Newbie thoughts

[drkorf]

I've been trying out a lot of WW2 flight sims recently. These include Battleground Europe, BF1942, Fighter Ace, IL-2 Forgotten Battles, SkyFighters 1945, and Targetware. I previously played Warbirds for a year under the name 'denada'. It's been a great deal of fun trying out the various games. Each one has its plusses and minuses (except BF1942 which is too silly). I just started my Aces High two week trial 5 days ago. I've been flying for the Rooks for no particular reason. So far, the thing I like best about Aces High is the radio. I can't believe how much difference it makes to hear pilots near you. Every game should have this feature. I also love the P40E in this game. I usually like to fly a zero, but the AH versions are not my favorites. The radio and P40 may keep me playing after my demo period is over. But if I stay, I'll probably end up quitting once I get weary of all the late model planes in the main arena and some of the dweebish tactics I've seen (stick-stirrers be damned). C'est la vie.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Then you should visit the AvA arena and try the scenarios and snapshots offered in the Special Events arena.  Much more interesting than the MA.

[Kurt]

You didnt see dweebish tactics in Fighter ace?

No game can outsmart it's players.  Playing against humans means learning to work against the weird things they do.  Dweeb tactics are easy to defeat.

And as star pointed out, AvA might be the place for you if main is making you crazy.

Dweebs happen.  Games can't stop them.

[drkorf]

Agreed, all games have their dweebery. Some more than others. Fighter Ace has dweebs in spades. Dweebery is a large part of why I left Warbirds (and the bugs that never got fixed). The problem isn't so much dealing with dweeb tactics but having to deal with them. Perhaps the scenarios and snapshots are the answer. The AvA arena is usually empty. The one time I played there it had about 20 pilots. It was late-war Japanese vs. Russian. N1K2 vs La7... looked a lot like the Main. I'll keep trying it though.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Heh.  If you knew how seldom the La-7 is seen in the AvA you might appreciate it more.  Pop in the AvA forum and read through the threads.  We generally discuss each setup before it appears to get feedback from the people who fly there.  That alone makes it different from the MA.  Lately the experiment has been with rolling planesets for each theater represented.  This was a experiment of another sort, pitting Russian planes against the Japanese.  We are used to seeing the American iron vs the Japanese.  

Not that everyone always agrees on the planesets chosen.  We do try though.  I've always been a firm believer that discussing it openly is better than just plopping it in everyone's lap, and I think it works out ok in the end.  Eventually something comes around for everyone.

[Kurt]

Originally posted by drkorf
Agreed, all games have their dweebery. Some more than others. Fighter Ace has dweebs in spades. Dweebery is a large part of why I left Warbirds (and the bugs that never got fixed). The problem isn't so much dealing with dweeb tactics but having to deal with them. Perhaps the scenarios and snapshots are the answer. The AvA arena is usually empty. The one time I played there it had about 20 pilots. It was late-war Japanese vs. Russian. N1K2 vs La7... looked a lot like the Main. I'll keep trying it though.

Get in a good squad and get involved in Friday Squad ops.  It is the answer you are looking for... One Life, realistic objectives.

Sometimes its planned bad, sometimes its genius.  Just like the real thing...

[WMLute]

You really need to give the Special Events a go.  At the top of the bbs is a button named CALENDAR that you can click and it will show you all the events we are running this month.

Tue. Night

Gentleman Start your engines!

If you like to fly by the seat of your pants and show off your piloting skills then this is the place for you. The Aces High Extreme Air Racing League was designed for you to have fun and to give you a chance to kick the tires and light your fires.

This Event takes place on Tuesday at 10:00 EST or 2200 hrs in the Special Event Arena. No preregistion required. Just show up and get ready to race. Practice is encouraged prior to the race.  The race track will be posted in the Race Tracks section of this (Extreme Air Racing) web page and can be practiced offline as much as desired before the race.  The Special Events Arena will be set up for racing practice by Sunday evening, and practice can be undertaken online as long as the arena is available.  Each race is typicly a 3 heat race where the pilot with the highest overall finishes in all 3 heats is the winner and gains 20 points towards the Season Points race.

Wed. Night Thur. Day.

Snapshots are designed from military conflicts around the globe during World War II. This is a walk on event and all players are welcome. Frames usually last for approximately 1 hour. Time permitting the hosting CM will run a 2nd frame that would allow attending players to switch sides. These are single life frames. Snapshots are held every Wednesday Evening at 2200 hours (10PM EST) and Thursday at 1500 hours (3PM EST) in the Special Events Arena.

Players entering the arena will be asked to pick a side, Axis or Allied. Once sides are established you will attempt to complete the mission that has been described in the Snapshot design and/or MOTD (Message of the Day).

Fri. Night

Squad Operations events are Squad based single life events setup around a historical conflicts from 1938 to 1945 and in all theatres of operations. Western front, Eastern front, Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Pacific. Squads are organized into two sides of the conflict, (Allied vs Axis) and compete against each other in the 3 week tour to fulfill assigned orders and bring victory to their side.

Sun. Afternoon

Close Escort is a scheduled Sunday event for Aces High that combines elements of Friday Squad Ops and Snapshots.  It runs from 3:00 to 4:30 pm EST.
Each frame will feature a side on the offensive, complete with bombers or jabo aircraft with dedicated escorts facing the interceptors and destroyers of the defending side.
Frames will be scored using a percentage based system with varying categories affecting the outcome.

and let us not forget....

- Would you like to fly in large-scale, realistic air battles?
- Do you read accounts of WWII air combat and wish for similar on-line action?
- Do you desire realism and involvement that is a step beyond the main arena?

If so -- whether you are a beginning pilot or a seasoned expert -- scenarios are definitely for you.

Scenarios are special large-scale battles in Aces High that run a few times a year. Sometimes they are based on actual WWII battles, such as the Battle of Britain. Sometimes they are based on hypothetical battles that might have been.

A scenario typically involves about 200 people divided into two sides. Each side has particular aircraft, mission objectives, squadron assignments, bases, and resources. A scenario typically runs over the course of a month, with one battle per week, each battle lasting 3-4 hours.

the next Scenario is called OPERATION DOWNFALL  

Click HERE to register for Operation Downfall


And I would be remiss if I didn't mention my all time favorite Special Event.....
King of the Hill, which is run twice a month.

All participants meet at the field.
The reigning AH KOTH from the previous month will choose the plane for the first fight.
Each time a match is won, the winner of that match chooses the plane for the following match.
Fuel and ammo loads are at each pilot's personal choice.
Attack and fighter aircraft are allowed for AH KOTH tourney play. No buffs.
Everyone takes off in different directions when the CM orders you to launch.
Follow the rules of engagement and shoot down as many as you can. Last plane flying wins that match.
Win 3 matches and you are the AH KOTH (Aces High King of the Hill) for the month and can proudly proclaim yourself as the KOTH.

There IS life outside of the MA, and ton's of fun to be had.  

Welcome to Aces High.  

Most importantly, have fun!

[Eagle Eye]

Here is a secret They, Umm HTC I mean are supposedly working to make a mission based version. But that's just a rumor.

[AutoPilot]

Welcome too Ah drkorf


Just about all i fly is the P-40, matter of fact thats 1 of the 2 planes that my squad does fly.That plane is a true joy too fly.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by drkorf
But if I stay, I'll probably end up quitting once I get weary of all the late model planes in the main arena and some of the dweebish tactics I've seen (stick-stirrers be damned). C'est la vie.

Screw the stick stirrers. I usually laugh when I see this useless tactic
Be patient.
Aim for the center of the target
They die just as easy as if they flew straight

And if they stick stir enough. they get a "do not move controls so rapidly"

Then they do fly nice and straight for ya

Patience son, patience

[Chalenge]

No matter how fantastic the stickstirrer can stickstir eventually curiosity wins over and he stops stickstirring to have a look around him. Thats when you shoot him. If you stick to using your tactics and not playing into his then you will win mostly.

[Slash27]

Originally posted by drkorf
The AvA arena is usually empty. The one time I played there it had about 20 pilots. It was late-war Japanese vs. Russian. N1K2 vs La7... looked a lot like the Main. I'll keep trying it though.

 Bad timing on this in your case. The only thing more rare in the AvA than the La7 is the Yak-9U. Both are there this week:D

[DREDIOCK]

Sometimes for amusement when Im an even more sadistic mood then I normally am.

Ill follow the stick stirrers and wait till they stop stirring. Then tap em on the shoulder a few times with bbs and watch em go into their stick stir routine like some half arsed drunken hula girl dancer again.

They stop stirring I tap em again and they stir again.

I sometimes do this 4-5 times before I get bored and clip their plane in two with 20 mil
 a simple Barrel roll is far more effective a defence then stick stirring

[StarOfAfrica2]

Whats wrong with drunken hula dancers??  

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
Whats wrong with drunken hula dancers??  

did I say Hula?
Im sorry
I should have said
Salsa Dancer