Mastering helicopter flight in Wardogs is crucial for players aiming to gain pilot experience through ferrying passengers and supporting allies. The game's skill system rewards players for actively performing actions like spotting enemies, healing, and transporting troops. Successfully delivering passengers via helicopter contributes to pilot experience, enhancing a player's aerial capabilities.
When first learning to fly, the MH-6 helicopter is the recommended choice. It is the most affordable and easiest to control among the available aerial vehicles. Investing time in more complex variants like the Z20 Lakota or Havoc, or armed AH-6 models, is best left until proficiency with the MH-6 is achieved. Furthermore, the MH-6 is the only helicopter accessible to players until they have accumulated sufficient pilot experience.
For optimal control, it is highly advisable to switch from mouse and keyboard to a controller for helicopter piloting. The default controller layout assigns yaw, which governs the helicopter's facing direction, to the shoulder buttons, offering a more intuitive feel. Ascent and descent are managed by the triggers, with the right trigger initiating collective ascent for takeoff. Once airborne, the helicopter moves in the direction it is pointed. To slow down, pulling back on the left analog stick increases wind resistance, while the left trigger is used for descent. Gradual descent is key, as rapid drops can lead to significant vehicle damage or destruction.
If a controller is unavailable, remapping yaw controls on a keyboard can be an alternative. Players can assign yaw to mouse movement by enabling "rotary vehicle mouse control" in the settings and then configuring "helicopter mouse swipe left/right" for yaw. The up/down mouse movement can be set to pitch, allowing the helicopter to face where the mouse cursor moves. Experimentation with these settings may be necessary to find a comfortable configuration.
Consistent practice in the firing range is essential for honing piloting skills. Players can purchase the MH-6 helicopter and repeatedly practice taking off, flying, and executing safe landings. This practice should extend to less-than-ideal landing scenarios, such as bridges, narrow roads, and sloped terrain, which may be encountered in actual matches.
The in-game UI provides valuable feedback on flight status. The horizontally-pointing arrows indicate the helicopter's levelness relative to the ground, with their proximity to the center signifying a more parallel orientation. The curved vertical bars display ascent or descent rates.
Executing smooth turns involves coordinating roll and yaw inputs. Roll is typically controlled by the A/D keys on a keyboard or the left analog stick on a controller. For landing, small, precise adjustments are crucial to ensure a safe touchdown. All helicopter controls are interconnected, meaning minor inputs can have significant effects.
When carrying passengers, some may choose to parachute out at opportune moments rather than wait for a landing. Players should monitor passenger count and, if the helicopter empties, return to pick up more. Alternatively, stocking the helicopter's inventory with parachutes allows passengers without them to deploy safely during flight.
To maximize efficiency and team effectiveness, avoid lingering at the spawn point waiting for a full complement of passengers. Departing with even one or two allies quickly gets them into the fight, increasing the overall combat presence. Players can earn double cash rewards for dropping off passengers within the hot zone, though this area presents increased danger.
Awareness of environmental obstacles is vital. While Wardogs is somewhat forgiving regarding treetops, buildings and walls can quickly destroy a helicopter. Incoming missile threats can be countered by deploying flares.
Ultimately, consistent practice in the firing range is the most effective way to become a proficient pilot in Wardogs. Failing to safely transport passengers and resulting in their demise could indicate that a different role within the game might be more suitable.