Wardogs Helicopter Flying Guide

Wardogs rewards practical skill. Spotting enemies, healing teammates and transporting soldiers all improve the relevant abilities, while flying passengers into combat builds pilot experience. Helicopters are difficult to handle at first, so learning the controls before entering a live match is worthwhile.

This guide explains how to fly safely, which helicopter to use, how to configure your controls and how to deliver passengers effectively.

Choose the MH-6 first

Helicopters are currently the only aerial vehicles in Wardogs. Several models are available, but the MH-6 is the cheapest, easiest option and the recommended starting point. The Z20 Lakota and Havoc are better left alone until you are confident in the air. Weaponised AH-6 variants are also a distraction when your priority is learning the pilot role.

The MH-6 is the only helicopter available to buy until you earn additional pilot experience. Purchase it from the vendor in the firing range and use it to practise before taking passengers into battle.

Use a controller if possible

A controller is generally easier to manage than mouse and keyboard while piloting. With the default controller layout, the shoulder buttons handle yaw, or changing the direction the helicopter faces. The triggers control ascent and descent, making the main flight functions easier to reach.

Buying a helicopter from the vendor in Wardogs.

Hold the right trigger to increase the collective and begin lifting off. Once airborne, the helicopter travels in the direction its nose is pointing. To slow down, pull back on the left stick to increase wind resistance, then use the left trigger to descend. Keep that input gentle: dropping too quickly can cause a hard impact that damages or destroys the vehicle.

Keyboard-and-mouse players can try moving yaw from Q and E to the mouse. Open the controls settings, enable rotary vehicle mouse control, then assign helicopter mouse swipe left/right to yaw. Leaving up/down assigned to pitch means the helicopter faces towards your mouse movement. Test both layouts and keep whichever feels more controllable.

Flying a helicopter in the firing range in Wardogs.

Practise take-offs, turns and landings

Spend time in the firing range taking off, flying short distances and landing on stable ground. Continue by trying bridges, narrow roads and sloping surfaces, because battlefield landing areas are not always level or spacious.

The flight display at the bottom of the screen provides useful feedback. The two horizontal arrows show how level the helicopter is: the closer they are to the centre, the more parallel you are to the ground. The curved vertical bars indicate whether you are climbing or descending.

A helicopter landed on the bridge in the firing range in Wardogs.

For smoother turns, combine roll and yaw. Roll is controlled with A and D on keyboard, or the left analogue stick on a controller. Make small adjustments rather than holding an input for too long; the helicopter’s controls continually affect one another.

Transport passengers efficiently

Passengers may buy parachutes and jump out when they reach a suitable point, so monitor how many soldiers remain aboard. Once everyone has left, return for another group. Carrying parachutes in the helicopter’s inventory also gives passengers without one the opportunity to take a chute during flight.

A helicopter inventory full of parachutes in Wardogs.

Do not wait at spawn for a completely full helicopter. Taking one or two passengers straight to the fight and returning promptly keeps more teammates active instead of leaving them waiting on the ground.

Passenger drop-offs inside the hot zone pay double the usual cash reward, although the area is more dangerous. Watch for buildings and walls, which can quickly wreck the helicopter. Treetops are more forgiving, but obstacles still deserve your attention. If missiles are approaching, deploy your flares.

Build your pilot skill safely

Reliable piloting comes from repetition in the firing range. Master steady take-offs, controlled descents, tight turns and awkward landings before concentrating on speed or risky hot-zone deliveries. A pilot who reaches the battlefield consistently is more useful than one who crashes while trying to make every trip spectacular.

For more arcade and gaming coverage, browse the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or explore the arcade video collection. If you are planning a home setup, the arcade machine buying guide can help you compare options, while arcade parts are useful for repairs and control upgrades.