Ok long post to respond to quite a few different posts.
Since the complaints were directed against the mission, and I am the person who started organizing the mission, please bear with me as I respond.
Treize69 wrote:
Problem is that most of the axis dont want to spend all night climbing just to get killed on the first pass or jumped before they even get there. So they either dont check in at all, or take one look at the numbers and leave.
I know its historical, Im not complaining about that. But it makes for an extremely frustrating (and non-enjoyable) evening of gameplay.
If this is what ToD is going to be like for LW fliers, get ready for an astounding lack of opposition.
and
As I said Dan, the complaints arent (IMO) so much that the Allies got themselves organized (its about bloody time!) just that sometimes the historical aspect can overpower the fun aspect.
When you take a look at the numbers and want to leave without even getting up and giving it a try, then the fun has been sucked right out of it.
With me it's not so much proportions as numbers- theres a big difference between being down 15-5 and being down 60-20 or 75-25. Proportion is still 3:1, but the numbers you're up against are rediculous.
Well, there are probably a few 8th AF fliers who didnt want to spend all night climbing out from north of London, flying south across England, crossing the channel at it's widest point, flying inland and getting shot down by the first pass of some 190A8 either. But you don't see them griping here. It was historical. So were the multiple opportunities that the LW got to up again and again to engage as we plodded along. Funny the defination of frustrating, I find always seeing LA7s and SpitXVIs frustrating and always fighting at low altitude on the deck with no point frustrating. Each his own, and this is/was a historical arena. And I hope this is what Combat Tour is like. If it isn't then they are not being true to their advertising.
And I think I need to gripe that the allies were outnumbered. With the LW able to reup after getting shot down or land and get fresh guns we were outnumbered over the course of the mission. I shudder to think what would have happend if the LW would have taken a few minutes to group up and hit one portion of the bombers in force. Again historical, the LW were able to gain local superiority over portions of the bomber stream.
RTR wrote:
I flew axis for over an hour last night. Logged when it got to the point of being rediculous.
Allied mission or not. 74 vs 22 is overkill.
what happened to switching sides to even it up a bit? I don't mind being out numbered, but that was way over the top.
and
Guppy u misread my intention.
what normally happens in the AVA when the #'s become widely imbalanced is people switch to even it up a bit.
This clearly didn't happen last night. I welcome larger numbers and missions of any sort being organized in the AvA.
What i don't welcome is the standard MA mentality. It ain't the MA.
If this is what you want then stay in the MA. Everything you need is right there.
RTR, I let the Axis know this was coming 4 days ahead of time. This started out as the GHOSTS being escorted by the 78th and 4th. Well people have friends and we ended up with 21 or 22 B17 pilots and appoximately 25 escorts of all types. I never got an accurate count of the escorts as the squadrons were spread all over the map for takeoff from historical fields.
I did ask those Allies not involved in the mission to "keep the LW busy" at Calasis/Dover while we formed up and then suggested they up as LW and enjoy the interception. They were too busy trying to figure out how to capture a base on European soil. Now THAT sounds like MA mentality, which is what the continual furball between Dover and Calasis is as well. I also told the LW over channel 200 what we had, and where we were going. I could and would not ask people who had taken the time to get organized to go help the LW who either didn't care to or were unable to get organized in return.
Have wrote:
I think the keyword here is "time difference". You give a fair warning saying you will be flying on sunday evening (assuming about 2100-2300 hours) and there is about 7-10 hour difference to europe and to Finland where the last LW "horde", which you are referring to, came from. So it was about 0400-0600 time here on sunday-monday night and you are wondering why there weren't enough LW players? I am assume that many european players are dedicated LW drivers.
If you can organise this kind of an event again, please try to do so for example on sunday afternoon like the special events usually. I can guarantee you that at least the finnish lentolaivue 32/34 squads will be there to fly against you. The AARs and pictures look great, i would have been thrilled to see so many bombers in action.
Duly noted. Again as stated above this started out as a 78th FG/4th FG and GHOSTS mission and the GHOSTS and 4th have squadron night on Sunday at 9:00pm eastern. When
we do this again we will see about scheduling for an afternoon either Saturday or Sunday. What would be the best time for you dedicated LW players.
1azbaer wrote:
I only expect it to get worse as the ava arena is converted to TOD.
I have a few concerns with the game play as TOD concepts are introduced. But I will save those for another post.
Last night I about cancelled my account, NO joy in playing till the end. I spent the whole night climbing up to the altitude where the bombers were. Just to be shot down in seconds by the escourt, happen twice.
Before I get the (RTFM) teenie bomper responses.... yes, I stink in playing the game, I am, worse then a newbie.
As the new format is put into rotation, this is only goning to get worse. With the amount of time required to out fit a pilot, train, get into a squad who would want to switch sides to even up the numbers. Something has to be done on the massive bombers and really poor frame rates.
Congratulations on creating a mini me Main Arena.
and
A few things,
I never complained about the plane sets. Nor the large numbers but the balance of the teams. The massvive number of bombers with the bomb dropped wreck my frame rate and many others as I was reading the POST on channel and hearing the comments on the vox. Not to memtion that I spent most of the time getting alt to engage. or waiting by upping from a rear base.
Sorry I do have other things in my life beside Aces, like work and life outside in the real world. Spending the whole time flying to the battle. quit frankly bites, and isnt worth the money spent on this GAME.
Yes, No body forced me to fly the intercept mission. But when the marjority of the action is there, you will be drawn to where the action is. I am sure if the raid was going the other way, many of the Bish would be echoing my fustration.
My comments are based upon Pyros Sticky in the CT forum titled Q&A.
I suggest that you all read it. The claim is that the no arena will be changed, but some how the CT not he special events arena is being used as the test bed. If it is not gonig to be changed then why Post it in the CT Forum? Why Change the name of the CT? Why not create another arena for testing of TOD and invite users?
The reasons I play in the CT: Smooth playing, wrapping is a minium, usally a higher class of players. I have created vitural friendships with flyiers on both sides
I have flown with many in the CT. NOt as a squad member but with them on the same team. I have even gunned for Filth. Vulching really isnrt an issue except for the occasional Newbie or a vist from a M.A. player.
As far taking a few days Off I do and will, This game is not my life. I was playing Monday night, after I made my POST.
Well bud, I feel for you and your less than performing computer. Sounds like you either need to turn down your graphics or upgrade. This was a historical mission that occured at the appropriate time in the rolling plane set. Nothing special or devious about it.
This is not the MA, the MA has a "safe zone" behind the lines where you can safely climb out and get all the alt you need before you decide to engage. Well we were in your airspace and we owned it for a short period of time as we passed. My suggestion would be to climb out away from the bomber stream and get a wingman. Maybe you should read "I flew for the Fuhrer" as well.
Shifty wrote:
sheesh it was one mission out of a setup that been going on for over three weeks. Once it was over everything went back to normal. Get over it.
Uh one mission? huh..
FiLtH wrote:
Anyone find that the join window popup, is happeneing alot in here? Wonder if it means more players? Or if just in a smaller arena the odds are better to get joined by someone?
Yeah poor Connolly tried to join on me as were we climbing out and getting organized. I was just a little busy.
Krusty wrote:
The only time LW is ever over 20k is when there are B17s at no less than 27k trying to bomb over and over with impunity. We waste all our freaking time getting up to them, the RAF fighters all climb up looking for us, we give up or follow the bombers in their 400-mph dive from 27k to run as fast as possible, and then the RAF all have the sub-orbital alt advantage. Rinse. Repeat. Log off in frustration.
Ahh good, Krusty made it out of his bomb shelter.
Those interested I suggest reading
Target Berlin: Mission 250, 6 March 1944 it is available from some online aviation bookstores.
