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This topic has moved here: Subject: Air Superiority: Advanced Banshee Techniques (Video Demos Included)
  • Subject: Air Superiority: Advanced Banshee Techniques (Video Demos Included)
Subject: Air Superiority: Advanced Banshee Techniques (Video Demos Included)
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Yeah, banshees are great and all, but the Warthog is where it's at.

  • 09.07.2008 8:05 AM PDT
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Die Hard MkIV Toyota Supra Fan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOOOHHHHHHHHHH

Wow, great guide Foman!
This has helped me a lot.

  • 09.07.2008 8:09 AM PDT
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Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: AK47toURface
Yeah, banshees are great and all, but the Warthog is where it's at.
But... Warthogs can't fly (unless you hit them with a gravity hammer).... ;-P

Seriously, though, a skilled Warthog team combined with a skilled Banshee results in a nearly unstoppable force on Sandtrap or Valhalla.

  • 09.07.2008 9:11 AM PDT

Nice work Foman.

  • 09.07.2008 9:12 AM PDT

Tank beats everything!

Visit my youtube channel for Vehicular awesomeness!

There's no greater joy than splattering a banshee with a chopper, but for those who don't know, a banshee can splatter ghosts and mongooses, so long as they are driving at a high speed and you collide head on.

  • 09.07.2008 9:16 AM PDT

I finally got a chance to try some of these techniques today on Valhalla, BTB, 8 vs. 8 CTF. For a while, everything was going well. The hiding spots around the rocks (opposite the base closest to the water) seemed to work extremely well. If I recall correctly, I managed to get a few splatters and kills, even dodged a few lasers too.

However, once a Warthog and another laser came out, I had no chance. I will keep coming back to this thread though..

Also, it didn't help that I was up against 6 other Generals...

: )

[Edited on 09.07.2008 9:28 AM PDT]

  • 09.07.2008 9:27 AM PDT

Halo Reach Academy-Now open to the public! If you find yourself in need of help this September, the HRA is the place for you. We offer in game training sessions, training videos, forum discussions and regular tournaments for Trainees. Join today!

This is an amazing guide. Thanks for allowing me to share it with the Halo 3 Academy. I am sure that several people will find a lot of useful information here.

  • 09.07.2008 2:36 PM PDT

Excellent guide, I learned 10 things :P

I always thought the Banshee was about going after an individual and just being a complete -Blam!- but when I saw the Elephant bodyguard video I thought, "So the Banshee IS good for something!"

Thank you kind sir for opening my eyes to the devastating power of the Banshee :)

  • 09.07.2008 7:13 PM PDT

Posted by: DB5414
First, amazing guide. I bookmarked this because it's always good to have information on a vehicle as powerful as the banshee.

Second, I like to share a little tactic when your banshee gets shot at by anti aircraft fire (missle pod). I like to rush the other team's base on Valhalla in a banshee, and as I realized I heard the missle pod sound, I dropped out of the banshee. Due to my placement of the banshee, I was directly above their banshee. I fell, and, while in mid-air, skyjacked the other team's banshee and high-tailed it out of there.

Gamevee video here.


I know double post but I hadn't seen this post yet.
That was so badass!

  • 09.07.2008 7:15 PM PDT

A few years from now nothing you do in this game will have mattered. Your rank, kill/death ratio, win/loss ratio, will get you no where. So, if your going to play the game, do it for the enjoyment.

Wow, sorry but I don't have the time to read all three posts of information at the moment so I'll take the time to read it tomorrow after school. But after looking a few of the videos I personally think a few of your methods are off.

Reaching the Banshee First and Avoiding the Early Kill

Videos Referenced in this Section
Video 1: First to the Banshee
Video 2: Early Kill Avoidance on Sandtrap
Video 3: Early Kill Avoidance on Valhalla

In video 3 you immediatally zoom off to the center of the map. Not a good idea on Valhalla, when each team is equipped with a Missile Pod you make yourself an easy target and risk loosing the Banshee in the to start the game. Also when their Banshee goes up you risk having 2 enemies on your tail which can be very tough to dodge.

I suggest that you peel off towards the turret post. This area puts a wall between you and the opposing base and allows you to see the battle develop on the hill. If needed you can make a quick and unnoticed swoop in from the side to aid your team in taking the hill.

Also on another note be VERY careful on your splatters. I saw that a few times you went in for a spatter but in narrow situations. Never go in for a spatter if there is a wall or barrier close in front of you. Now you were able to get the kill but if you ever end up missing you risk getting stuck and jacked, loosing your shields critically, or jarring your Banshee (blowing it up).

Sorry for the negitivity. You did a ton of things right and even a couple of tips I will definitely put to work. Lol just look at it this way, I only had time to post a short negitive post, I'll need much more time pointing out the good parts :) . I'll post again tomorrow when I have more time and go more in depth with your methods and tips.

Banshee Experience
5,000 Social Banshee Kills
Ranked 19th in the world according to HaloCharts
16 Social Invincibles in Banshee
28 Social Untouchables in Banshee
Countless Sprees, Frenzies, and Riots in Banshee
100s of Spatters in Banshee
5 Spatter Sprees in Banshee
10 Overkills in Banshee
70 Skyjackers

Gamertag - iR Pr3hIStorIC


[Edited on 09.07.2008 8:11 PM PDT]

  • 09.07.2008 7:58 PM PDT

I'm a CEman

Thank you for the amazing tips Froman.
I myself prefer driving the Warthog, seeing as I have an excellent gunner friend, but sometimes I take the Banshee for a spin. I'll make sure to use these tips when I do!
Some good Warthog tips, for gunner and driver!
Not the best, but if you want better tips, I would suggest http://www.h3wheelmen.com

  • 09.07.2008 8:01 PM PDT

A few years from now nothing you do in this game will have mattered. Your rank, kill/death ratio, win/loss ratio, will get you no where. So, if your going to play the game, do it for the enjoyment.

Posted by: black kn1ght
I also consider the banshee the eyes and ears in the sky like a reconnaissance vehicle which can deliver a great amount of firepower and take control of the air.
When you have a great banshee pilot and a great warthog team you can easily lock down the whole map on Valhalla and Sandtrap which reminds me of the game where we won 100 to 6.
Its great to see another Banshee pilot with a large amount of kills with it, Good job.

My recognition is WHERE in this post!?!?! lol jk, I <3 (0wn) x black kn1ght.

  • 09.07.2008 8:10 PM PDT

An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it.
- Jef Mallett

I envy you and your connection. If I tried half of those splatters that I saw, the other guy would bounce off of my and eventually somehow hijack me as I fly away.

None the less, a good read and I will most definitely have to practice your tips.

Posted by: Lord Vardel
This is an amazing guide. Thanks for allowing me to share it with the Halo 3 Academy. I am sure that several people will find a lot of useful information here.

Agreed Vardel, I think the trainees will greatly benefit from this.

[Edited on 09.07.2008 9:19 PM PDT]

  • 09.07.2008 9:17 PM PDT
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Very nice.

  • 09.07.2008 9:37 PM PDT

thanks alot bro

  • 09.07.2008 9:56 PM PDT
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Posted by: x Foman123 x
I would like to give special credit to players like Capown (GT: TTL Al Capown), who is a huge Bungie fan and an active forum user here, and whose 11,807 Banshee kills (at the time of this thread's creation) are an inspiration.


Thanks for the shout out Foman. Even though I don't fly the banshee as much as I used to, I still love it just as much as always. Since I have slowed down, I have noticed a few players that have passed me, but I am still cool with that. I already stated that I was handing my #1 spot off to others once I reached my 10K goal, and it was a great run. I have been trying to focus more on my wheelmans and ghost kills more than anything right now.

On another note, I must say that this is a great write-up. The addition of the videos is a nice touch, and will definitely help others understand the techniques you have mentioned. I'm that 7,777 guy, and I approve of these techniques :-)

We should get some games in some time. Now that I have been driving the hog more often, it would be nice to have a skilled banshee pilot in the air during some games. Look me up or send a message over Live if you'd like, and maybe we can game some.


TTL Al Capown - Tied The Leader Gunslinger

  • 09.08.2008 12:19 AM PDT

rohan....

nice work

  • 09.08.2008 12:33 AM PDT

"Me take off mask, smell better! But nooo, always have to fight on oxygen planet! How come enemies don't breathe methane?"

Shhhh not so loud, some people may actually learn something

  • 09.08.2008 12:34 AM PDT

Per Audacia Ad Astra

Well done Foman, I really enjoyed reading your tips and tricks, especialy watching the videos you've provided for us all. Thanks to you I will be using the Banshee alot more in Matchmaking.

  • 09.08.2008 12:44 AM PDT
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Very handy tips

  • 09.08.2008 12:52 AM PDT
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Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Posted by: Zagwire
Wow, sorry but I don't have the time to read all three posts of information at the moment so I'll take the time to read it tomorrow after school. But after looking a few of the videos I personally think a few of your methods are off.

Reaching the Banshee First and Avoiding the Early Kill

Videos Referenced in this Section
Video 1: First to the Banshee
Video 2: Early Kill Avoidance on Sandtrap
Video 3: Early Kill Avoidance on Valhalla

In video 3 you immediatally zoom off to the center of the map. Not a good idea on Valhalla, when each team is equipped with a Missile Pod you make yourself an easy target and risk loosing the Banshee in the to start the game. Also when their Banshee goes up you risk having 2 enemies on your tail which can be very tough to dodge.

I suggest that you peel off towards the turret post. This area puts a wall between you and the opposing base and allows you to see the battle develop on the hill. If needed you can make a quick and unnoticed swoop in from the side to aid your team in taking the hill.

Also on another note be VERY careful on your splatters. I saw that a few times you went in for a spatter but in narrow situations. Never go in for a spatter if there is a wall or barrier close in front of you. Now you were able to get the kill but if you ever end up missing you risk getting stuck and jacked, loosing your shields critically, or jarring your Banshee (blowing it up).

Sorry for the negitivity. You did a ton of things right and even a couple of tips I will definitely put to work. Lol just look at it this way, I only had time to post a short negitive post, I'll need much more time pointing out the good parts :) . I'll post again tomorrow when I have more time and go more in depth with your methods and tips.

Banshee Experience
5,000 Social Banshee Kills
Ranked 19th in the world according to HaloCharts
16 Social Invincibles in Banshee
28 Social Untouchables in Banshee
Countless Sprees, Frenzies, and Riots in Banshee
100s of Spatters in Banshee
5 Spatter Sprees in Banshee
10 Overkills in Banshee
70 Skyjackers

Gamertag - iR Pr3hIStorIC
Thanks Zag!!

In all honesty, I agree with you in many respects except to the extent that you look at things in terms of black and white. I think that some of our strategies are just different. A good player with any weapon or vehicle must be fluid and adaptable to the situation.

In the video you referenced, the other team had numerous guests and, making a calculated judgment based on their EXP levels, I intended to be aggressive and "baiting" in the beginning of the game to ensure map control from the start of the game. As you can see, the other team aggressively attacked the Banshee first, resulting in my early kill avoidance maneuvers, and their overaggression and single-minded focus on the Banshee allowed my teammates to gain map control, the laser, and total destruction of all of the other team's weaponized vehicles (i.e., Warthog and Banshee) within the first minute of the game. Because my Banshee survived, I am a bit confused as to why you say that this strategy is wrong. In this instance, the calculated risk was low, the potential benefit was high, and the strategy worked.

Also, I understand that you didn't have the time to read my strategy on splattering, but I did note in my first post that excessive splattering is risky but worth the risk in some situations due to its mentally demoralizing effect on the other team.

My Banshee philosophy is very team-oriented (not saying that yours isn't). I'll gladly sacrifice myself if it means a flag capture or bomb score for the team. Except in BTB-Slayer games, where kill tally is the way you win, my kill totals are not always (but sometimes) high. But I believe that Banshee effectiveness depends on teamwork and survivability.

Looking forward to your other comments once you have time to read through the strategies. Thanks for the read!

[Edited on 09.08.2008 8:06 AM PDT]

  • 09.08.2008 8:05 AM PDT

Average Joe l Youtube Channel l Twitter
Fools react, masters respond

~B.B.

Thanks for the guide Foman, I have definitely learned a lot from it. After playing numerous amount of times with you I have picked up some tips from merely watching(Mainly avoiding the other team in the first couple minutes of the game, where to lay low, and splattering) but this really seems like the full, and best guide anyone can ask for.

Does splattering really boost your morals? Hahaha, in the banshee something I could always do is stay low, and evade missile pod shots. I know this guide will improve my teamwork, splattering, and avoiding while in the banshee.

You have really put together good tips, and have stressed the fact that the banshee can change the tides of a game, and how it is one of the most important vehicles out there. One thing I really like is the video back up, you give us the video, and back it up with tips and tricks. I appreciate the wall foman, one of these days I will give you a wall in return.

~Hawk

[Edited on 09.08.2008 3:19 PM PDT]

  • 09.08.2008 3:18 PM PDT