Wizardry (Spoilers)

[paulca]

I found this mission a little odd. The proceeding mission "Training" somewhat prepares you for a low level valley flying mission, it might mention it will be at night even through training is in daylight. However the mission Wizardry itself doesn't appear to tell you if you should be low level or not.

 

As the target was a ZSU-23 and Manpads at an enemy outpost I figured to attack that flying down a tight valley at low level ... at night ... would be suicide.

 

The next puzzle was that the JTAC requested I use Mk82s against a ZSU emplacement... at night. No illumination rockets available. I suppose I could use the NVG.

 

I got the TGP lined up on the road block after the JTAC gave me Data, which to my surprise turned out to be two ZSU-23 emplacements. Double suicide.

 

So I CCRP dropped 1, then 2, then 3 Mk82s on the emplacement. Of course from the 15,000ft safety alt due to terrain and MANPADs I missed with all 3. I did take out all the infrantry and MANPADs, but I had to use GBU12s on the ZSUs. I messed that up and wasted one GBU-12, so ended up taking out the final ZSU with a maverick. As it turned out attacking this stuff from high above was difficult as everytime my orbit started to come round on target the TGP would lock onto the top of a hill and move my SPI. EVEN when I was Maverick view. Took a while to work out why my SPI was jumping around. Figured out I had to use INR mode until I was lined up with clear LOS.

 

Now... I scanned the outpost for 3 orbits and there were no targets left. Both ZSU were smoldering and all infantry were lying on the ground dead, Yet the JTAC said the target was not destroyed. I fired all my rockets into the area to make sure all the infantry were dead and I hadn't missed any behind a building or something. Still not destroyed.

 

In the end I put the NVG on and went in for a look... nothing. So I switched labels on and went back for another look and there was one target saying "Road Outpost". Now what exactly is that? What am I meant to shoot to kill it? I opted to spray the area with gun and finally the JTAC said it was destroyed. Without labels I would not have been able to figure out what or where that target was exactly.

 

I found the convoy and loitered around. Yet, confusion from the mission breifing was creeping in. I kept hearing "To be clear your only target is the ZSU-23" and I could see a ZSU 23 in the convoy. My trigger finger began twitching, so when one of the other units started shouting about taking AAA fire I rolled in on the convoy and put a 3 second burst into the trailing ZSU-23.

 

Turns out that's not the right ZSU-23 and in attacking the convoy I failed the mission.

[paulca]

As a suggestion. A small bit of tactical reassurance in the mission briefing letting pilots know that at low level the ZSUs (not being radar guided Shilkas) will probably not fire on you. You should continue low level and use the night vision googles.

 

Some illumination rockets might be cool too.

[baltic_dragon]

Hey!

Thanks for the feedback. I think there is confusion at two different levels and since it happened, perhaps I should make the briefings more clear. Anyway:

 

Level 1: Training prepares you for low level attack at the headqarters of the CLA leader, but does not say it will be your last mission. IIRC it says that the attack will be performed when the time is right. So it is not connected to Wizardry, which happens because there is an opportunity to get the prisoner out of CLA's hands. So you are not bound with any altitude restrictions etc - if you were it would have been stated in the FRAGO. But during the update I will make it more clear.

 

Level 2: you are to take out the two ZSUs guarding the entrance to the valley so that the choppers can pass safely. Perhaps it is my mistake to leave the ZSUs in the same group as the roadpost, they should be a separate one for JTAC to mark. Will change it, thanks!

 

Then there is clear order NOT to engage the ZU-23 which is part of the convoy until they get into the Sweet Spot. And yes, the other two ZU-23s attacking the choppers are there on purpose to create some confusion ;)

[paulca]

Thanks a lot dude. Glad to give feedback. I really like the campaign. It's an interesting take on things to play Anti-Insurgency after the wall-to-wall armor busting of the default campaign.

[Gliptal]

I noticed that at night both ZSUs and MANPADS very rarely engage you, even when flying low. Here's what I did, succeded the first try:

 

- Stayed at 8000ft the whole mission.

- Had my wingman attack the MANPAD.

- Used my three Mk82s on the outpost, taking out the building.

- Cleared the MH-60s, although interestingly enough I found out in TacView that the AAA emplacements were not destroyed; either a bug, or nighttime cover. That said, it makes logical sense since I killed all personell with the bombs.

- Used one Maverick on the first mosque ZSU truck, and guns on the second. Again, it never fired on me.

- Used my second Maverick on the convoy ZSU as soon as I was allowed to.

- Loitered the area until ordered to RTB.

 

I feel quite safe when flying COINOPs at night. All AAA and MANPADS rely on visuals, and the AI seems to (realistically?) have problems identifying and engaging any attacking aircraft. A couple of sidenotes:

 

- If you're having problems with the TGP losing track, whether because of hills and mountains or manuevering (it seems to happen more often at night), use markpoints and keep the TAD as SPI generator.

- Turn your external lighting off (formation lights are fine). It actually makes it harder for the AI to spot you.

- Pay close attention to the briefing, and to the communications during the mission.

[baltic_dragon]

The AI Manpad / AAA behaviour has changed in 1.5 to more realistic / less accurate. They still do shoot at night (especially if you forget to turn of external lights for instance) though. It is quite probable that gunners would not attack the Blackhawks in pitch black even if they heard them, but still just for the sake of safety, they still would be a valid target to take out. In some of my trials they actually attacked the helos.

 

Anyway, glad you managed to finish the mission, only two more to go!

[Gliptal]

The AI Manpad / AAA behaviour has changed in 1.5 to more realistic / less accurate. They still do shoot at night (especially if you forget to turn of external lights for instance) though. It is quite probable that gunners would not attack the Blackhawks in pitch black even if they heard them, but still just for the sake of safety, they still would be a valid target to take out. In some of my trials they actually attacked the helos.

During the mission I thought they were destroyed since I sent my wingan to take care of air defenses and the JTAC called all clear. I like this behaviour from the enemy AI, darkness really becomes a strong ally this way.