Buff formation code

[Vinkman]

Just a thought. The code will rearrange the bomber formation after a buff has been killed. No problem with that. BUT the change happens instantly, where a bomber warps sideways to it's new position. Yesterday I attacked the center bomber at close range and when it exploded I was mid formation. The buff on the right warped left and collided with me knocking me out of the sky. Other times I have been attacking a formation with a wingman and a similar problem arises. Making high speed passes, one kills a buff first and the target buff of the second attacker jumps out of the way messing up the attack run. It's not a huge deal, but it detracts from the realism and game play. Maybe that algorithm could be updated to move to the new formation position over a longer period of time than is currently set.

 

[NCLawman]

+1

I have encountered the same unfortunate crashes.

[CAP1]

Just a thought. The code will rearrange the bomber formation after a buff has been killed. No problem with that. BUT the change happens instantly, where a bomber warps sideways to it's new position. Yesterday I attacked the center bomber at close range and when it exploded I was mid formation. The buff on the right warped left and collided with me knocking me out of the sky. Other times I have been attacking a formation with a wingman and a similar problem arises. Making high speed passes, one kills a buff first and the target buff of the second attacker jumps out of the way messing up the attack run. It's not a huge deal, but it detracts from the realism and game play. Maybe that algorithm could be updated to move to the new formation position over a longer period of time than is currently set.

 

that shouldn
t be able to happen. i've attacked lancs the same as you describe......but the speed difference is such that i'm already out of the way when the drone moves,

[Vinkman]

that shouldn
t be able to happen. i've attacked lancs the same as you describe......but the speed difference is such that i'm already out of the way when the drone moves,

Don't know if it should be possible, but it happens. Is it possible that the speed is different per Bomber type?  I was attacking B-24s. I seem to remember it happening the same, regardless of plane type.

[CAP1]

Don't know if it should be possible, but it happens. Is it possible that the speed is different per Bomber type?  I was attacking B-24s. I seem to remember it happening the same, regardless of plane type.

either that or attack style.

i do slashing high speed attacks, as i seem to have the best luck with them. i usually go for one of the drones first, but if it's a base defense, then i go for the main buff, to try and mess up his drop.

[Delirium]

 I never understood why the drones need to switch positions at all. I'm not a programmer (unless you're talking about my DVR) but wouldn't it be easier and more visually appealing if the drones stayed in the same spot?

This is the regular formation;

     X
  X    X

Someone kills either drone, and the other drone stays in the same spot it did in the formation. If someone kill the lead, the drones would also stay in the same spot like this;

X   X 

In this case, the lead spot would be removed.

[gyrene81]

I was going to say, don't get so close but that wouldn't address the actual warping issue. The only time I see the warp is when the lead bomber doesn't explode and the pile-it can't or doesn't switch planes right away. I generally go for the lead bomber since that is typically the one controlling the machine guns for the formation and if you're getting in close, the safest spot is right off the inside horizontal stab of either of the wing planes. The guns can't get on you and if you kill the lead plane, you don't get caught up in the warp.

[CAP1]

I never understood why the drones need to switch positions at all. I'm not a programmer (unless you're talking about my DVR) but wouldn't it be easier and more visually appealing if the drones stayed in the same spot?

This is the regular formation;

     X
  X    X

Someone kills either drone, and the other drone stays in the same spot it did in the formation. If someone kill the lead, the drones would also stay in the same spot like this;

X   X 

In this case, the lead spot would be removed.

as for the lead being replaced.......that's probably part of the "simplifying" to let the buff driver get an easier drop.

[CAP1]

I was going to say, don't get so close but that wouldn't address the actual warping issue. The only time I see the warp is when the lead bomber doesn't explode and the pile-it can't or doesn't switch planes right away. I generally go for the lead bomber since that is typically the one controlling the machine guns for the formation and if you're getting in close, the safest spot is right off the inside horizontal stab of either of the wing planes. The guns can't get on you and if you kill the lead plane, you don't get caught up in the warp.

some of us gun from the drones.

[Lusche]

To me, the instant warp after the main bomber get's killed is only a minor problem.

What's really annoying is the repeated, unpredictable drone warping when the lead bomber is maneuvering. The pilot doesn't even need to do some wild immelmans - fly a relatively gentle turn at high speed, and the drones will play the "now I'm here...now I'm not" game, constantly warping out of the fighters gunsight.

[Wiley]

The warp is pretty annoying and noticable.  I usually try to minimize its impact (heh) on me by attacking the formation from the outside in.  Going for the center plane, you're basically flying into his convergence.  Going for the outside ones first you're giving his guns less opportunity to get on you.

I think it would be a lot better if the pilot got switched into one of the drones, then the other drone moved into proper formation instead of it happening instantly.

I've always assumed when the drones are warping while the formation maneuvered a bit that the guy inside was switching which plane he was in.  Is that not the case?

Wiley.

[curry1]

Just a thought. The code will rearrange the bomber formation after a buff has been killed. No problem with that. BUT the change happens instantly, where a bomber warps sideways to it's new position. Yesterday I attacked the center bomber at close range and when it exploded I was mid formation. The buff on the right warped left and collided with me knocking me out of the sky. Other times I have been attacking a formation with a wingman and a similar problem arises. Making high speed passes, one kills a buff first and the target buff of the second attacker jumps out of the way messing up the attack run. It's not a huge deal, but it detracts from the realism and game play. Maybe that algorithm could be updated to move to the new formation position over a longer period of time than is currently set.

 

Always kill from right to left because then the don't warp

[CAP1]

To me, the instant warp after the main bomber get's killed is only a minor problem.

What's really annoying is the repeated, unpredictable drone warping when the lead bomber is maneuvering. The pilot doesn't even need to do some wild immelmans - fly a relatively gentle turn at high speed, and the drones will play the "now I'm here...now I'm not" game, constantly warping out of the fighters gunsight.

 when they're maneuvering, although the drones may warp, i go for the main bomber, as he can't maneuver hard enough to lose the drones from a gunner position. that's generally pretty safe, and by the time he's leveled, and the drones are coming back to formation, i'm past him climbing for my next attack.

[Vinkman]

To me, the instant warp after the main bomber get's killed is only a minor problem.

What's really annoying is the repeated, unpredictable drone warping when the lead bomber is maneuvering. The pilot doesn't even need to do some wild immelmans - fly a relatively gentle turn at high speed, and the drones will play the "now I'm here...now I'm not" game, constantly warping out of the fighters gunsight.

Good point Lusche, I forgot to mention that in the original note, but wanted to.

[CDR1]

Why not just remove the formation check box and do away with the 1 guy equals 3 bombers thing, Has  ah always had formation bombers? 4 guys flying 12 lancs can be a game changer anytime, anywhere. Just curious.