How to Evade Missiles and Use Countermeasures
When you’re piloting a starfighter into the fray, you will soon be familiar with that unmistakable indication from your dashboard when an enemy missile locks on. No doubt, knowing how to evade these incoming threats will be key as you build your legacy as an ace pilot.
How to Prevent Lock-ons
Before an enemy can fire a missile at you, they need to complete a lock. To prevent them from completing the lock, you can make erratic movements to throw off their tracking, or use the environment such as placing asteroids or space stations between you and them. Generally, if the enemy cannot see you, they cannot get a lock on you. Also, there are components that you can apply to your starfighter that will prolong enemy lock ons, like the Scrambler Shield and Dampener Hull.
How to Evade Missiles
Once a missile has been fired at you, it is possible to avoid it by taking evasive action. Make quick sharp turns in different directions to maximize the chances that the missile will miss. Set your throttle to half speed for better maneuverability and to further increase the odds in your favor. Also, if you have charge in your boost meter, you can outrun certain missiles. If you have mastered the art of drifting, you can boost past an obstacle, drift and turn, and boost again to duck behind cover.
How to Use Countermeasures
If you’re in a position where taking evasive maneuvers isn’t feasible – like in a narrow tunnel or during an attack run – you can use your countermeasure. There are four types of countermeasures that all perform the same root function: preventing the missile from hitting you. Get familiar with the effective range of the countermeasure you’re using, and then activate it when the missile is within that range to save yourself.
