Air and ground vehicles play a significant role in both Walker Assault and Supremacy, while Fighter Squadron is all about the starfighters, making it well worth your time to learn how to operate them all. The four training missions that introduce you to the X-wing, Speeder Bike, AT-ST, and T-47 Airspeeder are a great place to get started.
Most vehicles are restricted to one faction or the other with the exception of the Imperial Speeder Bike, which Rebels can operate as well. Turrets are not exclusive to either side and can be used by anyone, except when you are playing as a hero.
A vehicle’s primary laser cannons overheat with extended use, as a curved bar beneath the reticle indicates. The meter turns red as you continue holding the trigger. Firing in bursts keeps them from overheating, but if they do reach that point, the weapon becomes unusable until it has cooled off. This loses valuable time, which can result in you missing out on a kill in a dogfight. Vehicle abilities also require a cool down, just like a hero’s ability or a soldier’s Star Cards.
In Supremacy and Walker Assault, you can abandon a vehicle at any time by holding down the Use button. Control then returns to your infantry character. Take notice of when you are needed back on the ground and should return to your original soldier. Control is lost while abandoning your vehicle, so be sure that you are not headed to your death before you can exit.
Vehicles can tip a battle in your faction’s favor, but know your place. If your current objective requires you to remain as a soldier, then forgo the opportunity and continue the ground fight. Be aware of what is happening around you, in the air, and below you.
Vehicle Power-ups
In Supremacy and Walker Assault, vehicle power-ups are scattered all around the battlefield. They appear on your heads-up display once they are within range. Pick one up and activate it to get the opportunity to take control of that vehicle. Try finding a safe place to do so, as your soldier is vulnerable during this time away.
Each time you collect a vehicle power-up, you must decide whether to keep your boots on the ground or take to the skies. Assess the current situation, and make the decision based on your faction’s current needs. Are there enemy starfighters that need to be taken care of? Does the current objective require more help on the ground? You only have 15 seconds to use a vehicle before the power-up is lost.
Vehicle Repair, Ability Refresh, and Hero Vehicle Pick-ups
Fighter Squadron employs three different pick-ups. Ability refresh instantly cools the ship’s abilities, making them available for immediate use. Fly through the hero vehicle pick-up to switch to the Millennium Falcon or Slave 1, depending on which faction you fight for. Vehicle repair pick-ups recover health when your aircraft has been damaged and are also available in the Beggar’s Canyon training mission.
