After a short lock-on period, the Photon A2A missiles can be fired which carry an explosive payload, melting the armor of heavy aircraft, while being less effective against smaller ones.
The Photon A2A Missiles are long-range heavy anti-aircraft missiles, same as the Tomcat A2AM Pods, designed for taking down large aircraft like the Liberator or Galaxy, as well as heavily damaging the weakpoints aboard a Bastion Fleet Carrier.
Missiles fired by the Photon launcher will track their target until they either hit something (whether the target or terrain), are destroyed by Decoy Flares, or are airborne for a lengthy period of time at which point they will despawn. Unlike most lock-on missiles, Photon missiles must directly hit their target, and will not explode when passing close.
Increases the lock on range of the missile launcher by 16 meters.
100
Lock on Range 2
Increases the lock on range of the missile launcher by 32 meters.
150
Lock on Range 3
Increases the lock on range of the missile launcher by 48 meters.
200
Lock on Range 4
Increases the lock on range of the missile launcher by 64 meters.
400
Lock on Range 5
Increases the lock on range of the missile launcher by 80 meters.
500
Lock on Time
Lock on Time 1
Reduces the lock on time of the missile launcher by 5%.
100
Lock on Time 2
Reduces the lock on time of the missile launcher by 7%.
150
Lock on Time 3
Reduces the lock on time of the missile launcher by 9%.
200
Lock on Time 4
Reduces the lock on time of the missile launcher by 10%.
500
Ammo
Maximum Ammo Capacity
Maximum Ammo Capacity 1
Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the weapon by 2 rounds.
1
Maximum Ammo Capacity 2
Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the weapon by 4 rounds.
10
Maximum Ammo Capacity 3
Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the weapon by 6 rounds.
30
Maximum Ammo Capacity 4
Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the weapon by 8 rounds.
50
Maximum Ammo Capacity 5
Increases the maximum ammo capacity of the weapon by 10 rounds.
100
Effectiveness versus Aircraft[]
The following table indicates the number of direct hits required from a Photon A2A Missile Pods to destroy a stock version of an appropriate vehicle from full health. The number of missiles required to set a stock opponent on fire is listed in brackets.
It is possible to get both Ribbons and Medals for using the Photon A2A Missile Pods. Each Ribbon is a standard reward for achieving a set amount of kills with a Photon. Medals relate to how many overall kills you have with the Photon.
Lockon Speed cert line benefit from 5/10/15/20% to 5/7/9/10%
Lockon Range rank 5 cert cost from 1000 to 500
Reload Speed cert line benefit changed to a flat percent of 5/7/8/9/10%
Reload Speed cert line cost from 150/200/400/500/1000 to 100/150/200/400/500
Dev Note: The changes here are geared toward making air to air missiles easily dodgeable by ESF, while making it difficult, but possible, for larger air vehicles to avoid as well. The faster base lockon speed, alongside the longer reload time, makes the weapons a bit easier to use regardless of attachment type, while lowering the maximum damage over time these weapons can put out. Lockon speed benefit has been reduced so that other options receive more consideration, and we've also touched some of the cert costs to make the weapon attachments more reachable for lower level players.'
The reload speed certification lines for main cannons, noseguns, ESF wing mounts, Liberator bellyguns, and Flash weapons have been standardized at 5/7/8.5/9.5/10% reload speed.
Tomcat A2AM Pods, designed for taking down large aircraft like the Liberator or Galaxy, as well as heavily damaging the weakpoints aboard a Bastion Fleet Carrier.
ESF
Valkyrie
Dervish
Liberator
Galaxy
Bastion Weak Point
