Are you playing paid add-on EP, or pre-EP patched?

[+peter01 2]

my first try at a poll on this site, hope it works :)

Edited April 11, 2008 by peter01

[JediMaster 451]

Looks like I'm the only one who's voted "other" so far! In addition to my Exp 1 version, I have a 2nd FE install that has neither the patch nor the Exp Pack but all the mods as of a few months ago, the last time I added stuff to it. That has all the myriads of planes in it. I won't patch it until I'm sure I can get all the mod planes I've got in there working with the patch!

[+Baltika 84]

After a long time holding off for no particular reason, other than a tangle of WW2 campaign mod WIPs I am trying to sort out for release, I finally treated myself to the FE EP #1. I think I was prompted by the fact that TK released his FE/WoI patches, and while I would happily patch up my pre-EP FE to the current standard, I felt a bit of support for the producer was in order, particularly as he continues to support the older titles - I am a self-confessed SFP1 die-hard.

 

Anyway, having seen this poll, and a couple of "EP #1 - is it worth it?" style threads, I thought I would throw my thoughts in to the debate.

 

I am running FE EP #1, patched up to the current standard. For this install, I am taking a minimalist back-to-basics approach, so I have no mods whatever added. Gulp

 

I am flying through a Camel campaign on the new terrain. Hard settings across the board, and graphics settings at high for everything. Finally, and this is a big step for me, I am flying from internal cockpit views only, no padlock and no "nearest enemy" locks, although I will occasionally resort to the inflight map to get a general bearing on the bad guys. TrackIr, oh yes

 

So far, the experience has been simply magnificent. The cockpit is gorgeous, although strangely claustrophobic without external views. In that respect, the new "check six" view is, quite literally, a lifesaver. I tend to wonder how we managed without it, so, in retrospect, and with due respect, its addition is long overdue.

 

Take-off, again at last, is something you have to concentrate on to do properly. My first Camel take-off post patch, I thought my controller needed re-calibrated. In fact, I had to deal with the engine torque effect in the proper manner. Getting airborne felt like an achievement, not an experience I've had before with Thirdwire.

 

As an aside, flying the Spad in instant action, I pushed it too far and went into a flat spin. I just about fell out of my seat in shock. Next time around, did it again, tried spin recovery and messed it up big time. 3rd time lucky, thought about what I was doing, fought the plane a long way down, and pulled it under control very near to the ground. Spellbinding stuff.

 

Back to my campaign missions. Offensive patrol, nothing to show for it. Vaguely disappointed at not seeing any real action, but home in one piece, at least.

 

Army co-operation, couple of Jerry tanks defending a bridge. Loving the detail. Laid my eggs, watched the fireworks. Got in a bit of a scrap on the way home, wingmen took care of it. Kite full of holes on landing, d/k where they came from. Obviously had a narrow escape without even realising.

 

Escort mission, serious opposition, half a dozen Albatrosses out of the sun. Very tense going in to combat. Where the hell are the Hun? Swirling dogfight, forced one down. Elevator shredded, didn't even know he was there. Albatrosses queueing up to pepper my tail. Headed back towards our lines, took a burst over no man's land which set my engine on fire. In desperation, bailed out. Must have hit a hay stack on the way down, wound up in hospital.

 

Pretty jittery going up again after the MO gave me the all clear. Another offensive patrol, head on attack with a gaggle of enemy fighters. Fast turn to come around for another pass, spotted a multicoloured Boche machine sailing past below me. Got off a short burst, no visible effect. Jockeying to stay on his tail, firing more bursts. Must have hit the pilot as I saw his machine's nose dip, then his machine slewed round and spiralled down towards the lines, trailing smoke.

Turned back to see if I could spot any other enemy kites. Something flashed across my nose, very close. Couldn't tell if friend or foe. Looking around. Where did he go?

 

Spied a Hun, down to the left. Swung round behind him, diving and turning to get the shot. Swooped in very close, firing all the way. Tried to pull up at the last minute, he turned the same way. Juddering shock. Lost the end of my top starboard wing, kite going crazy. Ground spinning close below me. Here we go again, I thought, have to jump for it. Hope I land on something soft.

 

Mission result: MIA. Friendly offensive successful, but ground gained lost within a few days. 45,000 dead on each side.

 

My advice: If you don't have it yet, get the EP

 

Next assigment: I'm going to have to try out Peter01's FMs, oh yes

 

Cheers all.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Baltika

[+Tailspin 3]

Looks like I'm the only one who's voted "other" so far! In addition to my Exp 1 version, I have a 2nd FE install that has neither the patch nor the Exp Pack but all the mods as of a few months ago, the last time I added stuff to it. That has all the myriads of planes in it. I won't patch it until I'm sure I can get all the mod planes I've got in there working with the patch!

 

Another "other" here. I have the original FE heavily modded without the Apr.08 patch. I have the EP1 version again heavily modded without the Apr.08 patch. And I have a clean unmodded install of FE + EP1 + Apr.08 patch. The patch overwrites all the Terrain Targets and Types .inis so I have to see what TK's done on the ground before I move my mods to the patched version of EP1.

[Firecage 1]

Im running the exp pack and the patches for it as well. Also heavy modded Cambrai terrain, Peters FMs, and some ground obj mods as well.

 

Also added the other planes that peter has done fms for.

 

[+sinbad 27]

Ok - I'm curious. What Cambrai mods, please tell?

[Barkhorn1x 9]

Running FE + EP - patched - HEAVILY modded.

[jarkko 0]

Quite many here say "HEAVILY MODDED" so should we start a thread : Recommended addons for FE ???????????????

And, please, send pics of Your modded versions + tell what addons You are using.

[Barkhorn1x 9]

Here is a - high level - list of my mods. ***:

 

- add on a/c = I tend to favor the 1917/18 period so that is what have added

- skins = as many as I can find

- modified clouds

- add on terrain

- FM mods by Peter01

- date of a/c deployment mods (modifed a/c .DATA files), I made these changes.

- modified Campaign files that correct - or add - a/c by squad, I made these changes

- some add on missions - that came w/ the add on a/c

 

***almost all found in the d/l section of this site, BTW.

[sparkomatic 7]

FE + Apr 2008 patch...so does that mean "patched to EP standard"?