Dogfighting Guide

[G3T STR4F3D]

Overview:

You may think of jets as just overpowered, stupid, annoying, griefing machines that take no skill, but there's more to them than divebombing.

Merging:

Merging is one of the most important things in dogfighting. You can not have a proper 1 on 1 dogfight without merging. Basically, merging happens at the start of a dogfight. The first thing you'd naturally want to do is fly towards your opponent, and kill him head-on. This is called a combat merge, and is frowned upon. In a merge, instead of trying to kill your opponent head-on, you instead pass by each other without trying to kill.

After you have passed, make a sharp turn to either the left or right (depending on what side you're on) to try and get behind your opponent. You will begin to form a loop with your opponent, trying to get behind him or cut him off to kill him. If either opponent tries to leave the loop, he will most likely get killed almost instantly.

Speed control:

Speed control is extremely crucial to winning a dogfight. In order to win a dogfight, you have to outspeed your opponent. You must be familiar with controlling your speed, and when to go fast and slow in order to win. If you go full throttle in the entire loop, you will find yourself either crashing or getting killed.

When going upwards in a loop, you want to throttle it to ensure that you don't lose speed. On the way down, don't use your throttle at all. Speeding downwards creates a gap between you and your opponent, where he has enough time to kill you. You also gain speed while flying downwards, so speeding on the way down is unnecessary and will make you crash into the ground. If you are looping in a very sharp, horizontal style then occasionally accelerate.

Turning:

This ties in with speed control, and both are important in a dogfight. When turning in a loop, you want to use the analog stick to turn in the appropriate direction, as well as the bumpers. Do not turn too sharp in loops, as you could crash. The ideal turning/looping method is diagonal, and neither completely vertical nor horizontal.

Switching it up:

Switching up your direction can be very useful when you are being tailed by your opponent. If he is not using his backwards cam and you turn while out of his sight, it is very easy to throw him off and get behind him. The recommended point at which you turn is whilst going upwards in a loop.

Stalling:

This is where dogfighting gets more advanced. When going against a very good player, you may notice that in a tight merge he will slow down mid-air, and allow you to pass him so he can kill you instantly. This is called stalling, the opposite of speed control.

The pilot starts to accelerate less in his merge, and let you get very close to him. After that, he will start spiraling in his turn, which forces you to as well. At this point, you want to start slowing your jet down by tapping the brake very rapidly. The goal is to keep out of his line of fire, and not pass him; otherwise you will get killed. This is where reverse flight is very useful. Whoever can slow down the best and get behind their opponent will win the stall, and most likely get the kill.

Rules of a dogfight:

• never combat merge under any circumstances
• kill yourself after getting a collision kill, as they don't count as a point in a dogfight

Video guides:

This playlist that I have created contains every dogfighting video you'll need:

 

[Skeve613]

Something I've noticed recently is that a lot of players tend to do loops when it's not really called for. In a Hydra, this is a bad idea because unlike the Lazer you lose a decent bit of speed when climbing (even with full throttle), and as a result you will be moving very slow and in a very predictable arc, basically guaranteeing you will be dead if your opponent decides to cut across your path instead of following you.

[G3T STR4F3D]

Something I've noticed recently is that a lot of players tend to do loops when it's not really called for. In a Hydra, this is a bad idea because unlike the Lazer you lose a decent bit of speed when climbing (even with full throttle), and as a result you will be moving very slow and in a very predictable arc, basically guaranteeing you will be dead if your opponent decides to cut across your path instead of following you.

 

Honestly if you're being pursued by a good Lazer pilot in a Hydra, you're already screwed.

[LeeTone]

Nice guide.

 

Thanks for posting this.

[G3T STR4F3D]

Nice guide.

 

Thanks for posting this.

No problem. If you get into dogfighting you'll find it's very fun. Taking out a jet can be one of the most satisfying things in the game.

[thedeephouser]

I love taking out jets in my Buzzard

[Bangha]

I love taking out jets in my Buzzard

buzzards can be hard to take out at night in the city, but if you're in the countryside without cover from buildings you're an easy target for a decent jet pilot

[Foppezão]

Why not combat merge? You have to fly under or above your opponent, in a certain angle, towards/crossing him or her. Just make sure you dont fly through the debris. If you both fly on the same altitude, both horizontal, then you have a recipe for disaster.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Foppezão

[thedeephouser]

 

I love taking out jets in my Buzzard

buzzards can be hard to take out at night in the city, but if you're in the countryside without cover from buildings you're an easy target for a decent jet pilot

Indeed - in the city is better. But, I will still attack jets when not in downtown. It is much more difficult in the north, and if a pilot is skilled with guns, it usually ends badly. But, if they rely on missiles, it's at least 50/50.

[Fbgmaded713]

 

 

I love taking out jets in my Buzzard

buzzards can be hard to take out at night in the city, but if you're in the countryside without cover from buildings you're an easy target for a decent jet pilot

Indeed - in the city is better. But, I will still attack jets when not in downtown. It is much more difficult in the north, and if a pilot is skilled with guns, it usually ends badly. But, if they rely on missiles, it's at least 50/50.

well any fighter that tries to use rockets are probally trash anyways cannons the only way to go

[G3T STR4F3D]

Why not combat merge? You have to fly under or above your opponent, in a certain angle, towards/crossing him or her. Just make sure you dont fly through the debris. If you both fly on the same altitude, both horizontal, then you have a recipe for disaster.

 

Because combat merges end up in both jets getting killed or damage most of the time, and it takes no skill. Also, It can be abused with spawn protection. To merge you fly at the same altitude, but either to the left or right of the opponent. When you pass, you make a sharp turn towards whatever direction you merged in.

 

EDIT: If this helps, watch the merges in my dogfighting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrRNErn3mU

Edited May 19, 2016 by chase623hiltz