Beating the bosses
Bosses are the real test of the game. They have far more health than ordinary enemies and pay out big rewards. Here is how to approach them.
The numbers
| Boss | Health points | Shots to destroy | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-21 Raider | 15 | 15 | 800 points, 500 credits |
| Tu-160 Blackjack | 20 | 20 | 1,200 points, 700 credits |
| SR-72 Darkstar | 25 | 25 | 1,500 points, 1,000 credits |
| F-47 Specter | 32 | 32 | 1,900 points, 1,300 credits |
| MIG-41 Phantom | 40 | 40 | 2,400 points, 1,600 credits |
| Sky Lord | 50 | 50 | 3,500 points, 2,500 credits |
Each shot deals 1 damage to a boss and each bomb deals 8, so two bombs are enough to destroy a B-21 Raider, three for the Tu-160, and four for the SR-72 or the F-47.
Meet the six bosses
Each boss is much bigger than a normal enemy, and a colored glow tells you which one you face. The B-21 Raider (red, 15 health points) appears after only three kills. The Tu-160 Blackjack (purple, 20) comes next, then the SR-72 Darkstar (blue, 25), the F-47 Specter (green, 32), the MIG-41 Phantom (amber, 40) and finally the Sky Lord (white, 50), the enemy commander at the end of the first act. In the second act, from mission 7, every boss returns in a "MK II" version with 40 percent more health points and a bigger reward: for example the B-21 Raider MK II has 21 health points and the Sky Lord MK II has 70.
Every boss arrives with a "WARNING" banner, and waits a couple of seconds before shooting, which gives you time to get in position. After each boss, the campaign repairs 35 health points and gives you one more bomb (up to five), so you do not need to hoard everything. Bombs deal 8 damage, so the bigger bosses need regular fire as well. For what happens in each mission, read the campaign guide.
Before the fight
- Check your bomb stock before you reach the boss threshold and visit the hangar (M key) if needed. You cannot drop a bomb while the hangar is open.
- Arrive with a healthy life bar: bosses forgive few mistakes.
During the fight
When the boss arrives, a warning appears and it only starts firing after a few seconds. Use that delay to get into position and start shooting. Keep moving, avoid sitting in its line of fire, and keep a bomb in reserve in case your health drops.
Which jet for bosses?
Against a boss, fire rate and firepower matter more than speed. The F-35 Lightning II has the shortest fire delay (190 ms) and a firepower of 10. See the jet comparison.