If you don't fight how can you learn to fight?
They are shot down in huge numbers ...look at the k/d 
However if they step outside the horde and learn a few maneuvers that might get better, and have more fun. I always though living longer and getting more kills was a LOT more fun than dieing 5 times to ever kill I could get.
True, that is a good point, but it's a steep learning curve and frustrating process, and I don't think wanting to get a kill or three in one's first few weeks in the game is needing "instant gratification." Learning is fun, and leads to fun, but killing now and again is more fun than dying all the time.
blah blah blad WWII blah blah blah. This isn't WWII !
That's a meaningless point, because it can excuse anything. Sharks with laser beams are fun once in a great while, but you don't want them every day, because the game exists within certain parameters and the gist of those parameters is WW2 tactical air combat, with some of the nasty and unfun bits (people really dying, flying for hours and never seeing the enemy) taken out.
From this comment I get the feeling that in most cases of a 1 vs 1 you end up on the losing side too often. To me it sounds like you have given up on being a good fighter and so feel saver in the horde.
Every time I lose is once too often!
But no, it isn't that at all, really. I love a good fight. I do fly some big missions, but for a different reason. ("I love it when a plan comes together...")
As far as fighting goes, it's not that I always want an advantage, it's that I consider two or three folks minimum working together against a roughly similar group of enemy planes, or maybe a 20+ plane furball, with a variety of situations going in to be much more fun and interesting than endless 1-1 duels. You need just as much skill to consistently kill and survive in a moderate or large group, if you're willing to get in and mix it up against similar numbers, but the number and complexity of your decisions is much higher. However, the complexity of those situations open the window for some of the behaviors discussed here - for instance, the line between gangbanging and group tactics is a lot hazier when the 21st plane joins 20 others mixing it up than for the 3rd plane joining two others fighting each other. At that point it's hard to draw a bright line. At what point is it no longer gangbanging - 2-1? 3-2? 6-5? All you can really do is criticize the extreme end of the spectrum, but there's always going to be one guy whose definition of "extreme" is different from yours.
To me, that's just part of the action. I'm saying I prefer wide-open, anything goes action even though some will abuse it to a more stiff and formal game where everyone just flies around looking for one opponent to fight without any context. For example, as I said, the alt-monkeying irritates me, but I would rather have that than some heavy-handed rule trying to make everyone always fight co-alt.
I have no idea who you are, and I'm not bashing you here,
I fly as Loki - I've just been too lazy to set up a forums ID with that name. I should do that. And I appreciate the politeness, but if anyone thinks a bash is warranted, feel free - forums, like ch. 200, should be avoided by the thin-skinned!
People suggesting more combat, and you disagreeing with that.
No, I don't disagree with combat - it's the type of combat some seem to want, and even moreso the limitations that would be necessary to make it happen.
From this comment my guess is your a Knight, and a dedicated one at that (won't switch countries).
Yup. And it's not so much wanting to win the war, it's the frustrating lack of options it causes. When all the front-line bases have VHs down and/or hangers camped, and then the second-line bases start getting whacked too, it becomes difficult to find a place where you can even up a GV, much less have a decent fight.
Also, if he's getting hammered as soon as he steps out he might want to learn a think about air superiority. As mentioned above, it the enemy has it ack ain't going to save you. Up from another field and start your counter attack.
Sure. If I get vulched twice at the same field I kick myself for being stupid, not the other guy for recognizing and taking advantage of my stupidity. I'm just saying stones, glass houses, etc.
It sounds to me you like it the way it is because you don't want to, or think you can't learn to survive with out your mega squad behind you,
I don't have a squad, mega- or mini-. There are some folks I particularly enjoy flying with, but I fly solo as often than not. If I run into you while I'm wandering around the map, I promise I'll do my best to give you an interesting fight!
To many people don't know "how" to play the game, they are too wrapped up in winning at all cost, HOin, hording, ganging, and running from the fights.
But who gets to decide how the game is properly played?
