Planetside 2: Lightning Weapons and Certifications Guide

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I plan on doing a follow up video to this because I do like NAR on lightnings now.

[@TheNucleerbomb]

Love your Planetside vids, keep it up. Thanks

[@ChampIDC]

The extra 5% you get on the Lightning's side armor isn't really a bonus over the other upgrades. It's more of a necessity, because that extra 5% allows it to take at least one extra hit from all damage sources that would normally hit that area, just like all other armor upgrades. It's also worth noting that because the base front armor reduction low, the side armor upgrade sometimes makes your sides survive more hits than your front.

[@thecommentatorish]

"These rounds do very little damage" Proceeds to tear up a whole enemy squad without taking a single rocket

[@LordGrandKaiser]

100% agree with this. The Lightning quickly became my favorite vehicle back when I first started playing the game, so I went and grabbed up all the guns for it. After long hours spent with the tank, the stock Viper has become my favorite gun, and so I'm more than a little irritated that I blew all that SC on guns I rarely use. XD If I could do it again, I'd probably just pick up the Skyguard for AA specialization and Python HEAT for extreme-range engagements and leave the rest.

[@chrisbingley]

My Lightning loadout - NAR, Fire suppression and Racer Chassis. Basically I play to the lightning's strength, speed. I can get in and out of the fight quicker than any MBT. If my health goes red, I pop fire suppression and get HP back instantly. NAR mean that I'm spending less time fixing my tank and more time in the battle. For Gun I went with the HEAT gun as I find that the others are very situational. Taking AP and coming across a platoon of heavies is a problem, and vice versa.

[@deathgenie]

Lightnings are GREAT on Esamir as there is only one tech plant. Lightnings are used heavily. They python AP also sets the enemy air on fire so you can hop out and shoot them with a little small arms and the fire should finish them off as most esf's don't usually run fire suppression.

[@Drrolfski]

I got only 2 certs into it but it's enough to do your basic pop-up, do damage, reposition while healing, attack again maneuvers. The difference between the nano levels is not that big. The key with the Lightning, especially in these scenario's is to stay mobile anyway.

[@minutmed33]

Yesterday I unlocked HE w/ optics and ammo capacity, IR smoke and side armor (yeah I had saved almost 1800 certs as I'm a non-paying player): it was worth it! My night was a blast! I'm just hesitating on Racer chassis or Combat chassis: tough choice... So thanks for the tips bro ;)

[@TheKoolaidLine]

That's a good point but I still would. Simply because your front armor is already so strong it's not gonna be taking huge blows anyways. I would just wanna limit all major blows to only the back.

[@craig1287]

Great video, very informative. I'm more of an infantry guy but being able to go on some killing sprees and rack up the certs would be nice. I'll try some of these tanks out. Oh, and NC FTW!

[@JohnHaIo]

Great advice as always. Thanks Koolaid

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Skyguards did get buffed a little since this patch, but I prefer bursters. They can just hide under cover a lot easier.

[@ChampIDC]

It's really not a waste at all. It's one shot direct to kill on infantry and 2-3 indirect. It's slightly better as anti-infantry than the HEAT cannon and a bit worse overall against tanks. Once you can control the recoil, it even performs decently against tanks, especially if you get the rear. The Viper mostly got a bad rap due to it being very poor on release, but after the buff, many people have taken a liking to it. You just have to get accustomed to its quirks.

[@thomasferlauto7981]

Well _OF COURSE_ the skyguard is innacurate- It's a damn flak cannon! It's supposed to lay down fire in a wide cone and explode in proximity to aircraft- NOT HIT IT DIRECTLY.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

It did actually get buffed and I had no idea so maybe I'll give it another try. However my 25+ killstreaks always come with the HE, so I have no qualms recommending it :D

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Not necessarily but it should be close. There are passive cert gains that don't actually go towards your experience totals. Some people's are different based on membership.

[@RiukuCresent]

I actually checked the game recently, and it seems the auto repair got a massive buff. Like, now the first rank far surpasses that of the max level then. It's gone up to around 10% at higher levels!

[@warhammeronlinenut]

Awesome as always!

[@SkyNinja759]

But to balance it they would have to make then suck and make them a replacement for the top mounted gun. This would make having a top gunner still useful. Having a coaxial turret would still be descent for solo play though.

[@xenoneo]

Stealth prevents you from showing on the mini-map, and it is the best option for defense. Infantry will consistently not even turn around to look at you as you murder everyone around them. Lock-on really has nothing to do with why you would want this on any vehicle; it's for hiding in plain sight. It's funny to me how so many people think stealth only helps with lock-on time, when the name of it should lead them to what it's really good for.

[@PseudOni_]

“The Viper has a LOT of recoil.” I am so confused

[@TheZedman5000]

I feel safer in my Vanguard knowing there's a Skyguard in my tank column, so glad at least one of us has it, and can pull one whenever its needed. Sometimes Daltons can easily wreck our whole platoon if our tanks are caught in the open with no AA.

[@kamrat7]

Great info, waiting for racer comparison.

[@RiukuCresent]

I kinda draw the line at the Viper. No matter what anyone says, It's by far the most versatile of the guns. Putting in some cheap ammo upgrades and a 1.25 zoom optic, and I don't regret it. Other than the Skyguard, it's the best on air units, and the extra rounds help when crowded. Heck, if everything you want gets really expensive, like 500 certs or higher, you could get a reload speed up, covering that awkward reload time a bit. Besides, I don't think the Lightning should fight bigger tanks.

[@Random_Tank]

I Love fire NAR and fire suppression, because they buffed NAR so rank 4 does 10% every 5 secs, which is very quick!!! A combo of those 2 and racer chassis means that you can easily out-maneuver enemy armour, and also escape from a tight situation without having to get out and repair, that has saved my arse many, many, many times!!! I use the HEAT cannon because of the stupid splash damage nerf, but i'm tempted to get the AP because you basically need to direct impact now anyway...

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Yes it's increasing your DPS but the cert cost is ridiculous and you would have to do it on each weapon you use. There are just bigger upgrades you can get in other spots, not just the lightning that will help more.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I actually did a video on racer chassis in the lightning you should check out before deciding. I absolutely love it.

[@hzktotakoi]

A little suggestion from me: it would be useful and easier to understand what you're talking about if you could pop up the certification menu screen once in awhile. Still pretty awesome job!

[@Houkai1]

I run HEAT, IR vision, Rival Chassis, Nano Repair. The Nano Repair really isn't as bad as it sounds. It keeps you on the move, which I like. Ofcourse, most of the time it's just as easy to repair, but it saves you the hassle of jumping out. Rival over Racer because.. Racer just gets you from base to base faster, but doesn't help you outmanoeuver an enemy tank when you run into one. Just my 2 cents.

[@Yellowbrainfungus]

Great vid, much appreciated

[@Dreez76]

Lightning is such a versatile tank and can be a real pain for infantry. I find heavy tanks dying to fast because compared to their speed, they can't take much punishment. Currently the most OP vehicle tho, is the Harrasser... Cert it up and /collect xp.

[@TheSalmonStories]

Well, I know that you use "Next Weapon" for aircraft, from primary (Gun) to secondary if you unlocked it (Rocket pods, or A2A Missiles).

[@vcordie2]

He plays on waterson. How do I know? I was the final kill in that video, DarthClawKillFlex. I was running with VHOT at the time. Now im NC and run with DVS. :3

[@joshvidler3589]

Hey I just subscribed and I was wondering if you knew if the new alien wear alpha would be any good to play planetside 2 because I was thinking of upgrading and I saw the PC console which was great for me and I like to play consoles too but I like PC more than Xbox and Ps and I wanted to ask if you through the gaming on it would be good enough to do big battles Sorry it's so long

[@NoVeMoRe]

Heat is at the moment pretty much jack of all trades and master of all. It's the better skyguard, it's good against armour and it wrecks infantry nearly as good as the HE.

[@itsbaileya9268]

The python AP can 1 shot infantry, I like using it because I bring a tank to a gun fight.

[@m3divh]

BTW while talking about the smoke I found myself many times using it against tanks if they for some reason dont have IR optics they will miss a lot! :)

[@EdsEnemy]

7:15 hey man nice shot

[@AL00ZER]

I know that is true for air vehicles, but are there any ground vehicles that use "next weapon?" If not, I am going to use that keybind for something else. I honestly can't think of any.

[@minutmed33]

Hey Koolaid, great channel you have here man, and with a lot of PlanetSide, so I was forced to subscribe ;) I have a question concerning the choice of the armor, as you mentioned in the vid: for my Vanguard I put side armor, but with the Magrider, as it's a crab? Side armor too?

[@chack321]

your subs do! you really should have more subs. You produce some quality content!

[@Garen15]

totally agree, i use the auto repair and it saves me a lot i also go as infiltrator, so i can't repair anyways.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I'll keep that in mind.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I believe 1 shot with the AP will put them in the red. So if they don't land and repair they will die.

[@MrZachilicious]

ya like b3 style. you dont have to make it suck but make them like decent hmg's or lmg's just no frickin laser guns or AV rockets

[@GantryDublin]

What do the Python Heat, it's recommended attachments, IR smoke, the Rival combat chassis, and the Reinforced side armor cost?

[@MrZachilicious]

it would be cool if the implemented co-axis turrets for tanks

[@0mikr0n]

I will disagree heavily with your appraisal of the Nano Armor Repair certification. I used to use Side Armor exclusively with my Lightning, but fell in love with NAR once I started using it. It allows me to drive as other classes comfortably; if I need to dismount to help my platoon for any reason, I can do so. And as you said, if your are dropped down into red in a Lightning, you're probably screwed anyway.

[@ElectricBanelinggoo]

Yes, even if it's only a tiny percentage, it's the only way of increasing your DPS so really, it's not even a question. You want better DPS? Cert reload, just maybe don't prioritise it.

[@AL00ZER]

The Lightning is only allowed one gun at a time, correct? What is the point of the key-bind "Next Weapon" for ground vehicles?

[@Xylanth]

if one had a xp boost, and one didnt. By the time they both hit level 51 they would have goten the exact same amount of certs. its based on xp. The person with the boost would have just obtained them quiker.

[@STLYoungblood]

Lightning is so fun

[@AmuricanGamers]

I run the exact same thing except fire suppression. I switched to IR smoke because of the Striker

[@Drrolfski]

I disagree with you on nano auto-repair. It's very useful for lone wolving as this allows you to use any other class with this vehicle besides engineer, which is great. When I'm not playing in my outfit, I take this baby with an infiltrator or heavy and go out infantry flanking or sundy bus hunting. (HE canon, rival chassis, side armor, IR smoke, IR optics). This tank is great for that and nano auto-repair will allow me to stay around.

[@zacharychaplin2841]

Great video.

[@SirDoom100]

Which would you recommend the Thermal or Infrared Optics? I'm probably going to go with the Python HE.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

It's worth it in the lightning, although if you can drop some real cash on the HE it would a lot easier lol

[@TheKoolaidLine]

It's not really lag it's frame rate drop. And yes I get bad frame rate in big tank battles as well. It's just the sheer size of this game.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Ya I somehow overlooked that. I'll make an annotation, thanks.

[@GantryDublin]

What would be the best weapon now since the Viper is now completely different, the Viper, or the Python Heat?

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Viper hands down, until they nerf it of course.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

This video needs an update. The latest GU did a lot to change NAR and nerfed HE badly.

[@MarijnKonings]

I disagree on the default gun. I use it all the time, and i'd rather have that over the infantry or tank weapon any day. Yes it's not good at 1 thing, but it's decent at everything. And thats what you need, becouse rarely you are fighting against only armor or only infantry. 1 direct hit with the projectile = kill. And with proper positioning a prowler goes boom before you even go below 50%. Same for the vanguard, default gun all the way.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

This was made way before NAR was buffed.

[@GantryDublin]

Ok then, what attachments are available on the Viper and how much do they cost?

[@dillonmcdyver3484]

The Viper is NOT crap. Actually it is one of the best weapons. Why? because you will find yourself missing and can layer an area with blasts, or have that other shot and often your targets are damaged, or you hit them in the head, or that little damage blows up the rival vehicle who is also engaged with your ally. I love it. I got Reload 3 on it, and Ammo 5, and Zoom x2 (thermal is good too, as you will spot infantry you might not otherwise see) The AP and HEAT are great. I also have the HE and don't like it. I listened to a review about it and bought it (but I think they nerfed it) and thus I use the Viper and AP the most, and secondly the Heat. Why? because the multi-shot Viper is very effective and against other armor, the AP is the best honestly. If your trying to hunt all targets use the Heat. I have a pimp Lighting, Rival Combat 2, Fire Suppress 2, Regenerate level 5. Side armor is good but I like the regen and combine with the fire suppression.

[@Dapplepies]

Keep up the vids

[@ravenhawkgameplay3863]

Was this video taken in beta or when game first came out? I have HE but its regularly taking 2 and sometimes 3 to kill 1 infantry when firing at their feet!! In all videos I have seen of HE it one shots groups of infantry when fired near to them!! Any thoughts? Is it flak armour that most pps have certed these days or could I have a big issue?

[@fahrenheit016]

Do you think HE rounds for Lightning / Vanguard will be effective after the next GU?

[@TheKoolaidLine]

No but they have been nerfed since the video. I do however think they only nerfed the reload speed, not the damage.

[@Random_Tank]

I'm lucky, I play TR, so I don't get this problem, but I can understand why you do it!

[@Nemsterful]

Hi, Sry my english is not so good but i have one question. Do you have any lags? I have very big lags in a big team fight but my pc is not the worst.

[@Nemsterful]

Thank you :D

[@cSTRAWBs]

Do a video on sunderer weapons!

[@TheKoolaidLine]

LOL ya I saw that. Perfect that it was right after I did this video.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I like the HE best but out of the two probably the Heat..

[@Serious878]

Sky guard shooting "Instead of shooting where I was, you should have shot were I was going to be! muhahaha"

[@nelson1tom]

Skygaurd got buffed. Its good now

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Just curious how many tiers of nano do you have?

[@kheizzer]

suppose i7 is an i5 with 4 treaths more but games dont use that..

[@berkatacan65]

He rounds great for kill infantry but if you know use

[@Brokkolesz]

True.

[@JoshuaD89]

I'm pretty sure I've 1 shotted ESF with the AP rounds.

[@lovematt]

Dammit I just upgraded the C75 Viper. Now I feel dumb. Wasted 100 certs

[@lectricanman]

More importantly they can aim downwards.

[@Greejal]

From 07:59 to 08:21 You were using the racer chassis right? ^^

[@nitokagaminen9660]

5year ago planetside map look so diffrent

[@darkmanz5]

Hey you should of update the video since some things have changed.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I have an i7, I'm not the person to talk to abotu PC stuff though.

[@kheizzer]

what is your CPU? i5 3570 is enough?

[@Brokkolesz]

If none of you have cert or xp boost, yes.

[@Relatablename]

What server does he play on?

[@thedarkelbow]

I like you

[@Brokkolesz]

I like u C:

[@TheKoolaidLine]

I downloaded WaW, we should play.

[@sharpshooter740]

Why don't you have more subs?!

[@TheSalmonStories]

Its a free game, download it, what do you have to lose? I have an unoverclocked quad i7 at 3.4GHz which runs fine, but I can't run high settings and I sometimes get low framerate in large battles. It may be my graphics card, not that great.

[@sharpshooter740]

:( I like you.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

Haha I wish.

[@TheKoolaidLine]

haha I wish