Eboli

Gday all,

With my main character I have recently unlocked the SAAW 86 anti aircraft weapon and although a lot of players say it is a useless unlock I would like to argue it merits and uses.

Here are some aspects that I would like to point out. They are not in any particular order of merit. I have also posted this on the official EA forum site but I am just wanting to share

1. A full time SAAW user can really annoy the enemy pilots. You do not have to destroy every aircraft to make the affect but if the enemy knows that as soon as they start flying around a lock on will occur they may just decide not to bother and thus the side you are on can gain air dominance.

2. A lock on without firing can result in enemy aircraft taking defensive measures and thus for a short period reduce deaths on your side.

3. Good pilots will seek you out and try to kill you - try not to continually camp in the one spot and also watch your previous position for possible aircraft target. Good enemy Commanders or aircraft pilots will send soldiers out to get rid of SAAW users. Therefore - be a sneaky bast@rd!

4. Use motion mines in your vicinity to help deter vehicles from running you over or at least get revenge on pilots who run you down.

5. A good gunship pilot will likely be able to out run/maneuver SAAW missiles if you shoot at them from a distance. Don't bother shooting at aircraft which are on the edge of visibility.

6. Be patient and wait for aircraft to get closer - the chances of getting a hit are much better as the pilot has a reduced reaction time.

7. Some pilots will hit their shields quickly when you establish a lock on. Wait a couple of seconds to see if they do this and after a few seconds of their shield being on then fire.

8. I have found that SAAW missiles have a better chance to hit if you remained zoomed in on the aircraft even after firing the second missile. Ie hold the mouse firing button down after firing the second shot and continually track the aircraft.

9. Once you have lock on a moving aircraft you can lead the aircraft before firing the SAAW. This can decrease the time it takes for the missile to reach the target.

10. Firing directly from behind the aircraft increases the chance of a hit.

11. Duelling enemy aircraft are a prime target for shooting down as they tend to be distracted as well as having a greater possibility of already using their shields.

12. If you have to take a head on shot at an aircraft aim directly at the nose. This increases the chance of a direct hit rather than a guided hit.

13. For kills it is usually better just to go for gunships rather than transports as it takes 2 hits to kill a healthy gunship and a minimum of three hits to kill a transport.

14. For team play shoot at transports hoping that friendly aircraft will finish off the job as it is likely that the time it takes to reload the SAAW the transport is out of range. Also it is likely that transport passengers are likely to bail from a transport being hit - thus delaying the time for them to reach their objective. If you see a smoking transport go for it!

15. Don't reload after firing one missile. You will lose the remaining missile. Firing one missile is not too productive - you are best to shoot two missiles at a time and then track the enemy aircraft.

16. If you are dedicating yourself to a full round of being a SAAW user create a squad and become a squad leader. Talk to the Commander telling him that you are a dedicated SAAW user and that you will help keep the sky clean of enemy aircraft. This usually results in the Commander being more eager to drop you a supply crate when requested.

17. Do not expect to get a huge amount a game points being a dedicated SAAW user. Remember that you are doing it for your team.

18. If possible find a vehicle to allows greater movement flexibility. Pilots are attracted to destroying enemy vehicles so this gives you closer targets to shoot at. Either park the vehicle in the open and remain in the vicinity or remain in vehicle and the hit shields when enemy aircraft is attacking, jump out and shoot the aircraft as it passes by.

19. Shooting at an aircraft that is close by and above a Titan it not usually successful as the pilot can move over the Titan and cause missile lock failure.

20. Dedicated gunship pilots really hate you and will try to make you life a misery. Expect this and realise that the effort they take to kill you will distract them from doing more damage to your side.

21. Expect to see kick votes against your name from immature pilots who take the game too seriously.

I am sure that there are other tips for SAAW users so feel free to add them to this topic. I just feel that people bag the SAAW as an ineffective weapon but when it is used properly it really can have a great impact against the enemy.

If you are really into head on assault type tactics you may find the SAAW is definitely not your weapon though.

Cheers,
Eboli

Lorax74

Voting is not an option on TG servers, so no worries about this one

Nice tips and writeup.

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Tigerblitz

Hey, Great write up and welcome to TG

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austforbeer

Excellent post!

I've never had much luck with the SAAW other than being a slight determent to enemies so this should help quite a bit. A couple of questions though, when after you fire two shots with the saw you go to auto reload. Some say you can hold down the fire button of the second shot and this will keep the screen up, is this the case?

Also, when you lock on and get to the shot do you have to maintain the lock or can you reload? Again great post, Thanks!

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draeh

The SAAW? What's that?

Great first post. Welcome to TG!

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Eboli

Yes - continue to hold the firing button after the second shot and you will remain in the Zoom mode. Unfortunately your SAAW does not reload itself while zoomed in.

You can reload and the missile continues to track the aircraft but I find I have better results in hitting if I stay zoomed and continually manually track the enemy. It is also fun watching the pilot go to all efforts in avoiding the missile and lock on tone.

You may not get the kill but quite a few pilots will bail when they think they can't get rid of that "annoying" lock on tone - especially after being hit once.

Cheers,
Eboli

draeh

Where oh where have I heard this before?

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/wiki/in...tchell_SAAW_86

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Eboli

Yeh Draeh, I noticed the small amount of information at this link but I felt I had much more tips to share in the forum where most people would search for first. ;-)

You are also most welcome in adding any of my insights to this web address as you are the creator of the page.

Also Tip No. 22.
An empty SAAW will still give you a lock on tone and cause pilots to take countermeasures. Don't just pack away the SAAW when seeking supplies as you can still be effective in keeping enemy pilots on their toes.

Cheers,
Eboli

draeh

Cheers mate. I always welcome another SAAW enthusiast to help keep the pilots around here honest.

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Dorb

I'll have to say, I'm not much for the SAWW Personaly but I am in the Gunship a LOT. And it is pretty annoying. I've flown going on 3 years now and I still have problems sometimes not getting hit by one. It does become very effective even without actaully killing anyone, Plent of assist points though! =D

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Exploding_Silver

very thorough write up, Eboli
respect to you
Welcome to TG

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draeh

Well well well then. I haven't been running with the SAAW in my kit for some time. Looks like I'll have to help make your SAAW nightmare wishes come true.

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MrMojay

The Mitchell AV-18 AV can also take out gunships and the likes, zoom in, press fire and hold down the fire button and keep the crosshair on the target, it also fires off 4 rockets.

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Culny

Yeah, I get a laugh whenever this happens. You can also do it with the Sudnik. But (for both) you have to lead the gunship, and it has to be flying pretty slow, low, and not at an angle...which means whoever's flying it probably wouldn't last long, anyway.

Try infantry sniping with it

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jazy2

The Mitchell doesn't give a "lock tone" to gunships does it?

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