Author Topic: Launch points (Read 188 times)

AKcurly · « **on:** November 24, 2002, 04:09:40 AM »

How can high alititude launch points be brought into the main arena of Aces High?

Clearly, major strat changes would have to occur.

Maybe if HTC could bring this about, we could have major fights at 25-30k.

I can count on one hand the number of times I've been involved in 25k+ furballs in the main arena. OTOH, it happens frequently in SEA. And for me at least, it's a major adrenaline rush.

HQ is currently too vulnerable to permit bombers to be launched at 25k. Even worse, the fediddleing b17 drivers wouldn't keep their planes at reasonable alt. I can just see HQ being nailed by 40k B17s.

The primary emphasis in the main arena (for better or worse) is from 7k down to the deck. Bases are captured, wars are won by low altitude fighters.

What role is played by high altitude fighters and bombers? In Aces High, they just aren't a factor. It takes too long to get a buff to 27k. Why should guys get their 109s/ponies/jugs/spits up there in the stratosphere if they won't have anything to kill.

I guess the key here is to give the bombers a more important role -- give them something to destroy that will make the enemy say "ouch!" Give them a quick way to reach altitude and maybe it would happen.

curly

10Bears · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2002, 04:55:25 AM »

Airspawns work great in special events but you know it would get abused in the main.

I'd limit it to buffs only and at certain rear fields otherwise you'd have the vulchers being vulched. Now we can't have that!

Only takes a few seconds to make airspawns but what after 2 weeks the guys don't like it.. say it's too gamey?.. The mapmaker would have to remove them all.. Everybody would have to download the rebuild map... sounds like a hassle.

OTOH if you shopped a map.. that's a good opportunity to add a bunch of new stuff.. I don't know.

brady · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2002, 05:21:23 AM »

imo, bombing HQ is prety much a waste of time, they can rebuild it withen minutes, heck I have even seen goon "mishion's" to rebuild an HQ launched before the darn thing is even down when a know heavy formation of buff's is inbound, so Curely I would let this diswade you from that idea.

It may have merit, this idea of yours.

Revvin · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2002, 05:31:41 AM »

I'd hate to see air starts, if we're to turn AH into airquake then this very well could be the feature to do it. As a bomber pilot it would ruin the immersion for me completely to spawn in the air. Agree on the futility of HQ attacks, or any other target. The MA is set up as a furball arena but the missions are still fun.

brady · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2002, 06:11:47 AM »

I thought the MA was Air Quake?, esphicaly on the small maps.

It might be enteresting to have this as an option for each side though, each side would from some rear base be able to spawn to a common sector, the same sector that all the other sides could span to at say like 30k. It would be kinda like furball vally on the Island map but at 25 or 30k.

Fariz · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2002, 09:40:21 AM »

Oh yeah, and my la5 will have 50 p51s over my head where it were 2. Great idea Curly

Seriously, I like high alt historic fights too, and love taking 109g10 to attack formations of b17s which covered by p51s. Problem it does not happen often lately. That is what mission arena shall be about, I hope it is not a myth and will be out some day.

BlckMgk · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2002, 11:10:40 AM »

Only thing I could think to help the airstarts, is to not have them spawn right over the base, but to have them a few sectors away, 3 or more. But this does have some merrit, maybe that or every map just have one Strato Base near HQ's (15k+).

Maybe along with the redesigned strat target idea thats been floating around bombers could have some fun.

-BlckMgk

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2002, 11:11:45 AM »

There are other ways to get the fights up that high. Historical distances would be one way (one thing the CT has going for it... or at least closer to historical).

The problem with doing it in the MA is that you still have to capture the base from treetop level. The airstart wouldn't be a way to move the fights higher, it would be a great new way to get a jump on lower cons.

AKDejaVu

AKcurly · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2002, 02:13:23 PM »

Well, I did suggest it would require strat changes.

Like most of you, I have some ideas about base capture. No point in going into details ... but, capturing a base and winning a war should be strongly coupled with the health of the strat objects supporting the base/country -- if nearby strat objects are alive, then base capture cannot happen; wars cannot be won if zone strat objects are alive.

Further, the strat objects should be so extensive that the most efficient way to destroy them would be by bomber.

Fariz, you would have no business spawning a La5 into 25k airspace.

Perhaps the role of the low altitude fighters would be in support of the ground vehicles as they participate in the destruction of strat targets. It should generate furballs of sufficient volume to please Lazs.

curly

Black Sheep · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2002, 02:33:58 PM »

Brady -

esphicaly? please explain

I think i know what you tried to say but I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't help you with your shpeesh imbeddiment

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2002, 02:38:05 PM »

Started reading this thread, thought "Bad Idea." Read a little more, thought "Maybe a good idea." Read some more still, thought "Nope, bad idea."

At first I thought it might be nice to have a bombers only field that high - then someone mentioned immersion factor. As has been previously mentioned, this is supposed to be a simulation, not "Turn and Burn ACTION WWII Combat!" (Best "commercial voice")

Cheers

OIO · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2002, 03:41:47 PM »

Simple, just add 20k airbases with no rearm pads near the HQ's. Planes launching from there save time to climb, save fuel and makes a bomb run or escort run more enjoyable. Defenders can spawn their 20k interceptors and go up to them.

The catch? Anything above 25k should show on dot dar, no matter if its 10 sectors away =)