Most Distinctive Changes in NF4?

[Lt. James Cater 62]

For me it has got to be the AI.

 

The enemy AI is now amazingly agressive compared to how things were some time ago. Flying the Deuce, i've gone from being the aggressor to being defensive in a matter of seconds on intercepts and being kept that way for prolonged periods. The escorts will turn to engage in a heartbeat if they spot you.

 

If you fire a missle at one from their rear quadrant at long range, don't be surprised to have it head on out towards a Mig, only to have a miss as the Mig suddenly breaks. Even the IL28s refuse to act like sheep anymore, jump them hard enough and they will sometimes go defensive rather than keep on like a target session as it was in the past.

 

On the pro side the friendly AI also seems to have improved.

 

Yesterday, i flew an intercept and dispatched 12 aircraft since the target was only about 40 miles away and i figured that some of the pilots needed the experience. Rather than a quick out and back, it turned into a sizable furball in which i was fearful of my fellow pilots since not only were we in planes that were not built to dogfight (F-102s) but everyone had AIM4-Fs except for me (all Gs) and the enemy were all in Mig17s and 19s. I pretty much resigned myself to a lousy day.

 

Not only was the mission accomplished, we had 19 kills to 5 losses.

 

I did not score at all but several pilots went on a tear. At one point i was trying to outclimb a pair of Mig17s and within 30 seconds both were shot down. The same pilot got them along with two others to make Ace. Flying Huns in the past i never would have dreamed of such an outcome. In the same scenario i would have expected an almost complete wipeout.

 

The really great thing was that only one of the five lost was killed and two were wounded.

 

Gotta love the long term implications.

[column5 62]

Interesting observations. I haven't specifically done anything in NF to improve the AI, so I would think it has to be a result of most of the units having high morale (which I think affects their aggression) and both the US and Soviets having excellent pilot training standard.

[+hgbn 91]

When I manage my squadrons. I look for all four ratings in the Rooster Menu. Noticed a lot of times that skill isnt the most important parameter. But the condition rating should be looked closely when choosing your wingies. I have had wingies with skill and expirience ratings well under 60 become aces in very short time and they started with condition rating above 90. observed if this rating drops under 80 the wingies loose theirs egde and become lazy

[+hgbn 91]

Depending on Aircraft and pilots availlible I allways take off with at least a four ship formation in a campaign. I prefer 8 buddies in the air. End result when the campaign is finnished is often a squadron with 3 or 4 aces and some leaning of a ace title. I lose a few granted but a kill ration 1/ 10-15 isnt bad in various campaigns

[column5 62]

This thread is now penis-reference free. Use the Venezuelan Penis Phone thread for such. Thank you.

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Now that the the comedy (if it could even be called that) is done...

 

The condition of your Squadron is a lot more important than it seems. Back in NF2 i had a a guy in an Eagle unit who was so good i kept him flying long after he should have been rested for a prelonged period. Well, he finally was shot down and killed. Achieved 38 kills before he went.

 

Right now i have a real hard charger but he's been dragging lately so i gave him the last two sorties off.

 

I do Recce misions solo so that gives everyone a chance to rest up a bit.

[column5 62]

Now that the the comedy (if it could even be called that) is done...

 

Hey! It was funny!

 

I do wish I had more time to play complete campaigns though...

[JediMaster 451]

Ha! As an owner of every TW sims since SFP1 and regular flyer of the sims, I will point out I've NEVER finished a campaign! In fact, I've rarely got more than half a dozen missions in any! That's usually because a patch comes out and wipes out my progress of course...

[MigBuster 2,877]

lol - yeah me too Jedi

 

actually line backer 2 in WOV only lasted about 12 missions - and the Lebanon war in WOI is even better - lasts about 8 missions give it a go :)

[Lt. James Cater 62]

Hey! It was funny!

 

I do wish I had more time to play complete campaigns though...

 

It was enough to make me read the "Beavis and Butt-head" Wiki while i was finishing off a couple of slices of pizza.

 

Anyways, i just got done with a recce mission...

Now this is what i mean by aggressive. After completing the mission goal i stalked a radar contact that turned out to be a pair of Mig19s and got one. A wild fight soon broke out which also involved a Hun and that enabled me to set up an AIM4-F for the kill. After that i went back to altitude and began stalking another contact that i thought was a pair of IL-28s.

 

As it turned out i was quite wrong, twas a pair of Mig17s and i never even had a chance to set up for any kind of shot before they turned around and it was on. They must have been low on fuel because they only chased me for about 20 miles or so but it got close a couple of times. I finally got room soon after the pic followed by full burner for altitude.

 

After that i said to hell with it and went home.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Lt. James Cater