I must confess!

[Tom5572]

I have really enjoyed flying with the nits, rooks and bish.  It does seem to me there are definite playing styles.  It was not until I was asked to join the Widowmakers that I learned more of the strategy of the game.  I used to think this was all about landgrab, up as many people as possible to annihilate all possible means of resistance.  In the Widowmakers, I learned the the thrill of the four person base snatch.  I think the best ones are when we go out and steal a base deep in the heart of enemy territory.
     Each country has their unique style.  When one flies with said country one tends to pick up that style.  As long as I am having fun, I do not care.  It is a great thing
 

[BaldEagl]

i don't do it often, but i have switched sides. they're all the same. just different chess pieces.

No, Waystin is right.  They do all have their own personalities that developed back in the days of Air Warrior.  This is roughly the story of how the war between the Bish, Rooks and Knights began from a prior post of mine and is the suff of legend among us old timers:

Once upon a time in a sim far far away there lived three countrys seprated by water.  They were know as the AZ, BZ and CZ and they lived happily in their own little lands. 

Then, one day, an AZ snuck across the bridge below the mountainous pyramids into CZ land and stole a sheep.  Amazed at the human-like qualities of the CZ sheep, more AZ snuck over in the dead of night until CZ land was nearly depleted of its sheep.

The CZ, not knowing it was the AZ rustling their sheep, and getting grouchy over their lack of intamacy, immediately blamed the BZ who were, after all, known as "furballers" but the jig was soon over when it was discovered that the AZ were hiding a large heard of sheep deep in AZ land near the Spit factory.  Both the CZ, wanting the return of their sheep, and the BZ, upset over being the ones blamed for the rustling, attacked the AZ, and thus began a war and the habit of two countries ganging up on one.

Then, the evil empire, EA Sports, took over the world of AZ, BZ and CZ.   Soon realizing their mistake with the growing hostilities between the countries and the incessent server loads caused by the "<Insert player name here> has just pawned you" macros initiated by each player after each and every kill, they n00ked the lands of the AZ, BZ and CZ.

Lost on the interweb, the forlorn AZ, BZ and CZ searched for a new home with their 56K modems.  Even though they were hostile to one another, the word quickly spread from country to country that there was a new land called AH where clouds actually filled the sky. 

One by one, then in ever growing numbers, the AZ, BZ and CZ moved into AH Land and settled, but the hostilities over the sheep rustling were never forgotten.  Because of this, the AZ settled mostly as Bish, the BZ settled mostly as Rooks, and the CZ settled primarily as Knits, although a few took the opportunity to switch alliances.

Once settled in, they couldn't help but continue thier fight and that's how the war started.

So, you can see that even now, the Bish are still good at sneaking around capturing things, the Rooks are still "furballers" and the Knights are still confused.

 

[Sincraft]

Never been a fan of the Knights all though they have many players I respect. Always seemed disorganized and going this way and that. Often they seem disrespected. I mean the word Knits doesn't conjure up a warm and fuzzy. More like an Itchy and Scratchy. But some buds of mine have been flying with knits so I gave them a try. Now no way are they as efficient at taking bases as Bish. They certainly believe in blowing stuff up. I didn't return to just grab bases. I just wanted to relax and find the fight. Still though they did a great job of taking bases when they got into the mood. When I jumped from Rooks to Knits the sides were pretty even so it wasn't like I was piling on. One of the things I noted was how many knits, excuse me, knights, would just up and head over to a base nearly on the deck looking to mix it up. In the end those folks will be great players or more importantly worthy foes. One of the things that impressed me about the knits was that they would do their missions in-your-face style. I never saw an noe. Don't misunderstand me. I like Noe's too. The in-your-face missions just bring a little more excitement to the fight.

Knights also seemed a little more stubborn about the fight than I remember them being. Just because things looked bad it didn't mean they would quit. Must say I had a pretty good time.

Thanks Knights for the good time. 

Started out as a nit.  Went to rooks per request and didn't look back.  The CH clan is a good group to hookup with when you are over there.  Some good sticks.  Esp if you want to learn how to fly a KI84...tag with LippyCH.

[Lazerr]

motion for SAPP to create a new country...

[grizz441]

Could this be a byproduct of only searching for good aerial fights without a concern for what some call chess piece loyalty? 

I've played the game as all 3 chess pieces and I would never be able to tell you which one I was flying for just based on the styles that you generalize.  I just haven't noticed any differences.  Why would there be any differences?  Mega squads flying in such a particular manner that it is noticeable to the point of generalizing the entire chess piece to fly that way?  Why are Rooks more skilled pilots than Bishops?  Rooks fly higher than other countries?  I haven't noticed any of this.  Placebo effect perhaps?

[Guppy35]

motion for SAPP to create a new country...

Hmmm. We'll need a good name. 

[waystin2]

I've played the game as all 3 chess pieces and I would never be able to tell you which one I was flying for just based on the styles that you generalize.  I just haven't noticed any differences.  Why would there be any differences?  Mega squads flying in such a particular manner that it is noticeable to the point of generalizing the entire chess piece to fly that way?  Why are Rooks more skilled pilots than Bishops?  Rooks fly higher than other countries?  I haven't noticed any of this.  Placebo effect perhaps?

Hello Grizz,

First let me say that there is no antagonism in this post, rather I find it an interesting discussion.  With that said, don't you think someone who has flown specifically in one country for nearly 2 years has a better grasp on that country's behaviorisms?  Through that, don't you think that same person may have a better overall picture of that country's enemies and their general behaviors.  I do not think the mega squad thing has anything to do with my generalizations, and the descriptions I provided above are definitely generalizations.  It is a fact that the Rooks have a higher K/D ratio as a country (waiting for Lusche's charts).  Does this equate to them having better pilots?  In the sense that they kill more than they are killed, yes they are better pilots.  As far as Rooks altitude addiction, this is based on purely subjective opinion.  Some may agree with me, some may not.  I do a lot more in this game than just furball, with a lot of my time spent defending against incoming attacks.  In my opinion the Rooks always come in with more altitude.  Can I provide you hard facts?  No sir.  It would not be my place to venture why you notice or not notice these same things, but if I took a guess it would be that you spend most of your time in a furball situation that is country independent.  If your attention is focused on this only(acrossed all 3 countries), then it would be very hard for you to form an opinion about the differences between them.  To you they are the same to begin with. 

Have a great day,

Way

[VonMessa]

Could this be a byproduct of only searching for good aerial fights without a concern for what some call chess piece loyalty? 

My noted differences-(Please noone take offense as this is just observation)-

Rooks-
Better Pilots all around
So So Gv'ers
You can cap them, but they will always come back higher than you(kind of like an auction do I hear 20k, I got 20k, do I hear 22k...etc.)
Launch a pretty even mix of NOE and in your face missions

Bishop-
Average pilots all around
Great GV'ers
Never fly in real high(10-15k tops)
Lean more towards NOE missions

Anybody else care to add to this?

When hit with a tater, they all fall to the ground at 32 ft./second (squared)

[waystin2]

When hit with a tater, they all fall to the ground at 32 ft./second (squared)

I can always count on my buddy Messa to put something relevant into the conversation.

Magic Doob activate!

[Dadsguns]

If you really want to be a part of the team spirit you would wear one of these......   

[waystin2]

If you really want to be a part of the team spirit you would wear one of these......   

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I have to admit the Rook & Bishop look a little creepy...

[BillyD]

Von messa just won the statement of the year award

[CAP1]

If you really want to be a part of the team spirit you would wear one of these......   

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funny thing you chose a child as a knight.....because the rook and bishop you chose both look like child molesters.......

[grizz441]

Hello Grizz,

First let me say that there is no antagonism in this post, rather I find it an interesting discussion.  With that said, don't you think someone who has flown specifically in one country for nearly 2 years has a better grasp on that country's behaviorisms?  Through that, don't you think that same person may have a better overall picture of that country's enemies and their general behaviors.

I just don't buy it to be honest.  If Rooks really have a higher K/D, I'd guess it would be marginally better.  Not high enough to say Rooks are more skilled than the other two sides...

I could be wrong, but how many players are there total for each side... 2000 or so? I'd say the majority of those players gravitated to their respected chess piece purely randomly.  Maybe there are a few standout players from each side that fly nightly that stick out with a certain style that seem to make you generalize the entire chess piece. 

[waystin2]

Maybe there are a few standout players from each side that fly nightly that stick out with a certain style that seem to make you generalize the entire chess piece. 

Buy my opinion or not, I do agree to some of your assessment about folks that stand out.  I do run into regulars(will not name names as this creates the opposite of a good conversation) that develop a certain way of going about their MA business.  I say again that it truly is a generalization.  I guess what would be really interesting to me is how many folks fly for a specific country only.