how to light assault (and be useful) - planetside 2 tutorial (Partially Outdated)
This video talks about the light assault class and your role in the game, and a few things you can do to do that role more efficiently. The video has the word "Beta" in the title, which will be removed if the information is still accurate at launch.
Your roles are split into two objective sets. Primary objectives, and secondary objectives.
Primary objectives: Destroying spawn generators, shield generators, and planting spawn beacons.
Secondary objectives: Tankhunting and MAX-hunting.
In the event that the spawn beacon is made squad-leader only, that secondary objective will likely become a primary objective.
The video highlights have been given a cliffnotes version in the description (as par usual) because we all know that attempting to transcribe it, while amusing, will only confuse people who don't have sound.
Video highlights:
Your mobility is your strength with this class, being able to recognize surroundings and take opportunities will grant you a lot of potential. One thing I highly recommend is taking a scope that you can headshot with, though, as the light assault has mediocre damage and armor and if you do not headshot enemies you will often die to heavy assault players.
You can flank enemies to win skirmishes and be more useful than a harasser by going to kill spawn generators and shield generators. This is your primary role, to do this task rapidly, or to get to an otherwise inaccessable area and plant a spawn beacon (emphasis on the latter).
You can manage your jetpack by leapfrogging. If you hold down spacebar in short bursts you will gain more forward motion, whereas if you just hold it down without letting it go, you will gain more vertical motion.
Resist the urge to camp with light assault. Remember that this is not battlefield 3, and there are no "Death tickets" - if you kill an infantryman, you may actually be helping the enemy team by offering them a speedy resupply. Objectives are more important than kills.
Spawn generators and shield generators will appear on your map if you chose to display objectives. Spawn gens allow enemies to spawn at a base they own, shield gens create walls that only the base's owners can pass through.
You can fly while crouched (Crouch while in the air) and this can be used to enter windows.
I strongly recommend picking up the INRV scope certification (displayed in the video) as a weapon attachment, and it can help you learn to headshot - very important to survive as a light assault due to your mediocre damage capabilities.
It is essential a squad spawn beacon is planted in a good location due to its weakness and obviousness. Light assaults are uniquely capable to get to certain locations for planting them.