- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I play Halo for the vehicles. If I want pure first-person shooting, there are other games out there which I prefer (To be polite, none shall be named.) The vehicle combat and physics thereof is really what sets Halo apart for me. I love all the available vehicles in the game, and appreciate the variety of strengths and weaknesses of the various selections. No vehicle is entirely supreme, yet no vehicle is completely helpless against another. (Though the rocket hog vs. banshee is a bit of a long shot.) My love of the vehicle combat runs so deep that I get upset when a server cycles to a non-vehicle map. Not to say that I can't handle myself on foot or don't enjoy doing so, but the addition of vehicles to fight with and/or against adds that extra bit of Halo flavor that I'm looking for when I bring up the server list.
The one big advantage with the hog over the banshee is the most simple: the fun factor. The sense of speed and freedom of control in a warthog is unmatched by any other vehicle in the game. The scorpion is obviously too slow and cumbersome, and the fluidity of movement with both covenant vehicles detracts from the rush one should feel at the controls of such power and speed.
That said, my favorite Halo vehicle is, in fact, the banshee. I grew up playing imaginary fighter pilot and have many video games in my collection to prove it. The banshee is a natural fit. If there is one vehicle which can be effective against all others, it is the banshee. (For those who would argue that the scorpion is king, remember what happens when one scorpion finds another: whoever clicks first wins.) It surprises me that the Halo community at large has such a poor opinion of the banshee. Granted, it is an avenue to easier kills for inexperienced gamers. But, as many of you have already noted, most of those inexperienced gamers are dive-bombing to get those kills. This is where I myself get upset with several banshee pilots.
The banshee is poorly suited for such tactics. If you want to run people down, get a hog or ghost. The banshee is too easy to side-step and far too vulnerable at close range. Not to mention that at close range, the banshee loses its primary advantage--maneuverability. I can't count how many times I've stood perfectly still and shot someone out of their banshee while they continue to circle me at close range in the vein attempt to run me down. The turn radius isn't that of a hog and it can't move laterally like the ghost, people.
So, in the effort to make banshee piloting a bit more enjoyable for all, here's some general pointers:
1. Against foot soldiers: generally keep your distance and learn to aim that fuel rod gun. Don't hover--stay on the move.
2. There are two occasions for dive-bombing. a) Desperation (flag carrier about to score) OR b) target has their back to you, you've not been noticed, and there are no other enemies in the immediate area.
3. Against ghosts: Avoid dealing with ghosts in open terrain--they're far too mobile and a good ghost pilot can avoid your fire. Try to get directly above your target. The ghost's plasma rifles cannot track very high.
4. Against standard hogs: Shoot first. Don't miss. If the hog doesn't flip, pray. Oh, and use terrain to your advantage. Take cover between fuel rod blasts if possible.
5. Against rocket hogs: Laugh first. Shoot. Laugh some more. Oh, and don't fly in a straight line. In fact, you should never be flying in a straight line.
6. Against scorpions: Know where they are at all times. Keep your distance and don't engage if you aren't confident you can win. At range, the tank vs. banshee match-up is a wash. At mid-range, the tank's cannon wins the vast majority of the time. At close range (ideally directly above), the tank is helpless. If terrain will allow, pop over a ridge that places you right above your target before attacking. If engaging from a distance, fly evasive, learn the scorpion's reload time between shots and use that window to advance.
7. Banshee Dueling: The banshee is capable of more than simply turning in a circle. Mix it up. Make long, sweeping passes between tight circling maneuvers. Vary your speed. Kill thrust. Dive. Climb. Nothing is more boring than a circling match (nor more inviting to onlookers from below). Don't forget about your plasma cannons--the fuel rod blast is powerful, but often will not register due to lag.
8. Beware of Blood Gulch and Sidewinder: These original maps have low ceilings. Low ceilings mean less maneuverability. Less maneuverability makes you an easy target.
Of course, these would be general rules. There are always exceptions to the rule. Try this one for fun--dive-bomb in maps with unlimited sticky grenades. The target will likely stand still while you advance and plant a sticky 'nade on your nose at the last second. Come in low and jump out of your banshee right after the grenade sticks. You'll fall back just far enough that the explosion won't touch you, land on your feet in time to see your banshee crush the target, get back in your ride, rinse and repeat. Shortly thereafter, prepare to have several comments about cheating and noob banshee whoring directed your way.
Final note: (Yes I know this has turned out to be reeaally long.) Don't expect to have the highest kill count in a banshee. Properly used, the banshee rarely kills quickly. However, properly trained, the banshee pilot rarely dies.
Here's hoping these suggestions will inspire more people to pursue the art of banshee piloting. I could use some more dog fighting competition. And in so saying, I'm more interested in quantity of competition than quality. ;) Some of the most fun I've had in Halo PC has been the rare standard slayer match on something like Death Island or Infinity--four banshees in a free-for-all is absolutely insane!