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Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: Wyatt134 on July 22, 2017, 10:30:43 PM

Title: Competitive
Post by: Wyatt134 on July 22, 2017, 10:30:43 PM


So, I wan't to say this flat out, I'm really REALLY competitive and getting stomped over and over in AH has its pros and its cons. On one side you learn from your mistakes and on the other you have to re-up from a base and climb back out, (I only say that as a con is because im lazy). Now with this stated, is it your fault for getting shot down. I am not looking to get bashed just to start a civil discussion on who's fault it is for getting shot down. For the older players how do you deal with getting shot down and do you have any tips/tricks for a newbie?  :joystick:
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Oldman731 on July 22, 2017, 10:37:20 PM
For the older players how do you deal with getting shot down and do you have any tips/tricks for a newbie?


For me, it's like running, or shooting, or most other individual sports.  You compete against yourself.  Did I do better this time than I did the last time?  Am I improving on this, or on that?  Am I pushing myself, or am I coasting?

Everyone gets shot down, the worst pilots and the best.  Don't let that bother you, it ought to be the conclusion of every flight you take.  Landing kills is for sissies and egotists.

After some time, perhaps you'll get beyond the competitive aspect of it, and simply enjoy the fun of the fight, win or lose.

- oldman
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: jimbo71 on July 22, 2017, 10:38:03 PM
Watch out where the huskies go.  Don't you eat that yellow snow  :old:
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Wyatt134 on July 22, 2017, 11:45:05 PM
If I don't land any kills I try and shoot for 1 kill and 2 assists or 2 kills just so I can have my name show up. That just makes me feel proud but the following sortie could be the same or I just get stomped.  :headscratch: I'm really hard headed I just kinda wanna learn from people as I go and let people like Hartmann take me under his wing who see potential.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: The Fugitive on July 22, 2017, 11:53:57 PM
Just pounding away is going to take you a long time to figure it all out. Get with a trainer and learn what your doing wrong. Fly with a wingman to cover you while you are busy with a con. Working WITH some one is different than flying with some one..

Film is also good. Film every fight, then watch them the next day, or post them to the message board for comments from others.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Wyatt134 on July 23, 2017, 12:05:11 AM
But then you get the really REALLY forceful people about it, instead of constructive criticism knowing my luck id just get nitpicked or just bashed for my lack of a certain something instead of explaining how to do it right. Its just people who don't want more people to fight against or risk losing their spot too
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Petey on July 23, 2017, 12:07:29 AM
Training.   

I invite ya to train all of the time.

ya dont want to listen to dear ole dad tho :(

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: lunatic1 on July 23, 2017, 01:00:25 AM

So, I wan't to say this flat out, I'm really REALLY competitive and getting stomped over and over in AH has its pros and its cons. On one side you learn from your mistakes and on the other you have to re-up from a base and climb back out, (I only say that as a con is because im lazy). Now with this stated, is it your fault for getting shot down. I am not looking to get bashed just to start a civil discussion on who's fault it is for getting shot down. For the older players how do you deal with getting shot down and do you have any tips/tricks for a newbie?  :joystick:

how can you be competitive and lazy at the same time.
and it's your fought if you get shot down.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: nrshida on July 23, 2017, 02:04:09 AM
There are some axioms / principles in ACM which you can read about, figure out for yourself, or be taught. One of the fastests ways to get that knowledge into your hands is to start duelling. Assuming you can find opponents. Previously the duelling community was quite active.

If you get shot down it's usually one or more from a set of things: you got into a bad / hopeless map location or your position degraded to this. There were multiple opponents or your position degraded to this. You had poor relative energy etc. etc. Finally: you were flat out-flown. You'll know when you experience this. The latter is the place to focus your study & energies. With all the former just get a new plane and re-up. Don't get sucked into the smack-talking game. Those that do are placing (or accepting) limits on their development.

It also depends on your agenda. If you are mainly result-focussed then learn to BnZ to a high level and master the appropriate aircraft. That's the safest, most effective and maximum result-producing method. If you value skill or self-development or the challenge then other methods and aircraft are available.

Good luck. Enjoy yourself!

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: 1stpar3 on July 23, 2017, 02:13:23 AM
But then you get the really REALLY forceful people about it, instead of constructive criticism knowing my luck id just get nitpicked or just bashed for my lack of a certain something instead of explaining how to do it right. Its just people who don't want more people to fight against or risk losing their spot too
My first bit of advice- Dont take any  thing personal! If you strive for "Getting your name in lights", you are just setting yourself up for disappointment. If not already, you are bound to run into several long time players who, after you believe you did something great, cut you viciously. Have seen that on more than one occasion. In 75% of those, the player quit. 2 of them before even completing their 2 week trial. Sure, you could say that is because they were too thin skinned and/ or not mature enough for this game, just stating that I have seen this. Like a previous reply mentioned, just try to do better than you did the last time out. If you are looking for gratification from others you will be cheated on what this game supplies, IMO. The hardest thing to learn in this game is PATIENCE. Push too hard for a kill and you will just be gun fodder. The easiest way to get kills, is to let the other guy push it and let him be the fodder. Cant really tell you how to do that, its just one of those light bulbs that will go off in your head,in time.  Second bit of advice---Find a plane that suits your style of game play. Dont let the popularity or stats on paper decide for you. If you want to turn fight, start with the Brewster or KI43, or equivalent.  Want to boom and zoom, which seems the prevailing trend lately, F4's Pony's or equivalents. You need to master the plane before you can do any of this successfully though. Even with the best plane, you will get into heaps of trouble when pushing beyond your ability. I spent countless hour in off line practicing. I still put in 4 or5 hours a week. Nailing down gun convergences that work for me, and accuracy for dive bombing. Third piece of advice---Spend some time with a trainer. While there are several players who are more than happy to help out new players, remember that they are disembarking from their usual routine in Main Arena to help YOU. Its much easier to ask for fine tuning, than it is for the basics of the game.  Also, if in game training is what you really prefer, Slpknot has started up a new squad just for that purpose! I would consider getting a mic and or headset before you go that route. Makes it more difficult if they have to type directions for you. You will get killed! You will get ragged on! You WILL LEARN! Good luck,Sir! Oh, and welcome to your new addiction....at least its cheaper than drugs :devil
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: thrila on July 23, 2017, 05:27:13 AM
Below are just my thoughts, so don't be surprised if people disagre with me, wyatt.

My advice for people starting out:

Gunnery


ACM

I could go on and on I assure you.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: zack1234 on July 23, 2017, 06:18:43 AM
Do you all look in the mirror and say to your selves I must succeed 50 times before you log on :rofl

You lot need to get out more :rofl
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Bushmills on July 23, 2017, 06:19:52 AM
The only thing you need is to not worry about getting shot down. If dying really continues to bother you that much you will stagnate once you reach a certain level of proficiency because you view not dying as more important than combat and you will not be prepared to take the risks necessary to progress further.

This is the stage most players stop at in terms of air combat, they spend the rest of their days in Aces High devising new ways to avoid dying.




Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: bozon on July 23, 2017, 06:40:23 AM

So, I wan't to say this flat out, I'm really REALLY competitive and getting stomped over and over in AH has its pros and its cons. On one side you learn from your mistakes and on the other you have to re-up from a base and climb back out, (I only say that as a con is because im lazy). Now with this stated, is it your fault for getting shot down. I am not looking to get bashed just to start a civil discussion on who's fault it is for getting shot down. For the older players how do you deal with getting shot down and do you have any tips/tricks for a newbie?  :joystick:
If you want to get good, prepare to die. A lot.

If you are not getting shot down it means that you are not taking enough risks and you dont learn much. I am very critical about myself but I can still consider a fight that I lost a success. This could be because I intentionally flew into a bad situation, and survived for a long time, or took out multiple enemies before the others got me, or because I bailed out a friend from his bad situation, or because I lost to a better player but put up a good fight.

The deaths that I really hate are the ones in which I screwed up, by making a bad descision, or by losing control and crashing - but you have to get into bad situations and make mistakes in order to improve. So in the end it is a balance between going guns blazing into the furball and trying to survive to land the sortie.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Skuzzy on July 23, 2017, 06:48:36 AM
Get with a trainer.  A couple of 30 minute sessions can save months of frustration.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: caldera on July 23, 2017, 06:50:43 AM
Dying doesn't teach you anything.  Understanding how and why you died is what will make you better.  A few quick pointers from a trainer or veteran player can pay big dividends. 

Nobody likes dying.  Just try not to avoid combat in order to avoid dying.  To quote the guy that inspired Indiana Jones: "You lost today kid.  That doesn't mean you have to like it."
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: waystin2 on July 23, 2017, 07:33:04 AM

So, I wan't to say this flat out, I'm really REALLY competitive and getting stomped over and over in AH has its pros and its cons. On one side you learn from your mistakes and on the other you have to re-up from a base and climb back out, (I only say that as a con is because im lazy). Now with this stated, is it your fault for getting shot down. I am not looking to get bashed just to start a civil discussion on who's fault it is for getting shot down. For the older players how do you deal with getting shot down and do you have any tips/tricks for a newbie?  :joystick:
First thing I do is admit the reason I am climbing back out or in the tower is because I made a mistake.  Not because some someone else HO'd, or someone else picked, or someone else was an alt monkey or the other players plane was faster or the other pilots plane turned better (you get the picture).  Figure out what that mistake was and do not repeat it.  Lift that plane and go at them again.  Do not get upset and just have fun. You are gonna get whooped, we all do.  My A** has been kicked in some of the best fights I have had...

 :salute
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Snork on July 23, 2017, 08:27:38 AM
Do you all look in the mirror and say to your selves I must succeed 50 times before you log on :rofl

You lot need to get out more :rofl

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: The Fugitive on July 23, 2017, 08:40:35 AM
But then you get the really REALLY forceful people about it, instead of constructive criticism knowing my luck id just get nitpicked or just bashed for my lack of a certain something instead of explaining how to do it right. Its just people who don't want more people to fight against or risk losing their spot too

As with anything, you have to take the good with the bad. Sure your going to get a few guys being A holes, but for the most part your going to get tips from some pretty good players. On top of that it usually starts a conversation and more small tips pop out in those.

Getting hammered whether here or in the game is going to happen and learning to deal with that will help both here and down the road in life (who knew youd get life lessons in a game!). Face it, your going to get shot down a lot! This isnt nintendo where you can learn a few moves..... up,up,down,left,A button, A button, right B button and be a top stick. It takes practice to learn the moves, and then more practice to learn WHEN to use the moves.

The more info you can soak up and learn to apply the better you will get. Get with a trainer to learn the moves, to learn E management. Fly WITH your squad mates not just along side them. Learn how to support their fights and they can support yours. Film everything and watch them. I film every fight still. Sunday mornings is my debriefing to see what I screwed up, and this is after 12 years of doing this. Post your films for more input.....if you can handle it  :D

Dont worry, landing kills will come, but you have to learn to walk before you can run.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Simon on July 23, 2017, 08:48:36 AM
My advice is don't fly angry. Sometimes the ultra competitive types act from frustration. Most encounters require patience and preparation.

Everyone gets shot down, a lot. Some days I'll die 4 or 5 times before I get a kill, and that's after 20 years' practice.

Acceptance doesn't come naturally at first. Whenever I find frustration setting in, I create a mental picture of the guy that's shot me down. Usually that makes me smile, considering he's probably very much like me; some middle aged dude sitting at his desk with a joystick, thousands of miles away, sharing this moment.

That never ceases to amaze me.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Soulyss on July 23, 2017, 09:07:35 AM
Get with a trainer.  A couple of 30 minute sessions can save months of frustration.

This.  If I would have taken this advice early on it would have saved me weeks upon weeks of time being little more than a target drone.

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: TWCAxew on July 23, 2017, 09:17:26 AM
What me helped in the beginning was talking out loud to myself. Not the crazy talk do haha.

No, i mean what the opponent is gonna do, where he is gonna be next/his move and how i should act to counter it / get an advantage in a way. This really helped me to understand my fights and how to react in an combat situation. It also helped me to understand what i did wrong and how to don't make the same mistake next time. What it also does is identifying what kind of player your up against. Is he flying like a vet? Will he saddle up on me or will he keep Booming and Zooming me? Will he make any mistake i can capitalize on?

Also i really agree with Simon don't fly angry. Give it time and it will come to you. And like stated earlier try and get some help from a trainer.

I'm gonna talk to myself again, back into training modus haha. And i hope this is helpful.

See you in the sky sir  :salute

DutchVII
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: DmonSlyr on July 23, 2017, 10:53:59 AM
1. I'd recommend trying to join a squad. Many squads will teach you quite a bit about the game you didn't know. Maneuvers, Jabo, bombing, base taking, situational awareness, and will help you not get ganged on so easily. This also makes the flight out not feel so long.

2. Ask. Don't be affraid. The best players have learned from the best. Ask if you can join their plane and watch how they fly. Type .join (name)  this will allow you to see right from the cockpit how the player flies. A guy named Rum asked me if I could show him some maneuvers the other day, so I took him to the Match Play and showed him a few beginner maneuvers, some defensive tricks, and why vertical maneuvers are important. Now he has some things to practice and work ok to become better.

3. Look at the size of dar bars and the distance from the bases. As a new player, I'd recommend you roll when the green dar is bigger than the red. This means there are more of your teammates than enemies. This will help you stay alive a good bit longer. If you roll into a hoard of a lot of red guys without your teammates, you will die quickly every time. It is better when you are learning to fly with a lot of green guys, so that they can clear your 6, and keep you in the fight longer. Most of the time, attacking bases where the enemy is lower, is the best place to be, follow a bunch of green guys to a base and watch, listen, how they interact, this will help you get more kills and not die so quickly.

4. Read about the planes. Watch videos about ACM. Read about ACM. Practice ACM. This will help a good bit for your overall flying and undertsanding of air combat.


It's a really hard game and can be very frustrating. Try not to take it too seriously and don't give up. Everyone dies!!
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Lazerr on July 23, 2017, 12:16:31 PM
Drink a 6 pack of beer and have fun.  I find it helps my aim.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: EagleDNY on July 23, 2017, 12:50:15 PM
1. Film your sorties for a while.  When you get shot down, go back and look at it from the enemy perspective to see what you did that allowed him to get you. 
2. Pick a ride that you like and stick with it - learn its' good and bad points so that you know what you can and cannot do in it.  I would also suggest you pick something that has excellent pilot visibility from the cockpit to start off with so that you can see what is happening around you.
3. The guys that say study ACM and practice are not wrong - do it.  Practice gunnery too - and get CLOSE before you shoot. 
4. Wing up - either with a squad or get together with other players while they are working on some objective (like taking a base, or a strat bombing run, etc.)  It is more fun that way.
5. Special Events - sign up for FSO and the various special events when you can.  They are LOADS of fun and you can learn a lot from the guys you fly with. 

For me it stopped being about landing kills and getting my name in lights a long time ago.  I'm mission oriented now - if my mission is to sink your CV and I sink your CV but get killed I count that as a success.  If we are on defense and my role is resupply, I'll do it and count the success of not letting the enemy capture the base. 
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Becinhu on July 23, 2017, 01:16:25 PM
Drink a 6 pack of beer and have fun.  I find it helps my aim.

But......you fly a bomber........


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: nrshida on July 23, 2017, 01:36:36 PM
But......you fly a bomber........

Fuss!

What a great community. Some stirling advice here.



Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: nrshida on July 23, 2017, 01:39:54 PM
Except for Zack of course. He's just grumpy because he rides a Heinkel scooter to work  :banana:

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: bozon on July 23, 2017, 01:40:35 PM
Drink a 6 pack of beer and have fun.  I find it helps my aim.
It also makes women look a lot hotter!  :x
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: thndregg on July 23, 2017, 03:08:48 PM
  I find it helps my aim.

She might disagree..  :D
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: SPKmes on July 23, 2017, 03:09:01 PM
Yes...when I die it is my fault.... I didn't need to take the plane I used, I didn't need to jump into that gaggle of red, I didn't see that 5th con come in from the stratosphere.... Many of my deaths are due to bad gunnery.... I have learned (after many many sorties) to evade and fly defensively but offensively I really lack skills....

As most have said here...get with a trainer...or there is the squad option...there are many here that will teach you...

I would probably put trainers first as they will teach you how, when and why and allow you to adjust things for your fit...a squad have their particular ways...
Much like driving lessons...your dad can and will teach you...but he will unwittingly also teach you bad habits...where as a driving instructor will teach you correctly without the years of self taught bad habits.... That part is for you to learn

Once you find your style then you can find the squad that fits.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: morfiend on July 23, 2017, 04:12:45 PM
Below are just my thoughts, so don't be surprised if people disagre with me, wyatt.

My advice for people starting out:

Gunnery
  • Fly aircraft with similar armament.
  • Fly offline for 5 mins prior to going online and shoot the drones from various angles.
  • Open fire when an aircraft's icon is 400 yds or less.
  • If you're not hitting on deflection shots a simple trick is to apply twice as much lead as you think you need.
  • Try not to pull back hard on the stick when firing for shots which require high amount of deflection or snap shots- pull the required deflection or greater- relax the stick- fire and let the aircraft pass through your gun sight.


ACM
  • There is a lot of literature avialable online- read it
  • Focus on a specific BFM/ACM for your sortie. e.g. This sortie I will try and 'rope a dope' every con, when a con does a flat turn I will perform a high yo-yo and when a con is on my 6 I will do a barrel role. They may not be the correct manouevre for the situation- but you will build experience on how to correctly perform them.
  • View your films from the cockpit of the enemy when you get shot down. How easy did it look to shoot you down? Did you conduct a manouevre too early or late? Did you perform that manoevre well- was the barrel roll really a barrel roll?
  • Conversely if you fought a guy you just couldn't out manouevre or hit- watch his film with trails on and try to recreate it.
  • Don't be afraid to die. You will not progress unless you're willing to get shot down. There are a lot people ingame who are good at fighting from an advantage but poor fighting defensively. You should try to view fighting a higher con as just requiring different ACM to shoot them down.

I could go on and on I assure you.


  This is some pretty good advice,except you left out the part about getting with a trainer! :neener:


  I'm usually in the training arena most week nights between 9pm and 11pm est. The only night I'm not available is Friday,thats for FSO and you will almost never see me on Saturdays for some reason.


  Drop by the TA and just ask if I'm busy.



     :salute
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: JimmyD3 on July 23, 2017, 04:45:21 PM
First thing I do is admit the reason I am climbing back out or in the tower is because I made a mistake.  Not because some someone else HO'd, or someone else picked, or someone else was an alt monkey or the other players plane was faster or the other pilots plane turned better (you get the picture).  Figure out what that mistake was and do not repeat it.  Lift that plane and go at them again.  Do not get upset and just have fun. You are gonna get whooped, we all do.  My A** has been kicked in some of the best fights I have had...

 :salute

Best answer I've seen, and oh so very true.
 :salute waystin2
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: NatCigg on July 23, 2017, 04:46:16 PM
want to be a good pilot, live for tomorrow?  here you go. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicta_Boelcke

There are only so many things a plane can do.  I played around, trying new things, see whats possible.  My experience was always trying to get better, get the kill, or get away.  This road is tough, rewriting the book.

Your biggest improvements will come from a trainer.  He can help you see the light.

Learning all that pilot stuff is in ground school.  getting familiar with basic elements that make a plane fly and how everything works, would get you on the right foundation to understanding the limits of flying; the limits of flight and the machine is where many fights are won and lost.

Actually, the fight is decided before it begins, hence u should read the "dicta".

The rest is just games and execution.

 :salute
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: thrila on July 24, 2017, 06:35:47 AM
This is some pretty good advice,except you left out the part about getting with a trainer! :neener:

Oops! :D

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: edge12674 on July 24, 2017, 12:28:25 PM
There is a lot of good advice given so far.  Here is my two cents. 

Your first step is to fly ALL the fighters offline a couple times.  Try some S-turns, 360 degree turns, loops, flying through a hangar, etc.  Keep an open mind and you will probably find at least one plane that just "feels" right/comfortable.  Remember that there is no "BFG" in this game and any fighter can be a good killing platform IF the pilot feels a connection to it.  When I started playing I immediately gravitated towards American/British fighters.  The last fighter I was interested in was ANYTHING Japanese, but I found the A6M5b suited me and provided the kind of dogfights I found most enjoyable.  That kept me coming back and having a continued desire to learn.

Once you find a fighter that you like then it is time to learn about the type of dogfighting it is suited for (boom and zoom or turn and burn).  Learn ACM and gunnery through research and from a trainer (either an AH trainer or fellow player that is good in that aircraft).  The beautiful thing about AH is that real world ACM theory has application online and will help you see your mistakes and successes clearly.  You might consider picking up a book called "Fighter Combat" by Robert Shaw as a text book for ACM.

Choosing a fighter in AH is similar to choosing a hand gun.  First step is finding something that "feels" right in your hand, like it is an extension of your body.  From there the fighter will dictate the fighting style and ballistics you will have to learn.

Also keep in mind that you are pitting yourself against real people.  The learning will be continuous.  You WILL have good days and bad days.  There will always be times when you are shot down.  The good news is that you will feel a real sense of accomplishment as you learn and improve.

Hope this help! 

Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Petey on July 25, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
Superbee you have great potential and are a killer in your other sim but, this is a whole new deal. the talent in AH is above and beyond any other combat flight sim.

you wanna play with the big boys then you have to do your home work.  Every virtual pilot in AH has put the time in working on their craft and honing their skills.  for some it takes more time and for some it comes natural.

put in the work and it will pay off for you.

1000 virtual deaths = learning to be a virtual pilot.  that does not mean that you will be an Ace. what it does mean is that you will have a baseline of your skills and know that areas to improve upon.  Then add another 10,000 sorties and you may then have a clue and chances are you will become a pretty good stick of you take the lessons along the way and apply what has been learned and lesson from each flight.

practice off line, train with a friend or a trainer, take your lumps record then review your fights, figure out what you you need to improve on and work on them.

but, what do I know?

be patient Glasshopper!

/0 <salute>

oh yeah.... let the dog out :D
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: FLS on July 25, 2017, 01:47:21 PM
Before you practice learn what to practice.
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Petey on July 25, 2017, 02:24:16 PM
I agree.   
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: nrshida on July 25, 2017, 02:37:48 PM
Just three points I'd contend. The odious slavery to Dicta Boelcke Rule #1 which has become vigourously asserted recently doesn't allow for three things: 1. You might indeed view the game as a 'sport'. A long-term perspective of development would include pitching your skill against insurmountable odds and situations. 2. The 'historical realism' assertion you usually hear to justify it isn't accurtate as many real WWII pilots did not have the luxury of being able to choose when and where they fought as we do. 3. You might find it more fun to fight hard with no regard to the outcome.

Secondly I do not think the blame for a defeat can always be ultimately attributed to oneself. Sometimes situations degrade and your opportunity to 'escape to fight another day' closes. That's just the nature of chaotic environments.

Lastly I wouldn't buy a copy of Shaw as it's a bit expensive, not especially relevant and in my experience there are some AH pilots employing technique which goes faaaar beyond what you will read in there. The repositries of the ultimate <1:1 thrust ratio ACM might in fact be a small number of living AH sticks. Fascinating possibility.




Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Kingpin on July 25, 2017, 03:21:17 PM
Before you practice learn what to practice.

One of my favorite quotes is "Practice does NOT make perfect.  PERFECT practice makes perfect." (Usually attributed to Vince Lombardi)  That means, first learn what you NEED to learn, THEN put in the time practicing it correctly.  Otherwise, you will just repeat your mistakes and form bad habits.

There is lots of good advice here but as someone who spent many hours in the Training Arena before I ever became a Trainer, I can tell you that tip #1 is get with a Trainer.  One hour working with a trainer is worth many many hours trying to learn in the main arenas or figure it out on your own. (Have you noticed that in all the various advice here, that has been repeated the most?  ;) )

Trainers are here to help identify specific things you can improve on that you yourself may not be able to identify in your own flying.  Saving and watching films is great advice.  Learning the capabilities of the entire plane-set by flying different aircraft is great advice.  Learning and practicing the principals of gunnery is great advice.  However, they are of limited help if you aren't precisely aware of how you can improve or don't know how to practice them correctly .  That is where the Trainers come in.  Trainers are here specifically to help find things you can improve on, to explain and demonstrate them clearly, to work with you on doing them correctly and to give you tips and ways of practicing to improve.

Also, training is not just for beginners.  I am constantly amazed at how many veteran players I encounter who benefit from one little tip that they were not aware of despite years of flying in AH. If all you get out of a training session is one more tool for your toolbag, it is time well spent.

Tip #2 is to only measure yourself against yourself.  There are so many different ways to play this game that measuring skill is highly subjective.  Score in game is not a great measure of skill.  Sometimes the people who are landing the most kills are not necessarily the most skilled dogfighters.  Sometimes the most skilled players will take on overwhelming odds or fight at a disadvantage just to push themselves or because that is what they consider fun.  For these players getting shot down doesn't bother them, as long as they had a fun and challenging fight in the process.

So, tailor your goals to what you find fun and challenging and measure yourself against yourself (your own improvement).  Sometimes that's just surviving 3 turns with a player that usually kills you in 2.  Ignore other players' scores, or landed kills or especially comments on 200.  If you are having fun and improving your skill set (which as a competitive player is something you will probably push yourself to do) then that is what is important -- not necessarily how many kills you are landing compared to other players.

Hope these tips help and hope to see you in the TA!

<S>
KP
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: Petey on July 26, 2017, 10:53:58 AM
fully agree KP. 

now ask him if he let the puppy out. <g>

Superbee is my son.   
Title: Re: Competitive
Post by: RedBeard on July 28, 2017, 02:35:03 PM
If you want a simple answer, then figure out what you want (fun, challenge, K/D ratio).  If you want fun, fly with a squad.  If you want challenge, don't worry about getting shot down.  Take off from capped fields in a good (or for more challenge, early war) furballer and try to last as long as you can.  If you want K/D ratio, pick an energy fighter, climb to 20k, and drop on people going to/from battles.

If you want a more academic answer, then it requires lots and lots of study and practice.  You have to a) learn how to fly with skill and precision (no ham fisting), b) learn aerodynamics and how it affects the aircraft, c) learn the difference between energy and angles fighting and why some planes are better at one versus another, d) learn BFM manuevers or how to manage the geometry (position, aspect, and distance) and closure rates of a fight, e) learn ACM or how to fight more than just one airplane.

Military pilots train continuously throughout their career.  Aside from a couple of years of initial pilot training, there's a 3 or 4 month long advanced fighter weapons school that is a very intense form of training dedicated to teaching the art of air combat.  I have been attempting to recreate this for Aces High from scratch and will open it up when I'm ready, but it's not going to be a quick "good enough" kind of school.  It will cover Advanced Handling Characteristics, detailed aircraft performance determination and evaluation (Energy Maneuverability Theory), Formations, 1v1 BFM, 2v1, 1v2, 4v4 ACM, and ACT.  Varying levels of graduates will be available so you don't have to go through everything if you don't want to.  If that kind of training appeals to you, great, but you'll have to wait a bit.  I'm about 60 pages into a training syllabus and I haven't yet started BFM, ACM, or ACT yet.  I need to get some test students through it first and I'll probably need to spin up 1 or 2 additional IPs to work with students and play the role of aggressors.