Banished air UNITS

Mysterious living machines created by the Forerunners to function as techno-savants, Engineers possess peerless knowledge of all types of technology and seemingly inexhaustible wells of ingenuity in modifying and repairing machinery. 

BASIC TACTICS

 Since Engineers have no weapons, they’re unable to engage enemy units. Keeping Engineers in pairs is a great way to increase their survivability. If you find the enemies focusing on your Engineers, use cliffs and other obstructions to escape.    Build Engineers early to support your army. They can be built at Tech Level 1 and require no additional research.    An Engineer can create an Overshield bubble to grant a defensive bonus to itself and all other units within the area of effect (whether they’re in the air or on the ground). Overshields don’t stack—if you have multiple Engineers, activate their Overshields one at a time.    The Overshield ability is available without any additional research in the Apex, so don’t forget to use it!  

The earliest models of Banshees were fashioned after the ’sKelln, a leathery winged flying predator from the Sangheili homeworld, Sanghelios. The Banished have twisted this ancient ancestry so it looks similar to an aerial predator hailing from their own homeworld, Doisac.

  BASIC TACTICS 

The fuel-rod cannon is the Banshee’s primary anti-vehicle weapon, but the equipped plasma cannon means the Banshee is effective against all target types.    Researching the Plasma Torpedo upgrade makes the Banshee an excellent anti-air unit. This upgrade has no effect on the Banshee’s anti-vehicle capabilities, and therefore an upgraded Banshee is one of the most versatile units available to the Banished.    Since the Banshee can be built at Tech Level 2 and only requires Supply for creation, an early focus on Supply generation should allow you to amass a sizable fleet of Banshees soon after you upgrade your base.    Thanks to its speed, the Banshee can easily run from fights with infantry or anti-air units. If you find your Banshees outnumbered and overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to beat a hasty retreat.    While a single Banshee is weak against buildings, a group of five to 10 Banshees can make short work of a base’s supplemental structures. Use hit-and-run tactics on an opponent’s base to disrupt the creation of resources and units.  

The Shroud is difficult to pilot, with complicated subsystems made even less reliable by Banished tinkering, but its utility in concealing and defending raiding parties means Atriox spares no expense in maintaining his stock of these vehicles. 

BASIC TACTICS 

The Shroud is an air-based support unit that has two different functions. Like other designated support units, the Shroud lacks offensive capabilities.    The first function, a point defense system, is always engaged. This allows the Shroud to protect a group of units from larger projectiles, but it’s ineffective against small-arms fire. Use the point defense system to protect your units from emplaced siege weapons outside your line of sight.    The Shroud’s second function is the Cloaking Field ability. Activating the cloaking field masks all units within the Shroud’s sphere of influence—it also prevents the Shroud from moving for the duration of the ability. The cloaking field is a great way to protect retreating units, but you can also use it to stage ambushes on enemy bases or standing armies. The Cloaking Field ability has a lengthy cooldown, so use it wisely. If you can spare the resources, consider producing an extra Shroud or two; the additional support can make a big difference during prolonged firefights.  

On the ground the Blisterback enters a lockdown mode, stabilizing itself before its carapace splits open to reveal a battery of long-range rockets. It can then exit lockdown mode to become airborne, closing the rocket carapace and tucking its legs underneath its body to perform a vertical takeoff, which enables the use of its medium-range plasma cannons to bombard the enemy. 

BASIC TACTICS

 The Blisterback becomes available when you reach Tech Level 3, at which point it can be produced in the Apex. While airborne, the Blisterback uses medium plasma cannons to attack all unit types, but its ground-based artillery mode is what makes this unit a true force on the battlefield. Try to deploy your Blisterback before you engage enemy forces.    Once deployed, the Blisterback can deal heavy area-of-effect damage to ground units and enemy structures. However, it can’t target air units while in this form. Be prepared to defend your deployed Blisterbacks from hostile aircraft.    Deploy the Blisterback on high ground. This extends its line of sight and makes it more difficult for targeted ground units to counterattack. The Blisterback is most vulnerable while it’s transitioning between air mode and ground mode—the more time it has to retreat from incoming units, the better its chances of survival.    The Blisterback’s attack range exceeds its line of sight. Assign fast-moving units to act as spotters for your artillery. If you can spare them, consider using a small group of Engineers. They not only keep your Blisterbacks in working order, they can heal one another as they search for new targets.    While the Blisterback has the advantage of transforming into a ground unit, it doesn’t gain any bonuses from global vehicle upgrades. If you want to boost your Blisterbacks’ performance, stick to the global air upgrades found in the Apex.