In both of these fights my opponent dropped his nose low before the merge to get under me and get more speed (not quite kosher but whatever),
watched the films, he didn't go nose-under enough to take advantage of the potential...
anyway, i'm actually replying to the quoted part above. I notice this merge seems to be the biggest difference between the former Air Warriors and the former War Bird'er camps... in AW going under the nose at merge was standard, while in WB it seems that both flew level and only did anything *after* passing tail-tail. Seems the two of you are either ex-wb or influenced by them.
I'd have been a good 1k under and 100mph faster.
I just think it makes more sense (ex- AW after, all) with a modified merge, i.e., "6k pre-vis alt cap, at vis (dot or icon), anything goes except a HO on the merge.
While the above does encourage going nose under, depending on start alt cap, it also opens it up to a wider variety since there's at least 3-5 miles seperation for something to occur. To a degree, you see a lot of people requesting deck merges, taking away the nose under option.
Personally I like some air under me as it allows more options and variety. One advantage of getting under the other guy at the merge, is it allows you to also better track him from your up/back view and respond to what you see him doing, high g e-bleeding turn, moderate g yo-yo, or a blow-thru and grab.
However, in the MA, going to DA closures before making your move will most likely get you a face full of lead, so the merges are often performed a bit further out, but basically the same idea. A duel also allows one to be more aggressive with follow ons than one might in the MA with the uncertainty of incoming cons.
