Design discussion for October Scenario (Target Rabaul)

[Arlo]

[Devil 505]

Well, where are the rest of the parts? 

I want to watch the whole thing now.

[Brooke]

F4U-1's and F4U-1A's have almost exactly the same speed.

I'd have been happy to make them F4U-1's, but they were mostly 1A's by this time, as folks have stated; but it doesn't matter much since they are same speed.

Similarly for P-38's, I'm happy to make them G's instead of J's if G's were there.  I looked and concluded (but it was sort of hard to be sure for me) that they were mostly J's.  Anyone have a good reference on this?

[Brooke]

As we've talked about, there is no way to run Rabaul for this time period with the actual plane set.  No players are going to show up for a bunch of Zeros fighting a bunch of F4U's, F6F's, and P-38's.

So, we must alter the plane set.  We can:

1.  Keep a realistic allied set (F4U's, F6F's, P-38's) and give the Japanese an unrealistic set that is competitive.  This is the approach voted on and won.

or

2.  Keep a realistic Japanese set and give the US an unrealistic set that is degraded to make it even (i.e., removing most F4U's, F6F's, and P-38's and unrealistically boosting the proportion of P-40's to make it mostly a Zero vs. P-40 battle).  This is not what was voted on, and it didn't win the vote.  (#2, by the way, is mainly just Rabaul '42, not the heyday of Boyington, Blackburn, Bong, McGuire, Hanson, Carl, Johnson, etc. in their Corsairs, Hellcats, and P-38's.)

or

3.  Make both sides unrealistic by giving each side a high proportion of the planes people don't prefer and a small proportion of the planes they do prefer.  This, to me, is the worst of both 1 and 2 put together.  But regardless, it also is not what was voted on, and it didn't win.

So, where do you want your unrealism?  Mostly on one side or the other or smeared over both?

Let's do #1 which is what the player base already picked. 

[Brooke]

By the way, with regard to N1K2's:

Swareiam and I talked about that and decided that it would probably work best with more Ki-84's and fewer N1K2's (rather than vice versa) because 4-cannon N1K2's we think would obliterate the B-24's and B-25's and make flying those planes miserable.

We need everyone to have a balanced and fun time -- not just the fighter guys.

Also, for the Japanese plane set to be competitive, it needs to not be significantly slower than the allied set (which the N1K2 is).  In this one, the N1K2 is sort of like how the FW 190 is in Big Week (only the bombers are way more vulnerable here than in Big Week).

[Brooke]

Mentioning it again, but:  Because the voting is done, all this debate on what the player base should have picked, or how we can make this into something drastically different than what the player base picked, stuff like that is moot.

Instead, we need to decide things like:
-- Is B-25 survivability OK?  If not, do we need to disperse ships more?
-- Is the scoring OK?
-- Will one side's fighter set dominate the other side's?  If so, what tweaks to numbers?

We've got at least another week for folks to weigh in on things like this, but can't wait forever -- let's get on with it. 

[kilo2]

As much as a Rabaul scenario would be great, it fails to replicate the experienced Axis flyers that may have been present. Much like an Eastern Front scenario, it is almost impossible to balance a scenario using historical match ups that cannot reflect experience.

The answer? Promoting attendance from mature virtual flyers that have a love of history, rather than just a love of winning.

Such a meh statement. Fly axis in Rabaul. Put your money where your mouth is.

[puller]

I promise the bombers aren't going to have a good time with my nikis around...

[TequilaChaser]

Such a meh statement. Fly axis in Rabaul. Put your money where your mouth is.

Kilo2, that is an unfair challenge asking Delirium to fly Axis (which he would most absolutely would do if it came to it and the CM Host asked him to).... But challenging him to put his money where his mouth is, is just wrong....

He deserves the chance to be able to fly in the scenario in historical squadron that was at Rabual, since that is the same squadron that he is a member of here in AH, imulating....

If the seasoned longtime players really want to see another glorious wonderful scenario with better numbers, then everyone that is committed to flying the scenario should work hard at getting at 1 if not 2 others to join in on the excitement...

TC

[Hajo]

When this scenario comes up I am going to register to fly the B25 strafer.  It will be torn up by the N1K.  So............plans of attack will have to be formulated.  Strategy.  Who'd a thunk?

Even though they will more then likely be escorted most will go down.  So what?  It will be exciting to say the least.  Some, not all will get through.  And who knows all may get in to do some damage.

That's the fun and excitement of the scenario.  I prefer the actual planeset if possible. It's historical.  Immersion is the key.  If needed I'll fly the Zeke instead.  Just make it as close to reality as we can.

I realize most do not have the same opinion as I do.  I could care less about winning.  Immersion and fun are the key for me.

[ROC]

Sigh
I'm going to take the Zekes, aren't I 

[Arlo]

Sigh
I'm going to take the Zekes, aren't I 

Up to you. It'll be what you make of it.

[Zoney]

Sigh
I'm going to take the Zekes, aren't I 

If you do, then I will find a way to swing one Saturday off and fly with you mate!

[ROC]

Up to you. It'll be what you make of it.

It always is.  That's why I took the Stukas for the 12 hour event.  It's always what I make of it, I try and take the tough ones when I do get a chance to fly.
Did I ever tell you about the time I led the Pearl Harbor side switch scenario?  Started as IJN, explained to the team that we owned the event, no way the Allies could win, all of the good stuff that inspires the team.  Then, after shutting down the Allies, we side switched. The cries of We Are Doomed were overwhelming, until I explained that I lied.  We should have gotten slaughtered as the IJN, there should have been no way we should have won.  And, here's why...chatter chatter chatter.  We went on to win that side also.

Of course it's what you make of it.

[Brooke]

Don't underestimate the mighty Zero! 

ROC is ready for some of this! 







Or the mighty Ki-61!