Battle Strategies and Tips

Sure, between the dozens of heavily-armed characters swarming sci-fi settings like frozen planet Mygeeto and multicolored fungal realm Felucia with blasters blazing, Star Wars Battlefront™ II is chaotic. Just because you and your opponents can hop into and out of snail tanks, spider walkers, Y-Wings and Republic Starfighters on the fly doesn't mean there's no method to the madness.

Pitched as battles become, you'll always have an edge over opponents if you keep your wits about you and exploit all the cool features the designers have built in. Behold a few handy suggestions that will routinely help save your skin…

SOS
Whenever possible, sprint or strafe. As in real life, it's harder to hit a moving versus stationary target. Running at top speed for cover or a nearby vehicle instead of chugging along at a slower pace can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

On the one hand, the faster you put a crate or wall between yourself and a shotgun or sniper rifle, the better. On the other, in a race for command posts (control of which constantly fluctuates), the sooner you're sitting at the helm of a huge piece of machinery, the sooner you'll literally tower over adversaries.

Strafing is important too; circle an enemy while keeping your targeting reticle trained on them and annihilate victims faster while minimizing the chances of being hit with return fire. Jumping and rolling are crucial as well; you can't shoot when performing these actions, but you can use them to escape a live thermal detonator.

The view's much better from a vehicle.

Hard Target
A rule of thumb: Always take out turrets first. Gun emplacements are capable of dishing out a lot more punishment than foot soldiers, and at a faster rate. Duck behind cover to avoid their volleys, strike back while they're cooling off or reloading, then fall back again. Guerrilla tactics are the best option here.

Change is Good
Remember: you've got the choice of changing character classes at friendly command posts on the fly. That clone commander? It may prove useful when stacked against super battle droids, but once confronted with a sharpshooter hiding up in a remote corner of the map, a jet trooper—capable of flying for limited periods—is a much better choice.

Likewise, let's say your engineer's just finished repairing health and ammo droids at a crucial checkpoint when an AT-TE comes tromping around the corner. Grab a heavy trooper, whose rocket launcher actually stands a chance of penetrating its armor … you'll be thankful you did. Don't be shy about switching alter-egos either; confrontations are constantly evolving, and your combat strategies should be too.

Spawning Ground
Relax … once slain, you can respawn at any one of your team's command posts, at least until reinforcements run out. However, who wants to cross a gigantic battlefield time and again just to get back to where the action's happening? That's why it's important you maintain control over the most well-positioned and tactically sound command posts.

Don't be afraid to sacrifice a position in a remote corner of a map if it means you gain possession of a narrow pass where you can quickly cut down enemies who blunder through. Or, for that matter, acquire a remote HQ that lets you leap right back into the fray when most needed instead of wasting time covering lost ground while your comrades-in-arms are cut down.

Behind the scenes at the TIE Fighter plant.

Choices, Choices
Choose wisely when picking your preferred spacecraft. Light vessels like TIE Fighters and A-Wings are best employed against fast-moving, lightly armored opponents. Heavy cruisers like the LAAT Gunship move at unimpressive speeds, but provide extra shielding, making them perfect for traversing areas crisscrossed by laser fire, cannon blasts and incoming missiles.

As for a solid, all-around performer, I recommend any bomber. Primary weapon strength and hull integrity are merely passable, but man … when you're looking to quickly demolish a Star Destroyer's defenses, nothing packs more punch than their explosive payload.

Turn and Burn
When attacking large, seemingly impregnable targets such as a banking ship or frigate, set a course for their rear, where shields and defenses are typically weakest. Remember—no matter what area of the vessel you're assaulting, even if you have to go head-on, circle around and approach objectives from an unlikely angle, firing short, controlled bursts at your targets.

It takes longer to eliminate them, but you'll attract less attention from artillery emplacements and escorts, while also minimizing opportunities for being shot at. Added bonus: The less time you come under fire, the more chances you'll give your shields to regenerate.

Listen Up
Wingmen and allies shout out warnings, letting you know when there's an enemy or homing missile on your tail. Pay attention to these alerts, and respond accordingly. In a pinch, try evading pursuers by barnstorming capital ships, pulling up at the last second, or diving behind their protruding parts just before impact. Alternately, if no potential diversions/obstacles are nearby, execute a loop-de-loop or a barrel roll.

Time it right, and you might even turn the tables on foes, unexpectedly zooming behind them and letting loose with your laser cannons.

Hey, Bob … who chose this position?

Shopping Spree
Use points earned killing baddies or capturing enemy command posts to purchase additional character classes and bonuses between battles in the Galactic Conquest mode. Heavier soldier classes (Wookies, Clone Commanders, etc.) are the best buys in terms of bang for the buck. As for bonuses—one of which you can apply in every battle, and is capable of affecting an entire army's performance—don't be shy about splurging … their influence on conflicts' outcomes is enormous.

I personally endorse the garrison upgrade, which gives you extra insurance in terms of added reinforcements, and sabotage, which does unavoidable damage to enemy vehicles the second they spawn in. Enhanced blasters are also helpful, letting units do more damage, as are bacta tanks, which grant your troops health regeneration abilities.

Lead by Example
Yes, the Leader bonus, which allows you to call a hero character (e.g. Jedi or Sith) onto the battlefield, is pricey. Know that it's worth every penny. Summon Ki-Adi-Mundi or Darth Vader into existence, then take control of them, jumping around obstacles and using their Force powers—push, pull, choke, lightning—and lightsaber-throwing skills liberally to demolish hostile forces.

They cut a swath through enemy ranks … so much so, that these units have the ability to single-handedly turn the tide of any engagement. Plus, they look hella cool doing it too, especially when they take down vehicles by their lonesome.

Never disrespect my helmet!

Choke on It
The use of choke points has been around in the annals of military history for ages … and for good reason. Use tight spaces such as hallways and corners to pin down enemies and eliminate them by the hundreds beneath a hail of withering gunfire. The fewer adversaries who can comfortably maneuver through any given space at once, the better the strategic position it makes.

Another trick you can try? Plant mines in an entryway, then activate them remotely when an enemy approaches by shooting from a distance. The same principles apply when looking at the starmap; position fleets atop key holdings and in the way of encroaching adversaries. Do so wisely, and you'll be able to box rivals in with powerful forces, and afterwards pick them off at your leisure.

Still not satisfied? Consider creeping in and torching small groups of enemies at once with the Bothan Spy's incinerator. Or disabling vehicles faster by looking for critical hit locations. By the same token, know that one also does more damage with rockets by firing from a distance, so they build up speed and momentum.

Enough inside info for now though, padawan. You've got a galactic empire to build … or dismantle.

By Chris Zimmerman