EDIT*: I do tank now, read post #66 page 4
HAV drivers need to learn to make tactics to counter the tactics AV players, such as myself, use. Complaining that they need more Armor and Shields will do nothing but make their suffering last longer on the battlefield, as any reasonable amount of health increase will be useless without effective tactics. So who better to teach them how to survive AV than a dedicated AV player. I decided to put this in General discussion rather than rookie training grounds, because I feel that many of the experienced people who hang around general discussions would benefit from reading this. I also feel that many people calling for a nerf to AV are not properly using tactics to counter our tactics. Let's begin.
Some general tips:
- Forge gunners should always be your primary target
- Secondary targets are Swarm players
- If a player runs at you it means they either have AV grenades or Remote explosives. Be weary of these suicide bombers
- Destroy turrets even if they are not in enemy control. Don't take the risk
- Destroy Supply depots to keep enemy infantry from switching to and replenishing their AV
- When calling in an HAV do it as far away from the action as possible and if possible behind a building or behind a hill
- When shooting around corners try to back up around it, instead of using your front. This way you can shoot without exposing your entire tank, also quick escape
- Take out dropships before they can get on top of buildings. If they can do that, they can put a forge gunner up there. It will be almost impossible to dislodge them, as many tank turrets can not aim up there.
- Be on the look out for Remote explosive markers on the ground and the annoying sound that vehicle mines make. Too many HAV's die to this.
- Use of cover is FUNDAMENTAL!
List of things that need to be fixed:
- Invisible swarms
- Forge gun damage at range
- Vehicle and turret price
Experienced ground personnel know to use the terrain as cover. Many HAV drivers need to learn this lesson.
I say this because I see many HAV's get shot at by Swarms and just take it. They get destroyed because they fail to learn the basic fundamentals of urban fighting, one of the first things to grasp is, how to use your surroundings as improvised defensive positions. Cover. The basic concept is that you use your surrounding environment to keep safe from attacks.
Now the tactics:
A basic maneuver is to move parallel to a building' corner, peek around and make observations. One should not keep in the same position for too long and if spotted one should move as quickly as possible to avoid from having the enemy flank you from the sides or behind. It is also important to note that the more people that are killed by you, the more become aware of your position. Though, this is a maneuver used mostly for long range attacks.
For CQC offensive maneuvers, I recommend the use of the 'drive by'. It is a slightly higher tier tactic, as it requires turret handlers that can effectively track and engage targets from a moving platform. As such, it is a tactic that can really only be mastered by a dedicated tank crew. Though, I digress, it is very effective when executed flawlessly. It is best used to harass and deny the enemy use of gates, entrances and narrow passages such as bridges.. By making strafing runs parallel to the entrance, you can quickly unload a large amount of suppressing fire into the entrance, while not allowing forge gunners or Swarm players enough time to charge or track your HAV. HAV's that make use of this maneuver should be fast, though slow HAV's can make use of this tactic, they should have high shields/armor. High fire rate turrets also compliment your build by giving the ability to tag more targets. After making a strafing run, you should make a U turn and double back at a longer range, as by then any forge gunners will have charged their guns and any players with AV grenades will be hiding behind any cover near the entrance, waiting for you to come past again.
When assaulting through a city or entrance, always stick behind your infantry. Never go in front. They keep people from being able to run up and throw AV grenades at you, as well as keep forge gunners and swarm players distracted. If you do not see a good 5+ assault team pushing ahead into a city, do not go at it alone. You will be surrounded by people with AV grenades and will die faster then you can get out of the vehicle. Just don't do it.
I will add more tactics to this as I ponder effective counters to the tactics I use against HAV's...
Notes*: I see the need to nerf things like the damage at range of Forge guns, as well as reduce the price of Tank turrets. As well as several other small buffs, that when added up will be a big bonus. The issue I have is that people think that HAV's need to be almost indestructible and that they feel that you should be able to go into the middle of the map and have it easy. Things need to be improved, but many of the more vocal tankers are being way to unreasonable.