Missiles: Heavy metal rain

Missiles are one of the most controversial items in the game, shrouded in mystery.

So I decided to really clarify what the missile launcher is for and what is can do. I talked to Zeus about missile mechanics, and played a LOT of missile games in the event.

Starting off, let's talk about the type of player you have to be to use it.

• The missile launcher SHINES on a brawler's build. Of course, it cannot be used at point-blank range. But if you have an entire set of weapons dedicated to point-blank attacks, missiles are THE weapon for you.
• It is also super strong in the hands of a speeder these days. Why did I say "these days"? The reason for this is something that'll soon become clear. Let's just say it wasn't until very recently that the 'launcher's secrets were uncovered.
• So, what about snipers? Well, that's a bit of a mixed bag. I would say that, in the best case, use missiles only if you have a good close range weapon as well, but as @capphil11 pointed out, endgame missiles are pretty strong and have a per-projectile damage of 700+. So yeah, missiles CAN be used on a sniper build. I still recommend that you have a good close range weapon, however.
• Finally, as always, in places where two slot weapons are not welcome. Enforcer for example. Missiles on an enfo are a no-no.

A lot of the time, I hear this: "Could someone teach me how to play with missiles?" And the stock answer basically leads you here:

This is an EXCELLENT guide by @Waveblower. However, there are a couple of things that need to be amended, because the game has changed.




1. Let's talk about spread:

I had a talk with Zeus about how missiles work. The answers I got are as shown below:

So here we go.

A. Distance
Long distance=long spread.

B. Self Speed
Here's a little Mythbuster session for you. Most of the people playing missiles, even the pros, think that your own ship speed affects missile spread. Truth: It doesn't! Feel free to run missiles on that speeder!

C. Range perks
Do not directly influence spread!




2. Perks

Back when Waveblower made the missile guide, we did NOT have any specialized missile perks. For that time, his advice was super sound. Use range, maybe use HP. Today, it's changed.

If you wish to do crazy stuff with missiles, go ahead and run missile damage, kill 'em all with superior firepower!




3. All the more miscellaneous amendments to the video:

• Missile launcher has its own tree now
• Missile launcher starts with the full set of five missiles now
• Due to the total removal of those crew talents, you can use mine or triple torpedoes even while getting the full power output on your missiles!
• Defense is not really a thing anymore
• Finally, on the summary screen:

Finally, there were two more points I did not see in Waveblower's guide, the act of targeting missiles. Let's talk about that.

1. An interesting little thing
After a lot of investigation, I've discovered that missiles are at their best when firing them within the max range of an un-range/event-perked grenade. They scatter outside of that range, and stick together inside.

2. Targeting rules:
I will be dividing target rules by skill level; Green is for newbies, orange is for veterans.

Use missiles when:

1. The enemy is moving --> or <-- to you.
2. The enemy is coming towards you.
3. The enemy is running away straight and ISN'T a speeder.
4. You have a clear line of sight.

Do not use them when:

1. The enemy is a speeder trying to run away from you.
2. The enemy is trying to dodge a torpedo.
3. The enemy is running diagonal to you.
4. You don't have line of sight.

Use missiles when:

1. I'll emphasize that, as a veteran, you DO NOT need line of sight, use your insight. The following rules are less rules and more suggestions. Play with these and build your own.
2. When facing speeders, enforcers and the like, ensure that your opponent is incapable of dodging(i.e) they're stunned, pinned, hesitant or their evasion gear is on cooldown.
3. You can use them as a "veil" while firing a swift torp from behind them.
4. Using missiles to manipulate opponents is also a good move, if you wish to channel, say, a super fast opponent like a speeder who wouldn't normally be fazed by other mortar types, you can do that.
5. When facing down a heavily armored target, you can cover your escape, or even your attack, with missiles. Missiles are incredibly confusing and scary as "taunt" attacks, matched only by railguns and excannons when it comes to shock value.

Do NOT use them when:

1. The risk outweighs the reward. I say this because missiles have a skewed risk/reward. You don't conserve them like railguns, nor do you insta-fire them like sniper cannons. Missiles lean closer to blast cannons when it comes to the "value" of the shot.
2. When you're at long range and fighting a high value target, missiles are NOT to be used. The damage they do will be pretty token, only use them if the opponent is a slow type and there are no chances of the situation devolcing into a brawl.

(Totally not boasting) Here's some missile gameplay by (advanced) me from the future:



Well, that's it for now, hope this guide helped!
Anti out!

 

My mistake here. You see, English isn't my first language. What I meant to say was not lateral, but "horizontal"? Basically, what I wanted to say was that, to maximise shot hits at maximum range, your target should be moving right-to-left/left-to-right with respect to you. Because forward-backward aiming can lead to unregistered hits and wave conflicts. Will edit that part.

Again, this is in reference to "maximizing" the number of projectiles hit. I should clarify those points. I'll edit the post, correct me if I'm wrong at that point. Writing in a hurry is a bad idea I guess

I agree with you on that, which is why I talked about experience in my OP. If you're not experienced with ML and decide to go for no-looks, it's dangerous because you're not experienced enough to judge the target's movement to make an accurate lead-call. In fact, my "experience" point, as you see, is meant to be a blanket point. In the do's section, when I write, "You have a clear line of sight, or a very long experience period", I basically mean to say, "If you feel that the shot is possible, and you're experienced enough to take it".

Again, my mistake. I should divide this guide's do's and don't's according to skill level. Sure, you're 100% right on this. I WAS able to hit speeders. But the point I was trying to make in the don'ts area was that, if a speeder is trying hard to run away, they will dodge missiles using the many tricks for it. Did you know that even an OB is enough to dodge missiles if you use the initial OB burst smartly? So it's better(for a beginner) to not shoot a running(and ACTUALLY running, there's a difference between a speeder who runs seriously and one who does not) speeder, and use their firepower elsewhere.


Thanks for the constructive criticism and insight, much appreciated! I have a long train ride ahead of me this evening, I will thoroughly update my OP!

 

Must be my affinity to close range that brought me to this conclusion, then. Will correct.

 

Aye, I get that a lot.
"Hey, TheAntiSn- Wait, what? You're an Indian?... So you tell me your mother tongue is NOT English? Yeah, nice one. You can stop using VPN now..."

I think it's just that we're not sure how many ways our words can be misinterpreted in when we formulate a sentence, so we work extra hard to be clear. Still, as you saw, mistakes happen

 

I'm absolutely wrecking even with rare t3 missiles in the events, hitting even speeders with as many as 3 missile shots at a time out of 5

 

Oh GOD that modified comment LMAO