Tags: beyond all reason, bar, air transport, skuttle, flying bomb, strategy, combo, campaign, scenario

Using air transports with Skuttles as flying bombs in BAR

Skuttles explode violently when shot down. Loading them into air transports and dropping them near enemy defenses turns a cheap air unit into an improvised bomb that can soften or destroy key targets.

How the flying bomb tactic works

Skuttles are inexpensive air units that retain their full explosion damage on death. Unlike many units that shut down or disable on destruction, Skuttles detonate at their death location. Loading them into air transports and flying them into anti-air range means the transport can drop off its cargo right before being shot down. The Skuttles explode on impact regardless of whether they were actively attacking.

This approach works best against stationary targets that lack mobile anti-air coverage. A transport carrying several Skuttles into range of a shield or artillery position can remove it at a fraction of the usual cost.

When simple bombers work better

Not every situation benefits from the transport combo. Simple bombers cost less per unit and deliver more reliable damage against most targets. The flying bomb tactic shines when enemy defenses are already strained or when the transport can reach a high-value target without drawing fire from multiple anti-air sources at once. If anti-air coverage is thick, bombers usually provide better returns on metal and energy investment.

Execution basics

Load Skuttles into transports at a staging area away from enemy radar. Approach from an unexpected angle. Release the Skuttles just before your transport line enters anti-air range. The units continue their flight path briefly before being shot down, ensuring they detonate on or near the target. Timing matters because releasing too early gives the enemy time to shoot the Skuttles down before they reach anything useful. Releasing too late means the transport explodes while still carrying cargo.

Trial scenarios

The campaign scenario "Catch those rare Commets" gives players a sandbox to practice aerial approaches like this. Working through campaign scenarios on normal difficulty builds muscle memory for timing drops and managing air transports under pressure. Saving replays from these sessions helps refine the approach before attempting it in multiplayer where coordination matters even more.

Teamwork and disciplined practice

Tricks like the Skuttle drop require coordination. A teammate who provides distraction or screens anti-air fire makes the difference between a successful strike and a wasted investment. Teams that practice together rather than throwing random builds at each other learn timing and positioning faster. Creed of Champions runs regular training sessions where exactly this kind of coordinated strategy gets broken down with patient guidance. One player noted that training sessions and team gameplay make a complex game like BAR much less daunting to master. That kind of structured practice turns gimmicks into reliable tactics.