Ghostrider
R&D has added massive firepower to this close-range air-to-ground support unit with versatility to equip multiple types of ballistics, bombs, missiles and flares.—In-Game Description
General Information
The Ghostrider is a Tier 6 Fixed-Wing Aircradft, exclusively unlockable through blueprint acquisition in Events.
Weapons
Ghostrider's main weapon fires ballistic shells at enemy targets, inflicting damage in a small hit radius.
Additionally, the Ghostrider can be equipped with a handful of secondary weapons.
- The second slot, unlocked at level 4, has the following options:
- GBU-53 SDB II, which attacks structures indiscriminately, dealing a single, heavy burst of collateral damage in a large area.
- AGM-176 Griffin, which eliminate select priority targets with precision.
- The third slot, unlocked at level 6, only has the Equalizer 25mm Gatling Gun, which defends the Ghostrider against enemy units.
- The fourth slot, unlocked at level 8, only has the GBU-44 Viper Strike, which are rapidly launched against enemy defense platforms to dispatch them.
Usage in Battle
Arguable one of the most important Fixed-Wing units for mid and late game, Ghostrider completely outclasses the AC-130 Spooky in several aspects and can be used well into around level 70 or so while seeking for advanced alternatives like the V-44 Titanus. For 200 extra space than the Spooky, it offers far more. As a Gunship with limited loitering time and great splash radius, it is often best sent ahead of the main attack force to soften up a base, giving them the perfect opening. By default it is only able to attack one particular target with mediocre effectiveness and primarily relies on its secondaries for any impact. Though the Griffin's role of precision is generally replaceable by either the F-35A, Ghostrider does have some SDBs to provide a huge burst of damage near its entry point, causing widespread destruction and likely flattering clusters of enemy structures while its Viper Strikes continually batter down nearby enemy turrets that are still standing. Despite lacking any augments boosting its defensive resilience, the Ghostrider is still more than a match against enemy defenders, as it can divert some enemy missiles with flares while its Equalizer Gatling Gun whittles enemy units within range, allowing other units to concentrate on demolishing enemy structures. Its very high health allows it to likely survive any engagement in a well-planned attack and return multiple times, either assisting with cleanup or rain down carnage over and over again. It works especially well with strike aircraft like the F-35A, as F-35A can be used to surgically remove a single structure that might threaten Ghostrider, which in turn increases Ghostrider's chances of survival.
To many players, Ghostrider's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, but they should still be accounted for in spite of its sheer power. It is heavily dependent on its level-locked secondary weapons to have any impact, without which it is essentially a bigger MQ-11 Avenger, and unless with extensive investments, doesn't get the chance to display its true potential. As a Fixed-Wing Aircraft, it does help with aerial assaults, but without any proper resistances and only having raw health means boosted SAM/Heavy SAM/Heavy Flak turrets will be able to eat through that quickly and dent an attack unless these structures are dealt with otherwise. Though most of its weapons have enough chemistry to be of use, its SDBs notably tend to do most of the damage and can be wasted by weak structures like Oil Pumps, forcing other units to clean them up while under fire and without its support. Its huge capacity and expensive build costs also means in most cases, players would struggle to fit in other sources of air support, and are unlikely to have more than one in their platoon. Finally, unlike the AC-130 Spooky, the Ghostrider is unable to participate in base defense and put its capabilities to good use. Nevertheless, this unit's irreplaceable role as a sturdy and consistent source of air support means it'll remain in any arsenal and will often prove to be a critical investment that yields great value.
Unit Promotion
| Level | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stats | ||||||||||
| DPS | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | |
| Health | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | Unknown (+Unknown) | |
| Equipment | GAU-23 Autocannon (Main) | None | GBU-53 SDB II, AGM-176 Griffin (Payload) | None | GAU-12 Equalizer 25mm Gatling Gun (Main) | None | GBU-44 Viper Strike (Launcher) | None | Advanced Countermeasures (Applique) | |
| Promotion Cost | ||||||||||
| Critical | 155 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Common | 185 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Metal | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Thorium | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
Gallery
Ghostrider and two Ravens in a promotional artwork
Trivia
- Though also a Lockheed AC-130, Ghostrider is specifically derived from AC-130J, which in turn was a variant of the MC-130J.
See Also
- Lockheed AC-130 on Wikipedia
- MC-130J MC-130J on Wikipedia
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- Fixed-Wing Aircraft
- Airstrike
- Tier 6
- Incomplete Stats
- Locked For Platoon