So You Wanna Be a Flyin' Fool? Mastering the Drone in GTA Online
Ah, the drone. A technological marvel... or a tiny, buzzing nuisance depending on who you ask. In GTA Online, it straddles the line between scouting tool and explosive nuisance. But before you go all "drone delivery" on your enemies (because that's not a thing... yet), let's get you airborne, pilot!
Taking the Controls: From Noob to Maverick (almost)
First things first, you can't just pull a drone out of thin air (well, not unless you're a magician, and let's be honest, that minigun isn't exactly pulling a rabbit out of a hat). You'll need to have a place with a drone deployment system. Here's the rundown:
Terrorbyte: This bad boy is the ultimate hacker's lair on wheels, and it comes with a handy drone bay. Just remember, with great drone comes a great big price tag.
Arcade Drone Station: Who knew running a fake business empire involved playing with spy toys? Invest in a Drone Station for your Arcade and you're in business.
Arena Workshop: Looking for a more gladiatorial route to drone piloting? Arena War matches often have drone power-ups scattered around. Just grab one and unleash your inner drone dominator! (Although, why you're fighting with RC cars while there are actual weaponized vehicles available is a question for another day.)
Alright, you've got your launchpad. Now what? Flying a drone is like riding a… well, it's not exactly like riding a bike. But the controls are similar-ish. Use the left stick for movement (forward, backward, strafing), and the right stick for tilting the camera. Here's the fun part: boosts! Hit that L3 button (or the equivalent on your platform) to shoot forward like a drone on a Red Bull bender.
But wait, there's more! You can also switch between first-person and third-person views to get a better handle on your surroundings. Just don't get too mesmerized by the tiny, digital you soaring through the Los Santos sky, or you might find yourself face-first in a palm tree. Been there, done that, bought the embarrassing insurance claim.
Drone Do's and Don'ts: How to Not Become a Public Nuisance (or Worse)
- Do: Use your drone for recon! See what's around a corner before you barrel in guns blazing.
- Don't: Become a hovering helicopter parent over your teammates in battle. They'll thank you.
- Do: Practice your drone skills in a safe, secluded location. There's a learning curve, and trust us, no one wants to see you take out a civilian with a rogue drone strike.
- Don't: Drone and drive! It's a recipe for disaster (and probably motion sickness).
- Do: Rain drone justice on those pesky NPC griefers who keep messing with you. Just make sure you don't accidentally target another player... unless that's your thing. No judgement here.
Remember: With great drone power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely, or you might find yourself on the receiving end of a very angry (and possibly rocket-powered) teammate.
FAQ: Becoming a Drone Master
How to Take Off in a Drone?
Simple! Once you're in the designated area (Terrorbyte, Arcade Drone Station, etc.) use the interaction menu to deploy the drone.
How to Land a Drone?
Don't worry, you don't need to bring it down gently on a helipad. Just press the same button you used to deploy it, and it'll return to its base.
How to See What's Below the Drone?
Switch to first-person view! This will give you a pilot's eye view of the world.
How to Blow Stuff Up with a Drone (assuming you have a weaponized drone)?
Target your enemies with the right stick and unleash hell with the appropriate button (usually the right trigger).
How to Not Crash My Drone into Everything?
Practice! And maybe avoid flying between buildings while showing off your drone moves to complete strangers on the internet. We've all been there.
