3 things Id like to see

[FiLtH]

1. Make the small airfields have only GV and fighter capability. Only Med fields to support Medium/light bombers, and only large fields support heavy bombers and all others.

    2. Make the perk points one unit for all units. And perk all planes, no matter how high a value, losing one should cost something. Rather than separating buffs from fighters, just make one perk score. Coming from someone who uses Lancs as a low level glide bomber and usually die, but kill what I wanted to before I die...I do this because the Lancs arent perked. And..if they were all lumped into the same perk score, Id be much more careful, and it would probably get people to form large groups before attacking rather than single 3 ship flights.

   3. Make structures harder to kill, but stay down longer. The frantic augering of buffs so you can get back with a goon before the VH or FH regens to me, doesnt seem as its as much fun as having to get "alot" of bombers to destroy a base, and have the time to plan, and brief.

[DoKGonZo]

If all planes are perked then that makes (1) reasonable, otherwise it'd be mega-auger-dweeb time from the small fields.

If every plane is perked, what about brand new players? You need to give 'em a starting balance.

You need a few non-perked planes, though. You should always be able to fly something. Even if its just a Spit I.

     -DoK

[Morpheus]

Perking all planes is simply... A stupid idea.

My 2, for what its worth.

[lasersailor184]

What happens if you run out of perks?

[DipStick]

1. I'd like to see say, 1VH and Fighters only at small fields - 10 drunks to take. 2 VHs, fighters and light bombers at medium fields - 15 drunks to take. 3 VHs and all planes at large fields - 20 drunks to take. It would add variety and the need for different attack styles.

2. I'm afraid while stopping the pork-n-auger crowd this would cause an increase (if that's possible) in timid flying. While it sounds like a good idea on the surface, I really think it would be bad for gameplay in the long run.

3. I think harder structures would be ok. I think heavy bombers should only be able to drop from OVER 8k. If the structures are harder to kill and hvy buffs must fly higher to drop you might see more high formations with escort like it should be... maybe not? It would at least stop the stream of B-17s at 2k over fields.

My $.02

[Karnak]

I'd think that B5N2s, D3A1s, Ju87s, Il-2s, SBD-5s and TBM-3s would all be uppable from small fields.  Add A-20Gs, B-26Bs, Boston Mk IIIs, Ju88A-4s and Ki-67s to medium fields and Ar234s, B-17Gs abd Lancaster Mk IIIs to large fields.

Il-2s are absolutely required for field defence against GV attacks.  All field sizes need it.


Suggestion #2 is just silly and not thought out.

[eagl]

You'd have to award perk points for merely hitting the fly button, at least enough to replace the points burned by taking the lowest cost plane.  That way your perk balance never falls below the level required to fly the lowest plane.  Or have a small core set of aircraft that not only have no cost, but which also give perk points for simple things like taking off successfully, otherwise newer players would never get beyond those low perk cost planes.

I don't think the 100% perk idea is all that great, but I do remember other maps years ago where bombers were not available at small fields, and it didn't seem to hurt gameplay.  It did somewhat reduce the amount of offensive ackstarring if I recall correctly.  Most bomber "purists" will launch from a field that lets them gain altitude before they get to enemy airspace anyhow, so most likely wouldn't really hurt those who are using them "correctly" in any case unless the field layout is really bad.  Put enough med fields up front that there will usually be a quicker way to get medium bombers to the fight, and it'll all be good.

It might get weird when a winning country starts to capture enemy bomber fields, but that's just one more reason for an attacker to take the time to make those deep strikes and capture a big base deep in enemy territory.  I remember doing this years ago for the specific purpose of capturing enemy bomber fields.  It added some strategy to the game that went beyond just gang-raping the nearest enemy field, and gave big squadrons something to do beyond just joining the crowd.

IMHO.

[Zanth]

If the bomber or jabo makes it safe home then make the base damage last a bit longer.  (Maybe call it damage from secondary explosions)

[Mitsu]

Pretty good idea.

[FiLtH]

Ok..thanks for calling it stupid :/

    I knew I didnt finish my thought while typing it. Ya...the new guys would need to be awarded start points of 1000 or so. AND...certain planes like the spit1,p40b,a6m,stukas,maybe a medium bomber, would be no cost. At map reset, everyone gets 200 perks. You blow them all and you fly non perk planes..the low end jobs, until you acquire some. That means flying in numbers for bombers, and not vulching and getting whacked by flaks every few sorties for fighters. GVs should be like they are now.

    As for making just one lump for perk points...why is it silly? The only reason someone wouldnt like it is because now they can burn up buffs without caring, but nurse their fighter perks, I say make every ride a risk.

    I like the idea of having bombs arm at only 8k or higher...maybe that would help, but only for level bombers. The divebombers would have to be able to drop lower.

    I want to see guys hold briefings, and give a meaning to missions rather than the mad-dash they are now. Large groups that can be very destructive...not these 10 minute suicide single sorties...where everything is up again in 15 minutes.

[DipStick]

Originally posted by FiLtH
I like the idea of having bombs arm at only 8k or higher...maybe that would help, but only for level bombers. The divebombers would have to be able to drop lower.

    I want to see guys hold briefings, and give a meaning to missions rather than the mad-dash they are now. Large groups that can be very destructive...not these 10 minute suicide single sorties...where everything is up again in 15 minutes.

I was talking about 'level' bombers Filth. As for large groups we have 'hordes' now. It was fun talking in the briefing rooms before a mission in AW, I know where you're coming from. 6 guys in light bombers and a goon can take a base now easily. Not sure much of anything short of 'major hardening' of town buildings, possibly additional VHs at a field and more troops required could change that.

I still don't think the perk thing would work. I fly more carefully when in a perk plane (just barely) and I have a few thousand perks. You don't think it would cause much higher overall alts and more boring gameplay?

[BlueJ1]

Ok im a true bomber dweeb(not some 2k dive bomber). And I know for a fact we are ridiculed for flying for a good amount of time just to get to 15k and bomb. This only takes a sector and a half to do in a B17 50% fuel, and 12 1,000 lbers. Flying 8 sectors just to get to semi close to the front is by far out of hand. If it was made that only large airfeilds could support heavy bombers there would be a uproar from us bomb dweebs. I dont speak for all. Its already a dieing tradition for a set of bombers to climb above 10k to hit a target. I believe making it impossible to up a heavy bomber from an area semi close to the front would be a mistake. On some maps the only large airfeilds are on the home island or a good many sectors away from the front. Im sorry I dont want to fly for ATLEAST two hours to get to a front. Some maps now only have 1 or 2 large airfeilds. This implemented now would, I believe, caus the end of lancasters and B17s. If more large airfeilds are added then maybe.

[vorticon]

Originally posted by FiLtH
1. Make the small airfields have only GV and fighter capability. Only Med fields to support Medium/light bombers, and only large fields support heavy bombers and all others.

    2. Make the perk points one unit for all units. And perk all planes, no matter how high a value, losing one should cost something. Rather than separating buffs from fighters, just make one perk score. Coming from someone who uses Lancs as a low level glide bomber and usually die, but kill what I wanted to before I die...I do this because the Lancs arent perked. And..if they were all lumped into the same perk score, Id be much more careful, and it would probably get people to form large groups before attacking rather than single 3 ship flights.

ah, that way people have even more reason to avoid a fight.

  3. Make structures harder to kill, but stay down longer. The frantic augering of buffs so you can get back with a goon before the VH or FH regens to me, doesnt seem as its as much fun as having to get "alot" of bombers to destroy a base, and have the time to plan, and brief.

ah, that way it requires more people to pork and auger to destroy it, making hording more required. the only way you could possibly make this work is to make non bomber bombs uneffective on things other than tanks.

[FiLtH]

I think a big part of the hording right now is the result of the frantic way we have to take stuff. "Get in there!!!"

   I'd rather see 20 bombers escorted by 20 fighters hit a base every 1/2 hour than 40 people hitting a base non stop, in trickles.
 
 But hey...thats me.

[DipStick]

Just went and looked at the map. I thought the fields (small, medium and large) were set in a random manner. The large fields do seem to be more towards the rear so I'd say any bombers from medium + fields would work. Just shooting for variety BlueJ but you have a valid point.

I'd rather see 20 bombers escorted by 20 fighters hit a base every 1/2 hour than 40 people hitting a base non stop, in trickles.

I don't think that's just you Filth. I would like to see that too. It would be (and has been on a couple of occasions) alot of fun for both sides. In addition to adding more variety, if not realism to the game.