Before joining a match, or while waiting for one to start, take some time to customize your Pilot’s loadout.
Unlike Grunts or Spectres, which deploy with standard-issue weapons and gear, Pilots are capable of equipping a wide range of custom weapons, abilities, and kits to enhance their performance in combat. As an elite unit, it’s up to you to find the right mix of equipment that complements your style of play. Each Pilot has seven customizable slots. Here’s a brief rundown of each slot.
- Primary Weapon: This is your default weapon when deploying. There are a total of ten to choose from, each with unique characteristics and specializations. Primary weapons can be equipped with optional attachments and mods, altering their performance.
- Anti-Titan Weapon: These specialized weapons are designed to damage enemy Titans. Hit-and-run tactics are recommended—don’t get in a duel with a Titan.
- Sidearm: Pistols serve primarily as a backup to your primary weapon—when your primary runs out of ammo in a firefight, switch to your sidearm and finish strong.
- Tactical Ability: There are a total of three active abilities giving Pilots the ability to blend into the environment, boost movement/health regeneration, or detect enemies hidden behind cover.
- Ordnance: Choose from grenades, mines, or remotely detonated charges, dishing out heavy damage against Pilots, minions, and Titans.
- Kits: There are two kit slots, Tier 1 and Tier 2, each with five options. These passive kits enhance Pilots in various ways. Select kits that complement your other loadout selections.
Preset Pilot Loadouts
The preset Rifleman, Assassin, and CQB loadouts offer a mere glimpse of the customization options available to experienced Pilots.
As a rookie Pilot, there are three preset loadouts available to you: Rifleman, Assassin, and CQB. Later on, as you level up, you can access the Custom Pilot loadouts, allowing you to select your own weapons, abilities, and kits. But until then you must make the most of these three preset loadouts. These loadouts should serve as an example of what kind of customization is available—study these loadouts and experiment with their strengths and weaknesses while defining your own style of gameplay.
Rifleman
Primary WeaponR-101C Carbine Full-Auto Assault Weapon
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Attachment: HCOG
Mod: Factory Issue
- Loadout Unlock: Level 1
The Rifleman loadout is well-rounded, making it a good go-to loadout for new Pilots. The full-auto R-101C Carbine is the most versatile of the primary weapons, capable of engaging targets at any range while the Hammond P2011 serves as a dependable backup. But be cautious when engaging Titans. Although the Archer Heavy Rocket inflicts impressive damage against enemy Titans, it takes a while for the weapon to attain a lock, putting you at risk during the lengthy lock-on process. Use the Cloak Tactical Ability to sneak up behind Titans, then hit them from behind with the Archer Heavy Rocket. The Explosives Pack Tier 1 Kit gives the Rifleman a total of three Frag Grenades, ideal for taking out groups of enemy Grunts, Spectres, and the occasional unsuspecting Pilot. The Dome-Shield Battery Tier 2 Kit increases the amount of time your Titan’s Dome-Shield is active, giving you more time to reach your Titan before it’s vulnerable to attack.
Assassin
Primary WeaponSmart Pistol MK5 LOCKS ONTO NEARBY TARGETS
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Attachment: Iron Sights
Mod: Suppressor
- Loadout Unlock: Level 1
Compared to the Rifleman loadout, the Assassin rewards a stealthier style of gameplay. Equipped with a Suppressor, the Smart Pistol MK5 can silently dispatch minions and Pilots alike without revealing your position on the minimap. But due to the Smart Pistol MK5’s limited effective range, it’s crucial to rely on mobility and the Cloak Tactical Ability to get the jump on opponents—the Power Cell Tier 1 Kit allows you to activate Cloak with greater frequency, making you difficult to spot, particularly by Titans. This loadout also benefits from the Minion Detector Tier 2 Kit, which reveals the locations of all Grunts and Spectres on the minimap at all times—use this information to hunt down these enemies, reducing your Titan’s build time. While the Sidewinder Anti-Titan weapon is capable of rapid fire, each hit does minimal damage. So instead of taking on a healthy enemy Titan, look for damaged Titans, preferably with disabled shields, and then unleash a volley of Sidewinder fire to take them down.
CQB
Primary WeaponEVA-8 Shotgun SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN
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Attachment: Iron Sights
Mod: Factory Issue
- Loadout Unlock: Level 2
CQB stands for Close-Quarter Battle, and such tactics should be the focus of your gameplay while using this specialized loadout. While the EVA-8 Shotgun is capable of one-shot kills against minions and Pilots alike, it only does so at extremely close range. This puts you at a significant disadvantage when facing off against Pilots equipped with longer-range weapons—the Hammond P2011 sidearm is actually more effective when engaging targets beyond 10 meters. Therefore stick to interiors, alleys, and other cramped spaces where you can make the most of the shotgun’s high-damage output. The Enhanced Parkour Tier 1 Kit gives you the ability to extend wall runs and wall hangs, allowing you to close distance faster, rushing enemy Pilots with the EVA-8. When facing off against enemy Titans, rely on the Cloak ability to remain undetected and then perform a rodeo attack or engage at close range with the Sidewinder. In a pinch, the Sidewinder can also be deployed against Pilots and minions, when your shotgun doesn’t have the requisite range.