Getting Started
This section provides essential information for beginners, covering fundamental aspects of the game including game controls, HUD elements, and basic mechanics.
The Main Screen
The Main Screen is where pilots 'land' after opening up the Metalstorm game. This is also the place where you are taken after completing a match.
The table below gives a short description of each element of the Main Screen.
| # | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot name and  squadron name. On the left there is the Pilot Icon, while on the right there is the Pilot Banner. Access the pilot profile via the Pilot Icon or Pilot Banner
|
| 2 | Available  token doublers
|
| 3 | Available  gold |
| 4 | Available  silver |
| 5 | Available  ace coins |
| 6 | Notifications count |
| 7 | Menu |
| 8 | Current or future events information |
| 9 | Access to the  Shop, where you can trade your Currencies and access bi-daily deals
|
| 10 | Access to the  Hangar, where you can see and manage all the aircraft
|
| 11 | Indicator if missions are available for the current game mode |
| 12 | The remaining daily  experience bonus. This multiplies the amount of XP earned for a loss or a win
|
| 13 | Current game mode and map. It also gives access to the Custom Matches menu |
| 14 | Start a match. While in a  party READY is shown instead. While searching for a match CANCEL is shown to cancel the match search
|
| 15 | Players in the Party. Invite squadron members and friends to join your party and get in a match together. Use the  button to leave the party. The  opens the chat with party members. The  icon indicates that a party member is ready to start the match while the  icon indicats that the party member is offline
|
| 16 | The  icon indicates the party leader. Your icon is indicated by a thick white line
|
| 17 | Access to the Flight Pass, current flight pass level and unclaimed rewards |
| 18 | Available daily free  season tokens which are used when match is lost or won. They are used to progress in the Flight Pass
|
| 19 | Access to the  Friends menu
|
| 20 | Access to the  Squadrons menu
|
| 21 | Access to Pilot Rank information |
| 22 | Access to PVP Season |
| 23 | Indicates if the selected plane meets missions or event requirements |
| 24 | Aircraft type |
| 25 | Aircraft name |
| 26 |  aircraft level of the selected aircraft
|
| 27 | The amount of  trophies the selected aircraft has
|
| 28 | Highest  trophy level achieved for the selected aircraft
|
Starting a match
To start a match press the PLAY icon. After a brief time to search for a valid lobby the match will start.
While in a party with other players be careful to check for warnings before starting a match. Coordinate with other players on the strategy to use and which aircraft to use. Try to choose aircraft with similar aircraft level and trophy level to the other party members to avoid ending up in unfair matches.
Game controls
Metalstorm supports 4 types of game control.
- Virtual Joystick
- Tilt Controls
- Cursor Aiming
- Keybord & mouse / Joysticks / Gamepads
Each one has it's pros and cons. Try them all, but do that in Custom matches to avoid losing matches while experimenting. To select a game control, select SETTINGS in the Menu. [Insert screenshot of General tab in Settings] If Keyboard & mouse or gamepad are connected, an extra tab is available in settings. Here the default bindings to keys and buttons can be changed.
The HUD
The Heads-Up Display shows vital information needed to successfully engage the enemy. It is also where mobile users control their flight, select and fire their weapons. The image below may differ depending on the device being used and the chosen Settings.
In fight:
- Radar
- Scoreboard
- Speed indicator
- Ideal turn speed indicator
- Fuel gauge
- Active weapon
- Guns
- Alternative weapon (if the aircraft is equipped with it)
- Ability (if the aircraft is equipped with it)
- Virtual joystick (if chosen in the settings)
- Speed control (if needed for the chosen control mode)
- Cursor aimer (if chosen in the settings)
- Missile lock ring
Radar
The radar shows where friendly and enemy aircraft are as well as missiles that are in flight. It also shows the range of an A-6's radar jamming ability once it's been activated. Important game mode aspects are visible (ammo pickup 
, repair pickup 
and control points 
). Always keep an eye on the radar. Other than the visual view it is the most important thing to check. Be aware of what is happening. The friendly team is always blue, the enemy team is always red. These colours can be changed in the settings. The radar has a limited range. Tap on it to see the whole map. Tap again to set it back to small. The radar scale can be changed during the match. On mobile use two fingers on the radar to change the scale. The scale will be reset to the default scale after the match.
Scoreboard
On the left-hand side of the scorebord the silhouette of the aircrafts used by the blue team are shown. If a silhouette is dark, then that aircraft is respawning. Next to the silhouettes is the score. Likewise for the red team on the right-hand side. Between the is the remaining match-time for TDM, Elimination and VIP Deathmatch or the captured controle points for Air Superiority. Elimination also shows how many matches have been won. The scoreboard gives access to the detailed scoreboard. The same one that is shown at the end of a match.
Basic mechanics
- Cannon lead reticle
- Missile lock indicator
- Missile target
- Incoming missile