new guy, just some questions.

[ReignMaker]

i just have a few question about this game.  Just a little background, my brother and I are avid WoW players, and we have been playing FPS games for years.  My father wants to get online and play with us but he really doesnt see the point to WoW (if there is a point), and Tiger Woods online just isnt cutting it for him.  He loves combat flying games, so we figured we would try this out.

The couple questions.

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

and last but not least...

4.  Is there a dictionary for Aces speak?  I understand all the technical talk, but some of the game lingo is mind boggling.


I have read up on the game but it always seems that the forum is the best place to get real answers. 

Thanks for your help.

Reign

[WWM]

Best thing to do is just jump in.  2 weeks free man!

[1Boner]

i just have a few question about this game.  Just a little background, my brother and I are avid WoW players, and we have been playing FPS games for years.  My father wants to get online and play with us but he really doesnt see the point to WoW (if there is a point), and Tiger Woods online just isnt cutting it for him.  He loves combat flying games, so we figured we would try this out.

The couple questions.

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

and last but not least...

4.  Is there a dictionary for Aces speak?  I understand all the technical talk, but some of the game lingo is mind boggling.


I have read up on the game but it always seems that the forum is the best place to get real answers. 

Thanks for your help.

Reign

#1--yes in the main arenas you can do as you please.

#2-- this game has a pretty big learning curve. Its not rocket science, but its harder than it looks. Every plane and vehicle is modeled to fly/drive/fire as realisticly as possible.

        I would recomend at least a couple trips to the training arena.

#3-- There are different "skins" available for each plane in the hanger.

#4-- Our resident encyclopedia and dictionary is named Lusche.



Have Fun,

Boner

[whiteman]

I'm working on my 2nd year and still learn new things everyday and still suck in a GV.

[KayBayRay]

ReignMaker  

1) Yes you can fly where ever you want and do what ever you want. There are also Ground Vehicles in here too as well as Task Groups at Sea. So plenty to pick from. Several different arenas to choose from as well. I played Air Warrior for many years before coming here as did many others. This is a great game... join the fun !!!

2) This is a very realistic game. I advise you to go to the AH trainer site and copy/paste, download every scrap of information, print it out and put it into a binder and start reading it. They are very thorough with their documentation and you will need to understand a lot of things before you start playing. If you dont then you will indeed get "owned" by everybody and anybody. This game will take a minimum of 6 months to 1 year to get good at so start out with an open mind. Plan on getting you rear shot off every time you fly. Learn to like getting blasted out of the sky. But under no circumstances give up. Be persistant, pay attention to those of us in here that will take a moment and explain something or show you how. Ignore the dweebs and jerks that mouth off or pound their chest at your expense. Every where you go there are helpful people and jerks. Learn to tell the difference and act on it.

3) The only customization is you can select the "skin" you will fly with and your squadron can have a squadron logo on your aircraft. Other than that there is no real custimzing in here besides the weapons load out and fuel.

4) Dont worry about it. Refer to my response in #2 above.


I hope you, your Brother and Father all come and join in the fun. There is plenty of fun to be had by all.

Later,
KayBay

[sunfan1121]

I would recommend you go to http://www.netaces.org/ It is a good website if you are new. It has a "dictionary" and just about everything you will need too get started.

[Motherland]

Basic AH 'speak'

Vulch-killing planes on the runway
Pick/Cherry Pick-killing someone when they're not paying attention
HO-Head On. Shooting at someone when both of you are facing eachother. Its generally regarded as poor form.
Eggs-Bombs
Heavy-loaded with bombs(if not using it in the literal sense)
TnB-turn and burn ('turnfight')
'E'/Energy-Speed+altitude
Auger-crash
RTB-returning to base
Bingo-out. Used as 'bingo fuel' or 'bingo ammo'.


All I can think of at this time.

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

You can pick new skins, but all must go through HTC and all are historical. You can't 'upgrade' your aircraft or anything silly like that. The game is very historical and realistic.

and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

It does take time to get proficient and you will never really 'master' it. But, if you hang out in the Training arenas a bit before hitting the MA's, you can learn some stuff and become about as good as the average MA pilot rather quickly.

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

You can take any plane from any feild you want (bar perk planes and feilds that are not under the control of your country). So, to answer your more specific question, yes.

[BiPoLaR]

Do your 2 weeks then,
stay in the TA for at least 6 months before you come to the MA
they way youll learn not to HO and run

[LYNX]

1) Yes... but be mindful of the bigger picture.  IE if your country was doing an under dar mission you wouldn't want to draw attention to their target.

2) It's a steep learning curve but that makes it even better.  Very few "Elitist" squads these days.  There are some very good sticks around which will make you think "how did he do that".  Learn from it

3) Skins are consistently added.  Gun convergence, fuel, ordnance load out and VERY importantly all  pilot / gunner / driver views are customisable.

4)  Web page help files, trainers site and www.netaces.org should hold all the info you require and more.

You have 2 weeks free... Be sure to set up your stick or gawd forbid mouse.  Read the help files noting DOT and KEY commands (printable) save days asking basic question with a 30 min read

P.S When you become addicted the best purchase isn't a faster PC or CH gear it's a Mini fridge....

[MajIssue]

The first two weeks are free! After that you pay $15.00 a month... IMHO the best entertaimnent bargain out there...

  The Flight Models are realistic, but there is an auto takeoff function (default) so you can get your airplane up right away. As for landing, you're on your own! If you've ever landed an aircraft in the RW or another flight sim you shouldn't have a problem landing!    
  The game is divided into 3 "countries" Bishops, Knights and Rooks... You can fly (up) from any base/carrier (CV) your country owns.
  You get "perk" points for landing kills or destroying targets. You can use these "perkies" to "buy" perked aircraft like the ME-262. If you get shot down in a perk ride you loose your perkies so caution is advised.
You can play with only a mouse but a joystick will increase your enjoyment of the game. Saitek (ST-290) and Logitec (Extreme 3D Pro) both make inexpensive ($20-30) sticks.

Read the help file on the HTC web site,and go to the training arena the first time you log in, As others have said, it will help!

Welcome to the addiction!

[kotrenin]

This may also help...http://www.pilotpress.shorturl.com/

You can download the free version on that page or buy the hard copy.

It is kind of the "Idiot's guide to the online fighter pilot"   

[Elfie]

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

No, you are going to get pwned by everyone initially. Seriously, spend some time in the Training Arena first. As others have stated, this game does have a steep learning curve but if you stick with it, the fun times are very rewarding. It doesn't take all that long to become familiar enough with the flight model to be able to hold your own against the average player. The trainers in the TA will help to reduce that amount of time, they are very helpful.

[moot]

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

and last but not least...

4.  Is there a dictionary for Aces speak?  I understand all the technical talk, but some of the game lingo is mind boggling.

1.
2. You can have fun with what you learn from day one but still be learning years down the road.  There are official trainers and lots of players who'll help you out learning the ropes of dogfighting.  Doing this right puts you above a large portion of the player base which never bothers making the effort to learn the basics..
3. You have a choice of a bit more than a dozen skins per plane, made by players of the game.  The only restriction is that skins need to be approved by HTC.  There are no individual markings such as in Il2 - the most individual marking you can add to custom skins is your squad's noseart.  
If you do want to make a skin of your own to submit to HTC, there's plenty of help in the skins forum.
4. I'll add a few:

• Stick stir / fish flop:  A sort of evasive maneuver made by randomly moving the controls, which shifts the plane around unpredictably... But looks like dope, uses up your "E" (dogfighting currency), and for no real gain if the guy you're trying to evade knows what he's doing - He just has to sit back off power while you do that dance.  Very gamey and wastes both yours and his time.
• Rope / rope a dope : Zooming up so that the bogie following you stalls out at the right time and place for you to come back down for a shot at him.
• Overshoot: Out-decelerating the guy chasing you so that you get a shot as he passes by.

[Murdr]

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

All the "War" arenas are open format.  There is a mission system, and cooridinated team play is encouraged, but you are free to spend your sorties as you see fit.

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

The air combat and game specific issues take awhile to master.  There aren't any "level ups" in AH, its gameplay is very much dependent on knowledge and tactics.  So yea, it may take awhile, but this is generally a good community, and pleanty of experienced players are willing to help.

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

You can make your own squad art that will display on the side of your plane or vehicle.  Other than that only historical skins (mostly player made) can be used on the game server

and last but not least...

4.  Is there a dictionary for Aces speak?  I understand all the technical talk, but some of the game lingo is mind boggling.

Yes, visit the Aces High Training Corps Website for a glossary of radio abbreviations, and many other resources for learning the game.

[stodd]

#4-- Our resident encyclopedia and dictionary is named Lusche.