Scout helicopter | Vehicles Battlefield 4 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Destroying tanks and IFVs is definitely not one of scout helicopters' objectives. They have a light construction so they're easy to destroy. They aren't too fast either. So what's the reason to pilot them? Mainly their agility that allows you to fly between skyscrapers or other buildings. You can also equip them with 25mm cannon that's excellent against infantry.
There are four seats. One for the pilot, two for players on the sides (more about them further in the guide). There's also one seat next to the pilot, but you can't shoot or repair from it, so it's just for transport.
Available models:
- AH-6J Little Bird (US)
- Z-11W (RU, CH)
Controls
Controlling a scout helicopter is the same as with its assault counterpart. Despite what a beginner might think, it's very easy. You control your altitude with W and S, turn with A and D, and tilt with mouse.
Others:
- changing view - C,
- looking around (in the cockpit) - RMB,
- shooting - LMB,
- reloading - R,
- changing weapons - F or 1 and 2,
- countermeasures - X.
For example, to fly forward, you have to ascend and then tilt the vehicle forward. To turn, you'll mainly use A and D, but there are some situations when you can make it more effectively by tilting the vehicle to the side where you want to fly. maneuvering the helicopter can be very easily learned.
Settings
There's no need to change controls in scout helicopters. There are no complicated manoeuvres, you just need a little practice. Mouse sensitivity should not be too high or you will have problems with 1v1 fights. You should have a big mousepad because maneuvering between buildings or with a limited mobility might be very difficult.
Stats
Armor | 500 |
Time until the start of regeneration (from the last damage taken) | 10 seconds |
Critical damage (temporary strong difficulty in controlling the vehicle) | A hit above 29% of armor |
Limited mobility (temporary difficulty in controlling the vehicle) | A hit above 19% of armor |
Immobilization (losing control of the vehicle, a fire extinguisher might save you) | 10% of armor |
Number of seats | 4 |
Top speed | 120* |
Default respawn time | 90 seconds |
* unit of helicopter speed in the game, not similar to any real unit but it allows you to compare helicopters.
Unlockables
Unlockable | Icon | Required points | Description |
Stealth Coating |  | 3000 | A special coating that makes your vehicle harder to detect. |
Heatseekers |  | 6000 | Heat-seeking missiles. After locating the target, they head towards it. |
Fire Extinguisher |  | 8000 | Fire Extinguisher that lets you make your tank usable again, therefore making regeneration possible. Using it is possible only when the vehicle is heavily damaged. |
25mm cannon |  | 12000 | Shoots 25mm bullets, effective against light and medium armor, and infantry. |
Belt feeder |  | 15000 | Significantly reduces reload time. |
Proximity scan |  | 18000 | It detects enemy units around the vehicle and marks them on the minimap. |
ECM |  | 21000 | Makes the enemy unable to track you for a short time and disorientates all their missiles. |
Radar |  | 24000 | Replaces minimap with a long-range radar that marks all airborne targets around your vehicle. |
Laser Guided |  | 28000 | Laser guided anti-tank missile - also from a distance, towards designated targets out of gunner's sight. Requires aiming at the target. |
Best combination:
Primary weapon: 25mm cannon is harder to use because of lower rate of fire and limited ammo. It's stronger than a 7.62 machine gun and hurts infantry even if you don't hit it directly.
Secondary weapon: Heatseekers, they will let you eliminate enemy helicopters. You'll need them because the cannon's range is much lower.
Countermeasures: Flares, because with them you can be sure that they will work, that can't be said about ECM.
Duration: | Reload Time: | |
Flares | 3 seconds | 22 seconds |
ECM | 7 seconds | 23 seconds |
Fire Extinguisher | N/A | 25 seconds |
Upgrade: Gyro stabilizer will be very useful. Because of the scout helicopter's low speed you'll be hit with guided missiles quite often and with the gyro stabilizer regaining control of the vehicle will be easier.
1v1 Combat
The theory is very simple. Unlike with planes, there are no complicated maneuvers. To win these fights you just have to remember a few rules and shoot accurately. First, don't get surprised. To do it, use your minimap and try to see the enemy from a long distance. You should be on a higher altitude but it's not compulsory.
Rockets
Direct fight starts when two helicopters are closer than 500m from each other. You should start aiming at the enemy vehicle and shoot one rocket. If you're sure that they have used all their flares, fire 2 missiles.
25mm cannon
Remember that the 25mm cannon's crosshair is not in the middle of the screen. It's the cross that moves a bit depending on a position. Shoot with bursts and while you reload the cannon, move your helicopter to become a more difficult target. If you're able to aim at a specific part of the vehicle, make it the cockpit or a player repairing it.
Crew
Players on the sides of the helicopter give you a huge advantage by repairing it. If you shoot slightly worse than your enemy and you have two players to repair the helicopter, you'll win 10/10 of these encounters. Moreover, from a side seat you can shoot other air vehicles with SA-18 Igla and FIM-92 Stinger heatseeker launchers. The enemy won't be able to fire enough flares. The crew is a big advantage and if to players repair the helicopter at once, you might become a flying fortress.
Armored vehicles?
You might wonder why there's a question mark. Well, helicopters are ineffective against armored vehicles. They're not durable so you'll get killed as soon as you come close to an anti-aircraft vehicle, a tank or a boat. 25mm cannon might penetrate armor of tanks, but you'd have to spend a lot of time to deal any real damage to it. You might try shooting transport vehicles with light armor, nothing more. You can get laser guided missiles if you're sure that someone will keep flying with you to repair the vehicle. Without them, you'll need heatseekers to win fights against other helicopters.
Help
Stationary weapons
Remember that stationary weapons placed near your base will shoot at every marked vehicle in its range. Use it to your advantage and when you're in danger, lower your altitude and fly between buildings towards your stationary weapons. Then mark the hostile helicopter with Q and wait for its reaction. If it comes after you, it will be in trouble, if not - increase your altitude and start a regular 1v1 fight.
Watch out for anti-aircraft vehicles
Anti-aircraft vehicles are really strong in BF4. A light-armored scout helicopter is not a problem for them. That's why you should stay away from them and don't even think about attacking them.
Killing infantry
When you're done with enemy helicopter, it's time to score some kills on infantry. Remember that you don't have to hit the target directly with 25mm cannon, shooting near them should be enough. Don't fly too close to them, because you might get killed with an RPG or SMAW. Don't stay in one place because you may become an easy target for infantry with SRAW launchers.
Quick take-off
Sometimes when you fly by yourself, you have to land to repair the helicopter. The key thing here is to get back as soon as possible. There's one trick that lets you take off more quickly. After entering the helicopter, change seat with F3, F3 or F4, then come back to pilot's seat with F1. Taking off will take much less time Make sure that nobody respawns inside the vehicle and takes your pilot's seat. It also works in mid-air, when you change place to a passenger's seat.
Save your ammo
It might seem that killing infantry as a helicopter pilot is easy and relaxing. Remember to always have at least one magazine in case of an approaching hostile helicopter. Sometimes you have to give up some kills, but they won't be worth it if you die. You'd kill the same amount of players while waiting for another helicopter.
They don't want to help you? Help yourself!
We talked a lot about importance of crew. Sometimes, however, nobody will want to fly with you and you'll have to go by yourself. You won't be as effective, but it's better than nothing.
When you finish a fight, get immobilized or simply become damaged, move to the side of the vehicle on a high altitude and start repairing it. You'll start losing altitude so don't go for 100%. When you want to go back to flying, use the "quick take-off" to gain altitude more quickly.