1) It is NOT solely up to the CiC to implement said tactics. Ask FSO Frame 1 CiC if any of the squadron Leaders actually coordinated tactics with other groups prior to the frame via emails or Forum PMs. You will find that this occurred.
2) The reason V20 defense was so successful was partly due to the Allied CiC of NOT telling us "Squads stay close and stay high. Enemy will arrive over target before T+60." It was also partly due to the adaptation and teamwork the V20 Defense squadrons performed. It took lots of work and luck to stop the attackers heading to V20. After being attacked constantly for over 40 miles, 1-2 Vals still made it to the target. Had we waited over the target for the Vals, there wouldn't have been enough time to kill them all.
3) Ask the Muppets about their success in their attempt at "chess-like" gameplay in Frame 1 of FSO last week. These said tactics were applied and with success. I'm sure there are other who had success with chess like maneuvers.
4) In the Rangoon Scenario 2008, brute force by the Axis was attempted in Frame 4 with GREAT success, despite the advantages the defending Allies had.
5) I believe it to be acceptable for any era to have a defend only or attack only FSO. Bombers need escorts to survive for most operations, both in Aces High and during WWII. I believe FSO squadrons are capable of accepting responsibility of protecting the bombers to their targets.
More tips I've been told to use by many other AH players:
If the defenders do stay "high" over the target, come in low. If the defenders are all bunched up nicely for you attackers, then put in that fighter sweep to disrupt the attention of the defenders and get those vals to dive through the enemy where all they need are a few seconds to survive.
Life finds a way to succeed.
<S> AKKuya
What you said Kermit is correct. All I'm saying is that when one side is 100% defending. Why would a CIC have orders for scout squads on patrol? The FSO rules state that all targets must be hit before T+60. Logically, the defending squads just have to racetrack around the targets. The attacking squads are bound to show up sometime between T+0 to T+60.
When both sides are attacking and defending, then scouts are necessary. They are the early detection for defending squads. This allows for the defending squads to move to the direction of the oncoming attack force.
I'm just pointing out the intent of the FSO from the outside looking in. The specifics of the CIC orders and the tactics of the squad leaders via communication for coordination is what FSO is all about. That is not in question.
Frame 1 had 5 targets for the Allied to defend. 211 Allied pilots all in fighters. 214 Axis pilots in mix of fighters and bombers. Axis had 93 kills to the Allied with 153 kills.
Early war set-up with Axis 100% attacking with a limited plane set has no real balance to game play since the whole purpose of FSO now is to have balanced gameplay for all to see some type of action.
The way I see the current FSO with the limited Japanese planeset is good target practice for the Allied. How hard is it to shoot down a D3A? How hard is it to shoot down the B-25? Quite frankly, they are very easy to do. Just look at the logs and see the results. Some did survive of course but with Hurri's, I-16's, Brewsters, and P-40's defending, each one is more than able to make mincemeat out of the Axis bombers.
Roughly 80 D3A's and the 12 sets of B-25's comprised half of the Axis force. That left roughly around 120 A6M2's against 211 Allied fighters.
Now, 3 squads have been moved from Allied to Axis for Frames 2 and 3. This will help with the lopsided effect of Frame 1.
<S> Kermit
Kuya, what would make you say that? If that's the case then NO early war setups should be run for FSO, ever. The way some people are talking on this discussion FSO should only have a "historical flair" nothing more...and that is just lame.
Early war set-ups are always welcome for FSO. This is the first one I've seen where the entire Axis side is attacking 100% for all 3 frames. The hardest part of them is the limited planesets. The Axis planeset has no real chance of success compared to the Allied planeset with the initial split between Axis and Allied squads. At least a 60% Axis and 40% Allied would even things out a bit.
<S> gyrene81