HO's are just a normal part of the game in the MA.
When you engage a bogey, expect him to try to give you a face full of shot. Whether it be at the merge or subsequent merges as you vertical fight or turn fight, or whatever. It isn’t just the LA-LA’s either. The 109’s with their 30mms are a nightmare. That is why I’ve taken to the 109G6 from the F4. Much better firepower, although I think the F4 is a better turn fighter. Either one will get you home if you fly smart.
At the merge, I usually just roll under their nose. Or HO them if they look like they are avoiding the HO.
The MA is more like “LA’s High” lately, but the 109 is a LA killer, just pick your favorite from the F4 to the G10. I used to just fear the P-38, now, in a 109 F4/G6, they are meat. Same with the L-Gays. Unless of course the P-38 or LaLa is flown by a good stick.
The reason, I say that, is that most of the LA’s are not flown by the best sticks. Once you get to a certain level in this game, a LA7 becomes boring. You need more of a challenge. I think that most good sticks will eventually move on from the Spits and the Niks and the LA-7 to more challenging rides. Not for the perks, but for the satisfaction.
What you need to develop in your SA repertoire is the ability to quickly evaluate the quality of pilot you are flying against, not the plane type you are fighting.
For the real question you learn to ask yourself in this game is not; “What plane am I fighting?” But, “Which pilot am I fighting?”
And when that question becomes first in your mind Grasshopper, you are not far from reaching enlightenment.
