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Thread: JTAC - or How to nuke somebody with a laser pointer

  1. #1
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    Post JTAC - or How to nuke somebody with a laser pointer

    So you're interested in calling in airstrikes on unsuspecting xenos?

    First of all we need to get used to what you'll likely be using, the JTAC kit from Cargo.
    You get:
    • One pair of tacticular binuculars.
    • One JTAC Encryption Key (.j to use).
    • 2 packs of signal flares for a total of 10 signal flares.


    The Encryption Key is the most important and the one you'll be using it the most. This Key is vital for getting effective airstrikes, or in fact getting airstrikes at all. The Key lets you know whether CAS is available, lets you tell the pilot to get flying because you'll need CAS soon, and lets you offset your airstrikes.

    One of the first things you'll want to do after getting the pack is to just pop in with a friendly ".j Hey, I'll be working JTAC today." or something else just to let them know you exist.
    After that you'll probably want to find out what kind of weaponry they're packing, but it generally doesn't matter as it's rare for them to conserve ammo.
    Here comes the hard parts:
    1. Don't say anything on the channel unless it's actually relevant.
    2. Keep an ear out for people calling in CAS and pilots declaring their Status.
    3. Be polite when calling. "CAS now you sunovabitch" is less likely to work than "We need CAS ASAP".
    4. Be clear about what you need, You can call inn CAS, OB, and Mortars; it might not be clear what you want.
    5. If you're calling in CAS let the pilot know when you will be firing your laser/tossing the flare.
    6. Don't toss Flares or Lase areas that you don't want destroyed!
    7. If you're calling in mortars be willing to correct their aim.


    All right, now that we've got the important bits out of the way we can learn how to use the other equipment:

    Tacticular Binoculars have two modes, CAS Mode (Red laser) and Rangefinder Mode (Green Laser). You'll be using CAS to call in CAS (naturally) and Rangefinder mode to call in OBs, Mortars, and Supplies from Cargo. To use the binoculars just use them (click on them like a baldie or just press Z) and then CTRL+Click on the spot you want to lase, that's it. If you're calling in CAS you have to keep that laser on target until CAS is complete, or you won't get any. If you're using the Rangefinding mode then you're done as soon as you get the Green laser, the coordinates will have shown up in your chat, relay them to the relevant group and be very clear about what you want to be launched there. People have launched OBs at their cargo spot and cargo at the OB spot before.

    Signal Flares are dead simple, activate them and toss them. Don't toss them at friendlies. Let the pilot know to fire at the flare. One neat trick you can use if you're planning to use Signal Flares is to get a Flare pouch, empty it out and refill it with Signal Flares, that way you have flares quickly available. Signal flares can be named with a labeler, ideally you do this while on the ship. Good names are for example: "your name 1" "your name 2" etc.

    If you can get a Motion Detector do so, it works through your Binoculars so you can detect at long ranges.

    That's it really, sure it's useful to read up on the pilot and mortar guides so that you know how it works from their end, but this is enough for the basics. Also you should communicate with your squad and let your SL and SO know that you can call in CAS. The SL can also call in CAS, but he's often busy with leading the squad.
    Last edited by juliansl; 04-06-2019 at 12:15 AM. Reason: Learned a useful trick.

  2. #2
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    Some more important tips. If the enemy is NORTH or SOUTH of your position, try lazing EAST or WEST of enemies location, so they cant see laze and still gets bombed by offsets. Also, if PO fucks up marines wont get CASed. If the enemy is EAST or WEST use NORTH or SOUTH offsets for CAS.

    Mortar is so underused, it can bag in some kills due to xeno ignoring it initially or in worst scenario slow xeno pushes. Get coords of 2-3 spots each around 5-6 tiles away of an area you want to mortar and note them in IC tab Add Notes for future reference. Send first two shells on exact spot. Chain HE and INCI or FRAG and INCI shells. You will notice which way xenos retreat then on 2nd bombardment mortar where they retreat. Since you didnt laze again they wont expect mortar at different point. Also use flare rounds in between shots just to scare boilers away.

    As for OB, try to get command to announce OB before launching. Always inform the command of where the coords belong to for which you are requesting OB so they can announce and marines know to push it afterwards. You can chain CAS with OB by CASing their retreat to cover larger area with bombardment.

  3. #3
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    Few more advices:
    1) do not talk on JTAC unless you are calling PO team. JTAC channel is for POs mostly
    2) be clear on what type of CAS you want
    3) drop flares in FOB only after you've seen that PO's are actually running firemissions
    4) experiment if you see that PO is good

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