Author Topic: Dueling tactics (Read 151 times)

Saurdaukar · « **on:** November 14, 2002, 03:26:46 AM »

Hiya guys.

Ive got a couple questions about dueling perhaps you could shed some light on.

My primary concern is with the mearges. How do you determine whether to knife fight or E fight? Also - how/when do you decide to fight reactively as opposed to proactively?

It seems to me that when I fight reactively - according to what the other guy does - I am sometimes too late in countering and need to fight my way out of a disadvantage. By the same token, if I play the role of aggressor, I find alot of my ACM very counterable. As everyone flies different - what is generally considered to be more successul: fighting after observing the other AC or dictating the fight and forcing him to counter?

I think Ive dicovered that the mearge - for me - is largely guesswork and confusion (more my own than the enemies'). What are some tried and true tactics? And are there any well known websites that show mearge tactics as opposed to strictly offensive/defensive ACM?

Thanks!

Nash · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2002, 03:41:30 AM »

Huh? In the merge you just point your plane at them and open fire. Don't worry about the complaints. Back in the day, jousting was considered to be chivalrous. Knights and all that. Kids these days got their morals all messd up.

(in otherwords I'm gonna let guys far more qualified than me to give ya a hand)

But for what it's worth... The 1st five seconds of an engagement I'm proactive; the rest I'm strictly reactive.

gorski3 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2002, 03:51:26 AM »

With the high E retention in AH, you need to go for the knife fight in an arranged duel. Just lead turn with a high yo-yo. The answer to your other question will come to you with a combination of reading tactics sites and actual fighting.

Gorski

fats · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2002, 06:09:41 AM »

One merge maneuver to rule them all. Forget anything that is horizontal ( eagl do you still think you get more altitude out of a chandelle? ) which is just a waste of energy.

Practice performing 2 consecutive immelmans in such manner that you get the most altitude out of them and remain within reasonable distance ( ~1000yds ) at the end of the second immelman from your enemy. When you do this right at the _duel_ merge it doesn't matter if the enemy appears to gain angles on you initally because then you know he has just blown more E to get there and will make the end easier. Granted he could get into firing position. Rolling 15 - 30 degrees while vertical to alter your exit heading, thus controlling horizontal separation, can also lure the enemy to perform some maneuver with a horizontal component in it and make him waste more E. You shouldn't be too concerned about getting a firing sollution before the end of this "S" shaped maneuver.

// fats

Betown · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2002, 06:11:01 AM »

1 vs 1 dueling in Aces High is always good fun but there are a few basic rules you need to follow. Firstly ALWAYS without exception go high on your merge, reverse quickly because that is the point in any fight IMO where you make or brake it.

What Nash said was right, the first few seconds you are totaly proactive but after the initial merge you need to be totaly reactive to what the other person is doing. Make sure you know EXACTLY where he is the whole time. Work out the angles in your head and think "Well. if he is going that way then I can go that way and cut him off"

Something else you need to take into account is exactly what the other person is flying. Take into account the advantages and disadvantages of the aircraft and use your advantages against the other person.

If ya want some 1 vs 1 training. Give us a bell...

Regards,
Betown

Exile · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2002, 07:02:24 AM »

just now began testing my Head-2-Head Ladder

stop by and check it out (link in sig)

DoctorYO · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2002, 07:17:22 AM »

Considering your both in the same plane and you are both aware of eachother suprise is not a option.

At the merge I tend to feel the style of my enemy on the first pass by either opening with a low g or high g immelman.

If I percieve a lead turn I use a low g immelman. If my opponent is lax then I may high g to gain angles.

Reactionary tactics is key at the begining of a merge. Hence fake manuevers are good at getting your opponent to blow his e.... or if he uses his e wisely, he might misjudge your energy state thinking you wasted some when you didn't...

One of my favorites at the first or second merge is to fake turn (roll plane as if highyoyo or flat turn and do this at about 400m out to make shure he see's you...) Most in the heat of the moment will follow your roll and start blowing e. (Or if does not bite you have just determined his style and experience level.)

If he does bite then you zoom up in a low g immelman and gain advantage.

there are only 3 possible outcomes at the merge :

1: Energy

2: Angles

3: Rinse and repeat the merge by zooming away.

Most pilots prefer angles... be weary of those who are using energy.. and Rinse and repeat is used to exploit either style or at a bare minimum push on equal terms...

Snap shot ability is very important hence thats why most prefer angles..

One 7.62 into your engine cowling can win or lose the fight so I never trade shots; and always avoid the headon unless totally defensive with no other options.

Lag pursuit and good acm can counter any turn someone throws at you so keep that in mind....

Throttle control and rudder management is key in gaining angles.

Dont underestimate turn radii this is one of the most important factors in aircombat. Less energy and tighter turn radius can win the fight if your enemy doesn't not notice.

some Times its better to be on your enemy's six then to have a superior e state so judging between the two energy and angles can be tedious, experience is the only thing that will help you there.

Don't be predictable; change tactics from angles to energy then back to angles and so forth... (after 2 merges of immelmans on the 3rd guess who is waiting for it; lead turn them and mix it up.)

If you have air under you use it... This means that at 3k if you blow 500ft of alt to maintain energy then your loss is not that much... 500ft advantage only 150m give or take so keep that in mind..... Thats where alot of people who use energy tactics blow it ... They dont judge correctly and take it up the tail in some low speed yoyo rope a dope manuever.

just a few tips..

Hope this helps..

DoctorYO

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2002, 12:28:04 PM »

Thanks chaps - I like to E fight when I duel - flying in the MA so long I guess its kind of habit to use the other guys over-agressiveness against him - but I tend to get yelled at in the DA when I do this.

Most people are of the opinion that if you dont turn as hard as you can youre not dueling.

My problem stems - I think - from too much MA time - I spend all day avoiding HO's so I never see a nose to nose mearge anymore - as a result of course, I have no real experience acting from that position.

Either way - the Double Immelman (sp?) tends to work around 50% of the time for me - but I have much more luck with a sort of "loose rolling vertical corkscrew" - what is this called?

Thanks again.