Thought on new strat system

[chewie86]

I think the new strat system is really cool, how it works and how it looks.   Unfortunately I believe on some maps, like now ozkansas, the strats are way too deep in enemy territory -like 8 sectors before the 1st available base where to take off from-. I think they should start a bit closer than they are now, then fall back as fields are captured (likem they already do).    It's all good with the strat system, IMHO some maps have just to be reviewed on their starting strat location.

what do you think ?

[Delirium]

I have tremendous sympathy for the bomber guys in the game, even though they may kill some nice furballs. They only have 2 options currently to affect gameplay in AH, they can;

1. Bomb strat or HQ, most of the time they are parked right next door to each other. HQ is not only a softer target but (I believe) has less ack as well).

2. Bomb fields, including FH.

Which is the easier target?

(I must be getting soft in my old age)

[The Fugitive]

I think that bombing strat is more for the immersion some buff drivers are looking for. Those long flights over enemy territory, the fights to get the bombs off and get out with out dieing, and that long flight to RTB. Very rarely do I see it bombed in the hopes of causing hardship to an enemy country being with out certain strats.

Those complaining about it being too long a fight....if they are being honest.... would admit that they are complaining because the flight is too long to milk run for points.

On the other hand there is more for the buff guys to do than take out FH. With the "lazer site" we have it is easy to wipe out a town in a single pass with 3 sets of buffs. It's easy to pick out ack and hit them on a field. You can pick out GVs as well WITH OUT carpet bombing, or DIVE BOMBING !!!

Buffs can easily be added to missions and the only thing you have to do is get them rolling about 15 minutes before the rest of the group.... you know that amount of time everyone spends yelling on the radio "join the mission !" 

Of course it's much easier to just have 10-12 110's run NOE to steal a base.

[Dadsguns]

I would agree that it is a bit far for the strats to be 8+ sectors out but with the weight of the damage that could be inflicted if it is too close. Its just too easy if its too close and accessible to destroy it.  Rinse repeat.

Just my thoughts and may seem like a radical shift from how its being used now but I really like the way the strats look as well and I don't feel we are using it to its full potential, for example:
It would be fun not just for bombers but GV's and furballers as well if you were able to incorporate the city structure with or without the actual strats in it as a massive urban warfare area, sort of like the maps of old where you had the small factory structure that everyone spawned into it.
Your bound to have a huge fight over it.  Just a massive battle incorporating planes, gv's, bombers.

[Delirium]

Those complaining about it being too long a fight....if they are being honest.... would admit that they are complaining because the flight is too long to milk run for points.

A buff run to a strat target could take almost an hour, what does that have to do with milk running?

I like ya Fugitive, but blanket statements like that aren't true.

[thndregg]

I love it so far. HiTech has stated it is still a work-in-progress. I'm eager to see what it becomes.

As an immersion junky and bomber geek, I have a lot of fun with it. Patience is key, knowing that if the bad guys are watching, the fight is coming. It just takes a little longer to generate that fight, but  it's worth it.

[Spikes]

You can pick out GVs as well WITH OUT carpet bombing, or DIVE BOMBING !!!

Love level bombing GVs from 15+K in 234.

[JunkyII]

I love it so far. HiTech has stated it is still a work-in-progress. I'm eager to see what it becomes.

As an immersion junky and bomber geek, I have a lot of fun with it. Patience is key, knowing that if the bad guys are watching, the fight is coming. It just takes a little longer to generate that fight, but  it's worth it.

You are no junky...........

[TW9]

thought the zone system was good for bombers.. why did they stop that?

[The Fugitive]

A buff run to a strat target could take almost an hour, what does that have to do with milk running?

I like ya Fugitive, but blanket statements like that aren't true.

I think you misunderstood me. Yes a run to a strat can take over an hour...this is why the guys who are into the "immersion" factor like them. But on the other hand those that like to do milkruns for "points" complain about the ride being too long, or that the starts are too far away...if they are being honest with themselves.

These are two different groups we're talking about. immersion types, and score hores

[thndregg]

I think you misunderstood me. Yes a run to a strat can take over an hour...this is why the guys who are into the "immersion" factor like them. But on the other hand those that like to do milkruns for "points" complain about the ride being too long, or that the starts are too far away...if they are being honest with themselves.

These are two different groups we're talking about. immersion types, and score hores

I tend to agree.

[Krusty]

I disagree...

It's not only milk runners unhappy with the strat distances.

Most are at least 8 sectors back (if not 10+). That alone is going to take at least 2 hours (if not more) for a full round trip. Consider you have to start many bases back into YOUR territory as well, because you need to be at alt and speed when you hit the enemy front or you're toast. You can't still be climbing at that point.

Yes, I said ROUND TRIP, because us folks that like immersion don't bail after we bomb (hint hint, to you MA dweebs that do this, STOP!).

On top of that, because you're flying for hours on end through enemy territory, you cannot make it without at least 50 fighter escorts for every bomber formation in flight.

On top of that, before you're 2 sectors out (assuming you survive the drop and turn back for home!) the strats rebuild themselves, doing nothing to "help the war" (something milkrunners don't care about but bomber pilots do).

Overall I really hope it evolves into something WORTH bombing. Currently: It is not.

It looks nice, sure is sweet to watch go "boom" through the bombsight, but just not worth a 2-3 hour expedition along with all the coordination for something that's a fart in the wind against the enemy's warmaking machine.

[The Fugitive]

I agree that it jumps too far back when it jumps, and I understand "why" it jumps. Maybe HTC can make it jump twice, the first time jump halfway back, the second back to where it goes now.

The point I was trying to make though is there are more than just strat runs for buff pilots to do. Bombing towns, ack, base ammo and GVs are all valid targets. Can all help toward the "war effort". And if used more in missions will bring them into play more. Heck I think if some hard core buff drivers started posting missions with staggered start times for the buffs and fighters they might start getting more little battles going all over the map.

[Spikes]

Agree Krusty, the strats still don't give a worth to flying to them except for some laughs on the way. I know the 91st enjoys doing it.

But what could happen to better the effects of killing strats? For example, maybe not make the time it takes to resup a troop factory more, but perhaps limit the amount of troop-carrying vehicles to a country?

Just thinking out loud here.

[chewie86]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I used to be in the 100th bomb group "bloody hundredth" for 2 years and we did many long range bombing mission, I'm talking about 3 hours plus missions.   

I threw this topic out here just to underline that not so much people tend to do sorties like those, moreover the strats are really far even for those who wants to go there.   Again, the 8 sectors before the 1st available take off field doesn't mean it is the buffs' take off field.... -room is needed for the climb-.

I keep thinking some maps need to review their initial (and on going) strategical target's location.