Living Longer to land?

[The Fugitive]

Closing is a problem I think for the planes I select going back to your reply.  I really enjoy the P47M, but it can be hard to draw in tight on a shoot.  It will certainly close but the extra time it takes makes it easier for a red saddle the P47M up.  Ink has busted me up more than once.  He is quite the stickman.  I did see Snailman land a P47M with a bunch of kills so it is possible to make that beast work.

tunnelrat, good advice that I will go with.

Then it seems like the problem is your setting your self up for the wrong kind of shots. Some time with a trainer can help you find the "how" of your setup. Like Lusche said, "pouncing" on a target in a P47 is the best way. The day you got me shot down  I was going to work on BnZ passes. A good target will see you coming, but if you pull the right amount of lead, as they turn into/under you you can get a good blast off and zoom away. It is all in how you do it. On the other hand if you level out to far behind the target and it takes longer to catch up to him and if you pull for your lead too late you will lose E, the target won't lose as much, and roll over for a snap shot that can take parts off your plane. It's all about timing and angles.

[ink]

The jug allows you to take shots you normally wouldn't consider. You need to hold the trigger a little longer with .50s but they can get the job done. If the jug is your beast, I'm your man. Don't know which side you fly for but you're welcome to ride with me and I'll show you how I do it and talk you through while I do.

Ink busts everyone up but is fun to fight every time.

I Aim to please


Randy this guy here...take up on his offer...excellent JUG stick

[Vinkman]

I Aim to please

Randy this guy here...take up on his offer...excellent JUG stick

I second that. 

[Brakechk]

I Aim to please


Randy this guy here...take up on his offer...excellent JUG stick

I second..or third I think....that.

[Brakechk]

All good advice from the other posters.

I think the key to better K/D and higher Rank, is killing your target quickly. Everyone talks about Situational Awareness, but in AH it can change very quickly. What looks like a 2 v 2 now will be a 3 v 1 in 30 seconds, the bandit you're not chasing kills your countryman while you chase that spitfire around in circles. If you could have dispatched the Spit on the first pass, it's now a 2 v 1 in your favor. you help your countryman, and now when that next bandit shows up you have the advantage. this is why the better sticks have success. Their quick kills change the dynamics of the fight.  

Shooting is the key. Learn to make one shot kills. You have to be able to predict the bandit’s first evasive move and time your first shot perfectly. If you can kill what you shoot at, you won't fear furballs or even being out numbered. If you’re taking 6 bursts to kill a bandit, you'll probably not be much better than 1:1. You'll get the kill, but die shortly after.

Making one shot kills takes good aim, good timing, and the proper gun package. AH rewards two things; Cannons, and putting all your rounds in the same place. Most American planes suffer from having .50 cals and having them spread over the length of the wings. At anything but the perfect convergence settings your bullets spread out all over the bandit causing you to have to hit him for longer periods of time to get a kill. This means you have to set up your approaches to the bandit in such a way as to turn with them for a few seconds. That limits the various approaches that will be successful. Pony pilots will often wound a lot of bandits but are wise to not stay with him to finish him off. I call the Pony B “The Assist Generator.”   Good flyers of American planes know how to set up the shot, anticipate the break, time the shot, fire when the convergence right, and aim so the bullets cut a nice slice across one wing. The other thing that you have to pay attention to in planes with wing mounted guns is getting your lift vector parallel to the bandit’s lift vector. Because the guns spray pattern is a horizontal flat line, if the bandit rolls out of plane, many of the bullets won't hit him. All of that is why it’s harder to get quick kills is wing mounted, machine gun planes. The biggest threat to an attacking Pony is the bandit he just shot at, because he probably hit him, but didn’t kill him.  And why so many pony drivers have a reputation for fighting cautiously, and Picking.
The exception on American side is the P-38. It has a cannon, and the 4 machine guns are in the nose, essentially co-axial with the cannon.  Without any real convergence required, all your bullets will hit the bandit in the same place.  P-38 pilots can kill bandits from all angles, and at all closing speeds. It also has a ton of ammo, and why so many can be real killers in the Lightning.  Here is my ranking of how often (in percent) the plane’s gun packages kill on the first burst (assuming you hit him).

One Hit Wonders:
Great (90%)       109-K4, 109-G14(30mm), Me-262, bf-110, me-410, FW-190-A8(30mm), Ta-152,
Excellent (75%)   N1K2, FW190-A5, Hurricane, Tempest, F4U-C, P-38, La7, A-20
Mediocre (50%)   Spitfire, Seafire, P-47, Pony D, F6F, F4U, A6M, C205, C202, P-40, Fw-190D, Ki-84, Ki-61
Lousy (20%)       Pony B, P-39, FM2, Brewster

If you can master the “first burst” kill, then your K/D will increase dramatically. It’s really what to focus on first. People will say S.A. is what to focus on first, but if you can’t shoot, no strategy will make you effective.   Pick a great or excellent “One Hit Wonder” from the list and get good at putting rounds on the bandit.

Good luck

Vinkman
 

A better explaination of what I was tryin to say regarding gunnery.   

The only thing I would add is this:  Once you get aim, convergence and range sorted out almost all the planes listed are in the top two ranks.  The only real varience for me is the time on the trigger.  The big cannon birds are just a flick (like a 2 or 3 round burst in the K4, the Ki-84, spits and nik's etc is a second or so with the .50 cal rides being just a bit longer.  The only times I really see a difference are in the 4 .50 cal rides or rifle calibre rides.  This is just me though...and assuming I'm hitting my target in my preferred range of less than 300 with convergence at 300.  Dead six shots also tend to take just a bit more time on the trigger. 

[Getback]

First off score is not everything, but that being said....

I'll tell you a little story Randy1. Last night I was working on adjustments in my rudder, and making my flying smoother for when I shoot. I tend to bounce all over the place when I'm shooting. Anyway, I had been using a G2 as my model of choice for practice (fun plane low ammo) it was getting into the busy time in the MA's so the horde activity was picking up. I'm not too good in a furball as I don't shoot well....hence the practice/adjustments.

So I jump into a pony and figure I'll do some picking. Work on keeping a nice smooth approach and exit never intending to get caught low and turning. I get to the fight and there 8k below me I see Randy1 chasing a tempest with a 38 chasing him. I give him the Check 6" call, dive in to clear him and he dies as I get a shot off on the 38. Next thing I know I'm twisting and a turning with a tempest and a 38 on the deck by myself. It didn't end well, thanks buddy. 

The point here is you can make all the plans of how you want a flight to go, but unless your VERY strict with yourself your going to end up doing what ever is available. I gave up all my "plans" when I saw a guy in trouble below me because trying to help a teammate seemed more important than sticking to my perch. The same goes for K/D, K/H and so on. You can play the game for points, and thats ok, but then your not going to be as much help to teammates.

Obviously getting your kills and bringing your plane home gets your name in lights, and more points. If you kill quickly and often and return even better for points. But there are not many that can cover all the categories. Many people who have been named #1 for a month say it's a tedious way to fly. I don't know as I've never tried, not because I don't think I could, but because it isn't important to me. You have to decide the "hows" and "whys" of your flying. Just remember, it's a game and your suppose to have fun!

Amen! I will never forget what Twinboom did for me. I got myself in just a boatload of trouble when I missed my intended target and f41a, well pinged him lightly, and he put a slick move on me. Then an f6 comes up from behind. I dive out with the f4 and f6 on my six. Then realize omg, I'm heading straight for there CV. About that time TB asks if I'm okay. Oh no, I'm not okay at all. He dives in with his 38. The f6 and f4 lift there nose a hair. I make a sharp turn and travel back across the base into the horde but with e. Long story short I made it out. But I don't think TB did. Which I feel guilty about and promise myself to help him one day. It just meant a lot to me that someone would do that. I think that is the first time in years that has happened.

To me, that is truly what this game is about. It doesn't get any better than that.

[DREDIOCK]

Do those with high kill to death ratios avoid things like furbals?

Do they avoid high ratios of reds to greens?

No. They just avoid the dying part

[Karnak]

One Hit Wonders:
Great (90%)       109-K4, 109-G14(30mm), Me-262, bf-110, me-410, FW-190-A8(30mm), Ta-152,
Excellent (75%)   N1K2, FW190-A5, Hurricane, Tempest, F4U-C, P-38, La7, A-20
Mediocre (50%)   Spitfire, Seafire, P-47, Pony D, F6F, F4U, A6M, C205, C202, P-40, Fw-190D, Ki-84, Ki-61
Lousy (20%)       Pony B, P-39, FM2, Brewster

If you can master the “first burst” kill, then your K/D will increase dramatically. It’s really what to focus on first. People will say S.A. is what to focus on first, but if you can’t shoot, no strategy will make you effective.   Pick a great or excellent “One Hit Wonder” from the list and get good at putting rounds on the bandit.

Good luck

Vinkman
 

C.202 ranks with the P-47 and Spitfire and above the P-51B, P-39, FM2 and Brewster?  Really?  Do you get a different C.202 than the rest of us?

Also:
Great (90%) Mosquito Mk VI

[DREDIOCK]

Ok I see lots of good advice here. I'll just ad my little tidbits. Like many here some days I do great. And some days not so much. I dont consider myself a great pilot. I do consider myself a good opportunist.

What I find is that when I am doing well I am usually approaching it with a cold and calculating professional mindset.

Know your enemy- Get a pretty good grasp of as many of the planes as you can. Learn what they are good at. And not so good at. Take note of their altitude and general state of E. If you can if at a disadvantage. Use their strengths against them

Also learn player tendencies. For example. When coming in on someones six. Most people if you pay attention, break to the left.

Think ahead. Plan your way in and your way out. Think not just the move you are doing. But 3 or 4 moves ahead. And remember. Where your opponent is now isnt as important as where he is going to be 4 or 4 seconds from now. You want your nose and guns to be pointed in the direction your opponent will be passing through

Recognize your opportunities and remember. All plans are subject to change. Dont become target fixated or press an attack one one enemy which might lead you into a vulnerable position when there may be another target that you can go after that wont compromise you as much in the end.

Just as important as recognizing your opportunities is also being able to recognize when that opportunity is no longer there.  Even though you may have landed good hits on someone. then the position is no longer there. its no longer there. Find another target and you will be surprised how many kills you get later when someone else gets the assist. Which certainly beats chasing your prey into a crowd of red or field ack.

Know where you are on the map. Use the base  position and town as landmarks to point the way home. Then you can even in the middle of a fight get your nose at least pointed in that general direction.


Also KEY to getting home alot. Help others out when they need it and say "thank you" when they help you. You would be amazed at what a little common courtesy will do.

[bozon]

There's a difference between a high K/D and landing your kills. Many good pilots fight till they die and maintain a good K/D just because they are able to take a few down before they are taken down. Occasionally they run out of bandits and get to land too. Flying a fast plane allows you to disengage from a fight and go land your kills. If you fly a P-40 for example, you'll probably have to kill all the bandits or have friendlies cover your exit if you hope to land it. Flying an "above average" plane in terms of speed will go a long way in improving the fraction of landed sorties. However, you'll be missing the thrill of playing the cornered wounded animal.

[RedBull1]

I score tard every now and then, I used to a lot on 1CEMAN, I can tell you this: Ignore score, my suggestion to you would be:

1: Totally forget about score, pretend it doesn't exist, it will only anger and frustrate you.

2: LEARN ACM and how to FIGHT 1v1

3: work on your SA and gunnery

4: work on some 2v1 or more fights, they will help improve all of those, as someone else suggested in another thread (terrific suggestion as well!) fly into a furball on the deck, and don't shoot - totally forget you have guns. Well, what will this do for me?! I can't even shoot them?!?! This will teach you to prioritize targets, perfect reversals, greatly improve SA, and more.

Don't always worry about getting home. Let's say you just won a 2v1 and you were the one, and then maybe got picked trying to RTB or typing or what have you, winning that 2v1 was a helluva accomplishment, who cares if you land them?

I suppose the question you've to ask yourself is: Would it mean more to you to run home and land your 2 victories you picked off, or to get those 2 victories by killing two guys who just tried to jump you and had the advantages?





(Hope I didn't sway too far off subject btw)

[Randy1]

I keep thinking this thread has run its course then I get my eyes opened again.

DREDIOCK point about mind set is something I have noted have not mastered.  Like last night.  Ran into a La7 that had the E advantage an my P47M was just gaining speed after the climb-out.  I had time to roll away to either get a better position or get the La7 to chase me then put a move on.  Not me, I hit the WEP and tried to climb out over the La7.  Bad mind set, bad decision, bad plan bad results.  You are right, I break left 9 out of 10 times.  Good point to pay more attention to what people do for both offensive and defensive work.  Thinking back to last night after reading your post, I noticed Redbull turns are unpredictable but mine are.

Redbull, I watched your performance last night.  I now have two new training films and and you have two more scores.     Just as you posted, you were on the deck avoiding 2 and at times, 3 of us all with strong E positions.  SA, gunnery and ACM, you do what you say.
I will do as you suggest and only check the score once a week.  I really do only check the score to see if I am improving but you know I may be trying to micro manage my road to improvement by checking the score too often.

Had a great time last night. I really enjoy furballing in the P47M  and the F4U but I did slip into a canon ride using the Typhoon as Vinkman and Brakechik noted canons vs MG.  The Typhoon is a neat ride with lots of tatters and makes you work on using the rudder skills to pitch it over in a furbal. 

Getback you are so right and as the Fugaitive noted.  I thought I saved a guys bacon then turned to another target but the Red turned back on him and I could not close back in time.  The next time I broke a green  guy free then I went up and back to make sure he was clear and he was had three more threats, he got two, I got one.  Got the blood flowing on that one.

Thanks again for all the replies.

[RedBull1]

Redbull, I watched your performance last night.  I now have two new training films and and you have two more scores.     Just as you posted, you were on the deck avoiding 2 and at times, 3 of us all with strong E positions.  SA, gunnery and ACM, you do what you say.
I will do as you suggest and only check the score once a week.  I really do only check the score to see if I am improving but you know I may be trying to micro manage my road to improvement by checking the score too often.

You're going to do well, just remember this game takes a lot of patience, sometimes. It gets very frustrating sometimes, and/or repetitive but just keep at it. If you ever want help in game feel free to PM me and I'll head over to the TA/DA with you 

(You're Randy1 in game as well?)

[Randy1]

I really appreciate the offer Redbull. Yes Randy1 same as in AH. 

[Gixer]

Playing for Score/Stats waste of time and only makes you timid. They are too easy to pork either way, only stat that even has a hint towards showing how good someone might actually be is Hit % fighter stat but even that is skewed and easy to game.

No matter how good your score/stats might be at the end of the day only person interested in them is you.

imho best thing HT could do for the game would be to dump the score/stats/ranking system completely. Achievements makes it even more like some sort of Steam based RPG.



<S>...-Gixer