How to have great CAS

[Roland410]

As the title suggests, this will be a guide on how to have great CAS (Close Air Support), while short, this should help both POs and SLs/spec who wish to call down CAS.

First of all, the most important thing you have to know is that POs DON'T have comms after they launch on a CAS. Screaming about CAS on comms after the DS left is useless since the pilot will not receive it anyways.
As most of you know you call down CAS from a tactical binocular given to SLs and scout specs. This allows you to lase a tile where CAS will be dropped, but you have to stand still for it to work and you can only lase it for 60 seconds at a time.
To be honest, I'm not sure what the actual time the PO has before the ship lands, but it's around one minute or so.

Now that we got the basics out of the way, gonna jump right to the point.

Communication:
This is the part where most CAS fail. You have to ask the PO doing CAS to launch and preferably tell them how much firepower you need since ammunition at the moment of writing is limited.
After the PO gives his OK and tells you you can lase, you may lase the target.

Loadout:
A good CAS PO mostly has different types of weapons equipped on the ship, rocket pods, cannons, minirockets, and they are refilled after spent when they dock back.
In it's current state, they laser beam gun is a waste of points, and only acts as a dropship flamethrower, I do not recommend it's use unless you want to get told off by everyone.

Conclusion:
Communication is the most important thing to have if you want great CAS, but the loadout of the DS matters a bunch too.


Notes:
Please feel free to comment on what should I add. This guide is not the best, but it is summarized to the most, while trying to stay informative.
Do send this to POs and SLs/specs who don't understand why they never have proper CAS.

[Jeser]

I put it simple: Yell for CAS, after I say: "Launched" count 10-15 seconds, ONLY THEN lase. This is best method so far I've come with.

[taketheshot56]

Please please please!! Always inform the PO how the CAS went when he asks. Its a good morale boost to know you murdered xenos and motivates you. Also helps you prepare for the next strike!

[SagaSword]

Figured it out already, the HARD way.
Mainly I use CAS to flush the toilets away from defensive points or help a tactical push.

[lcass123]

This guide is completly wrong, never inform the pilot and instead just use the laser to scare away xenos. Maybe once in a while send a missile to show them you mean business.

[Steelpoint]

Main issue with CAS is even with high level coordination it can still take a good ten or so seconds for any bombardment to arrive.

[Roland410]

This guide is completly wrong, never inform the pilot and instead just use the laser to scare away xenos. Maybe once in a while send a missile to show them you mean business.

Totally accurate, should rewrite the guide.

[Jeser]

Steelpoint, still, sometimes CAS is being executes perfectly. Preveious week someone killed 4 xenos including Queen with CAS.

[taketheshot56]

Steelpoint, still, sometimes CAS is being executes perfectly. Preveious week someone killed 4 xenos including Queen with CAS.

When it works, it works like a charm.

[lcass123]

which is rarely, the laser should either only show up on a missile lock OR should be smaller than it current is. This thing is like a neckbeard on tinder when it comes to xenos.

[Imperator_Titan]

Here's another tip for CAS:

Don't get the bloody laser cannon. It's the biggest waste of 1500 points you could ever possibly get.

I was beyond disappointment the first time I used it. It's literally a diagonal flamethrower with extra range.

[Roland410]

Here's another tip for CAS:

Don't get the bloody laser cannon. It's the biggest waste of 1500 points you could ever possibly get.

I was beyond disappointment the first time I used it. It's literally a diagonal flamethrower with extra range.

I totally agree dude, I was expecting huge laser storms like pew pew pew, then it turns out to be a shitty flamethrower? Add it to my list of never use again tools.

[Steelpoint]

CAS lasers beacons should give the PO a sort of AI view of the target area and HUD options on what weapons to fire. Would make it more accurate and far more engaging for the pilot instead of just hitting a button and hoping it does something.

Also yeah the Laser Beam Cannon is hot garbage, I assume its a Work in Progress.

[Roland410]

CAS lasers beacons should give the PO a sort of AI view of the target area and HUD options on what weapons to fire. Would make it more accurate and far more engaging for the pilot instead of just hitting a button and hoping it does something.

Also yeah the Laser Beam Cannon is hot garbage, I assume its a Work in Progress.

The laser detector gives you sight of the lased area, so unless I've mistook what you wrote, it's implemented.

[Steelpoint]

Its more complex. Essentially when you lase a target area a PO can hop into their chair and they get put into a AI like view (from /tg/ ss13) that lets them move a reticule around a small area around the lase, they can then fire onto targets they can see directly.

The laser detector could increase the visable area.

[Roland410]

Sounds like a fukken nice idea, sadly suggestions are locked ;_;

[CrimsonAerospace]

Its more complex. Essentially when you lase a target area a PO can hop into their chair and they get put into a AI like view (from /tg/ ss13) that lets them move a reticule around a small area around the lase, they can then fire onto targets they can see directly.

The laser detector could increase the visable area.

This sounds like a superb idea and you should absolutely suggest it as soon as Suggestions are open again.

[xywenx00]

Using the laser to scare xeno scum is a good tactic.