Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Midnight on December 23, 2004, 11:29:15 AM

Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Midnight on December 23, 2004, 11:29:15 AM
The combination of the new easy mode bombsight and the straight line layout of FH on fields has changed the gameplay making it too easy to kill all the FHs and disable fighters.

The thing that bothers me about this is when these bombers just kill the FHs and don't kill ords, troops, GVs, AA guns, etc. and also do it when the rest of their country players aren't even remotely trying to make a capture of the base.

After some consideration, I think I know the reason why this happens. It all comes down to what's easy and convienient. A bomber pilot has to line up for a bombing run, and wants to maximize damage potential for each pass. Most of the other targets on the field are spread out, or end up being a waste of bombs because they are too small of a target (i.e. an ammo bunker) If it's a formation of heavy bombers carrying 500lb bombs, the pilot doesn't want to waste 2 bombs to kill the lone bunker. The bunker only needs to be hit by a single 250lb bomb, so 2 of the 3 bombs dropped (on a salvo of 1) to kill the bunker hit nothing and are wasted, where if the same salvo is dropped on a FH, all 3 bombs can hit and cause damage.

Anyway, the best choice is the FHs because they are grouped so nicely. How about changing the field configuration so that the FHs are spread out (like they used to be at the end of AH1) and put more GV garages in a row, so the bombers have something else to hit.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Cobra412 on December 23, 2004, 04:09:37 PM
Photos from the book "The Mighty Eighth War Manual" by Roger A. Freeman.  Technical drawings of two airfields in England during WWII.  There's about 50 or more WWII technical drawings just like this.  They describe the length of the runways, material they were made of, who made them, compass heading of each runway, and how many hangars and what types they were.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/556_1103838770_wwiiburyst.edmundscopy.jpg)

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/556_1103838799_wwiihonington.jpg)
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Baine on December 30, 2004, 04:03:27 PM
I agree with this one. As a frequent buff pilot, the current field layout makes it too easy to take out FHs.
I would think dispersal is the route to go.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: MaddogWx on December 31, 2004, 11:36:07 AM
I agree move them arond a bit.  I will still kill them all on one run though! :)

Ps: For some reason I was more accurate with old sites, I would love the "Hard?" sights back.

Yes I said Hard :rofl
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: SlapShot on December 31, 2004, 11:57:39 AM
If memory serves me correctly, the new Terrain Editor will have a brand new "object" editor/creator. With that, I think that you will/might be able to create your own airfields with you own layout.

If I am right, then I do not see the fields changing anytime soon ... at least not by HTC. Once the new TE is out, the authors of the fields can then re-edit their maps and make the appropriate changes if so inclined.
Title: Re: Change FH Placement
Post by: APDrone on December 31, 2004, 12:15:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Midnight

The thing that bothers me about this is when these bombers just kill the FHs and don't kill ords, troops, GVs, AA guns, etc. and also do it when the rest of their country players aren't even remotely trying to make a capture of the base.

After some consideration, I think I know the reason why this happens. It all comes down to what's easy and convienient. A bomber pilot has to line up for a bombing run, and wants to maximize damage potential for each pass. Most of the other targets on the field are spread out, or end up being a waste of bombs because they are too small of a target (i.e. an ammo bunker) If it's a formation of heavy bombers carrying 500lb bombs, the pilot doesn't want to waste 2 bombs to kill the lone bunker. The bunker only needs to be hit by a single 250lb bomb, so 2 of the 3 bombs dropped (on a salvo of 1) to kill the bunker hit nothing and are wasted, where if the same salvo is dropped on a FH, all 3 bombs can hit and cause damage.

 


Chances are, the base to be captured is close to this one.

When we do our FH busting raids they are on the field that is the likely source for defenders of the base, that has been targeted for capture, to launch from.  This is especially applicable when the target base has a flock of vultures over it, as the persistant defenders will not feed the vultures, but will launch from a grid or so away.

I would venture to propose that this strategy of disabling fighters is a preferred tactic by those commanders that have spent many hours getting goons shot out from under them. :)

I'm not against disbursing the hangars around a bit..  Just means we'll have to assign more B24s.. btw.. LOVE THAT BIRD, HiTech!!  :aok :aok :aok

Now, if the base you're referring is a few tiers back from the front lines, then the ease of targeting may be the purpose.  Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of the one in F6..Besides, if such is the case, what difference does it make? Just don't tell the bomber pilot that his score will be much better if they wipe out half a side of one of the nice, juicy strat targets we are so blessed with.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Heretik on December 31, 2004, 12:42:39 PM
Dropping FHs is all well and good as a last resort, but there's nothing more irritating than waves of bombers contually busting hangers, but leaving the VH untouched.  and the acks... and the town for that matter.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: SFCHONDO on January 02, 2005, 03:01:21 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Heretik
Dropping FHs is all well and good as a last resort, but there's nothing more irritating than waves of bombers contually busting hangers, but leaving the VH untouched.  and the acks... and the town for that matter.



I agree 100% with ya there Heretic.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: JB42 on January 02, 2005, 07:11:17 AM
Sure wish HTC would put somethinginto the game to stop teh bombing of FHs.


Oh yea, they're called fighter/interceptors. If you want FHs, show a little responsibilty to keep them intact.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: hitech on January 02, 2005, 09:34:10 AM
I Agree on dispersing the hangars more.

HiTech
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: koda76 on January 03, 2005, 01:44:49 PM
:) :)      :) :)     :aok
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: g00b on January 03, 2005, 06:25:04 PM
Freakin' awesome hitech, hope to see it soon.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Urchin on January 04, 2005, 12:13:58 AM
One more request-  at GV fields the hangars are close enough together for at least Lancs to drop all 3 in one pass.  I think it'd bee nice if the VHs were spread out a little bit more on the V-bases too.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Overlag on January 24, 2005, 04:26:47 AM
Quote
Originally posted by hitech
I Agree on dispersing the hangars more.

HiTech


ok how about if this happens, the ammount of hangers up means something? cos right now if you miss just one the you might as well have missed them all.

although i do agree on dispersing them alittle more, i dont agree that 1 hanger should be able to supply the whole plane set or so many planes
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Scrap on January 24, 2005, 03:12:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Urchin
One more request-  at GV fields the hangars are close enough together for at least Lancs to drop all 3 in one pass.  I think it'd bee nice if the VHs were spread out a little bit more on the V-bases too.


I can get all 3 at a Vbase with B26s.  No need for Lancs.  I Agree that our Vbases need the same treatment.  Move the hangers around a bit.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Kev367th on January 24, 2005, 03:21:57 PM
Yup disperse FHs, BHs and on VBases VHs.
Like the idea of making the amount of hangers up mean something, though no idea of what.
Maybe limits plane/gv selection or something, like I said no idea.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: TexMurphy on January 24, 2005, 06:46:31 PM
Maybe tie it to the ENY rating?

The more FHs that go down the lower ENY rating planes can be flown?

Tex
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: sullie363 on January 24, 2005, 07:55:26 PM
Yeah, one player should have to make at least two runs to totally shut everything down.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: Kev367th on January 25, 2005, 10:00:57 AM
Quote
Originally posted by TexMurphy
Maybe tie it to the ENY rating?

The more FHs that go down the lower ENY rating planes can be flown?

Tex


Not a bad idea.
Of course if the country is already ENY limited it will probably make no difference.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: TexMurphy on January 26, 2005, 03:22:05 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kev367th
Not a bad idea.
Of course if the country is already ENY limited it will probably make no difference.


Well that would ofcourse depend on if its a fixed value drop or a percentage drop.

Personaly Id like to see a logaritmic function which is tied to number of FHs.

Which would mean that one has to drop a few of the hangers before it really kicks in.

Tex
Title: I agree with dispersing the hangers
Post by: moto61 on January 26, 2005, 03:42:54 PM
I agree with dispersing the hangers and while we are at it do something to stop the dive bombing heavies.  If you want to dive bomb grab an A20 or heaviy fighter.

Get tired of these low level divebombing Lancs and B24s especially on GVs. Lancaster slings out 42k of bombs for 1 pzr.
Title: Change FH Placement
Post by: DREDIOCK on January 26, 2005, 06:12:57 PM
Quote
Originally posted by hitech
I Agree on dispersing the hangars more.

HiTech


I agree with what hitech agrees with.
While I dont fly alot of buffs. Some things are just too easy the way they are

While we're at it should also add a second VH closer to the town. or perhaps  even add more like they have at the vehicle bases
As it stands now there are some instances where its actually easier for an attacker to get to the city to attack it then it is for defenders to defend it.