Chapter 4 - Vehicles and Deployables
Effective use of a map's vehicles and the GDF or Strogg deployables can dramatically turn the tide of a game. This section provides strategies for using GDF and Strogg vehicles and deployables.
While certainly formidable, vehicles do have vulnerabilities. A GDF Soldier or Strogg Aggressor can use their rocket launcher or obliterator to inflict heavy damage on an enemy vehicle (use lock-on mode with the alternate fire button). Standard grenades also inflict big damage. A GDF Covert Ops or Strogg Infiltrator can use EMP and scrambler grenades respectively to temporarily disable a vehicle. Long-range fire support from a field ops or oppressor can also take out an enemy vehicle. A GDF Engineer or Strogg Constructor can deploy anti-vehicle turrets to provide vehicle defense; also don't forget to use proximity mines along expected vehicle routes.
Deployables are also vulnerable to explosives from the soldier and aggressor. Anti-vehicle turrets won't fire on ground troops so you can get close and easily disable the defensive unit. Anti-personnel turrets won't fire on vehicles. Deployables that aren't protected by an artillery interceptor turret will be vulnerable to field ops or oppressor fire support. A GDF Covert Ops or Strogg Infiltrator can use EMP or scrambler grenades or hacking ability to disable a deployable.
GDF Vehicles
The smallest GDF vehicle is the Husky, essentially a one-man all-terrain vehicle. It's quick, but lacks weaponry, and is best suited as means of getting from point to point as quickly as possible. For example, capturing a forward spawn on a map or charging to the first objective as quickly as possible. The Husky handles unlevel terrain better than other vehicles.
The Armadillo is a fast, but lightly armored GDF transport vehicle. It does feature and weapon seat and can be effective in picking off Strogg ground troops but it will fall quickly to heavier counterattack. Use the Armadillo as a means of transporting multiple teammates quickly and defending an area using the mounted machine gun. GDF's Trojan APC is a heavier transport and features two weapon seats, one providing anti-air support against Strogg Tormentors and Icarus and a mounted machine gun to counter ground troops and lighty Strogg vehicles.
Don't drive off without a gunner. The added firepower from GDF vehicles can enhance both offensive and defensive situations.
The Titan tank is the GDF's heaviest weapon. Its powerful long-range cannon can make short work of Strogg deployables and vehicles. A weapon set provides a machine gun for a second teammate to counter Strogg ground troops attempting to take down the Titan at closer range where the slower moving tank turret will have trouble. GDF Engineers should be prepared to follow and repair the Titan to keep it on the battlefield as long as possible. Tearing through Strogg defenses can give an attacking GDF team the upperhand needed to complete a map objective.
The Platypus is essentially a fast water transport (though the Trojan APC can move through water as well); it holds two players with a driver and a second manning the machine gun seat. There are a couple maps using the Platypus—for example, Island—that offer crafty mission completion possibilities, such as the ability to transport player to a map objective away from the dangers of battle.
GDF's primarily aerial attack unit is the Anansi. It holds a couple crew members; the driver has control of the missiles while the passenger uses the machine gun. Don't neglect to have decoys ready to counter missile locks. If the Strogg fail to deploy anti-vehicle turrets, an Anansi can make quick work of Strogg defenses. Awhile excellent against vehicles and deployables, the passenger can eliminate Strogg infantry attackers or defenders to pave the way for a GDF push. The Bumblebee is another GDF aerial unit. It's slow but has multiple weapon seats offering both attack and transport potential.
GDF Deployables
GDF Engineers can deploy anti-personnel turrets, anti-vehicle turrets, and artillery interceptor turrets. The names clearly define their functions. Note, however, that each engineer can only have one deployable so it's important that multiple engineers use their deployables to protect the GDF against particular threats. Montior turret status and repair as necessary. Deploying another turret wastes valuable time.
Anti-vehicle turrets will target Strogg Tormentor and Icarus as well as the usual ground vehicles.
Don't neglect the artillery interceptor turret. It won't protect against ground or vehicles but it protects against the Strogg Oppressor's long-range fire support, which could be even more important. Place an artillery interceptor to protect other defensive structures as well as near objectives you're attempting to complete. The artillery interceptor will not block a Strogg violator beacon.
The GDF Field Ops can deploy the artillery gun, rocket artillery, and hammer launcher. Utilize the artillery gun as an area effect weapon. Target Strogg defensive units and structures as well as Strogg attackers attempting to complete an objective. It can also inflict heavy damage against Strogg vehicles blocking the GDF advance. The field ops can use the rocket artillery to lock onto Strogg vehicles (including air vehicles). The rocket artillery fires on a lower trajectory so make sure there's open space between the deployable and its target. Finally, the hammer launcher is a single, high area of effect damage missile. Aim it at a cluster of deployables or at a high concentration of Strogg defenders to clear the area quickly.
The final GDF deployable is perhaps the most important: the GDF Covert Ops can deploy radar. At the beginning of every map, a GDF Covert Ops player should deploy radar. It's essential to tracking Strogg movements. Place your radar away from firefights and replace or repair as needed. Don't neglect radar for indoor objectives, though obviously the radar must be deployed outside.
Strogg Vehicles
The Strogg's Hog is a fast two-person vehicle (a driver and a hyperblaster weapon seat). Use it to move from point to point quickly and to attack GDF infantry and light vehicles. The Hog also features a unique ramming ability. Use the sprint button to both increase speed and to create a shield on the front of the Hog. The Hog can ram GDF players and vehicles for heavy damage—an interesting method for taking down a GDF Titan tank!
The Icarus is essentially a Strogg jetpack. It's a one-man device that can serve as both means of reaching otherwise inaccessible areas, moving quickly over structures, or even providing aerial attack against GDF ground targets. The Icarus "pilot" can fly the device for a short period of time before it must recharge. You can fly as high as possible, allow the Icarus to recharge as you descend, then continue flying for a bit longer. The pilot can drop bombs on targets below. Aiming can be difficult as you must compensate for the Icarus' movement and the slight roll of the bomb. Beware of GDF anti-vehicle turrets and other air counters—use your decoys!
Use the Icarus to reach otherwise inaccessible locations—but watch out for those missile locks!
The Strogg Desecrator is similar to the GDF Titan, though more mobile but less powerful. Its driver controls the main plasma cannon while a second passenger takes a hyperblaster weapon seat. The Desecrator is effective against light vehicles and deployables. Press the "crouch" button while driving the Desecrator to enter siege mode. In this mode the Desecrator has limited mobility but its plasma cannon recharges significantly faster. Use when attacking GDF emplacements and you're protected by Strogg teammates.
The Strogg Cyclops is the most powerful vehicle in the game. It's an impressive mech with two powerful plasma cannons and the ability to enter siege mode for even faster damage inflicting ability! Maximize the Cyclops' potential with long-range destruction of GDF deployables and vehicles. Strogg Constructors should stick close to the Cyclops and keep the vehicle repaired. Have Strogg teammates eliminate dangers to the Cyclops, particularly anti-vehicle turrets. Use decoys on missile locks. The Cyclops can also stomp when standing still. Press the space bar to squish infantry.
The Tormentor is an aerial attack vehicle similar to the Anansi. Use it to provide support for Strogg ground troops but beware of anti-air (Trojan APC, anti-vehicle turrets, soldiers with rocket launchers). Be prepared to use decoys. The pilot has a couple missile armaments similar to the Anansi while a passenger can utilize the hyperblaster seat.
Strogg Deployables
The Strogg Constructor can deploy the anti-personnel turret, anti-vehicle turret, and artillery interceptor turret. These function identically to their GDF counterparts. Anti-personnel turrets should be placed in likely infantry routes and to protect objective targets. Anti-vehicle turrets counter the GDF MCP (use at least two) as well as the standard GDF vehicle force. And don't neglect the artillery interceptor turret, which must be used to protect against GDF Field Ops fire support attacks. Place the interceptor turret near your other deployables and to protect defending ground troops against long-range bombardment.
The Strogg Dark Matter Cannon launches a powerful bombardment strike at the designated target—but it can be countered by an artillery interceptor turret.
The Strogg Oppressor can ceploy the rail howitzer, plasma mortar, and dark matter cannon. Use the rail howitzer's ten shots as an area effect weapon against GDF deployables or infantry units surrounding a defended objective. The plasma mortar can be used to target aerial units (using lock-on mode) as well as other vehicle targets. The dark matter cannon fires a single powerful projectile that can obliterate infantry, vehicles, and deployables within its area of effect. Have Strogg teammates eliminate any GDF artillery interceptor turrets before using.
The final Stogg deployable is radar and its deployed by the Strogg Infiltrator. Radar is extremely important—downright mandatory actually. Any infiltrator players should focus on getting radar up before proceeding to other tasks. Radar is vital for both offensive and defensive tasks. If you can't see GDF troop and vehicle positions it's impossible to generate an effective counter or to catch the GDF off guard.