Jet | Vehicles Battlefield 4 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Jets are, first of all, to keep controlling the air while infantry and vehicles take map goals. In fact, pilot can't take over the flag, but he can help by eliminating enemy helicopters, planes, vehicles or even infantry. Pilotage isn't easy, but I'd try to make it comprehensible in this guide. In Battlefield 4 we can distinguish two types of planes, each side has one of a kind.
Those are:
- stealth jets
1) J-20 (CH)
2) SU-50 (RU)
3) F35 (US)
- assault jets
1) Q-5 Fantan (CH)
2) SU-25TM Frogfoot (RU)
3) A-10 Warthog (US)
Controls
In the Battlefield 4 you begin in the air. You don't have to do anything and your plane will fly straight. In default controls, W and S are responsible for opening and closing the throttle. W used only when starting, which is rare. You only sometimes crush into the tree and lose speed. S is used as a brake. Very important in the further stages of learning how to fly. Left shift is an accelerator and used only for speeding up. A and D are used to correct your direction, left or right. Mouse controls the ailerons and height. When you pull, the nose goes up, when you push it goes down. When you move sideways, the plane leans out left and right.
Remaining:
- camera change - C,
- looking around (cockpit only) - RMB,
- fire- LMB,
- reload- R,
- change of weapon - F or 1 and 2 keys,
- countermeasure activation - X.
To make a basic movement - a loop - you just need to pull the mouse strongly. To make a horizontal reversion or turn, you need to move mouse sideways, to rotate the plane about 90 degrees and then pull to stabilize the flight. At the beginning it may be difficult, so it's a good idea to train it (Battlelog > tab online > training ground).
Settings
Keyboard
Default settings are ok for flying, but if you want to fight other players, you have to bind "nose up" on the keyboard, so you can push this button instead of moving the mouse all around the desk. Sometimes you need to perform several dozens of loops during a single encounter. It's very comfortable to set it on space or somewhere near the WSAD. Remaining controls may stay as they are, but you should look for the setting that suits you best.
Mouse sensibility
Mouse sensibility should be high so you can steer without losing the time. But the higher it is, the harder it's to aim. It's best when the sensibility is controlled on mouse and while fighting the planes set the highest possible and while firing the lowest one.
I'll show my sensibility here, but use it only as a hint.
In-game value: 25%
System value: 8/10 (desktop>RMB>personalize>change mouse indicators>buttons)
Mouse values: 1500 DPI for 1v1, 800 DPI for better aiming (information about your mouse may be found on its bottom, in the manual or in the internet)
Graphics
For air fights, you should have set the highest possible resolution so you can see the objects from very far away. It's also good to set the mesh quality on ultra what allows you to spot enemies for you and your friends while pressing Q. Mesh quality doesn't use to much of your processor.
Cockpit
In cockpit you should especially care about three elements Those are:
- speed, marked in red and given in knots,
- marked with blue - sight (dot for fighters, cross for jets),
- marked with green - countermeasure system status (ready means that the system is ready, otherwise you can see the counting for the reload).
Basics of 1v1 encounters
Theory
The general idea of 1v1 fighting is constant loop making. You start when you pass an enemy up to the moment when the direct encounter ends (runaway, shot down etc). Almost all the time you have to keep "nose up" button pressed. Sometimes it may last several minutes. You have to make tighter loops than your enemy. How? By speed control. 313 knots is the perfect one, but don't delude yourself that you'll be able to keep it constant. Best ones keep speed about 311-314, good ones 308-316. At the beginning, you should be content when you have 300-318 knots.
Default speed is about 350 knots and plane wants to keep this speed. To control it as you like, you have to use the accelerator and throttle properly. Keeping this particular speed isn't simple. The fact that you should use the TPP in the air battles won't help you either. You should look into the cockpit 1 to 2 times during the loop for a scratch of the second. That's why you should make a habit of keeping the speed constant. Of course, loops aren't everything, other moves are also important. But we'll discuss them other time.
Horizontal loops
Keeping the speed in the horizontal loop is rather simple, as the gravity won't matter. So it's enough if you decrease a speed a bit while looking into the cockpit. I can't give you the exact amount, because it has no sense. Enter the training ground and start flying. Make loops and control the speed. After several dozens of loops you'll begin to create a habit and it becomes an automatic action for you.
Vertical loops
Vertical loops are more difficult, due to the gravity, which speeds you up and then slows you down during the same loop. So you have to use an accelerator or close the throttle. In case of the assault planes it's even more difficult as they don't have accelerators. Imagine that a loop is a clock - from 3 to 6 use the break twice, then from 6 to 9 nothing and from 9 to 12 press the accelerator thrice and then from 12 to 3 nothing again. Repeat. I give those data in a general way, because you should try to make your own style.
How to master it?
Mastering the speed control requires a lot of practice. Don't depend on the guide only. Base on your own experiences and try to feel, supported by the counters, when use what. Remember also not to get discouraged too soon. Several hours on the training ground is a must for each pilot. And to start doing well you need at least 15-20 hours of flying.
Additions
Stealth jets
Unlocking | Icon | Required points | Description |
Belt feeder |
| 3000 | Improved mechanism which speeds up reloading. |
Passive radar |
| 6000 | Air-to-air missiles which requires spotting an enemy. When you lose the target, pilot may try to spot it again before the rocket fell on the ground. |
Proximity Scan |
| 9000 | Detects enemies around the vehicle and marks them on the minimap. |
25 mm Cannon |
| 12000 | 25 mm cannon with a medium rate of fire, good against flying vehicles and light armored targets. |
ECM Jammer |
| 15000 | System which makes locking you impossible for a certain period of time what disorients missiles fired at you. Requires reloading. |
Laser guided missiles |
| 18000 | Anti-tank, laser guided missiles - also remotely for locked targets out of the sight range of the shooter. It requires spotting an enemy. |
Extinguisher |
| 21000 | Extinguisher repairs the machine and allows it to begin the regeneration. You can activate it only when the plane is heavily damaged. |
30mm Cannon |
| 24000 | 30 mm cannon with a lower rate of fire and increased efficiency against flying vehicles and light armored targets. |
Stealth coating |
| 27000 | This upgrade increases the time required for lock in your plane. |
Active Radar |
| 30000 | Missiles which fly to the closest target just after being fired and explodes when near it. |
The best set:
Main weapon: 30 mm cannon It's the slowest one, but also the strongest what increases the elimination of enemies.
Secondary weapon: Active radar missiles, unless you dominate the air. If so, you can take the laser guided missiles what allows you to fire, for example, at tanks.
Countermeasure:
Working time: | Reloading time: | |
Flares | 3 seconds | 22 seconds |
ECM Jammer | 7 seconds | 23 seconds |
Extinguisher | Not applicable | 25 seconds |
Each from system above has its own advantages and works fine with different playstyle. I use flares, ECM is great because you disappear for 7 seconds from the radar what is useful in 1v1 fighting. Choose whatever suits you.
Upgrades are strictly connected with the countermeasure system choice, If you choose flares or ECM, you should take Gyro Stabilizer and when an extinguisher, then the best choice is Stealth Coating.
Assault jets
Unlocking | Icon | Required points | Description |
Stealth coating |
| 3000 | This upgrade increases the time required for lock in your plane. |
Heat seekers |
| 7000 | Air-to-air missiles which requires locking an enemy. When you lose the target, pilot may try to lock it again before the rocket fell on the ground. |
Proximity Scan |
| 10000 | Detects enemies around the vehicle and marks them on the minimap. |
Hydra rockets |
| 14000 | Universal missiles, good against infantry, light, medium and heavy armored vehicles. |
ECM Jammer |
| 17000 | System which makes locking you impossible for a certain period of time what disorients missiles fired at you. Requires reloading. |
Extinguisher |
| 21000 | Extinguisher repairs the machine and allows it to begin the regeneration. You can activate it only when the plane is heavily damaged. |
TV missile |
| 25000 | Missile guided by an operator with a usage of a camera. Good against armored targets. |
Belt feeder |
| 28000 | Improved mechanism which speeds up reloading. |
JDAM bomb |
| 32000 | Not-guided bomb with a huge power. |
The best set:
Main weapon 30 mm cannon, the only one available.
Secondary weapon: laser guided missiles which are great against boats and armored vehicles. Hydra rockets are also great, because you can also eliminate the infantry with them. For the beginners, who are not feeling well with aiming with the cannon, a better choice are heat seekers which are helpful in air encounters.
Countermeasure: like in the case of stealth jets
Working time: | Reloading time: | |
Flares | 3 seconds | 22 seconds |
ECM Jammer | 7 seconds | 23 seconds |
Extinguisher | Not applicable | 25 seconds |
Each from system above has its own advantages and works fine with different playstyle. I use flares, ECM is great because you disappear for 7 seconds from the radar what is useful in 1v1 fighting. Choose whatever suits you.
Upgrades are strictly connected with the countermeasure system choice, If you choose flares or ECM, you should take Gyro Stabilizer and when an extinguisher, then the best choice is Stealth Coating.
Stealth jets
Health | 500 |
Time to begin the regeneration (from the last received damage) | 10 seconds |
Heavy damage threshold (control is temporarily made more difficult) | Shot dealing more than 29% vehicle's health |
Light damage threshold (control is temporarily made more difficult) | Shot dealing more than 19% vehicle's health |
Disable threshold (you lose control over the vehicle, you can be saved only by the extinguisher or burner) | 10% of vehicle's health |
Maximum speed | 421 knots (780 km/h) |
Ideal manoeuvring speed | ~313 knots |
Default respawn time | 90 seconds |
Jest are vehicles which are designed mostly to fight other air vehicles, and for that purpose you have many other additions for them. You have 30 mm cannon but its speed is only 600 bullets per minute, so against the armored vehicles it's ineffective. But those jest are vey quick and have laser guided missiles which are great against other planes, helicopters and even the gunboat. It all causes that you can clear the air easily, but it's more difficult to get high K/D ratio.
Assault jets
Health | 500 |
Time to begin the regeneration (from the last received damage) | 10 seconds |
Heavy damage threshold (control is temporarily made more difficult) | Shot dealing more than 29% vehicle's health |
Light damage threshold (control is temporarily made more difficult) | Shot dealing more than 19% vehicle's health |
Disable threshold (you lose control over the vehicle, you can be saved only by the extinguisher or burner) | 10% of vehicle's health |
Maximum speed | 344 knots (637 km/h) |
Ideal maneouvring speed | ~313 knots |
Default respawn time | 90 seconds |
Assault jets have very powerful 30 mm cannon which can destroy everything: infantry, tanks, helicopters and gunboats. Well trained pilot shouldn't need more than one good approach. But don't worry, if you can't do that at the beginning. You have also rockets which allows you to destroy enemies even better.
Jets and assault jets - similarities and differences
While creating this game, people from DICE wanted to balance the plane in a way, so the stealth jets rule the air while assault jets will be able to take down ground targets and support infantry and tanks. That's why stealth jets are faster and more mobile, but have less firepower than the assault jets.
The biggest gravity load you can get in the stealth jets is 11.25 G (I give this, because it's the only statistics taken from the game files which defines the mobility, where the higher G, the better), where in assault jets it's only 9.05 G. It means that when two equal pilots will face in the 1v1 fight and one of them will be in the stealth jet, he'll win the encounter. What is more, assault jets don't have an accelerator, so in the vertical loops they will always lose speed and mobility. That's why it's recommended to fly mostly horizontally with them.
Stealth jets are also faster, so if you see that you'll lose, you can just turn on the accelerator and run away. When you're in the range of stationary anti-aircraft weapon, next to the set up place, you can just slide your aim at the enemy and press Q so cannon starts firing.
But, after all, it's hard to tell if the stealth jets are better. They have much less firepower and assault jets may destroy them in about 2 seconds. As I mentioned, the direct battle should be won by the stealth jet. But if there is no other pilot on the server who can take you down, it's better to stay in the assault jet and improve your statistics on infantry and tanks. The best way, of course, would be to fly in two people, where one clears the sky and the other one collects kills. In the next round switch and both of you benefit from cooperation.
Hints
Only planes for starters
If you're a beginning pilot, you watch various gameplays for sure where you can see the high results of pilots. But remember, that not every his/her round looks like that. Everyone posts only his/her best games. You'll also have better and worse moments. Remember also that when you begin flying, don't watch for what's happening on the ground and think that the planes are your only enemies. Practice getting at their backs, firing and various tactics. When you fell confident, make a step forward and eliminate the helicopters also. With time, everything will seem easy.
Spam Q
Option of spotting enemies is very important and helpful. Thanks to that, a red triangle will appear over the spotted enemy (if he is a team leader, there'll be a star next to the triangle). He'll be visible not only for you, but also for all your team. As a pilot, you see much more than regular soldiers. So use the free looking option and press Q as fast as you can. You don't have to see the enemy, to make game thinks that you do.
Don't overheat the cannon
If you keep pressing the LMB, the cannon in stealth jet will overheated in 3,5 seconds and in assault jet in 3 seconds. Then you will have to wait 2 seconds for stealth and 3 seconds for the assault one.
So the best way is to fire with series. Their length must be adjusted to the distance of firing and the confidence of hitting. Thanks to that, you'll be much more accurate and you'll fire a lot more than with the full-auto mode and waiting for the overheat to pass.
Keep away from the anti-aircraft weapons
Try not to fly into the regions of enemy anti-aircraft weapons. In 1v1 you have no chances. Keep close to your own base.
Be aware, minimap is your friend
When you start flying, you see a radar on the place of the minimap. Its range is only 700 m. When you press M, you'll see a big map in the center of your screen which shows you the whole area of war actions. Thanks to that you can see an enemy plane for farer than 700 m. Remember also, that 90 seconds after killing a jet, another one will appear. You should be able to tell where are enemy units at any given time. You can also use a timer and count the time when the new unit appears in the enemy base.
Cooperate, not compete
Cooperation with your team is the most important. In this particular case I mean cooperation of two pilots. It's important to not compete over each kill. When you see that everything is all right and enemy machine will surely burn, watch your friend and control the situation. If any problems appear, fly up and help but don't steal kill. An attempt of that may cause the collision what will weaken your team for 90 seconds. Blaming the other one on the team chat won't help you either.
Be patient
Remember that learning how to fly is tough work. It requires a lot of practice and even after 100 hours, you'll find something to improve. With time, you'll die less and kill more. But don't be to greedy for kills and don't look at the scoreboard. It will result in negative results. If you make an approach for a tank or infantry, remember that it's better to let it go than late your flying up, because you may hit the lighthouse or something else and die. Don't follow also the enemy plane up to its base, but wait on the safe position.