Buggies
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[edit] Two Manning by FPS Douglas
I know it's a bit long, but give it a chance, it may have a couple of things worth reading in all those words Also, any tips you could add would be much appreciated.
[edit] Definition
"Two-manning" buggies is a very effective and very underused tactic. Two-manning a buggy is not simply a buggy with 2 guys in it, but rather it's a coordinated attack platform, and very mobile. It's great for recon, base defense and chewing up choppers. Although not difficult, it is not as easy as it sounds, requiring 2 players being on the exact same page and using a lot of communication.
[edit] Technique
Basically you you have the main gunner in the F2 spot and the driver swaps back and forth between F1 and F3. Sounds easy right? Well it is easy, but there are a few nuances to master to make it really effective.
The biggest advantage of the two-man buggy is mobility. When not engaging, the buggy must be constantly moving in unpredictable, tight arcs, giving a 360 degree view of the battlefield and making a very difficult target for air attacks. Although the driver functions as a secondary gunner, adding significant firepower, his primary function is driving, and his decision making must reflect that.
The driver's decision making is key to the lethality and survivability of the two-man team. If you are going to stop to use the gun, stop in a position where you either have decent cover, or a quick escape route from incoming air attacks. Also, when you stop, you want to be able to drive both forward and backwards giving yourself more flexibility and the best chance to escape. Keep in mind that you drive faster going forward, so if the only escape route is farther away, point your nose at it. Hills, cover and even cliffs to drive down make perfect escape routes. The driver also shouldn't be afraid of overheating his gun. Obviously he should fire in bursts for the most part, but if you are only planning to stop for a very short time, hold that trigger down, it can kewl off when you drive. There are times when the driver must drive like a madman to stay alive, but a driver must know when NOT to drive like this. It's a tough shot for the main gunner when driving like a psycho. Sometimes it's better to keep moving at an even clip with more gentle arcs so he can hit what he's shooting at. Don't do this for long or if it's too hot, cuz the skill of TG AT's is pretty sick. To maximize decision making, the driver must be very aware of his surrounds, so the driver must change views and keep his head swiveling to find threats. If you need to spot something as driver, use the 1st person view and spot everything you can. Most often as a driver, if you instincts tell you to jump in the drivers seat and go.... do it. Although survivability should be a priority for a driver, a good driver should know when it's not. If that chopper that's been tearin you team to shreds is almost dead, and is lining it's rocket fire up to you, sometimes it's better just to maintain that heavy fire for one or two more seconds, and hope that last rocket doesn't hit you. You start to get a feel for how damaged a chopper is when you're putting fire on it, and with practice, can often tell when that 1 or 2 seconds should do the trick. Don't forget, the function of that mobile buggy isn't simply to kill. If you can keep air assets focused on you and have a pretty good survival rate, that is one air asset that is not killing team mates. This can make the difference in a tight contest for a flag. Always alway always tell your gunner if you're gonna bail.
Although the decision making of the gunner isn't nearly as key as the driver, he's got lots to do. Your job is to spot enemies (especially air assets), kill stuff and keep in constant communication with your driver. Fire in bursts and never overheat your gun... unless that chopper is almost out of range or about to get cover. PUT FIRE ON JETS. So few people do this. I know it's hard to hit them, but the more you practice, the better you get and it doesn't take to many shots from a .50 cal to get those guys smokin. Use the flash of your crosshair. That doesn't just tell you when you hit your target, it shows you how long your bullets take to travel that far. If you think about it this way, your gunning skills will increase dramatically. Fire at everything, spot everything and talk talk talk to the driver.
[edit] Conclusion
As I've said, I rarely see this used, and rarely do I get a gunner that's on the same page as me in a buggy, but those who have tried this with me can testify to it's effectiveness. Fast, deadly and a nuisance to air power, this combo can turn the tide of a tight battle. It's a lot of fun too
PS
I've heard a lot of people really criticizing the US buggy lately. Two-manning this baby makes it almost as effective as the other buggies in dealing damage and it's' fast speed increases survivability.
Forum Discussion here
[edit] Buggy Gunnery
[edit] By Munckin
Gunnery for FAVs, DPVs, Humvees, Vodniks and their PLA equivalents is all about communication between the driver and gunners. The driver is generally unable to see or focus on targets, and is spending most of his time preventing everyone in the vehicle from dying a messy, explosive death.
As a gunner, you must recognise this, and understand the importance of speed to survival.
The speed of the vehicle influences you in a number of ways: 1. It makes you a harder target to hit. 2. It makes targets harder to identify. 3. It makes targets more difficult to hit.
To successfully engage infantry or lightly armoured targets, the key is constant movement and constant turns. The movement keeps you alive, and the turns allow you to 'orbit' the target, pinning it down and keeping the MG on it. Remember to lead your target, and adjust this lead to match your speed and direction.
[edit] By Abra
I like it when gunners give orders to drivers. I think they have the better vantage point to dictate when to high tail it and when not to. Call contact 3 o'clock or whatever direction and give a speed. Like "Hold, engaging troops 3 o'clock." That gives you the stabile platform to really decimate infantry.
Then call "Hit It" when you see an AT soldier. In the second or two before the buggy/jeep accelerates, hopefully you will kill the AT if he's trying to keep lock. If you are at a prudent engagement range, you'll hopefully evade the now 'dumb' AT missile. Truck survivability counts on a gunner who can make the snap AT kill to break lock otherwise you're toast.
.50's employed in this way are the best 'value' infantry killers in the game if you ask me. They are not as 'expensive' as a tank or APC since they are more plentiful. And they're doubly plentiful in that they can reach the hotzone faster after respawn. They're the Johnny-On-The-Spot infantry killer.
Forum Discussion here
