Survive an Ambush from Roaming Enemy Squadrons

Recognize the Threat

Roaming squadrons spawn randomly as you explore and can attack without warning. These aren't tied to specific structures—they hunt across the landscape.

• Listen for aircraft engine sounds and rotary cannon fire
• Look to the sky when you hear hostile mob noises from above
• Squadrons typically consist of multiple aircraft working together

Escape or Engage

You have two options when ambushed: retreat to safety or stand and fight.

To escape: Sprint toward dense forest, caves, or your base. Aircraft struggle with tight spaces and thick canopy cover. Pilots can't follow you underground.

To fight: Find high ground or a structure to use as cover. Pillagers and Vindicators pilot these craft, so they follow similar combat patterns to ground-based raiders. Use terrain to block bomb trajectories. Witches pilot gyrodynes and can heal—prioritize them last or use knockback to separate them from their aircraft.

If you're caught in open terrain with low health, retreat is always the safer choice. Squadrons will eventually lose interest and fly away.