hydra vs buzzard (usefulness not direct combat ofc)

[The Wandering Hunter]

apparently they're discounted by like 25%??

 

given how a buzzard can be summoned at your feet, and if you really want a jet (a better jet infact) you can just fly to zancudo which would you buy.

 

and the buzzard is cheaper and free to call in

 

begin anti savage rant/

don't bring the savageohwhoopsimupsidedown into this. it's cannon lacks any useful range, it's missile spam is pointless compared to a well aimed shot, it's a pain to land, it can't dodge sh*t, it explodes when anything touches a roter

 

and lastly I already own the piece of sh*t and hate it

tbh I prefer just landing a frogger and sniping

/ rant over

Edited February 26, 2016 by The Sole Survivor

[Delta8042]

Savage is a savage when u comes to missions though.

 

OT: the hydra is much better than the buzzard if you are in freeroam. Even if you can spawn a buzzard right next to you, it is not that hard to drive to your nearest helipad and pick up a hydra. The hydra can attack the buzzard from above so the buzzard is screwed.

[ViolatingBox]

I have a hydra and a savage. I usually use the hydra for its speed when doing vip missions but it can be a little annoying getting near some objectives. I'm considering a buzzard for its smaller footprint and passenger space. Savage is fun in missions with constant homing missiles raining down from it but everyone knows the armor sucks even though it flies like a tank. If you have plenty of money, a hydra is great fun and has good speed. If you are somewhat pinching pennies, buzzard is a great bang for the buck.

[The Wandering Hunter]

Savage is a savage when u comes to missions though.

 

OT: the hydra is much better than the buzzard if you are in freeroam. Even if you can spawn a buzzard right next to you, it is not that hard to drive to your nearest helipad and pick up a hydra. The hydra can attack the buzzard from above so the buzzard is screwed.

only if the pilot has a clue

most don't and can be easily dodged then hit with minigun Fire

 

anyway though I'm now off topic, laser> all anyway

[Delta8042]

Oh, you never mentioned the lazer was a part of this. In that case yes, lazer beats almost everything... except modders.

 

If I'm the one in the buzzard getting attacked by a jet, I like to stick around the skyscrapers for cover. Works great.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Delta8042

[dead goon]

How is the Buzzard free to call in?

[REXX]

How is the Buzzard free to call in?

If you own a Buzzard and are a VIP, its free to request and spawns right next to you.

[HeavyDuke]

I say Hydra. Because in missions, no random farts can enter as a passenger highjacking your missiles. Which forces you to crash the Buzzard to get rid of these farts.

[reform]

If it's not about direct combat, the the buzzard is easily more useful. Aside from the points you've aleady made, it will also land in much tinier areas, is obviously more stable iwhen hovering, seats 4, and will do everything your frogger could do.

[ash-274]

A Buzzard is more "useful" for non-freeroam stuff, but the correct answer is to own them all: Buzzard, Hydra, and Savage (and Valkyrie if you're a completionist or hang out with friends a lot or you just like it.)

 

It's like putting together a toolbox and debating whether to get a hammer or saw or wrench.

Of course, that's about $7,000,000 (closer to $10M with the Valkyrie) and not everyone can afford that.

 

I'll stick with "get a Buzzard first, then a Hydra, then a Savage" The Savage's rockets are the equivalent of "spray 'n pray" where you just keep launching them and eventually all the NPC's die. With the 2-second cooldown, you learn to choose your targets and make sure every missile locks-on and hits a different target when many are close together.

Edited February 26, 2016 by ash-274

[The Wandering Hunter]

one simply does not NEED a savage for anything

pointless in freeroam and the hydra is great for missions just hovering with its cannons, better than the savage

 

Valkyrie is not as good as 2 buzzards or 2 hydras in any scenario

[CrysisAverted]

and if you really want a jet (a better jet infact) you can just fly to zancudo which would you buy.

 

 

 

Lazer is not better in every way

 

Lazer cannot hover on top of the world while you eat your taco

Lazer cannot land anywhere

Lazer cannot take off anywhere

Lazer cannot drift through tunnels

Lazer cannot carry multiple people on top of it for a super radical air fortress

Lazer cannot remain hovering after the pilot gets killed

Lazer cannot turn 360 at a moments notice

Lazer cannot be owned

Lazer cannot cost you 3mill

 

Heres multiple reason why you should get one

 

Can carry multiple people on it

 

Can take off safely

 

Can kill passive players

 

Its fun to wreck sh*t with

 

Can claim bounties hiding in stores

 

Can do cool stuff like this

 

Can land where no other aircraft can and take off again

 

Its the fastest form of travel in the game

 

 

Edited February 26, 2016 by CrysisAverted

[The Wandering Hunter]

 

and if you really want a jet (a better jet infact) you can just fly to zancudo which would you buy.

 

Lazer is not better in every way

 

Lazer cannot hover on top of the world while you eat your taco

Lazer cannot land anywhere

Lazer cannot take off anywhere

Lazer cannot drift through tunnels

Lazer cannot carry multiple people on top of it for a super radical air fortress

Lazer cannot remain hovering after the pilot gets killed

Lazer cannot turn 360 at a moments notice

Lazer cannot be owned

Lazer cannot cost you 3mill

Heres multiple reason why you should get one

 

Can carry multiple people on it

 

Can take off safely

 

Can kill passive players

 

Its fun to wreck sh*t with

 

Can claim bounties hiding in stores

 

Can do cool stuff like this

 

Can land where no other aircraft can and take off again

 

Its the fastest form of travel in the game

 

 

you had me at the word taco

 

however you can land the laser almost anywhere

my capture gallery can prove it

[Fish_head]

I'm a huge buzzard fan, back when I started playing online, my friends all had flash apartments and supercars, I lived in paleto bay and drove a rusty voodoo, I grinded and grinded and the minute I reached level 42 I bought a buzzard. Then I practiced and practiced until I could fly in and around buildings, learnt all the best hiding places, where to land, rooftop sniper spots, how to evade lasers. Then came the homing launcher! I very nearly gave up flying, but back to the drawing board and I learnt to evade and circle. Where to fly and where to hide. Life got more difficult but was simply a challenge

 

After heists, I bought the savage, Valkyrie and hydra and they're all great. The savage is awesome on missions, The gun is crazy and the rate of rocket fire means you can just keep the trigger pushed in constantly. But it's good on missions because npc's tend not to have rpg's or hl's, and aside from shooting out of moving vehicles (when their accuracy is flawless) they can't hit sh*t! The hydra is brilliant, it's fast as, it can hover and land on helipads, but it also turns you into public enemy number one. And for flying enjoyment,I was already spoilt by the besra.

 

Nothing ever came close to the buzzard, and until a faster, more manoeuvrable. And tougher helicopter comes along, nothing really will

 

 

Incidentally, I still live in Paleto bay and still have that rusty voodoo

Edited February 26, 2016 by Fish_head

[tenpennyisplainevil]

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

[Jenkiiii]

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

It's a question of preference though. I really like the Buzzard and its superb manoeuvrability, and since the VIP missions it's now got it's own niche.

 

I've got all three, so I'm not going to say which is best. I dare not.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Jenkiiii

[tenpennyisplainevil]

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

[Jenkiiii]

 

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

 

 

You think a Buzzard can't take on a Savage? Dream on.

[tenpennyisplainevil]

 

 

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

 

 

You think a Buzzard can't take on a Savage? Dream on.

 

Not if a good pilot is flying the Savage. Same story with the Savage vs the Hydra. The better pilot wins, but the one in the Savage (Hydra in the latter situation) has an advantage

[Jenkiiii]

 

 

 

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

 

 

You think a Buzzard can't take on a Savage? Dream on.

 

Not if a good pilot is flying the Savage. Same story with the Savage vs the Hydra. The better pilot wins, but the one in the Savage (Hydra in the latter situation) has an advantage

 

 

I agree that the Hydra will win in all situations with a skilled pilot, but the Buzzard is a good match for the Savage - just fly straight at it, shimmy its array of missiles and lock on. The trouble with the Savage... it can't manoeuvre away from your two beauties so well

[tenpennyisplainevil]

 

 

 

 

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

 

 

You think a Buzzard can't take on a Savage? Dream on.

 

Not if a good pilot is flying the Savage. Same story with the Savage vs the Hydra. The better pilot wins, but the one in the Savage (Hydra in the latter situation) has an advantage

 

 

I agree that the Hydra will win in all situations with a skilled pilot, but the Buzzard is a good match for the Savage - just fly straight at it, shimmy its array of missiles and lock on. The trouble with the Savage... it can't manoeuvre away from your two beauties so well

 

Except in the exact same way you evade its own missiles: fly straight at the Buzzard (it's how I deal with other helicopters as well, coincidentally). The main difference is that when I get close, I switch to the cannon and rip the opposing heli apart, while the Buzzard cant do anything like that. The main advantage the Buzzard has is in my opinion its ability to get to cover faster, so in urban areas it's a lot more likely to evade homin launchers and whatnot by swiftly making its way inbetween buildings and other cover. My Savage is screwed unless I fly straight at the source of the missile (and even then the homing launcher missile can sometimes do some sort of crazy manoeuvre and hit me anyway).

[Jenkiiii]

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Savage is infinitely better than the Buzzard if you GET GOOD. Hydra beats both, though it's possible to beat an unskilled jet pilot with the Savage (try that in your puny Buzzard). The Savage is superior to the Buzzard in almost every way, as long as you know how to fly it. As for the Buzzard vs Hydra discussion, go for the Hydra because of its cannon. The Buzzard is really held back by being limited to two missiles with an annoying cooldown. It lacks firepower, lacks the ability to evade homing missiles and lacks speed compared to the Hydra. The only better aspect of the Buzzard is its ability to carry players, but... get a Savage instead.

 

The opinion is strong with this one.

 

Have you ever tried to call a Savage from your VIP 'Abilities' menu?

 

Won't serve you well if a Savage keeps blowing up your Buzzard, will it?

 

 

You think a Buzzard can't take on a Savage? Dream on.

 

Not if a good pilot is flying the Savage. Same story with the Savage vs the Hydra. The better pilot wins, but the one in the Savage (Hydra in the latter situation) has an advantage

 

 

I agree that the Hydra will win in all situations with a skilled pilot, but the Buzzard is a good match for the Savage - just fly straight at it, shimmy its array of missiles and lock on. The trouble with the Savage... it can't manoeuvre away from your two beauties so well

 

Except in the exact same way you evade its own missiles: fly straight at the Buzzard (it's how I deal with other helicopters as well, coincidentally). The main difference is that when I get close, I switch to the cannon and rip the opposing heli apart, while the Buzzard cant do anything like that. The main advantage the Buzzard has is in my opinion its ability to get to cover faster, so in urban areas it's a lot more likely to evade homin launchers and whatnot by swiftly making its way inbetween buildings and other cover. My Savage is screwed unless I fly straight at the source of the missile (and even then the homing launcher missile can sometimes do some sort of crazy manoeuvre and hit me anyway).

 

 

You're making solid sense. I really like the Savage, but I also like the Buzzard too and find it difficult to rate one over the other. In terms of pure flying enjoyment, the Buzzard wins every time, but when I want power, I choose the Savage. One thing's for sure - the Buzzard is not sh*t.

[tenpennyisplainevil]

Now there's something I can fully agree with
I personally would still rate the Savage higher, though. Once you get the hang of utilising cover against players on foot, you discover its true power. How I kill with the Savage: cover, line up the shot and plan my attack (takes a few secs of waiting in cover. It's basically orienting where the players are and if they have enough time to lock onto me, etc.), swiftly move over to the player without giving him time to lock onto me and kill him, quickly move back into cover to prevent a respawned player from locking onto me from an unexpected angle. If you use this method, who you're killing won't even see you for more than 3 seconds before they're dead. The rest of the time you're behind an obstacle, observing him until you decide to kill him in a way to which he can't possibly respond in time.
Against any land vehicles the Savage is even more OP than the Hydra: just spam the missiles and wait for one to hit or use the cannon.
Against jets, spam the missiles to make them pull manoeuvres to evade them (meaning they don't attack you) and wait until he's in range of your cannon to quickly end it. Got multiple Hydras already, but once I was up against a skillful pilot who dove down from above, which was impossible to counter.

Edited February 26, 2016 by tenpennyisplainevil

[IamCourtney]

You guys are making me tear up, having a civil debate in GTAForums.......... its beautiful and rare, a desert rose.........

[black_iris]

I love them all.

 

Buzzard is amazingly fun to fly. I spend most of my time zipping around in it.

 

Savage, love it for missions with large amounts of enemies and I'm tired. Hold fire button and wait for it to stop locking on. The cannon is also useful for enemies in SUVs who like to drive under you so you can't fire rockets at them. Pitch down rapidly with a cannon volley and presto: one toasted SUV.

 

Hydra, also really fun to fly. If I could marry that cannon, I would.

[DominusTaranis]

The VTOL for the Hydra makes it a far better tool than the Lazer. I mean, land anywhere bruh.

 

But, when you compare the Hydra with the Buzzard, I think the pros and cons balance each other out. The Hydra is exceptional for solo missions where the objective cannot be destroyed, allowing you to fly to the location, hover, and paint it with explosions. In team play, the Hydra is exceptional as a quick attack vehicle and air support, having the ability to very quickly move across the map and position for gun runs or missile strike targets.

 

The downsides behind that it is strictly an attack vehicle. Extra care must be taken around objectives. It's a bit rebellious when switching flight modes, and is significantly larger than the Buzzard.

 

The Buzzard, on the otherhand, allows four 4 man transport, and one of the fastest, as well as varying support rolls. An early assault by a Buzzard minigun can soften defenses while aggroing enemies, allowing a skilled pilot to take a lot of pressure of a ground team, or even clear an objective. As well, a pilot/co-pilot combo can precision strike targets from a safe distance, mitigating any and all risk to personnel. And the small size allows it to slip into smaller corridors, such as the Merryweather dock to pick up a ground team for a rapid extraction.

 

The biggest downside the buzzard has is sheer lack of offensive power. If anything aggressive gets in the air, such as a jet, the buzzard is at a distinct disadvantage, lack speed to keep up with faster craft, and power to rapidly take them out en masse.

 

The biggest deciding factors, imo, are whether you're running solo, how much you're working with your team, and your skillset; Planes vs Helicopters.

[Skeve613]

But, but... the Savage can do this:

 

 

 

And this:

 

 

 

Then again, it does have a distressing tendency to usually immolate itself when it touches anything at all.

[ngazi]

As far as missions go any one of them is good enough. Some times being able to spam missiles can save a bit of time but it's not necessary.

[SqualidCoyote]

If I'm in a Buzzard, I can normally take down a jet seven times out of ten. I love a good dog fight!

[The Wandering Hunter]

If I'm in a Buzzard, I can normally take down a jet seven times out of ten. I love a good dog fight!

i've killed many jets with an annihilator, doesn't make it better, just means the pilots were sh*t

 

just noticed this is my topic, and it's from months ago

and why did i even ask this

Edited October 20, 2016 by The Sole Survivor