buzzard sucks

[PatG]

I own the Hydra, Buzzard and Savage so I guess I'll just speak from experience.

 

Buzzard:

 

Pros:

- Best for missions that have a time limit to complete since it'll get you to the area faster.

- Has homing rockets.

- Spawns in several places so you wouldn't to go far when picking it up from Pegasus.

- Cheapest among the 3 in question.

 

Cons:

- Turrets are weak so they're pretty much useless. Even against people, unless you're dead accurate in a helicopter.

- Barely any protection and the vehicle's health isn't that high so it wouldn't survive a lot of gunfire.

- When you've been locked on by a Homing Launcher or by another aircraft with rockets, you'll be dead for sure.

 

Savage:

 

Pros:

- Best for every mission in the game. Some missions that have a set time limit may be a bit tougher, but if the mission's doable with a car, it's easily doable withe helicopter.

- Has homing rockets with no cool down. It'll be easy to wipe out larger groups of enemies compared to the Buzzard.

- Explosive turrets. When chasing a moving vehicle, the homing rockets will most likely end up not hitting the vehicle, but exploding behind it. Trust me, it's pissed me off so much when I was using the Buzzard for missions. The explosive turrets will take these moving targets out with ease.

- Spawns in several places so you wouldn't to go far when picking it up from Pegasus.

 

Cons:

- Not as agile/fast as the Buzzard, so if you want to get somewhere fast, you're better off with the Buzzard.

- When you've been locked on by a Homing Launcher or by another aircraft with rockets, you'll be dead for sure.

- Costs 1 million more than the Buzzard. I think.

 

Hydra:

 

Pros:

- Only purchasable military jet in the game.

- Has the same weapons as the Savage (so just read that, I guess,) but having a cool down.

- Has VTOL takeoff and landing capabilities so it's a helicopter and plane in 1 vehicle.

- Perfect for free roam (chasing special crates or smuggler planes/helicopters.)

- Fastest way to get around among the 3 in question.

 

Cons:

- Only spawns in Fort Zancudo, Sandy Shores Airfield, LSIA and Grapeseed airstrip, I believe. So it's not the best for missions since the mission may be over once you actually get to the Hydra.

- When hovering, the Hydra only has a specific range for aiming, which is more or less directly in front of it. Not below or above it. When trying to shoot enemies (especially with the turret,) you'll need to adjust the altitude of the jet to hit your target.

- Costs 3 million. That's double your budget right now, so I'd hold off on the Hydra.

 

Conclusion:

Missions - Savage

Free roam - Hydra

Budget choice, but still as good - Buzzard

Edited May 25, 2015 by PSgtaplayer1