Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: danny76 on March 09, 2010, 05:46:50 PM
-
OK. Been here for just over 18 months now, which I know means I'm a newb, just outta training pants, but I'm not 12 years old, have a PPL, and many RL hours experience.
Initially I was using a cheap Toshiba compact, AH ran lovely on that, with it's crappy graphics card, but was a bit jerky in big furballs, and mouse was no good for flying. Bought Saitek AV8R, new computer, new case, 700w PSU, many, many fans units.
Now despite every graphic setting going, i had to regularly re render every time i take off, until the large graphic blocks had gone. Coupled with this, the joystick mounted throttles are hardly intuitive to use so buy a HOTAS, and more RAM for the graphics probs. Still no joy, still more RAM, now at 4gb no joy with NVIDIA card.
More importantly still dieing more often than not. I know, get some rudder pedals, uprate graphics card, uprate joystick to CH fighterstick, and CH throttle. Dieing more than ever.
SO, i have the best system I can afford, the best Joystick, Throttle, Rudders, Monitor, Graphics Card. I have my spare room set up with a hand built rig, effectively a cockpit, and i'm dead more than ever.
CONCLUSION:
I can't fly here for crap :eek:
-
u dont need all the hitech stuff to be a good pilot just need to fly-train more often
-
i do, approx four hours daily almost every day, try new stuff and die, try old stuff and die, try new stuf again and kill top sticks, try old stuff and kill top sticks, but predominantly die die die
-
i do, approx four hours daily almost every day, try new stuff and die, try old stuff and die, try new stuf again and kill top sticks, try old stuff and kill top sticks, but predominantly die die die
Have you spent time with trainers? They can tweak your ACM to be more efective and show you stuff you are unaware of. Time-wise, it really is a great investment.
-
Have you spent time with trainers? They can tweak your ACM to be more efective and show you stuff you are unaware of. Time-wise, it really is a great investment.
Amen, I've been at this 10 years now and looking back at that span of time I wish I would have spent more time with trainers early on. I would have gotten to where I'm at now much, much faster.
-
Have you spent time with trainers? They can tweak your ACM to be more efective and show you stuff you are unaware of. Time-wise, it really is a great investment.
I have spent some time with trainers and did improve, but often, being UK based it means staying up till 02.30, only to end up in a mass session with 100 guys and learning barrell rolls. I would love to spend time with trainers, but i'm aware they are volunteers, and that they struggle to give 1 on 1 . I just think there is a good chance i'm hopeless.
I spend more money on broken joysticks that i've thrashed each month than on a years subscription.
Dammit
-
I spend more money on broken joysticks that i've thrashed each month than on a years subscription.
Dammit
Looks like a clue right there.
-
Looks like a clue right there.
Damn straight, perceptive reply, the clue is that after hundreds of pounds and hundreds of hours i'm beginning to get frustrated.
No offence
-
I'll have you know I flew for a lot longer than 18 months before I got a kill that wasn't a total AFK pick :D The learning curve is steep. It's made worse by the fact that pilots think "I'll get the hang of it" and soldier on. That's what I did. You know what? It took me 2 years to learn some things that somebody could have explained to me in 5 minutes. If you don't use the trainer corps (which I'd suggest) at least find SOMEbody to practice with and bounce ideas off of (or just learn from). Find somebody in your time zone, wing up, use mutual discussion via VOX, squad forums, etc, to learn more.
As for the hardware issue:
Initially I was using a cheap Toshiba compact, AH ran lovely on that, with it's crappy graphics card, but was a bit jerky in big furballs, and mouse was no good for flying. Bought Saitek AV8R, new computer, new case, 700w PSU, many, many fans units.
Now despite every graphic setting going, i had to regularly re render every time i take off, until the large graphic blocks had gone. Coupled with this, the joystick mounted throttles are hardly intuitive to use so buy a HOTAS, and more RAM for the graphics probs. Still no joy, still more RAM, now at 4gb no joy with NVIDIA card.
There's a lot in there that's misleading. A large power supply may not be rated at what you think it is (a lot of cheap ones lie on the labels), and RAM itself will not help a weak video card. On top of that, you do not list the CPU type or the speed it runs at, the graphics card type (just that it's Nvidia). The reason you're getting white blocks is that I'm guessing you have a very sub-par video card or you have a very weak processor. Aces High is very CPU-dependent. If you have a good CPU and a weak card, you can turn your graphics settings down (bite the bullet, performance is way more important than looks, especially when the gameplay is well worth it), but we won't know until you give some more info.
We have a hardware and software forum. I would recommend you start a new thread in there asking "Why are my graphics loading slowly" (or something) and explain the issue and list your system specs. Plenty of friendly folks in-the-know can help you out!
-
Find one of the people who routinely thrashes you and politely ask for help. Most are more than willing to jump over to the TA and show you how you lost and how to fix it.
or just go to midwar and type .join AK-AK over and over. He's sometimes afk and may miss a message :noid :noid :noid :noid
-
I'll have you know I flew for a lot longer than 18 months before I got a kill that wasn't a total AFK pick :D The learning curve is steep. It's made worse by the fact that pilots think "I'll get the hang of it" and soldier on. That's what I did. You know what? It took me 2 years to learn some things that somebody could have explained to me in 5 minutes. If you don't use the trainer corps (which I'd suggest) at least find SOMEbody to practice with and bounce ideas off of (or just learn from). Find somebody in your time zone, wing up, use mutual discussion via VOX, squad forums, etc, to learn more.
As for the hardware issue:
There's a lot in there that's misleading. A large power supply may not be rated at what you think it is (a lot of cheap ones lie on the labels), and RAM itself will not help a weak video card. On top of that, you do not list the CPU type or the speed it runs at, the graphics card type (just that it's Nvidia). The reason you're getting white blocks is that I'm guessing you have a very sub-par video card or you have a very weak processor. Aces High is very CPU-dependent. If you have a good CPU and a weak card, you can turn your graphics settings down (bite the bullet, performance is way more important than looks, especially when the gameplay is well worth it), but we won't know until you give some more info.
We have a hardware and software forum. I would recommend you start a new thread in there asking "Why are my graphics loading slowly" (or something) and explain the issue and list your system specs. Plenty of friendly folks in-the-know can help you out!
Sir;
Thank You. This is what i need, i have a geforce 7600 graphic card, amd sempron processor, the problem is not white blocks, it's big triangular graphic sections across the screen, bits of the dashboard or wing are see through, and i've spent hours going through every video setting on the desktop, on AH and on the card. I have not the slightest issues with other games which i've downloaded to test, but i only play AH2, the computer is empty but for it and the film viewer.
Like i said, i could just be that i'm hopeless at AH.
-
and nobody routinely thrashes me, some days i do good and kill good guys, others i die repeatedly, maybe it's SA, but i've looked and no-one can tell me what i'm looking for
-
Sounds like a driver issue, or the card is overworked (or starved of juice, or just plain old on its deathbed). Definitely post in the hardware forums. Take a screenshot if you can, save as JPG and upload or attach it (I don't recall if that forum allows attachments or not).
-
Cheers Krusty, Will do :aok
-
When I first started had no clue about PCs never read the instructions for the game & took me 3 months to get my fist kill using a mouse. When I was aware my PC was a piece of junk & upgraded the game play was much better got a joy stick things got better got foot pedals things got better. Was invited to a squad & learned a lot more things got better.
Bottom line some of us are slow learners & it just takes more seat time. My only practical advice is to buy the best equipment you can afford & go from there.
-
Never worry about how good you are... just have fun. That's the easiest way to get better.
-
Never worry about how good you are... just have fun. That's the easiest way to get better.
[/quote
Becomes progressively harder to have fun when guys repeatedly hand you you're bellybutton for no gain
-
Danny, might I suggest a paradigm shift?
Describe, briefly, your typical mission from gear up to gear down (or death).
Really brief, like "Take off, climb to 20k, find nobody, bounce one guy on my way home, land out of gas"
Perhaps you're just recklessly barreling into a horde? I'd like to hold off on a suggestion until I hear how your normal flights go.
-
ok, find decent dar bar approx equal, take off spit 8 drop tank and 3/4 fuel, climb about 7000, go for spits, go for f4 f6's, go for la's, either die or get 2/3, then rtb
-
Okay... I'd say leave the DT at home. Spit8 has wing tanks which help the range. Will give you 35+ minutes off WEP with a full tank. If your fight is only lasting 10 minutes you can do without it until you start living longer
:lol
Then I would suggest you change what you go in for. Don't simply pick the plane because of it's icon. Look at the position of the planes. Look for any higher than you first, and nose-on, or sneaking in on your flank. Look for any immediate threats first, and engage them. If you're clear, work your way down... You think a guy might be manuvering to drop in on you if you go for "that spit down there" then don't do it, manuver to attack him instead.
Work your way down the list. Prioritize in your head. The list could have things like "defend myself" "rescue a buddy" or "I'm clear, pick that lone con donw there." Don't just drop in on the easiest con, because odds are you're missing the guy 4k out coming in to help his buddy.
In short, use your SA to find the fights more directly engaged with you, then if there are none pick a new fight :) I'm not saying fly timid. When you fly, try to be aggressive, just don't go barreling in. Look, think, act, shoot!
I would also suggest (and this is only a suggestion, based on how I like to fly) that you intend to land every time you take off. Never get into the mindset that you're going to die, goin to get shot down, going to purposefully auger. Half the fun is making it home (intact or not!). Plus, it defeats the spirit of the sortie! :aok
-
Turn off stall limiter... get ready to auger a bit more till you adjust.
-
D'oh! I forgot the obvious! Good catch, Bronk!
-
Turn off stall limiter... get ready to auger a bit more till you adjust.
Stall limiter has been off for months. Thanks anyway.
-
Okay... I'd say leave the DT at home. Spit8 has wing tanks which help the range. Will give you 35+ minutes off WEP with a full tank. If your fight is only lasting 10 minutes you can do without it until you start living longer
:lol
Then I would suggest you change what you go in for. Don't simply pick the plane because of it's icon. Look at the position of the planes. Look for any higher than you first, and nose-on, or sneaking in on your flank. Look for any immediate threats first, and engage them. If you're clear, work your way down... You think a guy might be manuvering to drop in on you if you go for "that spit down there" then don't do it, manuver to attack him instead.
Work your way down the list. Prioritize in your head. The list could have things like "defend myself" "rescue a buddy" or "I'm clear, pick that lone con donw there." Don't just drop in on the easiest con, because odds are you're missing the guy 4k out coming in to help his buddy.
In short, use your SA to find the fights more directly engaged with you, then if there are none pick a new fight :) I'm not saying fly timid. When you fly, try to be aggressive, just don't go barreling in. Look, think, act, shoot!
I would also suggest (and this is only a suggestion, based on how I like to fly) that you intend to land every time you take off. Never get into the mindset that you're going to die, goin to get shot down, going to purposefully auger. Half the fun is making it home (intact or not!). Plus, it defeats the spirit of the sortie! :aok
I appreciate this. Thanks for your help :salute
-
Stall limiter has been off for months. Thanks anyway.
I'm going to make a suggestion.
Drop the Mk VIII and switch to the Mk IX. 50 to 75% with drop. Bring guns to 250 to 300. Do not fire cannon unless in range. IMO the Mk IX is a bit easier to learn in than the VIII or the XVI. The VIII is a bit heavier and the XVI is a bit twitchier.
Biggest thing stay with one AC if possible. That is another reason for the Mk IX slightly better eny.
-
I'm going to make a suggestion.
Drop the Mk VIII and switch to the Mk IX. 50 to 75% with drop. Bring guns to 250 to 300. Do not fire cannon unless in range. IMO the Mk IX is a bit easier to learn in than the VIII or the XVI. The VIII is a bit heavier and the XVI is a bit twitchier.
OK. Thank you. I'll give it a try. :salute
-
i do, approx four hours daily almost every day, try new stuff and die, try old stuff and die, try new stuf again and kill top sticks, try old stuff and kill top sticks, but predominantly die die die
Not being sarcastic..... When you get killed, stop and think what happened. Should you have extended, Should you not have gone into a 3 on 1, Should you not got in a flat turn with that Zero...
Once you start figuring out why the engagement went the way it did then you can start working on not repeating things that get you killed.
Best two pieces of advice given too me:
1. Slow the hellll down (BlueKitty)
2. Follow the nose not the tail (Creaton)
Good Luck
-
OK. Thank you. I'll give it a try. :salute
Ohhh 1 more thing use the pink skin... it is fabulous. :D
-
Ohhh 1 more thing use the pink skin... it is fabulous. :D
Ok. You first pal :aok
-
Ok. You first pal :aok
It's the only skin I use when flying the Mk IX. Think about it. How would you feel being shot down by a pink spitfire? :D
-
Something I find helpful..and has been helpful to others I have suggested it to is...don't go in for the kill...go in for the fight, especially when you know you have time....yes you want to kill the con, and in a lot of cases sooner rather than later...but if you get into the mindset of get him...hit him...you could quite often be putting yourself into and inferior position by forcing your way to getting guns on...much as Krusty said...don't look for the closest easiest looking con...he could just be bait....
Watch your surroundings and most of all try to out fly rather than out gun....From the sounds you already have a reasonable grasp on acm...try not to get hooked up on the hype of a big (low) score.( at this early stage in any case)
May I suggest you have a look through this thread also
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,284878.0.html
-
Looks like a clue right there. [RE: breaking lots of sticks]
I think the clue he refers to is that you are using too harsh stick movements. Smooth and gentle touch is what it may need to improve your game. Get into something a bit more challenging than the Spit8 and you will notice how much a smooth hand is required. Yank n bank in a spitfire is so fun, but it is a great way to learn bad habbits.
good hunting mate!
-
Something I find helpful..and has been helpful to others I have suggested it to is...don't go in for the kill...go in for the fight, especially when you know you have time....yes you want to kill the con, and in a lot of cases sooner rather than later...but if you get into the mindset of get him...hit him...you could quite often be putting yourself into and inferior position by forcing your way to getting guns on...much as Krusty said...don't look for the closest easiest looking con...he could just be bait....
Watch your surroundings and most of all try to out fly rather than out gun....From the sounds you already have a reasonable grasp on acm...try not to get hooked up on the hype of a big (low) score.
May I suggest you have a look through this thread also
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,284878.0.html
A very good pilot told me fly like you are bingo ammo. Why? Where is the safest place to be when a guy is trying to get a gun solution on you? His 6, also the best place to keel him.
-
Danny whats your in game name?
Like many have said, score is NOT important. The reason being is it is easily manipulated. Many of the top pilots have crappy scores because they only fly fighters and suck in everything else.... well we can hope they suck in everything else just for our egos sake :D
However you can use your score as a bench mark to see where you need to improve.....as long as your honest and are not trying to tweak your scores. If your hit % sucks it could be and aiming issue, a convergence issue, or your just not taking shots that have a chance of landing.
If your kills per hour is high, but your kills to death low your either flying in furballs all the time right off your field, or you get into fight well and shoot down people, but your SA sucks and you get picked often.
This game is hard to get good at. The are so many variables you have to take into consideration that it is very easy to forget a few and end up dead. Just to take a good shot on someone you have to know your planes speed, attitude, G load, gun ballistics, enemy planes speed, "angle off your nose" , plane of motion, most likely direction he will take in the time from your trigger pull until convergence. Thats almost a dozen thing to process each second JUST TO SHOOT ! Not to mention getting to a fight, evaluating the situation, picking targets, defending your self, and so on and so on.
Coming on the boards and saying "I suck at this" is like a race car driver telling his crew chief his car is slow. Not enough information. Krusty's suggestion of telling us what you do from setting up your plane to lift off to landing is a great start. The more detailed the better the feed back. Film a few flights and post them. People are more than willing to watch them and try and help you out.
Lots of people here are willing to help, USE THEM !
-
Danny, this game takes a hell of a lot of practise- just performing some of the ACM can take some time to get right (been here over 2 years, still getting my backside kicked often). If you see me online (bearing in mind I'm a below average pilot), look me up, and we'll get into trouble early and often. We'll still die a lot, but maybe I can spot something that was causing me issues earlier on - I can talk a good game lol....but fly like a brick.
Take all the advice given in this thread, a trainer would be a really good idea and they are willing to work with you should you wish.
Wurzel
-
Danny there is a load to learn. The frustration will tear you to pieces if you let it.
Find one part of the game you enjoy and concentrate on doing it better.
Remember, every flys, everyone dies. Yes even Hitech.
Greed kills.
Last thing, sometimes what you can't do with brute force, old age, treachery, and a touch of sneaky can.
-
Greed kills.
Last thing, sometimes what you can't do with brute force, old age, treachery, and a touch of sneaky can.
Wise in the ways of the Force you are great old one!
-
Didn't see anybody mention it, but FILM your sorties and review both your kills and your deaths. Go into the cockpit view of your opponent and see what that move you are making looks like from his point of view.
-
Hey Danny,
are you in a squad ? if not that would be a shame..... I was recruited about my third tour.
befor that i was hopeless and still not far off from that now but the tips i have gotten by being in
a squad have made the game so much more fun. they helped me set up my box, vox and taught me some basic acm and management skills so i didn't die every time.
just dont get discouraged and quit. someone said here already.....JUST HAVE FUN !!! the getting better part comes in time.
for me , my score has improved with every tour and i have good days and plenty of bad days but it's kinda like golf,
I get one great shot and the rest of the day could be bad but that one good shot makes me wanna come back tomorrow and try again .
I hate this game sometimes but it's what i dreamed of sines i was a kid so i cant stop.
ok, my 2 cent's
1 dump the combat trim.
2 dump stall limiter.
3 turn off tracers.
4 learn the planes and there capability's
5 learn to use the various trim features and hot key them.
you wanna ever have a fighting chance against guys like souless and delerium and there likes.
learn to fly with all that crap off.
PS, kill the twin engine birds first...... jk
that is all :salute
froger
-
UK based ? I would suggest you find a squad with fellow countrymen and if they have the time to train you they will.
You can only troll around the MA getting ganged for so long. Start with a stick similar to your skill level and duel them. When you can beat them you find someone even better and so on so forth.
Then you will reach Kazaa and he will kill you everytime regardless :P
-
Do what I do.
Find someone really good eg: Grizz or AKAK and then act all cokcy. Get them to beat the crap out of me and then learn from them. Become friends with them while doing it and then go into MA and as DrBone put it "Club them like baby seals".
After doing that add your own twist on it and jump into every fight you see. More fun that way :D