Testing the new 1.3

[Siggi 10]

It occured to me that the new AI lethality might be down to one of those old simming bugbears, every AI in town concentrating on the player. So I set up 6 vs 6 in QC, Random all round, Se5 vs AlbDVa.

 

The first one, I had what seemed like the whole flight after me, and I got shot to pieces (ordered my flight S and A during the merge).

 

Second one I boxed a bit more clever and got one down, tail clear, all other a/c engaged with each other. I got back into it and singled one out. Oh my god, how good was he? I had to fly like a loon to get him off my tail (chopped my throttle at zero alt, which flumoxed him). Ended up going head-on at each other, then the flak got him. I side-slipped into the trees (had lost all my energy).

 

Third one, vs six Dr1s (Random). Tore me to pieces in seconds.

 

Fourth one put them all as Rookies, we tore them to pieces.

 

Conclusion...the sim isn't cheating, it's just vicious. And damned if the combat doesn't feel like something straight out of the book I'm currently reading (history of Jasta Boelke). If you get a good pilot on your tail you are basically done, because even if you manage to get clear your kite is going to be useless and it's time to get it down. This is no IL2, where keeping a turn on is a gaurantee of survival...the AI in 1.3 OFF can deflection-shoot superbly. But not omnipotent.

 

My campaign rule is now simple. Unless my flight outnumbers theirs I'm gone. In the case of Dr1s, the advantage will have to be significant. And no more low-level patrols, I'm going to take us up to at least 10,000ft before leaving the environs of the home field.

 

Bottom line, unless we have ALL the advantages, I'm not engaging. In my best Chandler voice: "My god...how real is this?!!"

[Olham 164]

Yes, that sounds realistic. A flight of Dr.1 would have been veterans or aces;

and would rip you to pieces in seconds. D VII should be extremely dangerous too.

The warping should be left out, because only then, you can decide which alt. to climb to.

 

I haven't installed the patch yet - want to make some more training flights, before it get's serious!

 

But if we now must run away, when outnumbered - how can I fly my Jasta 15 April 1918 campaign?

There, I usually way outnumbered, almost every time!

[Hellshade 110]

Siggi,

 

My experiences tell me the same thing. These 1.30 pilots fight like they've been brought back from their death 90 years ago and have a second chance at life. And they don't intend to give life up again easily. I can't say for a second that it feels like they are "cheating" because they are scoring hits from too far away or performining manuvers with their aircraft that aren't possible. They are aggressive, skilled and working together just the way they should. Every time I get shot down I know it's because I was out-flown, out-gunned, out numbered or I made mistakes. When I climb into my crate and head up into the skies, I have a prfound respect for their abilities. The Red Baron was right. Never attack unless you have the advantage and know you can win. Anything less changes you from a pilot to a statistic in very short order. Yes, sometimes you can get away with risky moves. Sometimes you can get lucky. But you definately can't count on it and that is exactly how it should be.

 

Super Kudos to the Devs for getting it exactly right. My only complaints are with my own skills.

 

Hellshade