In vehicle | Combat Mad Max Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Magnum Opus is the vehicle in which you will spend the majority of the game. The car gives you many possibilities to eliminate enemy vehicles, conquer camps or eliminate towers occupied by your opponents. Magnum Opus itself, after buying some upgrades, is a weapon that allows you to ram or push enemy vehicles. In other words, this vehicle, in various configurations, is the most versatile one available in the game (thanks to upgrades and the possibility to take Chumbucket).
Most of all, Magnum Opus itself is a battle tool. In Mad Max, each vehicle has a certain level of durability. Once it reaches zero, Max won't die (with few exceptions, usually during missions), but the player will receive five seconds to leave the car. Chumbucket, the mechanic, can repair the car (only Magnum Opus, vehicles in which there is no place for Chum can be repaired only with the "Quick repair" option, which costs large amounts of Scrap), but only if it isn't moving. Because of that, repairing during battle is frequently very hard - stopping the car makes it vulnerable to ramming.
Upgrading Magnum Opus will be helpful. It will increase its defensive and offensive potential. Most of all, you should take interest in three things and buy them as quickly as they become available:
- ram - allows you to deal more damage during head hits at enemy vehicles. It also secures Magnum Opus from damage received when hitting obstacles.
- armor - mostly protects the sides of the vehicle, allows you to side ram.
- spikes against jumpers - enemies can jump off their vehicles and on Magnum Opus, and then attack Max. The spikes greatly reduce the chance of such attack ending with success.
The first way to fight from the inside of the vehicle is ramming enemies. It is done by driving into enemies frontally, preferably into their side. Additionally, using the boost before driving into enemy vehicle will increase the damage you deal. This method is best when you are ramming a static opponent which, for example, stopped for a while. Remember that it works both ways. For example, if you stop, enemies can also accelerate and hit the uncovered side of Magnum Opus.
While driving, when enemies are usually driving by your side, ramming in such way might be impossible. In that case side ramming can be helpful (it can be done with the button responsible for it + selecting a direction). Thanks to this attack Max suddenly turns his vehicle in one direction. If, additionally, you bounce from one enemy into another driving on the other side, the damage dealt will be doubled.
In the first phase of the game, when lacking ammunition and better weaponry, the ramming will be most often used as a way of eliminating enemy vehicles. In both cases don't forget about proper speed - the more you accelerate the Magnum Opus, the more damage you will deal when hitting.
Later in the game you will receive upgraded rims. Thanks to that, you will be able to place spikes on them that will deal damage to the opponents riding next to you. For it to work, you must ride close to another vehicle and "attach" yourself to it. Then keep driving without changing direction, and the enemy vehicle's durability will be consequently lowering. To increase the damage dealt in that way, fast driving is required. Driving slowly isn't effective.
Ramming and grinding can be considered as ways of fighting with the use of the vehicle itself. However, Magnum Opus has also additional equipment which allows fighting enemies at some distance. The first piece of equipment which you will receive is a harpoon shot by Chumbucket sitting at the back of the vehicle. Harpoon is mostly used for toppling the Scarecrows, gates of enemy camps or towers. After upgrading, it also becomes useful against enemies in vehicles - it will allow you to drag them from the inside of their vehicles and to rip tires from the rest of the car.
Another tool that can be used against enemies driving next to Magnum Opus are the side burners. Using them allows you to constantly shoot flames that are on both sides of the controlled vehicle. Enemies that are in the reach of the flames will quickly lose their durability. The weakness of this weapon is the necessity to position yourself properly (enemies can see what weapon you are using and might try to drive to the back) and the quick loss of fuel. Using the side burners for a longer period of time depends on the fuel supplies. In general, this weapon is good, especially after upgrading, and allows you to eliminate enemies that are ramming Magnum Opus from the sides.
The last, but definitely the strongest weapon in Chumbucket's arsenal, is the Thunderpoon. To put it simple, it's a rocket launcher - you mark any target and the mechanic will send a rocket there. It's a very effective weapon against enemy vehicles, it often eliminates them after a single hit. Upgrades will make it even more effective, increasing damage and reducing the time needed for reloading. Thunderpoon bullets should be used against the enemies that are hardest to defeat, for example in order to destroy their armor. Thunderpoon can be used against distant targets, which makes it an effective tool against the enemies that are running away or chasing you. You should definitely utilize the possibilities offered by this weapon.
There is one more weapon available in Magnum Opus. This one isn't too effective in destroying enemy vehicles (but it can be used for that purpose if you want). It's a sniper rifle, which is perfect when it comes to eliminating enemy snipers or blowing up some enemy towers or fuel tanks. To use it, Max must change his seat, so it is wise to do it when there are no enemies nearby. When using sniper rifle, it is possible to move, but Chumbucket is driving very slowly, so it isn't too effective. Sniper rifle is a very good backup when conquering camps - it's perfect for eliminating the first line of defense.
During battle, you can use all available methods to eliminate enemies. Ramming and grinding will be effective when you are controlling a heavier and better armored vehicle. Using Chumbucket's weapons (especially the Thunderpoon) will always make the battle easier. You should also remember that you can use the shotgun to shoot enemy vehicle's weak points (when aiming, the time is slowing - you can then pick a target: the tire, fuel tank, and sometimes even the driver).
However, vehicle combat is not always done from the inside of the Magnum Opus. In some missions and while driving a different car, you won't have Chumbucket with you. In that case, you're on your own. You will be limited mostly to ramming enemies. If you are controlling a well armored vehicle, such tactic will be good. However, if you have a weak car, then you should consider escaping and reaching the destination as fast as possible. No matter the fighting method, in both cases use shotgun to blow up enemy vehicles or shoot their tires.