Guns of Icarus Online Starter’s Guide by Alistair_MacBain
This one is for guys starting with the game and dont know what they do. And its more for guys playing random/public games. U may switch around if u are premade team but to play premade u really need to get into the games which most guys do in public games. Some things may go bid wide into things so also bid advanced players may get to know sth. I name myself as a good player but for sure there are many way better players in this game. Feel free to add. I may edit into the guide.
Guns of Icarus Alliance is the ultimate player-vs-player, player-vs-environment, steampunk airship combat game, complete with an ongoing war between six elite factions vying for control of a world ravaged by machines. Up to 32 players can join a match for epic airship battles, with 4 players manning each ship. Guns of Icarus Alliance is a steampunk/dieselpunk, multiplayer, first-person shooter that focuses on airship combat. Each airship is controlled by up to four players, with each member of the crew taking a specific role. Players can choose three different classes: gunner, engineer or pilot, which will allow them access to different kinds of tools.
So lets start with the guide.
This game is all about teamplay. When u play this game u dont want to stay silent and dont talk. The thing to master the game is communication. Always remember x is the key for voip. This game wouldnt be that good (imo) without the implemented voip.
I would recommend u to learn the nautival terms for the directions cause there are some captains using them. There is a thread bout it in the forum. U can also use the o’clock version to say directions.
Often new players shoot every ship they see. Thats obviously not the best cause u will often hit teammates and there is teamdamage (afaik). U can divide between ally and enemy by looking at their balloon. The red team got a red sign on it and the blue team a blue sign.
ship parts/components
Lets start with the ship parts. Every ship has some components. U can see icons for each component on the side of ur screen or on the component if they are damaged or destroyed.
Repairing and rebuilding is sth different. Repairing means a components is still up but is damaged. That means u use ur repair tool (rubber mallet or pipe wrench) and hit it once. Then u wait for the cooldown to run down. In this time u can do sth else. There will be no sense to spam it.
If a component is destroyed which means its icon is red u need to hit it several times with ur repair tool till its up again.
Every repair tool got 3 stats on it. Cooldown which shows how long u have to wait till repair cooldown runs out. HP repair which means how much HP u repair on the component and rebuild power which shows how fast u can rebuild things with it.
Then there is fire. If a component is on fire it takes damage over time. If it is a gun u cant use it till fire is out.
To extinguish fires u need fire extinguishe or chem. spray.
For information about the components read the ship parts section on this site. (http://gunsoficarus.com/gameplay/ship-parts/)
I just want to add one small priority thing which should be clear after reading in the above.
Hull>balloon>engines>guns
Classes
Just some basics to the classes. Visit the Art of … threads of Theodrixx for more about that. I just say the basics and things everyone should know. The loadouts may switch around due to ur style but here are some ok ones for random games and for newer players. There are three roles to fit. Every role can take three items for its own role and one for the others.
Pilot
The pilot which is always just one on ur ship. He stays most of the time at the helm and controls the ship.
Loadout:
pilot tools: (could use some advise here cause im not that good captain and dont know bout it) just to say for now dont take spyglass
engineer tool: pipe wrench cause its quite good at repair and rebuild
ammo type: doesnt really matter cause u wont stay at guns for 99% of time
Gunner
The gunner which will stay most of the time at the guns and just uses them.
Loadout:
pilot tool: spyglass (u cant use any other one outside helmet)
engineer tool: pipe wrench (my preference cause its an allrounder)
ammo types: greased rounds/incendiary rounds, charged rounds
The third one doesnt really matter cause u will mostly use just two. If ur new dont use lognager cause u dont want to miss it (damages ur gun hard and just one shot). Test around with the last one. (could take some recommendation on this)
Engineer
As engineer u repair and rebuild all important parts of the ship. U can jump in guns if nth is in danger and u dont have anything to do. U can do always sth. Even if u just scout around to spot enemys and tell that to ur pilot.
There are two different loadouts. One is for emergency engineers (as i call them) and one for buffer engineers. The emergency engineer is the repairing one. He is the one who runs around most times and repairs/rebuilds. The buffer one is most times the one also using guns. To buff a component/gun use the buff hammer and hit the part till the yellow indicator left is full. The right indicator shows how long the buff is running. U can prepare buffs by filling the indicator (left) till its nearly full and use it just before the battle. For random games the emergency engineer is better cause ur faster in repair/rebuild cause u got tools for both.
Loadout :
pilot tool: spyglass
engineer tool:
emergency engineer: rubber mallet, shifting spanner, fire extinguisher/chem. spray
buffer engineer: pipe wrench, buff hammer, fire extinguisher/chem. spray (not 100% sure with the pipe wrench)
ammo type: greased rounds/incendiary rounds
As a buffer engineer u may take ammo for medium guns (burst rounds or charged rounds).
And then there is a captain.
The captain is the one who decides before the match which ship with which loadout u get. U will most times let this one be the pilot cause he wants to fit his equip most likely with the ship. The captain also got the right in the game to hop in the helm everytime he wants also if another one is on the helm.
In most cases u want to get a setup of one pilot (nether ever more), one gunner and two engineers. The egnineers are in an optimal case one buffer and one emergency. But talk before the game starts.
There are cases u switch that around.
Guns(some correction here could be good too)
Before we get into guns some basics. U most likely want to hit the hull with most guns (special weapons may shoot balloon first).
The guns are divided into 2 categories. The medium guns which are heavy flak, manticore/hwacha and twin carronade.
The flak is quite good at medium and close range but hard to hit at long range. It does good damage.
The hwacha is for now not that good. It looks awesome but it good very low damage. Its more accurate at long range than a flak.
The carronade is for close range and it doesnt good damage. (dunno bout this i rarely see it)
The small guns are much more. I will concentrate on some.
Mercury field gun: Its really good (not to say op)at long and medium range. It does good damage to armor and health.
Flamer: sure thing, not so high damage but sets things on fire, good for distraction (try to spread ur fire with it, u want to set everything on fire so dont point it on just one thing)
light carronade: good damage to balloon but really close range
beacon flare gun: bid like the flamer but also reveals enemys in clouds
harpoon: fires a projectile at an enemy and if u hit the hull the rope will reveal which links u to the enemy ship
For more about the guns use the stats in game and the damage section on this page.
http://gunsoficarus.com/gameplay/weapons/
Ships
U should learn the placement of each ships components and guns while playing this game to see whats happening.
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Every ship has a weak spot on top and beneath and some specific ones for each ship. As pilot u want to stay most times in their weak spots and a bid up or down of them to get a greater aim for ur gunners on their hull.
Galleon: Its the tank under the airships. 4 medium guns on the lower deck (two to each side) and 2 small guns (one to left and on to back) on the upper deck. It got most health and armor of all ships. It good a weak side at the front and its not very fast. U most likely want one engineer on upper deck with the pilot and one engineer (buffer) on the lower deck. The engi on the lower deck is the jumper who switches up if things go worst.
Goldfish: Its a light armored ship with one medium gun at the front and 2 small guns on the sides. It got a weak back. The gunner will most times stay in the medium front gun and shoot the enemy. The side ones are most times just for a quick pass of the enemy and get the hell outta him while passing. Its quite fast.
Spire: The Spire is like a tower. Its quite slow but really fast at turning. It got 2 small guns on upper deck (one facing front and one facing right) and one medium (facing front) and one small gun (facing left) on the middeck (third deck to be correct). It got a weak spot behind. Its medium to low armored.
And just cause its hard to see it got a ladder from topdeck to lowest deck.
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Pyramidion: Its medium to good armored but slow (faster than galleon). It got 2 small guns (facing front) on the upper deck (reached by ladder) and 2 small guns (facing left) on lower deck. It got a big weak spot at right side and behind.
Junker: Its bid of a better gunned and armored (not sure) version of the goldfish but a bid slower. It got one small gun (facing front) and 4 small guns facing left and right (each side on lower and lower deck).
It got a weak spot behind.
Squid: Its way the fastest but also the weakest armored ship. It got 3 small guns (facing front, left and behind). It got no guns on its right but u just need to shoot it to get it run away. The squid is only made for quick attacks. U want to come from outta vision and their weak spots pass them and run away. I would only recommend it for experienced captains.
There is also a function to spot enemys. U use it with the spyglass (left click for spot, right click for zoom, mouse wheel for zoom in/out). U can just spot enemy ships. Spotting a ship means u get a marker around it which counts for ur whole time as long as any ship of ur team sees it. They are also on map with this.
Some hotkeys u may want to know:
X is for voip. In lobby its for the full lobby but ingame just for ur crew.
C is for captains talk. Only captains can talk while a match through it to coordinate their ships.
J is the regional chat. Outside game its for everyone (also outside gamelobby) and ingame its for both teams.
K is for ur team in the lobby and in the game.
L is just for ur crew in the lobby and in the game.
M is for the map ingame.
One thing for maps.
There are Deathmatchs where u just want to kill the enemy. This u see at the top. If there are colored flags with numbers its a deathmatch.
The other mode is capture points. The cature points are marked on the map and who they belong to.
If ur in a capture point map u see it by coloured circles at the top of the screen its a cp map.
Airship Combat
Guns of Icarus is all about flying airships and getting into epic battles in the sky. The game also features some of the best teamwork mechanics seen in modern multiplayer games. Each airship crew consists of four players who play as Pilot, Engineers and Gunners. Communicate with your team so that the guns are pointed at the right targets, ship stays out of danger, and mission objectives can be completed.
Crew members will be able to use their unique skills and specializations to ensure that the missions can be completed. Players can use text and voice chat as well as a unique voice command radio system. Even if real players can't hop aboard your airship in the wee hours of the morning, AI crew will gladly fill their spots and can be controlled by the voice command system.
Grab your friends and set forth on an amazing journey!
Co-Op PvE and PvP
The game features both Co-Op PvE and PvP play. Both modes offer the same base airship and character customization options like choosing which dirigible to pilot, what guns to equip, and what tools to carry. A matchmaker is present to help you fill your crew, team airships, and even opponents. You can even join matchmaking as a group of friends. Otherwise, you can always create a custom match of your own.
PvE Features
- Fantastic AI director that will keep enemies spawning to give you a tough fight, or hold back when you're just about to die for the perfect difficulty.
- Fly with up to 1 to 16 players in a single match, or 1 ship to 4 ships on a single team!
- Many PVE specific game modes with unique objectives like Defense, Intercept, Search & Destroy, Infiltration, and Assault.
- Unique progression items unlocked by progressing through the factions. Be rewarded with fancy costumes, hats, guns, and airships with your loyalty!
- Take a greater part in the world meta game and push your faction to victory in the seasonal wars.
- Your actions will be remembered! After each war, the highlights of individual player efforts, group strategic decisions, and roleplay will be recorded into a unique story for the Guns of Icarus history books.
PvP Features
- Matchmaking system to help you find the most suitable opponent.
- Game modes that accentuate the competitive nature of PVP like Deathmatch, King of the Hill, VIP, and Crazy King.
- Join matches where sizes range from 2 ship vs. 2 ship (2-8 players vs. 2-8 players) to 4 ship vs. 4 ship mayhem (4-16 players vs. 4-16 players).
- Still contribute to the greater world meta game by earning coins to buy reinforcements to send into territories!
Wars
Guns of Icarus features a territory conquering meta game. Join a faction and start vying for resources scattered across the world. Use the world map to coordinate with your faction leaders to decide which locations are of utmost importance to completing your resource goals.
Use a variety of strategies and tactics to ensure that your faction is victorious at each location, and in the world at large. When you reach your faction's resource goals, a war is triggered and factions will be divided into alliances. As an alliance, you can strategically vote for a war goal that fits your faction's story and motivation.
By completing missions and competing over territories, all wars will eventually come to a close. However, not all is forgotten. We constantly have an eye on the game and will collect data to recognize milestones and individual player efforts in the wars to craft a unique story. Each war will be different and their histories forever remembered.
Alliance Meta Game Features
- Join a faction and fight for your chance to shape the world as you see fit.
- Conquer territories on a vast world map for precious resources.
- Trigger seasonal wars by completing resources objectives and missions.
- Be a part of an assigned alliance and engage in all out warfare across the map.
- As an alliance, strategically vote for your war goals.
- Data points will be collected to recognize individual player efforts and craft a unique story at the end of the war season.
Classes
The Pilot steers the airship and normally serves as the captain of the vessel and is responsible for outfitting the right ship with the most suitable weaponry for the task at hand. Will the mission require in-your-face firefights? Or will it require slipping behind enemy? Whatever needs to be done, the Pilot has control of what ship and what guns are brought as well as where the ship is during the fight.
If something is amiss, then crew members better let their pilots know! Maybe after a failure, it's wise to try out new loadouts. Or maybe try out a new pilot instead!
When the ship is falling out of the sky (and it will be often), it's up to the trusty Engineer to patch up any holes. The Engineer specializes in rebuilding and repairing the various components aboard the airship. From guns, engines, and balloons, a lot of things will be taking damage during your time in the air. Bring the right repair tools for each situation like a trusty extinguisher to deal with fires or special wrenches that increase weapon firepower.
Without engineers, the ship is going to have a hard time keeping afloat because everything will be on fire. Make sure to give your engineers a whole lot of love!
Ah, how could you forget a Gunner? Even though the pilot and engineer can also jump on guns, or vice versa, no one can handle a gun better than those who have the right ammunition for a trick shot. Gunners carry specialty ammo that can be loaded into the ship's armaments to increase their power. Maybe there will be times where a little extra kick is needed to snipe a target in the distance. Maybe the next rounds need to explode with a little more oomph. Leave it to a gunner to figure out all the difference between this explosion and that explosion.
Me? I can't tell you you the difference. It all looks deadly to me.Airships
Pilots can choose what ships to fly on and there are many to select. Each one has a different deck layout, gun position and sizing, maneuvering, as well as locations of critical components like the Hull and Balloon repair points. Find a ship that speaks to you and fits your play style. Discover the fastest path to the hull as an engineer speeding across the deck to make an emergency repair, coordinate your broadside firepower as a ammo-loading gunner, and learn best how to weave in and out of enemy fire as a pilot with a masterful tactical plan. Weapons
Guns come in a variety of slot sizes as well as carry numerous Damage Types. Pick from balloon engulfing flamethrowers, long range flak artillery, to more experimental munitions like acidic gas clouds to arcing bolts of electricity. Learn what combination of guns work on each ship to carry out a variety of strategies from disabling enemy engines, taking out balloons, or going in straight for the kill.Damage Types
- Piercing—Highly effective against armor and mechanical components like engines and guns.
- Explosive—Once the hull armor is down, it will rip the hull to shreds but little else.
- Shatter—Extremely effective against mechanical components, but ineffective against everything else.
- Flechette—For those who like popping balloons.
- Fire—Wreaks havoc on balloons and the hull. Less effective against armor.
- Impact—What happens when your pilot misbehaves and crashes. Deals a handful of damage to balloons and hull.