Cadet I/Missiles
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Missiles
As you will see in the missiles page on the Academy missiles are classified by their range levels. Short-range missiles can be fired from approximately 150 to 1400 meters from their target. On the other hand, extreme-range missiles can fire at distances close to 6 kilometers. The abbreviated terms of SRM, MRM, LRM, and XRM give a quick indicator of the range of the missile.
Usually, missiles that inflict the highest damage are short-ranged due to the heavy charge inside. However there are many exceptions, like the XRM Hunter Killer (HK) that has the greatest range, greatest tracknig, and can kill a small-class ship with a single shot.
Supplies
As with ammo missiles must be reloaded when your current rack is depleted. Since you usually only have 1 to 5 missiles per slot you will be reloading missiles pretty often, so unlike ammo or fuel reloads it's not a very special event to which you must pay particular attention. The only critical missile reload is when you're bombing because time is your most important asset as every available enemy ships will have you as a prime target. Furthermore reloading anti-base missiles takes longer than other kinds of missiles. Therefore be sure to have your missile slot full before the assault so that you don't have to reload in the middle of combat.
Note Regular bombers carry 4 abs per rack, heavy bbrs 5, stealth bbrs 2, and fig bbrs 1.
Firing straight
The amount of tracking that a missile has varies from type to type. Some like the Seeker, Hunter and Hunter Killer don't require you to fire in a straight line because they are pretty agile (in fact the Hunter Killer can basically turn around and hit a ship behind you). Just remember that if a missile has to turn to reach it's target it may run out of fuel before it reaches it, even if your HUD says you're in range and locked on.
Other missiles can barely turn, such as the Dumbfire, Anti-Base, Killer, and Tactical Nuke. With these you must ensure that your ship is not only pointing in the right direction, but flying in the direction too (since missiles launch initially travelling in the same direction you are). If your target is headed in a perpendicular trajectory to yours these missiles will surely miss because it will have a hard time turning. Always wait for the missile lock if possible. A locked missile has twice the chance of hitting than one shot without a missile lock.
Missing your target with a missile can be costly to you in a dogfight, but can be devastating to your team when bombing - even unforgivable. Many important targets have survived because of the incompetence of pilots who missed 1 or 2 anti-base missiles and died while reloading.
Tip: Don't fire after being rammed as your missile is likely to be thrown off course.
Rockets
Many factions use missiles that don't aim at all and they are called either "Rockets", "Torpedoes" or "Projectiles". For example the Rixian and Technoflux eXtreme Range Projectiles (XRP) ot the Ga'Taraan Federation Medium Range Torpedoes (MRT). You must aim these missiles like you would a gun, by leading your shots and firing where your target will be.
Some of these rockets don't even have any acceleration of their own and you must first speed up your ship before "throwing" them at the target! With these types of missile it is VERY important that you get your g-indicator to point at the target before firing otherwise they'll go sailing straight past!
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