I've felt for sometime Event Definitions were too hard to find and I put this together to help generate interest within my squad but then read similar concerns posted in these forums. If I've made any blatant errors or stepped on somebody's toes please accept my apologies. Let me know and I'll edit the post. In the meantime, if this is found to be useful you might give it a bump from time to time until the CM staff has their new web site up. My hope is to generate additional interest among the player base.
Index:CAP - Combat Air Patrol
Scenarios
SnapShots
SquadOps
KOTH
Combat Theater (CT)
Dueling Ladder
Event Name: CAP - Combat Air Patrol
Summary of Event: Imagine forty battles of WW2 replayed in sequence with new battles taking place three weekends in a row followed by a weekend break before proceeding with the next three battles and you know what the CAP is. Walk-ons are required to fly with one of the participating squads on the side which is short players. Caps don't require the commitment to multiple frames but if your squad isn't a key part of the side COs plans, orders of battle and even CAP rules will be hard to find. The current CAP allows players to up a new ride every 30 minutes when the fields are re-opened for 5 minute intervals. An unpleasant aspect of CAP is it's occasional one-sided historical numbers which are mirrored in the frame. Persistent command staff for each side provides the respective CO and the continuity from one frame to the next. An interesting aspect of CAP is the medal awards given out via email to players who register at
http://www.webtreatz.com/medal/register.html. Be sure to read any privacy statement before registering!
Typical Objective: Each side is tasked to defend it's assets and kill as many attackers and their assets as possible. Occasionally a base capture is part of the objective.
Who can play: All players welcome as walk-ons or as part of a Squad.
Sponsor: Player based Campaign Managers.
Which Arena: The Special Events Arena (SEA)
Axis or Allies: Normally you can choose your side and aircraft from the list available but occasionally, for game balance, you may be asked to switch sides or aircraft. Only squads which have become part of the side COs battle plan have any assurance of keeping their favorite planes.
Message Board Forum: "CAP - Combat Air Patrol" and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Normally 17:30 Eastern time on Saturdays. Frames are currently suspended whenever Special Events are run.
Event Name: Scenario
Summary of Event: These are events which simulate one campaign of WW2. Once single life events, they are tending toward the more popular multi-life format. Scenarios are usually 2 to 3 hour events.
Typical Objective: Objectives will vary so it's necessary to find the Event Announcement and read the rules and objectives available there.
Who can play: Registration (early) is required to guarantee the aircraft you want. Walk-ons are allowed to fill empty slots.
Sponsor: Player based Campaign Managers.
Which Arena: The Special Events Arena (SEA)
Axis or Allies: You pick your side when you register. If the numerical balance is off, walk-ons are expected to fly for the side which is short on players. Rides are then assigned to the walk-ons by the side CO but it never hurts to ask for the ride you want.
Message Board Forum: Scenario Name, Side forums and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Four consecutive Saturdays, 15:00 Eastern Time.
Event Name: Snapshot.
Summary of Event: Usually one life events. Snapshots are based upon a single battle or event which took place during WW2 using the appropriate plane set or substitutes with allowances for game play. They typically run from 90 to 120 minutes and in some Snapshots using heavy bombers, high altitude air starts are used. Snapshots don't require the commitment to multiple frames and are very loosely run, sometimes the side CO (commanding officer) won't even know the point or win conditions; other than the occasional after action report, only the logs are posted for the players to review. It's best for your enjoyment if you read the write-up link posted on the message board so you understand the setup and goals before the event starts. Currently there are over 50 different Snapshots in the index at
http://events.simladder.com/snapshots.php but it is incomplete.
Typical Objective: One side is tasked to defend it's ground targets and kill as many attackers as possible. The other side is given a mix of aircraft, some with bombs and some as escorts which must attack the ground targets.
Who can play: All players welcome as walk-ons.
Sponsor: Player based Campaign Managers.
Which Arena: The Special Events Arena (SEA)
Axis or Allies: Normally you can choose your side and aircraft from the list available but occasionally, for game balance, you may be asked to switch sides or aircraft.
Message Board Forums: "Snapshot General" and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Wednesday evenings, 22:00 Eastern, Thursday afternoons, 15:00 Eastern and often in place of KOTH, SquadOps or CAP events.
Event Name: Squad Operations (SquadOps formerly Tour of Duty - TOD)
Summary of Arena or Event: These are events which simulate one campaign of WW2 and each player has one life per frame. Each tour last 3 to 4 frames over an equal number of weeks with a list of mission assignments given to the side COs by the CM. The aircraft and specific missions are selected and assigned to the squads by the side CO. Failure of a squad to show up with the designated number of players will get the squad ejected from SquadOps. Walk-ons are not allowed but can petition a registered squad for a one tour guest slot. After that, the player must join a registered squad or start a squad of his own. The SquadOp rules page can be found here:
http://events.simladder.com/tod_rules.phpTypical Objective: Objectives will vary and are revealed by the CM in an email to the side COs and passed down to the pilots through their squad COs before the frame. The scoring system is customized for each event.
Who can play: Any member of a registered squad. Only an Aces High squad CO may register a squad.
Sponsor: Player based Campaign Managers.
Which Arena: The Special Events Arena (SEA)
Axis or Allies: Assigned to the squad by the CM at the beginning of each tour.
Message Board Forum: "Squad Operations" and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Two separate series, Fridays at 23:00 Eastern and Sunday at 15:00 Eastern. Frames last 120 minutes.
Event Name: KOTH - King Of The Hill.
Summary of Event: This is a free for all (FFA) event with one life. All players meet at a field, then when the signal is given they all up and fly in different directions until all are 5K, and the manager calls "go." No winging is allowed and the last man still alive at the end is King of the hill. If you run out of ammo, you lose and must bail from your aircraft unless you're one of the last two pilots. For more information see:
http://events.simladder.com/koth.phpTypical Objective: To be good enough to kill all the competition and be the last man standing.
Who can play: All Aces High players are invited to attend.
Sponsor: Player based Managers.
Which Arena: The Special Events Arena (SEA)
Axis or Allies: N/A
Message Board Forum: "King of the Hill General" and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Every Friday after TOD.
Event Name: Combat Theater.
Summary of Arena: This is an alternative to the Main Arena. From the Aces High help pages; The Combat Theater is set up for historical game play. There is a two sided war, a limited plane set, and reduced radar. The Combat Theater is included in this list because it also restricts the choice of aircraft to historically matched aircraft and substitutes. Depending upon the map terrain and aircraft available, the CT rarely has many players but it can be a good break from the MA and when the terrain is the same as an upcoming scenario, it's a great place to practice. You may have noted HiTech keeps a separate score for Combat Theater players.
Typical Objective: The map terrain usually changes weekly but it's still basically a Main Arena style furball / land grab situation with better matched planes.
Sponsor: HiTech Creations
Who can play: Open to all players.
Which Arena: Combat Theater.
Axis or Allies: No restrictions.
Message Board Forum: "Combat Theater" and "Special Events Announcements."
Schedule: Same as the Main Arena.
cont.