- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I wrote these tips for the MAW clan and posted it there, but I wanted to post it here as well to see how it is receieved. I have a similar "guide" for Banshees written and posted for the MAW clan as well, but I'll wait on transferring that one to B.Net to see if you guys even like this kind of information.
The Warthog-
* Driving:
* Tips on how to keep from rolling
Don't turn the hog as you go up/off a ramp or bump. Doing so causes your 'Hog's wheel base to skew, so when you hit the ground next, you land on one wheel which oftentimes results in a roll. It is best to go straight off the ramp/bump and wait to turn until after you've landed.
* Don't drive drunk
This may seem obvious but seems to escape many drivers; Avoid running into stationary targets such as rocks, trees, humungous buildings and the like. It serves no purpose to go ramming into these solid objects. Also avoid ramming other hogs or tanks as this tends to flip you and you become a much easier target.
* Look out!
Know that when enemies see an incoming hog, they'll compulsively throw nades at it. It's a sickness, every HaloPC player has it. Don't go running blindly into these nades as you or your gunner or your passenger or any combination of the above will pay the price. How to avoid these 'nades? Always be prepared to quickly spin the hog around in circles (read: spin cookies) as soon as you see a 'nade thrown. Usually, the 'nades are thrown short, in anticipation of you running over them. After a few throws, the enemies are out of 'nades, so you're okay to make your flag runs.
* Take care of your gunner
Your gunner keeps you alive by killing other fools before they can kill you. Protect him, watch his health and shields. If he needs health, or if his shields are down, do something about it! If you know a sniper is on the loose, try not to drive in a straight line, doing so can quickly turn your gunner into a meat-shield.
* Splat!
Running people over takes some finesse, as it's not as easy as most people think. The major problem with splattering your enemies is that they tend to not want to get splattered. I've not yet figured out the reasons for this, but the fact remains. Thusly, when they see you coming, they'll do everything they can to step out of your way (while throwing grenades). One of the best ways to splatter an evading opponent is to swing your hog into him. It's easy to avoid a head-rush, but nearly impossible to jump out of the way of 2 tons of fishtailin' madness. Swing the 'Hog; the rear end of it is better for splats than the front of it is. Remember that all weapons in HaloPC need to lead their targets; splattering people with the 'Hog is no different.
* Gunning:
* Aim, then fire, or fire, then aim?
You must lead your targets when gunning, as with any other weapon in the game. This is especially true for the Rocket 'Hog. The Rocket 'Hog is difficult because of the randomness of the projectile. It is usually (read: sometimes, or, once in a while) true that when aiming upwards, the rocket will go higher than the reticle. When aiming downwards, it tends to fly lower than the reticle, so aim accordingly. With the Rocket 'Hog, shoot at the ground in front of the direction that your target is heading. Rarely should you aim straight at your target.
* Avoid TK-ing or Sui-ing
When gunning the Rocket 'Hog, it can be really easy to take yourself or anyone else in the vehicle out of commission by blowing yourself to bits. Avoid shooting walls, trees, rocks, etc that are close to the vehickle. Also, avoid shooting in a forward direction when the hog is rumbling up a hill. Many times the driver will unknowingly drive the hog into the rocket and one of you will die. For your sake, pray that it will be you.
* Flag runs:
* On the offensive
Make every effort not to kill your enemies on the way to the flag. Why, you ask? Because everyone you kill on the way there will then be waiting for you when you get there. With 'nades. This sucks. Instead, slip past as many people as possible and never shoot or kill anyone that isn't looking at you. If you pass enemy vehicles that are heading to your base, go ahead and engage, but if their driver just drives by in a mad rush, try not to kill them. Let your teammates take care of it.
* Who gets out?
If there is no passenger, there usually isn't, the GUNNER is the one that gets out to grab the flag. The reason is mind-blisteringly simple, yet impossible for so many people to grasp. If the driver gets out, what do we have left? A parked hog with a stationary gunner. This equals a quick three shot kill for anyone on the enemy team. Remember everyone's compulsion to throw 'nades at 'Hogs? It's especially tempting when that hog is parked. This makes it impossible for the driver to get back in the 'Hog and make his getaway, as the 'Hog has a slow acceleration. When the gunner gets out, the driver makes circles around the base and usually picks up the gunner on the opposite side of where he dropped the gunner off. I have made so many successful flag runs this way and so few any other way.