When starting out, the focus shot and corresponding focus counter are often not used by players to their full potential. At its basic functionality, the focus shot is a more powerful version of the normal shot, is able to cancel the enemy's own focus shots (the lighter colored, slower ones), and is used to release orbs from enemies upon their destruction. But there are more intricacies to the focus system. This post will explain every aspect of it and help players find the best way to suit their play style.
[h3]Increasing the focus counter[/h3]
The focus counter goes up by destroying or hitting enemies ONLY with the
normal shot. The destroy value depends on the type of enemy. Every hit by the helicopter's
main normal shot will also increase the focus counter by 1. The main shot is always the shot in the middle, regardless of the number of bullets. Main shots are significantly more powerful than sub shots and there is only one main shot for every Cat type. No helicopter can increase the counter by more than 1 for each successful hit. Helicopters do have different rates of fire, though. This allows building up the counter in any situation as long as there is an enemy onscreen and knowing when to use normal or focus shots is an important technique to master.
[h3]Focus shot damage[/h3]
In general, the damage of the focus shot is roughly equivalent to the next level of the current normal shot. (The level 1 focus shot damage is around that of a level 2 normal shot and so forth.) This means that at the maximum level of 3, focus shots output the highest possible damage for each Cat type. It also shows how those going for score can remain at level 1 and use the focus shot for temporary boosts in damage without leveling up.
The focus stat on the select heli screen shows the relative effectiveness of each Cat versus the average. For example, Cat A's focus stat shows 4 blocks, meaning that its damage output is much higher than average, while Cat B at 2 blocks is slightly lower than average. This principle applies to all the other stats.
[h3]Focus shot cost[/h3]
Using the focus shot drains the focus counter. This cost is directional proportional to the level. Every level 1 focus shot release uses 1 unit of focus counter. At level 3, it uses 3 units of focus counter. This inherently means that for the same amount of focus counter, players at level 1 can use the focus shot for 3 times as long as those at level 3. But that shorter duration at level 3 might be much safer due to the speed of enemy destruction from its high damage.
In addition, using the focus shot does not drain the bright green normal shot meter. Players used to constantly holding down auto fire in other games will find themselves at a disadvantage since they are unnecessarily wasting leveled up normal shots. Many shmups have reached a point where having a shot button is completely redundant, but Heli-Cats is bringing back the importance of shot discipline and aim accuracy.
This allows prolonging a level 3 during boss encounters. A useful technique is to save a lot of focus counter prior to a boss, then draining a level 3 normal meter to almost zero, switching to the focus shot before it does, or vice versa. Use the training mode to experiment with a method that works. It is possible to still be at level 3 after most of the bosses.
[h3]Focus score bonus[/h3]
If aiming for a high score, the focus counter is an important factor at the end of each mission. The number remaining is multiplied by a bonus ranging from 0 to 40 that is determined by the destroy rate. So while remaining at level 1 will theoretically yield the highest amount of focus counter due to the weaker main normal shot landing many more hits, players may need to power up in order to ensure a higher destruction rate to capitalize on the mission clear bonus.
Use this knowledge to plan a good strategy for survival, scoring, or both!
