General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Simon on August 23, 2023, 07:36:36 PM
Title: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Simon on August 23, 2023, 07:36:36 PM
I've decided that I wish to register a complaint. Not for any real purpose beyond being able to make my mostly-known proclamations without the ch200 character limit and to compel the less witty amongst us to say that I'm "crying".
1) Yak-3. Having the ability to 'nope' out of any situation with its acceleration and climb rate combined with a tiny airframe, it really doesn't need to be impervious to bullets as well. It takes more hits to down a Yak3 than any other fighter in my experience, and even some bombers. If you want to double your K/D immediately fly a Yak3. Just be sure to never, ever be caught more than 30 seconds away from help or ack.
2) Stick-stirring. If to survive you feel that you must spaz your stick around and pull +/- 5G to create warping, you've already lost in my book. Whether you call it a torque spin, snap roll or defensive maneuvers.... no. They're not. It's gamey nonsense and you're taking advantage of networking limitations in order to avoid being shot down in a fight you've already lost. Have a little respect for yourself and others, take the L and move on.
3) 88mms and manned guns. It seems their sole purpose in life is to intrude upon those who wish to dogfight, from a position that allows them to earn kills but not to be killed themselves. That just seems so off, especially when I have to fly 10 minutes to get back in the fight, while they can just insta-spawn into the action endlessly. If all the folks that spend their efforts shooting at planes from the ground actually upped a plane, so much more fun could be had.
4) Giant maps. While it's been nice to see some fresh maps, and a big <S> to the map makers, some of the older ones really need to go. I only get about an hour a day to fly, and more often than not the amount of fun to be had is dictated by which map is up. The worst ones seem to take the longest to roll, too.
5) Side-switching. I really don't care about spying, or the war overall, but it seems unfair for people to be able to acquire effectively unlimited perks by auto-switching. It's causing situations where players can just fly a Tempest for entire tours and still end up with more perks than they started with. Side-swapping already puts you at an advantage in many respects, so I really don't think tripling their perks is helping things at all, other than for the half-dozen or so players that actually do it.
I'll leave it with my top 5, for now. I look forward to ignoring most of you, or engaging some ;) :salute :bolt:
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: DmonSlyr on August 23, 2023, 08:35:37 PM
Yak3 should be aleast an 8 eny. It's a super late war plane. Same with the 190D. Extremely tough planes to kill and the K/D proves it. Amazing E planes like these are a big advantage.
The floppy thing is something I really wish could be looked into a solved. It's not a good look. You think a plane should lose all this E pulling those stunts from your screen and some how they pull right up and climb 1.5k.
88s I can't stand as well. Very lazy. Very annoying. It's like a sniper from the base. 1 hit wonder to ruin your sortie. I've had the same issues in the past. The distances these things can fire is crazy.
With you on the maps. I've tried. A huge map with 40 players just ain't good. People want fights and action. I log in, see nothing going on and leave. Lack of action and big fights keep the #s low and cause people to log earlier.
I don't really care about the side switching, wish it was a 3 hour limit though, but the temp should be as much perks as the 262. It's just as good if not better and the kills plus K/D prove it. Way too many people fly it. It's a total crutch plane. I just passed 20k perks. I could fly it all day every day, but then I'd really feel bad. Look what I'm doing in a P47D40, could you imagine if I flew a temp every day... sheesh.. people need to challenge themselves.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Devil 505 on August 23, 2023, 09:20:28 PM
You won't get any argument from me regarding the 88's and the players that use them. They bring nothing positive to the game. I'd extend rationale that to any manned gun - especially the 5in ship guns with the proximity fuses.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Dadtallica on August 23, 2023, 10:33:08 PM
This will be fun one. Going to think about my answers!
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Oldman731 on August 23, 2023, 10:34:56 PM
5) Side-switching. I really don't care about spying, or the war overall, but it seems unfair for people to be able to acquire effectively unlimited perks by auto-switching. It's causing situations where players can just fly a Tempest for entire tours and still end up with more perks than they started with. Side-swapping already puts you at an advantage in many respects, so I really don't think tripling their perks is helping things at all, other than for the half-dozen or so players that actually do it.
Thank you for letting me know that I get extra perk points for being a mercenary! Who knew? Now I'll have to check to see how many perk points I have, if I have any at all (can you go negative if you're really bad?) (do I really want to know?).
I doubt that those of us who opt to auto-switch do so for perk point advantage. Generally there are only a half-dozen of us, out of a hundred players, at any given moment. (Go to the roster and look for the green highlights.) Obviously, the perk point advantage isn't drawing a big crowd. We do it in a sense of fairness (to even the sides), and in the hope that we can find non-ganging fights, even if against superior odds.
So I imagine that auto-switchers would be fine to sacrifice whatever perk point advantage we're getting.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
- oldman
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: GasTeddy on August 24, 2023, 03:43:07 AM
I don't care about points, never calculated them and to be honest, I have no clue how the whole system works. Totally insignificant for me. Especially now when I have obligatory break because of malfunctioning pc... :mad:
1) Never tried Yak3, have to do it when I get my pc fixed. Working on it. 190D I fly and die in it. Nice kite but w/ my skills, far away from uber.
2) Lag might have something to do with it. We here in EU are far away from server and that creates lag/ping. I do not know how my flying looks from a cockpit of my chaser but I've been wondering some kites jumping around like pingpong balls.
3) I have tried 88 against aircrafts. Never hit anything flying with it but been 1-pinged by them several times. I use them only against GVs stalking bases. In that they are brilliant, as it was in WW 2.
4) Oh, I just love to be 1-pinged after half an hour flight to enemy base...
5) My solution has been to fly only for 1 country. I've heard rumors the two remaining ones have proposed me a medal or two by being their best secret weapon... :headscratch:
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: fd ski on August 24, 2023, 05:55:28 AM
Concur about Yak. It takes more to destroy then most planes. Not sure why. I've seen arguments here that it is too fast especially in dive. Worth looking into. Absolute monster of a plane. It can outpace most planes, turn with great turners, climb with 109s of this world. Short clip and legs are the only limitations really.
Also vote for smaller maps. 30-40 people is a norm most times those days, and large maps mean i log on, look over, no fights, log out. With smaller maps action would be condensed. I wrote up a proposal while back to have "constraining maps" based on numbers with back bases being disabled for flight/refuel/rearm and targeting. Kinda "battle royale" effect. It would force people into smaller area without forcing map change when numbers drop. It will, however, require some coding logic...
As for 88s, i can't hit jack with them and they are needed to discourage low level bomber nerds, so I'd vote stay.
stickstirring, netcode migth be hard to get around, but E penalty should be larger. It's not uncommon to make a pass on a plane, he does bunch of high G and negative G "moves", you overshoot and he climbs with you as nothing has happened...
as for side switching, I don't care. I think most people in game have more perk points then they can use, so makes no difference.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Eagler on August 24, 2023, 07:02:14 AM
I agree with all of them Simon but #5
I recently went back to auto assign for side balance only
I don't spy nor give 2 shakes about perks...I have more fighter perks than I can ever use
I think #5 is the answer to better game play but it would take EVERYONE to be one it to work correctly imo
Then the horde gangs would be diluted which should even out some of the battles and keeping sides within one or two
I also think the lower subscribers warrant a switch to two sides but that involves coding that doesn't look possible at this time
Eagler
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Max on August 24, 2023, 07:42:09 AM
Simon, I'm in agreement with all of your well articulated gripes. Unfortunately, the only person able to affect change has taken a leave of absence from the game.
:salute
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Simon on August 24, 2023, 08:25:18 AM
I should clarify my take on side-switching. The only thing I don't like about it is the bonus perks awarded for auto-switching. It seems to be causing a proliferation of Tempests and is resulting in even greater advantage to those that already have the benefits associated with side-switching.
They have the benefit of situational intelligence, no ENY and increased perks multipliers by flying the country with lower numbers. They have a choice of 6 different fights, vs the 2 options that I have on any given night. Logging in to spend my evening chasing darbars that don't want to be found is frustrating, especially when I see all the action is over on the rook/bish front.
Again, I'm fine with side-switching. I'd do it myself if I wasn't in an active squad. The bonus perks are unnecessary and creating an imbalance that affords a very small group of players to acquire perks at a far higher rate than the rest of us and use them to create further advantage for themselves.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Eagler on August 24, 2023, 08:54:39 AM
Squads/teams need to get over themselves imo and go auto assign for the health of the game
Being a lone wolf type - this is very easy for me to say
:cheers:
Eagler
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Banshee7 on August 24, 2023, 09:33:43 AM
I should clarify my take on side-switching. The only thing I don't like about it is the bonus perks awarded for auto-switching. It seems to be causing a proliferation of Tempests and is resulting in even greater advantage to those that already have the benefits associated with side-switching.
Leave Hoagi alone! He is my friend! :old: :rofl
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Slade on August 24, 2023, 09:35:46 AM
Quote
3) 88mms and manned guns. It seems their sole purpose in life is to intrude upon those who wish to dogfight, from a position that allows them to earn kills but not to be killed themselves. That just seems so off, especially when I have to fly 10 minutes to get back in the fight, while they can just insta-spawn into the action endlessly. If all the folks that spend their efforts shooting at planes from the ground actually upped a plane, so much more fun could be had.
Everything you said on this is true.
Maybe if we were to at least be able to get a kill or assist on killing 88's that would help neutralize this highly abused feature.
Thank you. :salute
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: JimmyD3 on August 24, 2023, 09:40:12 AM
Maybe if we were to at least be able to get a kill or assist that would help neutralize this highly abused feature.
Thank you. :salute
Says the guys who come into a field, deack it and vulche. Being "killed" while using a man gun, will not stop its use, your fooling yourself if you think so. Its all about defending the base, like it or not. IF your earned a kill every time you took out someone in a man gun, whining would still continue. :devil
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Eagler on August 24, 2023, 09:48:50 AM
It's not the 88 that is the problem but the unrealistic accuracy some of it's users are able to achieve
It is all about base capture/defense right? lol
Seems some parts of the game harm other parts of it
Eagler
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Lazerr on August 24, 2023, 11:06:34 AM
You know what's weird. There are no aggressive yak3 flyers... all runners, and the plane is a beast.
Other planes, f4u, p51, p38, 109 etc... all have a few pilots that fly them hard.
Only time I see a yak3 fighting hard is when it's 4 vs 1.
Kind of weird such an awesome performing plane is always tucking tale.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: JimmyD3 on August 24, 2023, 11:39:39 AM
It's not the 88 that is the problem but the unrealistic accuracy some of it's users are able to achieve
It is all about base capture/defense right? lol
Seems some parts of the game harm other parts of it
Eagler
Yes I guess so. We each play the game for different reasons, not faulting anyone.
The "unrealistic accuracy" you refer to is very few in the 88's. Of those, the ones I know of, have spent hours offline honing their aim. :rock
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: LilMak on August 24, 2023, 12:58:24 PM
My biggest issue with the yak3 is its invulnerability. So frustrating to get crossing shots off 2 or 3 times and nothing is broken. Hard enough to overcome its strengths in combat only to have it fly away unscathed when any other fighter would’ve been shredded to bits in the same situation. Too many peeps are exploiting that.
I rarely get killed by even the best 88 gunners. My problem with them is they take a player out of combat. Someone who would otherwise be flying a plane or driving a tank is just sitting stationary taking pot shots at others who are trying to have fun. It’s basically picking without the need to even climb up to do it. I’d be ok with them if they only activated when hangars were down or if the icon went away from a maneuvering plane (climbing or descending at a certain rate). Singling out a particular maneuvering plane in a melee of friendly and enemy aircraft just seems too…gamey.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: BigR on August 24, 2023, 02:36:40 PM
You know what's weird. There are no aggressive yak3 flyers... all runners, and the plane is a beast.
Other planes, f4u, p51, p38, 109 etc... all have a few pilots that fly them hard.
Only time I see a yak3 fighting hard is when it's 4 vs 1.
Kind of weird such an awesome performing plane is always tucking tale.
I will disagree about the Yak3 for ONE person. That would be GP5. Hes insanely aggressive, to his detriment.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: save on August 24, 2023, 03:44:13 PM
Yak3 and B26 are the worst offenders when it comes to take damage.
Only small maps and revert radar to what it used to be, so you actually need to look around, SA should be imperative part of any aerial combat, lose sight - lose fight.
Btw how the **** can radar see in real time, behind a mountain, something even radar cannot do with 2023 equipment.
On smaller maps you will find an enemy to fight anyway.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: LCADolby on August 24, 2023, 04:06:57 PM
You'll get no argument from me... :confused: Carry on.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: The Fugitive on August 24, 2023, 04:51:32 PM
I've decided that I wish to register a complaint. Not for any real purpose beyond being able to make my mostly-known proclamations without the ch200 character limit and to compel the less witty amongst us to say that I'm "crying".
1) Yak-3. Having the ability to 'nope' out of any situation with its acceleration and climb rate combined with a tiny airframe, it really doesn't need to be impervious to bullets as well. It takes more hits to down a Yak3 than any other fighter in my experience, and even some bombers. If you want to double your K/D immediately fly a Yak3. Just be sure to never, ever be caught more than 30 seconds away from help or ack.
I agree. Im thinking that Hitech may have looked at it long ago. I know eventually he looked at the spit14 and decide to remove the perk price because it really didnt warrant it. I think he may have looked at the YAK and decided it was fine. The issue on the other hand is as you and others say..... why fly it like a wuss and run at a drop of a hat?
Quote
2) Stick-stirring. If to survive you feel that you must spaz your stick around and pull +/- 5G to create warping, you've already lost in my book. Whether you call it a torque spin, snap roll or defensive maneuvers.... no. They're not. It's gamey nonsense and you're taking advantage of networking limitations in order to avoid being shot down in a fight you've already lost. Have a little respect for yourself and others, take the L and move on.
You have to remember that everyone is flying 2 planes. The one on your computer and the one the other guys see. Some people may be very good at pushing the limits of their stir. Just enough that they dont get the dreaded "dont move your controls too fast", but just enough that the lag and smoothing code shows them flopping around. Seeing as "hits" are calculated on your front end ( I think) that makes it a good defense as hitting a flopping plane is tougher. Again if that is the only move you can think of you lost the fight and might as well just bail.
Quote
3) 88mms and manned guns. It seems their sole purpose in life is to intrude upon those who wish to dogfight, from a position that allows them to earn kills but not to be killed themselves. That just seems so off, especially when I have to fly 10 minutes to get back in the fight, while they can just insta-spawn into the action endlessly. If all the folks that spend their efforts shooting at planes from the ground actually upped a plane, so much more fun could be had.
There are some VERY good shots with the 88s, its just practice. From a fighters point of view they are a pain in the butt and ruin any fight near a base. From a base takers point of view its needed to defend the base. Their kills dont count toward score so they certainly arent doing it for that. "Name in lights" and defense are the only reasons.
Quote
4) Giant maps. While it's been nice to see some fresh maps, and a big <S> to the map makers, some of the older ones really need to go. I only get about an hour a day to fly, and more often than not the amount of fun to be had is dictated by which map is up. The worst ones seem to take the longest to roll, too.
Kenii is redoing the "SmIsles" map https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,406252.msg5402237.html#msg5402237 Im wondering how much work it is "reworking" a map as compared to building one from scratch? If all the small maps could be tweaked it could add some spice to those old maps, fix some of the play issue people exploit on those maps and drive a bit more fighting on them.
Quote
5) Side-switching. I really don't care about spying, or the war overall, but it seems unfair for people to be able to acquire effectively unlimited perks by auto-switching. It's causing situations where players can just fly a Tempest for entire tours and still end up with more perks than they started with. Side-swapping already puts you at an advantage in many respects, so I really don't think tripling their perks is helping things at all, other than for the half-dozen or so players that actually do it.
I dont think the side switching "3 times" reward is still on. I think they turned that off after the first 6 months or so. You do get the perk modifier due to the population difference but every one on that team (lowest player count) gets that. I think the side switching does help the fighter guys find a fight.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: haggerty on August 24, 2023, 05:55:09 PM
I believe the perk bonus is still in play, I'll get like 100 perks when I shoot down a Spit16 in my P-40... But for side switchers, they are always on the smallest team, so the Tempest is like $6 at times anyway. I do end up flying the Tempest alot as a side-switcher since i'm upping from capped fields in a 5v1 situation with air and ground targets to deal with by myself. I need something that is capable of getting the bombs to target in an environment with a lot of bad guys. It really helps the smallest team out when you have a player willing to defend against hordes, it can be hard to find teamates to help even if one extra person would guarantee a victory.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Lazerr on August 24, 2023, 06:35:43 PM
Not for most. Certainly not for me. The ppl who least like 88s are the ppl who horde a base, daring someone to up. Deack the base, risk virtual death and take out the manned guns, and stop whining. Imo.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: JimmyD3 on August 26, 2023, 05:14:37 PM
Haggerty I would love for you to share your techniques, I suc in an 88, lol.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: AAIK on August 27, 2023, 11:59:41 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: alskahawk on August 27, 2023, 08:41:10 PM
Agree about the Yak 3. Putting a value on all of the late war planes would help some. But it penalizes new players. Not that that we have that many new players, but it puts them all in older planes. Then they get frustrated and leave.
Most of the veteran players have 1000's of perk points. Perk points won't affect them much. Limiting production of the 1944-45 planes would be more effective overall.
As for the stick stirring. I don't know that they can do much about it. If you want more realism you need to try IL2 or DCS. It seems to me at this late date, we are stuck with the game we have. Which is sad. This was fun back when we had Titanic Tuesdays with 500 or more people playing. Now it's just a few hard core players hanging on.
The 88s and the ack seems to have gotten stronger since I've been back. Ack in real life was dangerous. Don't know which way to go with that.
Giant maps. That can be improved. Seems silly when we have huge maps and less than a 100 players online. 10 to 20 of them being in tanks. It's ends up we are just fighting over a few bases anyway.
The bad factor of the 3 country system is that two countries will gang up on the weak one. That's an online thing, everyone going for easy kills.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Eagler on August 28, 2023, 06:34:48 AM
Monday Night Madness is a great place to get experience in multiple fighters without worrying about the hoing one experiences in MA...oops wrong thread
Eagler
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: nrshida on August 28, 2023, 07:34:10 AM
I dedicate this video to save, for constantly trying to highlight the OPness of the Yak-3 :salute
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: icepac on August 28, 2023, 08:37:47 AM
Small maps mean bomb and bail will go through the roof.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Eagler on August 28, 2023, 11:31:40 AM
Small maps mean bomb and bail will go through the roof.
Huh?
So now they bomb and fly even further back to a base?
Smaller maps are the 1st step needed to save the game imo
Eagler
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: JimmyD3 on August 28, 2023, 08:07:17 PM
I'll have to go check the current maps in rotation, but I think all the maps are 256 sq miles, except for one. Maps can be created in 4 different sizes, 64 sq. miles, 128, 256 and 512.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Vraciu on August 28, 2023, 08:32:08 PM
Yak3 and B26 are the worst offenders when it comes to take damage.
Only small maps and revert radar to what it used to be, so you actually need to look around, SA should be imperative part of any aerial combat, lose sight - lose fight.
Btw how the **** can radar see in real time, behind a mountain, something even radar cannot do with 2023 equipment.
On smaller maps you will find an enemy to fight anyway.
In a P-51D I can saw B-26s apart at will.
Trying to kill a Yak is so annoying these days that when I see one I don't even bother shooting at it. It's a waste of ammo.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Vraciu on August 28, 2023, 08:34:57 PM
Trying to kill a Yak is so annoying these days that when I see one I don't even bother shooting at it. It's a waste of ammo.
In the Offline Practice arena you can select which planes fly as target drones. Put a Yak in the mix and see how much it really takes to shoot one down. Also, you can record your fights, in both the main and offline practice, and see how many of your bullets are actually hitting.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Vraciu on August 28, 2023, 09:58:05 PM
In the Offline Practice arena you can select which planes fly as target drones. Put a Yak in the mix and see how much it really takes to shoot one down. Also, you can record your fights, in both the main and offline practice, and see how many of your bullets are actually hitting.
Offline drones in a boring level turn doing 180 mph aren't much use.
The YAK is small, dense, and...annoying.
As I said.....I just avoid them now. I can kill six B-17s with the same ammo I use to merely damage a YAK.
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Rezdog on August 30, 2023, 04:13:34 PM
I've decided that I wish to register a complaint. Not for any real purpose beyond being able to make my mostly-known proclamations without the ch200 character limit and to compel the less witty amongst us to say that I'm "crying".
1) Yak-3. Having the ability to 'nope' out of any situation with its acceleration and climb rate combined with a tiny airframe, it really doesn't need to be impervious to bullets as well. It takes more hits to down a Yak3 than any other fighter in my experience, and even some bombers. If you want to double your K/D immediately fly a Yak3. Just be sure to never, ever be caught more than 30 seconds away from help or ack.
2) Stick-stirring. If to survive you feel that you must spaz your stick around and pull +/- 5G to create warping, you've already lost in my book. Whether you call it a torque spin, snap roll or defensive maneuvers.... no. They're not. It's gamey nonsense and you're taking advantage of networking limitations in order to avoid being shot down in a fight you've already lost. Have a little respect for yourself and others, take the L and move on.
3) 88mms and manned guns. It seems their sole purpose in life is to intrude upon those who wish to dogfight, from a position that allows them to earn kills but not to be killed themselves. That just seems so off, especially when I have to fly 10 minutes to get back in the fight, while they can just insta-spawn into the action endlessly. If all the folks that spend their efforts shooting at planes from the ground actually upped a plane, so much more fun could be had.
4) Giant maps. While it's been nice to see some fresh maps, and a big <S> to the map makers, some of the older ones really need to go. I only get about an hour a day to fly, and more often than not the amount of fun to be had is dictated by which map is up. The worst ones seem to take the longest to roll, too.
5) Side-switching. I really don't care about spying, or the war overall, but it seems unfair for people to be able to acquire effectively unlimited perks by auto-switching. It's causing situations where players can just fly a Tempest for entire tours and still end up with more perks than they started with. Side-swapping already puts you at an advantage in many respects, so I really don't think tripling their perks is helping things at all, other than for the half-dozen or so players that actually do it.
I'll leave it with my top 5, for now. I look forward to ignoring most of you, or engaging some ;) :salute :bolt:
Good one Simon, not rebutting just adding my perspective.
1) - I love Yak's... my G2 can't get enough of them :)
2) - Still gonna kill you warping or no warping, but if you slip away to fight another day, ah shucks.
3) - Don't really care too much, just when you target me, I'm gonna take your very unarmored toy away.
4) - Not too much opinion on this one, just that we do need some new maps to break it up. The Europe one was awesome "Fix the cloud/Icon issue please! Though it is a nice realism challenge :)". I like mountainous terrain fights and racing through canyons.
5) - No real opinion, been a Bishop pretty much my whole AH life since AH2 when I first joined and I don't intend to side switch anytime soon.
<S>
Title: Re: Signing up for an argument
Post by: Vulcan on August 30, 2023, 04:37:06 PM
I fly they Yak-9T and 9U a lot, I actually don't like -3.
A lot of people say the same thing about the hits a 9T or 9U can take, and to be frank you guys are not hitting like you think you are. The yak is a very small fast fighter, only the I-16 is smaller (and the tiny Ki-43 is actually bigger). The yak also has a high torque engine and a big rudder - and if you know how to use these together you can make quite significant lateral movements to spoil shots.
I love to hunt -3's in my 9U. I get in close, and am making centerline shots (hitting them with my nose mounted guns on the fuselage, not converged guns. And I have no trouble taking them down with short bursts.
Weaknesses are legs, firepower, ammo, and performance at altitude.