Lemur, since the Wave is attached to the player that launched it, a disco or bail would inmediately make all buffs in that wave blow up. That is why the lead buff (aka player) would be quite aware that any sharp turn (aka, becoming an F-26 of F-17) would make his AI buffs lose track of him and will blow up if they cant rejoin formation in X amount of time.
"nothing I hate worse than killing mindless drones in a game that's about human vs human fighting"
And im sure you love fighting buffs that can turn with your zeke and hit you with 37mm cannon equivalent guns. The Wave option would remove the supergun crap, the fighter-buff crap and introduce safety through numbers.. just like in real life.
A player does NOT have to go in a wave, they can still fly a solo buff and fly with other solo's in their own wave.. though a squadron using WAVE would not only have 3 times the protective firepower, 3 times the chances of living and 3 times the bombloads, but it would also be extremely fun to have a lot of buffs in the air in a realistic raid.
"If you want to fly in formation, join or form a squad"
Thats the whole point. There arent enough (if any at all) dedicated buff squadrons, nor any dedicated buff drivers to portray realistic buff operations in the game.
"the air war goes where the buffs go. In AH that is what's missing.. because there ARENT enough buffs out there.
The way I see AH with this modification is countries which would be engaged in a furious air war, large formations of buffs trying to close down strat targets and fields, escort fighters trying to get them there, enemy interceptors trying to shoot down as many buffs as possible so the damage doesnt close their dar or fields, while trying to wage their own buff offensive.
Does that spell BUFF SQUADRONS being needed? Interceptor/Escort squadrons? This literally makes a role for each AC and player type. Buff pilots have their joy, fighters have their joy, Furballers have their joy (if 24 buffs and 6+ escort fighters raid constantly coming in doesnt look like a good furball, I dunno what is). Even the strat junkies get their kicks."
I'd like to add to that... what would you, as a buff pilot rather be in? a solo buff attack or a buff formation of 9+ buffs? You, as a fighter pilot, what do you prefer to see? A single buff outurning you and spraying 20mm cannon at d1.2+ or a 9+buffs that wont turn, wont spray turbolaser, but that are a great threat to your country and have 3X the guns to bear on you from different angles ?
Anyone remember those fricken HUGE buff raids that Hangtime organized against rook HQ 2 tours ago? Were they 15 buffs? with escorts? The whole game suddenly CHANGED. People were suddenly taking off in groups without planning it, people on radio calling out alt and heading of buffs, a level of realism and coordination that was out of this world. The game that day become a SIM for once.
I see AH with this option becoming very close to simulating the Air War during the 40's.
Which is why I'm asking HT if this is something that may be done, if only to see if it works. Maybe use the SEA and try this out or something.
