Blog · Beginner
Five mistakes new pilots make
If you keep getting shot down in the first minute and can't work out why, you're probably making one of these five mistakes. None are obvious, and fixing even one tends to lift your survival time noticeably.
1. Chasing enemies up the screen
New players fly up to meet enemies, which hands away their reaction time and room to dodge. Let the enemies come to you and keep your space.
2. Spending bombs too early
A bomb used on a single tough enemy is a bomb you won't have when the swarm arrives. Treat bombs as an escape button, not a weapon.
3. Tunnel vision on one enemy
Fixating on the bomber you're shooting means missing the one lining up a shot from the side. Keep your eyes moving across the whole screen.
4. Sitting still
Holding one spot feels safe until a stream of fire finds it. Keep drifting gently; a moving target is far harder to hit.
5. Ignoring the combo
Players who only think about survival leave points on the table. Once you can stay alive, start protecting your multiplier — that's where high scores come from.
Fix these one at a time rather than all at once. Start by refusing to chase and refusing to bomb early; those two alone will keep you flying much longer.