ST0RM

One's own beliefs can blind you to the truth. No matter what, his skills as a survivalist were amazing.

Great work on the terrain edits. This could be a nice diversion while we wait on Nevada or whatever. That photo of 1980s Bagram is very interesting when you compare it to now. So much change.

Thanks Skate. I'll give it a try.

On the US West server, I've had terrible issues with lag. It would stick around for several minutes, then clear. A couple of times I had to close the game completely. Last night was so-so. I did ok, but often would be the last couple of tanks on our team fighting the enemy, and get surrounded and killed when everyone else had rushed into an ambush. Sucks as I was averaging about 2-3 kills per match. Looked you up pcpilot and messaged you, but didn't hear anything back. "Boom135"

I loved Il-2 as well. The M/P was top-notch. But I quickly tired of the obvious FM tilts toward one country or another. I dropped off right before the release of IL-2:1946. The Pacific add-on was great, except for the above.

What I missed most was being able to fight in FSX. While CFS3 compares more to FS9, at least my rig can run it well. PM inbound. Thanks for the replies. -Jeff

Not a direct comparison, I simply meant that like the F-16-79 was a downgraded F-16 for export. I see the F-16V as the same. Why not save some $$ and buy used airframes and upgrade them for a cheaper price? Unless the F-16V can match that. But hey, the F-16V is probably better than our own old airframes ;)

Seeing your scores almost makes me want to stop playing. ;) I dont feel I'm a bad player, but maybe I am as I just cant seem to get on a streak of surviving. I'm trying to bring my Panzer IV, Sherman and T-49 crews up to 100% (that stupid ratio they've got is pissing me off. 100% is 100%, not 90+10...) Funny is that if I see a clan on our team, I'll tail them and assist because of strength in numbers and all that. But usually they are just as dumb as non clanners and get us killed faster. Cracks me up seeing them type orders and die mid-type. I'll look you up on the US server.

With AMARG full of early Block F-16A/Cs, I just dont see how this low-end jet can be appealing to an Air Force on a budget. We've seen the sale of several non-MLU Euro Vipers that were refurb'd and brought up to current status before being delivered. So why is this even an option? Interesting article though. I just dont see the point of the project. It reminds me of the F-16-79 that was marketed and rejected!

Used my saved exp point from the Panzer IV to research the medium VK3001P, but not buy it. It was paired with the heavy VK. Which of those are better? I'm leaning toward the Medium, as I hate the slowness of the Heavies. Armor and gun or not. They still come neutered and require a lot of upgrading. But I chose this track because it led to the Tigers. On the T-34 I'm still losing my a$$. I hang back behind the heavies and act as support to knock out a track or engine, but still end up getting killed quickly. I'm torn between the 57mm and 76mm guns as I wasnt getting the punch I need against the high Tier tanks. Both are V level weapons on that tank, but just arent competetive for a snap shot. Although I have started knocking out cannons too, by aiming just below the turret and hitting the ring if time allows. Not helping my mood that I'm stuck at a 39% survive rate. I can score 3-5 kills a match at times, but still get killed by a camper waiting in a hide when I'm the only guy who will advance. Good thing this isnt real life.

I tried to get the UH-1 cockpit into the UH-60 model, but couldnt get it to work. Also the OH-58D. I know it wasnt proper, but was bored and wanted to see something different.

I havent touched DCS in months due to a general lack of interest. While I have no immediate plans to get the Hawk T.1 Trainer, it will be nice to see some life put back into the forum boards. For me, I thought DCS would fill that combat sim multiplayer void, but instead it was a bunch of kids flying around being stupid. I couldnt find a group to cooperate with and actually survive the over-exagerated IADS built into every M/P mission. We'll see what February brings and the reaction from the masses.

I took a week long break from the game as, like Gepard said, the morons were out to simply to play in some stupid competition. Yesterday got in a few hours of play. Did ok. About 50% win/loss. I've got to say that the arty did me in so quick on a few battles that I didnt get even one shot off. Must learn to stay clear of known choke points/routes. Even got one-shot'd by a Hellcat. I think he was using gold rounds, but I didnt say anything or care... Some funny stuff getting typed on chat. One guy openly bragged about his mutliple accounts. EU guy and was very loose with calling people names. Even after dying quickly without scoring. Another guy was yelling noob. And so on... One kid was bragging how the holiday exp specials allowed him to rapidly acquire a high Tier heavy, of which he and several others would drive out away from the main group and get murdered. This led to a rapid breakdown and overall team loss. He'd drive it just like a brand new player and die just as quick. Nice to get back into it. But I do have to complain that the Malinovka map we get in Tier 1, kept getting replaced on many of the upper Tiers too. You could literally sit at the starting point and see the other tanks on their side and start shooting from there. To do anything interesting, you had to move to the hill and attack. I dont know what was up with their map selector, but I think it was broken.

57mm on the T-34 and not the 76mm, eh? Hmm. I've got the 76 mounted now but will buy the 57 and see how I do. I can say that I've gotten extremely good at knocking the tracks off my enemies. I aim usually at the rear deck if I can, to knock out the engine or blow the ammo rack. So my kills aren't as high as they could be, as many get killed after I wound them by other players who pick off those that I started on.

Pretty cool vid. I like seeing the use of hand/head signals. And the low-level tail chase was gorgeous too.

Yeah, I'll keep working on my crew experience. I got rid of the T-50 yesterday and got into the T-34. So far, I'm getting my a$$ handed to me. I still rush out with the group to assist and they get killed quickly due to overconfidence, and the second is due to the lack of hit power against who I've been matched against. That and red arty has been really good, while ours just drives around trying to hide. I wanted to get to Tier V and stay there for a while. Time to start learning the various machines differences and their strength/weaknesses.

New paint!?!

Thanks for the info again. Seems the TD line is the way to go for my taste in play. Happy New Year!

Sadly, the breed has gotten a bad rap more due to their owners and the way they were raised and for what reasons. My opinion of them is based mostly upon that as I've never seen a nice dog of that type. They've always been ones on chains as a necessary precaution as they were bought to be guards. But after reading your report, I can see most of what I knew was based upon my own bias, but I still would not go put my face up to one and roll the dice. My Golden Retriever, sure... Additionally, Chows are another breed that can become very vicious and attack.

Right before bed, I jumped on one last time. I bought the T49 TD and upgraded it fully, then sold the M8A1. I liked it, but frequently got into matches that were above my level. While the gun was nice, the armor couldn't compete when left alone. With the T49, I completed one battle and killed 4 tanks, and damaging several other resulting in a team win. Finally, I was able to break the chain. I logged off and went to bed. So, my questions again. I see you guys are both pretty experienced. Do you prefer the heavy tanks or tank destroyers? I'm thinking I'm beginning to like the TDs more and more. The mobility of a medium, but the punch of a heavy. Also thinking of moving through the German line of TDs. Any thoughts? How about Soviet? Or others? As for my last question from before. I don't plan on using mods. Like Gepard, I think they are bad for gameplay if they tilt favor dramatically. Thanks gents!

Very frustrating day for me. Out of maybe 20 random battles, our team won 2. On one, it was a total wipeout where the opponents lost zero tanks! Of even more frustration, I'm getting left out to dry when guys rush out towards the enemy and die, leaving me to fight off 4 or more opponents. And, I'm noticing even more people afk and not contributing anything except to the enemy as an easy kill. I think with the free premium code, many new players were able to up-Tier faster and aren't able to fight in their new tanks. They rush out like Tier 1 rookies and die. I tried moving a 100% Soviet Light crew out of the Premium T-127 and into the T-50 but I would have lossed several crew experience points, so I undid it. Odd, as I thought premium had that ability. Again, I ask how to join a more organized method of playing? Do I need to join a group where it's more peer orientated instead of so lopsided. On that sweep battle, one of the opponents said we only had a 9% chance of victory. Based on what? He was right though. But how did he come by that figure? Lastly, I'm hearing of mods being used now that change the game. What's this about?

The code worked despite the error message. Thanks again. Picked up the US T2 Light for the kids. It's fast, but just doesnt survive. The 20mm has too short of a clip, so you dont do hardly any damage to an opponent before youre out. And reload times are longer than needbe. Oh well, the kids like it for training. I got a $25 gift card in my stocking from my son. So I picked up the Soviet T-127. Same gun as my max'd out MS-1 (45mm), but with heavier sloped armor. It's terribly slow in the turn, so I have to think ahead. Honestly, I'm having a lot of fun in the M8A1 TD. I've got the huge 3-pounder uploaded which really packs a punch. I'm working my way to the T-49, but might hold off on selling it too fast. I'm scoring at least 3 kills in it each match, but due to stupid teammates, surviving about 50% of them. Why people insist on charging the open middle is beyond me... Those other missions. Are they only for clans or more of a team concept? I'd like to move away from just doing Random Battles and try something that is more structured. -Jeff

Rejected as already used, but thanks anyway. Merry Christmas!

Wow, 10 hours to update. Both of our computers were updated in under 30 minutes. The Hellcat is on my to buy list as I progress. You said it all. It's a real killer. The new Japanese tanks are not being met with open arms. A lot of people driving them, but hearing a lot of griping. Tore through them rather quick with my MS-1.

Must be the age. Luckily Ft Sill is close by and they have a decent amount of armor on display. I'll take her there.