Tactica Aeronautica - Basics - Speed

 

Aeronautica Imperialis, like most games, is divided up into distinct phases: Choose Manoeuvres, Initiative, Tailing Fire, Movement, Firing and the End phases. Unlike most miniature games, almost all the miniatures must move during the Movement phase. The only exceptions being ground defences and the few aircraft that have a minimum speed of 0. This makes the Movement phase especially important. 

The Movement Phase is effectively made up of two components, Manoeuvres and Speed. Your aircraft’s speed dictates how many hexes it can move through in a turn and by extension, how easy it will be for your opponent to predict where your aircraft will be for the Firing Phase and beyond. Usually, the higher the speed, the more difficult it will be to predict an aircraft’s finishing position. Manoeuvres dictate how your aircraft turn within the Area of Engagement. Again, generally, the higher the manoeuvre the more unpredictable an aircraft’s movement becomes, although this is not always the case. 

Each aircraft has a minimum and maximum speed, a throttle and access to a range of ace manoeuvres. Fighters are typically a faction’s fastest and most manoeuvrable aircraft. Bombers typically have low manoeuvrability and travel at slow speed. The slower an aircraft travels (and the lower its manoeuvrability) the easier to predicts its position. Therefore, a slow-moving aircraft will make for a good target as it will never be far from its starting position. A low manoeuvring aircraft should try to travel at a high speed to escape interceptors and reduce its overall predictability. To maintain the unpredictability of aircrafts movement, both its speed and manoeuvre should be varied each turn. 

An aircraft’s throttle statistic is extremely important in being able to vary its speed. Most aircraft have a throttle value of either 1 or 2, allowing them to increase or decrease their speed by 1 or 2, respectively. A high throttle is extremely valuable in Aeronautica. The ability to accelerate or decelerate rapidly can be a massive advantage in a dogfight. As with a high speed and a high manoeuvrability, a high level of throttle helps to keep an aircraft unpredictable. For this reason, any upgrades that increase an aircraft’s speed or even better its throttle are extremely valuable. For me, the best upgrade of this type is the Tau Empire’s Ionic Afterburners, which give the Barracuda a max speed of 7, combined with a manoeuvrability of 7 and a Throttle of 3 (the highest in the game, matching the Aeldari Nightwing). 

Speed is particularly important when compared to your target’s
speed. Fly too fast and you will pass your opponent. Fly too slowly and
they can escape. The aim is to match your opponent’s speed and then
guess their Manoeuvres. Again, a high throttle will make it easier to match an opponent’s speed. As bombers have low speed, manoeuvrability and throttle they will find it very difficult to escape from fighters. As such, a Tau Empire force made up almost solely of Tiger Shark bomber may appear appealing due to its high firepower and durability, but it could easily be taken destroyed by a force of fighter aircraft. 

Other than throttle, altitude can also be used to manipulate an aircraft’s speed. An aircraft that decreases its altitude will gain speed as it dives towards to the ground. An aircraft that increases its altitude will lose speed as it climbs into the sky. Changing altitude and throttle can be combined to change speed.  

Defending your aircraft 

High speed and manoeuvrability are the best defence against an opponent. The more unpredictable an aircraft’s movement, the more difficult it will be for an opponent to engage your plane. When defending, you should vary your movement speed, switch between different manoeuvres, and change your altitude. This is especially true of manoeuvres. When defending, consider choosing manoeuvres that seem at odds with where your opponent would expect you to finishing moving. In short, unpredictability in the movement phase is key to defending your aircraft. 

Attacking with your aircraft 

Once I have manoeuvred my aircraft into an advantageous position, I like to slow down from maximum speed. I like to place my aircraft at a speed a throttle above its minimum speed. For example, if I were using a Space Marine Xiphon Interceptor, I would change my speed to 4. With a throttle of 2 and a minimum speed of 2 and a maximum speed of 6, my Xiphon can easily change its speed to match my opponent’s aircraft.  

I prefer my aircraft travelling more slowly when attacking, as it prevents them from flying past my opponent. With a slow speed, my opponent will find it difficult to escape my firing arc, especially if my weapons are most effective at medium to long range. 

Conclusion 

To become a skilled player of Aeronautica Imperialis, you need to master
the Movement Phase. Mastery of the Movement phase will allow you to
position your aircraft to avoid your opponent’s firepower but allow you
to unleash your own. 

More of my Aeronautica articles can be found here.

My recorded games against the Agents of Sigmar can be found here.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, please put them in the
comments below. Thank you for reading and 'Always watch your six'.