Gameplay Question from Noobs

[RyanCS]

First thanks to all that have helped on gunnery tactics etc...

One thing that I and I know of others that need to tackls is overall gameplay. I think one of the reasons why (especially the vets) have some issues with gameplay now is that there are waves of noobs who have no idea of whats going on in terms of "The strategy". I have 2 other friends who are excellent gamers, but are clueless (even more than me) what the overall point of the game is. Please dont take this as we dont find it fun, cause its the only game we play now just for the air combat sim portion of it.

But its gotta be frustrating for both vets and noobs in terms of the vets understand all the nuances of the game, but the noobs know 1 thing - fly and try to kill and not be killed.  I and other noobs at times have to watch from the sidelines  while those that are more experienced execute "the plan" (taking bases, utilizing vehicles, CV's) etc.. To the noob, its extremely confusing and we end up following the crowd (usually other noobs or those that play noob like) just because we dont know what else to do - which in turn degrades gameplay for vet and noob equally.

I saw the new web link that the trainers put up and thats great. But it would be great if someone could point to a resource that explained things like game strategy - things like:

1. What constitutes a good base to capture. Why are we going after that field and not this one? etc..

2. What targets to take out first and why? This is for both towns and bases.

3. Why are there vehicle bases in the game - it seems like they are never utilized, or they seem they have no real purpose in the game (at least to the noob) - same goes for infantry bases.

4. This is a BIG one for me and my friends - Give us the typical flow or chronolgy of a base takeover.  Like what typically happens on both sides, meaning offensive and defensive, and why?

5. Besides having vehicle bases why are there tanks in the game, do people actually drive them ALL the way from thier base to another. Seems like it would take hours, am I missing something?

6. This is sorta amusing, but why when I bail out I am with my trusty colt 45 - in the middle of no where. WHat am I supposed to do - run back to my base? I dont think any enemy is looking for me, AND I know ther are no friendlies initiating a search and rescue operation for me... I say this tongue in cheek but it goes to the point of there are lots of things going on, but I cant figure out why "its" going on.

I leave it at that for now. Again Agreat game and a great community. Hopefully I and other noobs will learn the game more quickly and help make it a better expereince for all to enjoy.

Ryan

[indy007]

Originally posted by RyanCS

2. What targets to take out first and why? This is for both towns and bases.

The usual order is AAA, Vehicle Hangar, Fighter Hangars, Town Buildings. This limits their ability to form any sort of effective defense other than upping IL2s and trying to HO you to death. It's not a hard & fast rule. Many times you'll see a base attack completely ignore hangars, and depending on the level of defense, is either a smart idea so after the capture you have those resources available immediately... or it's a bad idea because people simply didn't bother to attack them, and heavy defense can come pouring out of them in a hurry.

3. Why are there vehicle bases in the game - it seems like they are never utilized, or they seem they have no real purpose in the game (at least to the noob) - same goes for infantry bases.

Because they're fun. "Tank Town" is where you can find good sized tank vs tank fights, but they're not on every map. Also, there are no infantry bases. Also, M-16s and Ostwinds can be brought out for more anti-aircraft defense. M-3s (or LVTs from carrier groups) can be brought out with troops, in lieu of flying over troops with a C-47. Troops are the means to capturing a field.

5. Besides having vehicle bases why are there tanks in the game, do people actually drive them ALL the way from thier base to another. Seems like it would take hours, am I missing something?

Directional spawns put you alot closer to enemy bases. Bring up your clipboard, right click the map, and make sure vehicle spawns is checked. The yellow lines coming from a vehicle base will show you were you can spawn to.

6. This is sorta amusing, but why when I bail out I am with my trusty colt 45 - in the middle of no where. WHat am I supposed to do - run back to my base? I dont think any enemy is looking for me, AND I know ther are no friendlies initiating a search and rescue operation for me... I say this tongue in cheek but it goes to the point of there are lots of things going on, but I cant figure out why "its" going on.

Bring up your clipboard (escape key), and click end sortie. Or, alternatively, bring up your radio box (/ key) and type .ef  and hit enter. Same result either way. You'll be sent back to the tower you originally spawned from.

[DadRabit]

S! (salute) and welcome to ah2

an answer to question #4:

if you have enough people and use the right planes.  heres what a typicle base capture looks like.

1.  upping in large numbers. you need heavy fighter/attack planes.  110's a20's  etc.

2.  fighter cover a must.  not only for the base your attacking but if there is a nearby base it needs a couple of "stalling" fighters.

3.  deack the base and kill vehicle hanger is first.

4.  heavy fighters/attack planes kill the town.  everything in the town.

5.  c-47 goony bird with 10 troops dropped over town min of 800' above town.

6.  base is captured.

typicle base responce to being attacked:

1.  up fast planes.  ie la-7 wfith 1/2 fuel load.

2.  up ground vehicles before vehicle hanger gets destroyed.  send those to the town.  also ground vehicles will try to get to the town from other bases (spawn points).

hope this helps

S!

[FiLtH]

1. What constitutes a good base to capture. Why are we going after that field and not this one? etc..

A. High bases are the best captures.

2. What targets to take out first and why? This is for both towns and bases.

A. If you plan on a capture, level the town first. Its buildings stay down the longest time. If the friendly fighters arent getting the job done, take out the VH if no one bothered to bring bombs for it, then the FH. If the enemy masses in Il2, take out the BH as well.

3. Why are there vehicle bases in the game - it seems like they are never utilized, or they seem they have no real purpose in the game (at least to the noob) - same goes for infantry bases.

A. Many VH bases have spawns near airfields which put you close to the action. Many bases are captured using M3s w/ troops this way. The infantry factory like the other strats is just a points target.

4. This is a BIG one for me and my friends - Give us the typical flow or chronolgy of a base takeover. Like what typically happens on both sides, meaning offensive and defensive, and why?

A.
    1. Either a fighter or bomber goes to an enemy base that no action exists, looking to stir up trouble.
    2. A couple enemy come up to defend.
    3. As the darbar (colored bar that shows size of forces in that sector) grows, more people from both sides gather there looking for action.
    4. Bombers come to hit the town and base, fighters to vulch, or assist in the capture.
     5. Once the town is flat the enemy tries to prevent capture by c47, m3,lvt or jeep.
     6. If town is flat and the c47/m3 drops its 10 troops out at the town maproom, the base is captured.
     7.Kill off remaining enemy and defend against re-capture.

   Bases attacked by a CV should have its ord destroyed early so they cant up bombers to kill the CV.


5. Besides having vehicle bases why are there tanks in the game, do people actually drive them ALL the way from thier base to another. Seems like it would take hours, am I missing something?

A. Most bases have forward vehicle spawns. On the clipbord map right click, and select SHOW VEHICLE SPAWNS. The point of each arrow is the place you will spawn in at. If a base has a yellow arrow pointing towards the northeast, instead of clicking the H that puts u in a hanger on the field, select the NE button. This will send you there.


6. This is sorta amusing, but why when I bail out I am with my trusty colt 45 - in the middle of no where. WHat am I supposed to do - run back to my base? I dont think any enemy is looking for me, AND I know ther are no friendlies initiating a search and rescue operation for me... I say this tongue in cheek but it goes to the point of there are lots of things going on, but I cant figure out why "its" going on.

A. Once you bail you are by all accounts dead. In mid air just click END SORTIE and you will return to tower. You can bail out over your town's maproom and go inside, and defend against the paratroopers that try to run in it to prevent capture.

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by RyanCS
but the noobs know 1 thing - fly and try to kill and not be killed.  

The wisdom of noobs.

This is the best of all air combat goals.  Try not to lose sight of it.  Be Richtofens, and resist the "OMG we have to win the war" mentality.

- oldman

[indy007]

Originally posted by Oldman731
The wisdom of noobs.

This is the best of all air combat goals.  Try not to lose sight of it.  Be Richtofens, and resist the "OMG we have to win the war" mentality.

- oldman

thx for the fights in EWA the other day too oldman!

[LYNX]

There are a number of ways to have fun here in AH 2.  The objectives may vary from one aspect to the other.  Essentially the majority is expantionisum.  Capture of enemy bases leaded to a reset.  New map start over again.  

Field captures in brief  flatten town get 10 troops in

V base capture shoot 2 auto acks out get 10 troops in

Port capture shoot all auto acks out get 10 troops in

CV capture = capture port then sink that porks CV

Capture of enemy factories = capture "Zone base"

These are the minimum requirments to capture.  However the enemy will do stupid stuff like shoot you and your troops.  They may fly around all your fields blowing up barracks stalling you in your tracks.  No barracks = no troops = no captures.  

You can be sneaky using 1 Gv to drive in a town and blow it down then ride a m3 in with 10 troops.  \

You can be full on in ya face 30 man mission blowing out all hangers town and getting troops in.  

You may in time not want any part of capture.  You may just prefere to fly about shooting any red plane you see.  Learning aspects of dog fighting as it were.

You may just prefere to hide behind a bullet proof hedge in a GV at a spawn point and shoot tanks all day.

You may prefere to bimble about in a set of bombers hammering factories (slows regain time down) or bombing FH's for the hell of it.

You may prefere to to be a jack of all trades and go for high rank.

[Simaril]

Originally posted by Oldman731
The wisdom of noobs.

This is the best of all air combat goals.  Try not to lose sight of it.  Be Richtofens, and resist the "OMG we have to win the war" mentality.

- oldman

RyanCS:

If you havent already realized it, there are 2 main groups of players in AH2. Some folks love the territorial capture part, working as a team to take enemy bases and defend the turf they already have. Others mostly like the fighting for its own sake, like wrestlers or gladiators -- and these folks tend to view the territorial aspects as a framework on which the fight situations are draped. (You will also see a few guys who actively despise the territorial part, and wish that it would just go away. They're in the minority of the fighting guys though.)

Now for the glossary.

GV: ground vehicle

Toolshedder: a derogatory term used by those who dislike the capture game. (As in, "All you guys want to do is blow up toolsheds.")

Furballer: Someone who likes fighter combat much more than the capture game. (As in, "You furballers need to forget that big air to air fight, and start defending some bases!")

Generals: (or Genrlz) Guys who tell everyone what they should be doing to save the situation

Buffer: Player who prefers to fly bombers. Almost always part of the territory crowd, though a few like to fly through furballs to shoot down planes from the gun postions.

Griefer: Someone who takes delight in annoying others by messing with their fun. (Term used because no one can spell "schadenfreuder")

Lasz: Defies defintion. Do a forum search for posts by his name, or by the subject "rabid furballer."

[bigsky406]

Tactic 101

Red Icon - Kill it
enjoy it
rinse, repeat


Tactic 101.5

Red Icon - Kills you
enjoy it
get new plane
rinse and try not to repeat

class dismissed