Commentary

Shadow Wolf TJC wrote on Apr 18, 2011:

Seems as if, no matter what tier the skirmish match is in, Bunker Busters will likely be one of the best weapons in your VTOLs' arsenals that can deal major damage towards structures before the VTOLs can be shot down by massed anti-air defenses. (Remember that anti-structure weapons like Bunker Busters deal 300% damage towards hard structures, and 400% damage towards bunkers.) They can be equipped onto light bodies without slowing them down, and are both quick to reload and easy to spam due to the low weight and costs of producing light-bodied VTOLs that are equipped with these.

ClockWork wrote on Jul 5, 2011:

Very true by Shadow Wolf TJC. your VTOL may be shot down, but if used right, it can take down some key buildings in your enemies’ base. And, because Bunker Busters share the same tech tree as the Anti-Tank line, lancer VTOLs can easily be made against heavy cannons coming at your base.

Shadow Wolf TJC wrote on Oct 17, 2011:

After some more research, it seems as if suicidal Bunker Buster VTOLs aren't as broken as I previously thought, especially in Tier 3 matches, and here's why:

If you want a nice suicidal VTOL for assaulting enemy bases, then the cheapest VTOL that you could produce would be a Bug Bunker Buster VTOL, which costs only $213. However, keep in mind that a single rocket from a fully-upgraded Avenger or Vindicator Site can destroy a fully-upgraded Bug Bunker Buster VTOL before it can fire at the emplacement. When trying to destroy said emplacements with suicidal Bunker Buster VTOLs, I'd recommend using a Scorpion Bunker Buster VTOL, which costs about $248, instead.

Unfortunately, Avenger sites cost around $250 each, and while Vindicator sites cost $350 each, it takes 2 Bunker Buster shots to destroy a fully-upgraded one. Moreover, due to them being considered Medium Structures instead of Hard Structures, fully upgraded Hurricane and Whirlwind sites, which cost only $125 and $175 each respectively, each take 3 Bunker Buster shots to destroy.

With that in mind, I think that it's safe to assume that, if you ever decide to use suicidal Bunker Buster VTOLs in the late-game, then chances are that you'll be spending more money than your opponent will.

Shadow Wolf TJC wrote on Oct 17, 2011:

After yet more research, I think I've found a way to make Bunker Buster VTOLs more worthwhile even in Tier 3, though it'll involve NOT using them as suicidal VTOLs as was stated before:

A fully-upgraded Mantis Bunker Buster VTOL, which costs about $280, can destroy a fully-upgraded Avenger site in a single run and survive a single 2-missile salvo from it, though barely. A fully-upgraded Vengeance Bunker Buster VTOL, which costs about $475, can survive a single 4-missile salvo from a fully-upgraded Vindicator site, though 2 are needed to destroy it. A fully-upgraded Tiger Bunker Buster VTOL, which costs about $328, can survive 3 missiles from a fully-upgraded Vindicator, but not the full 4-missile salvo. Finally, a fully-upgraded Dragon Bunker Buster x2 VTOL, which costs about $755, can not only destroy a single fully-upgraded Vindicator site by itself, but can also survive up to 5 missiles fired from one.

Interestingly enough, the VTOL Bunker Buster is so light that even a Tiger Bunker Buster VTOL with full engine upgrades will move at the full 700 speed.

JakeGrey wrote on Feb 2:

Do bear in mind however that it's usually advantageous to attack with several aircraft at once, as the AI seems to prefer to concentrate fire on one aircraft at a time; if the first aircraft in the formation is set to retreat at medium damage, the turret being targeted will continue to fire at it as it turns to escape rather than shifting targets to the greater threat. And AA emplacements are often built in groups.