Another Possible Bomb and Bailer Solution
I agree with the others who say that bomb-and-bailing detracts from game-play. I too have seen a dramatic increase in the number of players bomb-and-bailing in the MA or simply bailing on first sight of the enemy. One squad in particular seems to encourage this and has made it SOP.
So, I think it’s long past time it was addressed, and want to put forward a specific suggestion that isn’t a “punishment” approach, but rather a way to simply eliminate the ability to bomb-and-bail.
Make bailing (enter 3x) only work when an aircraft has critical damage.
For example, enable the ability to bail only when: on fire; dead-stick; part of a wing missing; both horiz-stabs, both elevators or both ailerons missing; vert stab(s) missing; or pilot-wounded. (Did I miss something?)
Side effects:
1) Bomb-and-bailers could (and likely will) just auger their planes instead, but I’m OK with them taking a death over a capture or safe bail. Diving to tear off parts might be another method, but again that's better than just enter 3 times for a free pass.
2) You can’t bail to change planes or to instantly be somewhere else. I’ve always felt that bailing out of a good plane is gamey and lame, even in this case. Just land or ditch if you want to change aircraft or be somewhere else. If you are that eager, then auger and take the death for your impatience.
3) No more bailing over a field (or from the storch hanger) to guard a map-room with a pilot. IMO, this is gamey too. Do you really think a single pilot with a pistol could stop paratroopers from taking a field? If this element of game play is so important, then allow bailing on the runway/ground (add that to the conditions list). Personally, I could do without it.
Bottom line: Bailing should only be an option for someone needing to bail due to damage.
With all the bomb and bailing I’ve seen lately, I can honestly say my interest in the game is waning. There is plenty of gamey-ness about bombers in AH already, without seeing bomb-and-bailers all the time. Good riddance to this flaw in AH game play, I say.
Respectfully submitted,
<S>
Ryno