Piloting the HECTOR may take a little getting used to at first. The head of the HECTOR moves very freely, so the direction you are looking in is often not the direction you are walking in. Use the large “V” on your heads-up display to keep track of which direction you are facing. If you get confused, try using the “Aim Forward” key to re-center the head of your HECTOR. The default key for “Aim Forward” is “2” on the main keyboard (above the “w,” not on the numeric keypad).
It may also help to watch your HECTOR from your Scout as you move around. For more information about the Scout, see Chapter 7, The H.E.C.T.O.R., or the Chapter 8, Denizens of Avara.
Aiming
Plasma Cannon:
Use the brackets on your heads-up display to aim at your target. When the brackets turn from green to red, you are “on target.” If your target is moving, you may have to compensate some by leading your target before you fire.
 
Missiles:
When you arm a missile, your aiming brackets change to a missile sight. Move the sight over your target, and a small red “x” will appear on your target. You are now “Locked On!” Fire your missile! If your target moves behind an obstacle before you fire, you are still locked on. Your missile can still track the target, even if you can’t see it.
 
If you fire your missile before you have a “lock,” it will fly in a straight line until it encounters an obstacle. A missile cannot acquire a target after it has been launched. However, it can still do damage to whatever it hits.
Grenades:
When you arm a grenade, your aiming brackets change to a grenade sight. Place the sight where you want the grenade to fall, and launch your grenade! Grenades are proximity weapons, so even if you don’t hit your target directly you can still cause damage.
 
Grenades are launched in an arc, so it is possible to toss grenades over a wall at a target you can’t see. The grenade sight will change to indicate that a grenade will land beyond your field of vision.
The motion of your HECTOR affects the path your grenade travels when you fire it. For example, if you are running forward when you fire a grenade, it will fly farther. The grenade sight will move to reflect any change due to the motion of your HECTOR.
Incoming!
Enemy missiles or grenades can be destroyed with a plasma cannon. If you are a good shot, you can blow an incoming weapon out of the sky before it hits you. A particularly nasty trick is to hit a missile or grenade before your enemy fires it. If you shoot a weapon that your enemy has mounted but not yet fired, it will blow up right on his HECTOR!
Energy
Always keep track of your energy. Your energy is used to recharge your plasma cannons and to recharge your shields. Your energy will regenerate, but it does so slowly. If you find yourself low on energy, it might be a good time to play a delaying game. Don’t confront an enemy head-on if your energy is low.
If your energy situation is critical, or if you don’t have the option to get out of danger quickly, use a booster. A booster will recharge your shields, your plasma cannons, and your energy store. You have a limited number of boosters, so use them carefully. Some missions have energy power-ups that act as boosters.
“Machine Gun Syndrome”
Your plasma cannons need to recharge each time they fire. If you fire before they are fully charged, the damage they can do is reduced. Recharging your cannons takes energy. Consider what happens if you hold down the “Fire” key, blazing away at an enemy. You may hit your target a few times with weak shots, but you will also draw down your energy. Sometimes a better tactic is to use your cannons more sparingly. If you make sure of each shot, then each hit will pack a bigger punch. So, aim carefully, make each shot count, and watch those energy levels!
Dealing with Missiles
You never saw him lining up on you, but you hear the result!
*SHHhhhhhhhh*
A missile is locked on and headed your way! Are you dead meat? Should you give up now?
NEVER GIVE UP!
A missile is relentless, but it is also rather dumb. Missiles try to follow the shortest path to their target. They don’t worry about intervening structures. Missiles also have a rather large turning radius. If a missile goes whizzing by your head, it can’t just stop and spin. It has to turn along a wide arc to try and get back to its target.
Armed with these useful tidbits, there are a few tricks you can use to avoid missiles. If you hear an incoming missile, try heading for a crowded area. Walls, pillars and buildings are your allies. As you weave a path through the obstacles in your way, the missile will readjust its course to stay on target. It won’t follow your path, it will try to fly directly at you. If you dodge around a corner at the right time, it will very likely impact harmlessly on the wall you just ducked behind!
But what if you are stuck out in the open? Nowhere to run, baby, nowhere to hide!
You can still avoid the missile with a little good timing. Keep your cool and crouch as the missile bears mercilessly down upon you. Then, at the last instant, JUMP! The missile won’t be able to turn fast enough to hit you and will go whizzing on by. If it is coming at you from above, even better! A well-timed jump will cause it to hit the ground and explode harmlessly.
I Give Up
Well, you don’t have to give up. If you get lost, trapped, or stuck in a mission, you can use the “Abort” key to destroy your HECTOR. If you have lives left, you will get a new HECTOR at the starting point of the mission. You can also use the “Abort” key to quit from a mission in a network game of Avara while still staying connected to the Server.
Mass vs. Mobility
Keep in mind that you can configure your HECTOR to suit your own style. If you like to go toe-to-toe with your opponent, you may want to use a Heavy Hull and load it up with ammunition. Remember though, you will not be able to run as fast or jump as high. If you favor maneuverability, try a Light Hull with a lighter load. Some levels may also play more easily with a specific type of set-up.
Playing with a Teammate
In network games of Avara, you often have a chance to play cooperatively with another player against another team. The ever-changing environment of Avara means that there are no hard and fast rules for team play, but in general, you should try to work with your teammate without standing right next to him. If you are far away or out of sight of your teammate, you won’t be able to help him, and he won’t be able to help you. On the other hand, it’s also possible to be too close. If you stand right next to each other you not only inhibit your mobility, but you also make an excellent target for an enemy grenade!
