Orbital Strike?

[negativeshade]

How can you use orbital strikes effectively? I use it at places where there is alot of enemy but often kill only a few. Is there any way to improve orbital strike efficiency?

[Jaykay]

You have the idea .. save OS for times when you have a very good situational awareness. A fresh Scan, or a drone in the air overhead .. so you don't waste it on empty space or low concentrations of enemies.

Hit targets you need to soften for your inbound Squads, or if the enemy is foolish enough to cluster their resources for an extended period.

I like to hit Objectives 30 secs before my teams arrive, to soften them up and scatter the defenders. It's not 100% about the kills .. it is ALSO about the confusion and disruption of defensive positions.

[Zoraster]

Generally bottlenecks work really well. Also, if you EMP and then immediately Orbital Strike a Walker you'll take the walker down.

ALWAYS use the zoom function before you orbital strike. Even though it looks like the orbital strike has a large area effect, its main damage comes in a pretty small area.

The best targets are prone targets with no cover overhead and no cover nearby. You want targets that have nowhere to run. Also, if there's just one logical place where infantry will run, try to "lead" the infantry there. For example, say there's a squad bunched together in the open, but to their right about a 3 second sprint away is a covered box. Place your orbital strike a little to the right of the squad. When the squad hears and sees the OS start, they'll usually make a run for cover. If you lead them, they'll be in the danger zone for a little bit longer, and that can be the difference between 6 people huddled around 3 med packs and 6 corpses.

[negativeshade]

Now I often get close to the frontline just close enough to let me observe what's going and drop OS when needed, is that better?

[Zoraster]

it's not worth it. Using the commander's map and Zooming in gives a MUCH better idea. In the time between you should be spotting enemies near your squads. If you're worried about people coming up and killing you (or trying to kill them) then you're not being an effective commander.

[Zoraster]

anyone know how fast the assets each take to recharge?

[Tarenth]

Rule of thumb?

Fast enough that you should use it as much as possible and not leave a fully charged OS sitting unless you've passed control of it over to a spotting squad.

Slow enough that you'll never EVER have one ready when you really need it most.

[Elite_Master]

Originally Posted by Zoraster

Generally bottlenecks work really well. Also, if you EMP and then immediately Orbital Strike a Walker you'll take the walker down.

....

Good point, I'de like to add that when doing an EMP/Orbital strike combo, be sure to click the orbital strike just a centimeter or two (on the zoomed in CO map) from the front of the walker, BECAUSE when you click right on the walker to emp, usually they will be able to take one more step before they are completely immobile and then they will be directly under the center of the air raid. For some reason, when the walker gets EMP'ed if the pilot is pressing forward to go and get out of it, the walker is able to take just one step before completely coming to a halt for a while (it's strange but it can make the difference btw a live and dead walker after the combo has been executed on a walker smart enough to counter-measure right before the air raid occurs).

[EndlessSky]

I hate when my squad is assualting a enemy point and we are about to take it and then the commander orbital strikes our position. So we basically have to pull out and try to avoid being team killed.

Also one time me and like 8 others put up a defensive line at a point where lots of enemies were assualting and we were holding pretty good, but then the commander orbital strikes the defensive line when there are alot of guys advancing and it basically messes up the line and made it easier for them to get through. That is when it gets annoying and frustrating.

[Snail88]

Originally Posted by EndlessSky

I hate when my squad is assualting a enemy point and we are about to take it and then the commander orbital strikes our position. So we basically have to pull out and try to avoid being team killed.

Also one time me and like 8 others put up a defensive line at a point where lots of enemies were assualting and we were holding pretty good, but then the commander orbital strikes the defensive line when there are alot of guys advancing and it basically messes up the line and made it easier for them to get through. That is when it gets annoying and frustrating.

Well, its a great tool to break through tough defenses like that. Its extremely difficult to break through these defenses without the orbital strike.

I've found the spots that get orbital striked to be completely random with the center ending up with the most. Is there a way to predict how it will strike or is it seriously random?

[negativeshade]

I remember seeing a weapon damage chart showing the numbers of shots needed from each weapon to kill somewhere here but couldn't find it. Anyone knows where it is?

[chaf3d]

Pretty sure its random.

[EndlessSky]

Well, snail it was the fact OUR commander used it on OUR defensive line.

[Snail88]

oh well that sucks then lol