new guy, just some questions.

[1Boner]

How does Skuzzy edit the original post in this thread?

I thought he would just "Skuzzify" a post, not add or delete certain things.

Is he magic?



Mystified,

Boner

[ReignMaker]

a big thank you to all who replied.  im sure we will have fun with this.

-Reign

p.s. Boner... i had something before "new guy" in my thread title, it wasnt bad but i guess Skuzzy didnt like it.

[1Boner]

BEWARE THE SKUZZINATOR!!

Enjoy the game!



Your Pal,

Boner

[XconX]

The couple questions.

1.  What is the environment like in game?  Is it a free roaming environment, where we can do anything/everything we want to do?  For example if we wanted to do a bombing sortie with my dad bombing and my brother and I flying escort, can we do that?

You can do most anything you like. Fly a fighter, dive bomb, race jeeps drunkenly around, level bomb, get in a tank, kill some drunk in a jeep after bailing out with your colt 45...not that I've been good at any of that. This game has a lot of things to do and doesn't get enough credit. It's more than just a flight sim, but that's really the big part of the game.
There are squads to join and a real time mic chat channel ( vox ) that is probably a big reason a lot of us stay in this game. Not that you can't play without a mic, but typing ain't as fun. The AH community is great, and there is a lot of help available to newbies. As the other posts stated, you might want to visit the training arena, but if you don't mind getting slaughtered for the first few weeks, hop in a main arena from a base that isn't under attack. Fly to the fight. One of the biggest problems I've had with introducing friends to AH is that they don't understand why they can't get off the runway for the big fight when the attackers are "vulching" a base. I would recommend getting into a squad as soon as you start to get a handle on the game. Squads are what really make this game great in my opinion.

2. I have read some of the Help/Technical posts, and it seems that this game has a very realistic feel about it.  Is this a game that takes months to master, and everytime we log in to have fun are we going to get owned by some Elite Squad that likes to pick on noobs?

I've been playing flight sims since the early 90s and this game has the highest learning curve I've ever experienced. There are real people with ( and this is sometimes debatable ) real brains that aren't just computer opponents like in offline flight sims where you learn how to anticipate what they do. But this game is not WoW either.  There are several elite squads, and they can make the game interesting with what they do and how they do it, but you won't very often see a whole squad trying to kill one guy all night, if ever. The best thing about the game having a huge learning curve, though, is that at first every kill is intense. It's a rush that I've not found except in online flight sims. Once you get to learn how to fly, it's only the really good fights that give you that adrenaline rush - and it becomes an addiction to find those fights. For every few vulches and head on attacks, you come across one of those fights that goes for 10 or 15 minutes or get on a roll and kill several and land them. And if that ever gets old, there are always historical scenarios and, if you're in a squad, Friday night squad operations. The events team for this game does a really good job of making sure the game is always interesting if the main arenas get old or you just want to do something different.

3.  How cutomizable are the planes?  Besides the weapon packages, can you customize any looks about your aircraft?

As others have stated, you can download skins to customize you plane. Most skins have some historical basis - the guys creating these skins are really good at what they do. You can also customize your fuel, your loadout, your views, etc. You can also earn perk points by killing other aircraft and vehicles to fly planes that generally have an advantage against most of the main arena aircraft. Don't know if that falls under the customizable heading, but worth mentioning, I think.

and last but not least...

4.  Is there a dictionary for Aces speak?  I understand all the technical talk, but some of the game lingo is mind boggling. Neener! Neener!

heh...no squeekers on the list -
http://www.netaces.org/abbreviations/abbreviations.htm

[AWMac]

How does Skuzzy edit the original post in this thread?

I thought he would just "Skuzzify" a post, not add or delete certain things.

Is he magic?



Mystified,

Boner

Skuzzy is beyond magic!  Keebler Elves watermelon cookies at the mention of his name!
Be afraid, be VERY afraid.

Mac

[ColKLink]

The most important thing for "dad" to do  before playing is, retain a great divorce attorney! Its a very addicting game, like crack for gamers. The leanring curve is steep, but I am proof that anyone can learn to have fun in A/H. I have been here 4-5 yrs, i dunno maybe more, ...ask around, I still su*k.  Do visit the training arena, do read, the help files, do not scream in caps, do not worry that your getting your tail shot off every flight, you'll soon learn to bag a few kills yourself. Have fun, I hope to shoot a b-17 down with the whole family aboard! Velcome!!! 

[ROX]

Since some squads have guidlines, it's not always easy to find a squad that will take take totally green players (especially if they are young).

There are some squads (like mine) that if you ask if you can fly with them to "learn the ropes"--(not necessarily join right away) that they will be more than happy to help you. 

Yes, there is quite a steep learning curve.  I have been doing this for over a decade (Air Warrior & Aces High) and genuinely learn something new every day.

Ask...and if you run into some good eggs...you shall recieve!

Good luck, Sir <<S>>

ROX

[Cee64E]

i just have a few question about this game.  Just a little background, my brother and I are avid WoW players, and we have been playing FPS games for years.  My father wants to get online and play with us but he really doesnt see the point to WoW (if there is a point), and Tiger Woods online just isnt cutting it for him.  He loves combat flying games, so we figured we would try this out.

Here's my thoughts on this:  I'm an avid RC model airplane flyer and I love flight sims so I know how to takeoff, fly, land, navigate... the simple stuff.  Air combat is not simple.  This will challenge you beyond what WoW is capable of.  I'm still new at combat, only been here a couple of months, but I love it.  I get shot down a lot but I just get another plane or vehicle and go right back to it.
I am most certainley a noob at this game.  But I stick with it and ask good questions.  I got invited to and joined a squadron.  There are some seriously good pilots in my squadron and all of them are willing to help and show me how a manuever is executed or show me new tactics.  Nobody gets talked down to.  You will not find the kind of ELITE PKs that run around WoW and similar games.  There are no powerups that can't be defended against, no levels to overcome.  When you get shotdown its because the person who did it is good enough, you goofed and got in his gunsight, he just got lucky or combinations of any of those.  The point is that unlike most online games there is a skill needed here that you can and must learn if you want to play.  You are competing against other player's Skill, not some incredible magic item.  That means it can be very hard to get started but if you stick with it and learn, there are no limits.  This is Truly Personal Combat.  It is quite frankly the most fun I have while still dressed and I Highly recomend it.  Training arena is a big help but not mandatory.  You CAN just jump in to an arena and learn by doing.  Don't worry, getting shot down doesn't hurt a bit.
In any case its free for two weeks.  You can have a blast with your dad and bro and who knows, the aircombat virus just might get you.

[Brooke]

Also, you might be interested in events called "scenarios".  You can find out more about them here:

http://ahevents.org/scenario-related/scenarios.html

[Ghosth]

ReignMaker

By all means, sign yourself and your dad up for 2 week free trials. Realize that the second you go online into any one of the arena's your free trial starts, and from that point you have 2 weeks.

I'm in the Training Arena most weekday afternoons, roughly 3 - 4:30 or 5 central time.

I'm here to help, and I love a challenge, point your dad my way please.

I'd recommend Midwar (purple) as your first real sortie. Yes it lacks the big numbers of the late war arenas.
But then you guys are going to be in culture shock anyway, no need to add to it. Midwar has a good balance of planes available. With smaller numbers comes smaller dogfights/furballs which means your only trying to track 3 - 6 planes while trying to shoot someone down, not 30 - 60. Order of magnatude easier on the Situational awareness level.

The other thing Midwar lacks is the late war speed planes. La5fn is about the fastest plane there, so its a bit easier to stay alive a bit longer and actually learn.

[Skuzzy]

a big thank you to all who replied.  im sure we will have fun with this.

-Reign

p.s. Boner... i had something before "new guy" in my thread title, it wasnt bad but i guess Skuzzy didnt like it.

You will find we are pretty intolerable of F bombs, no matter how you disguise them.  Check the forum posting rules.

[redman555]

I'm working on my 2nd year and still learn new things everyday and still suck in a GV.

4th year here, learn new things every day 2 rofl

-BigBOBCH