Should I get the AV-8B

[Sylosis]

The AV-8B really interests me, however I'm not sure I want to get it now, as from what I know, the package is just the aircraft.

 

So for the same price of a brand new package, you get 0 missions, tutorials, campaign...?

 

When I bought the F-5, I was finding that the "no campaign" was a bit annoying, since it's a module just as expensive as any other module...

 

I don't regret buying it, yet I am not overly satisfied. The thing is that I am not that much of a multiplayer guy in DCS. I'm not super good at it, and therefore online, I just keep getting killed over and over again. So packages with missions makes more sense to me.

 

So, that being said, about the AV-8B, should I wait until they "finish" the package? Or maybe I'm wrong and it's already quite finished (includes missions and everything)? Is it ever going to have missions, tutorials, and campaigns?

 

I already own the Mirage, F-5, Mig21, A-10 and FC3 airplanes. My favorite is probably the Mirage. I like more modern planes, yet I prefer the Mirage to the FC3 since it's more simulation oriented.

 

Anyways, was just curious to get some opinions on that.

 

Thank you.

[baltic_dragon]

Hey Sylosis,

 

Talking about the campaigns and missions: currently I am working on the full set of interactive training missions (a total of 20), in close cooperation with people having first hand experience with the Harrier. The work will progress as the features are added to the module, you can follow it in this thread.

 

On top of that I will be adding a few full - fidelity single missions with voiceovers etc that could be flown either in SP or MP mode. That will be included with the Harrier and free of charge.

 

The campaign for the Harrier will be a DLC, but having said that I am thinking about including a short introduction, probably of around 3 missions, with the module, so you can judge if you want to continue or not. All this in the coming months / by the end of the year, a lot depends on the progress made by RAZBAM as well. Hope this helps!

[Ramsay]

IIRC there is a SP instant action mission and that's it, though the training missions are in progress.

 

So it'll be youtube video's and learning the ME for a while. There are already a few AV-8B missions to DL from ED's User Files, so the AV-8B is already well served there.

 

Unlike the M-2000C, RL documentation is available including the Training Syllabus from Cherry Point that, as well as mission profiles, includes common pilot errors and their corrections, if you want to get in depth.

 

Although it lacks a campaign, RAZBAM added the Tarawa and KC-130T (which everyone gets for free), which are in some respects more valuable.

 

With typical sortie lengths of 1 hr 18 min, the Harrier fits into the DCS enviroment well.

 

 

Initially the Harrier is harder to learn to fly but after passing the initial learning curve, weapon employment is more "easy to learn, hard to master" type of thing.

 

As the Harrier is in Beta/Early Access, it has plenty of bugs and dev work still to do, I held off buying it until it was on sale but it's already very enjoyable to fly.

 

As to how much is left to finish off ? It really depends on how deep the dev's want to go (as there's plenty of GUI documentation) and the law of "diminishing returns" i.e. CCRP programming/lofting cues, FAC 9 line text messages that the pilot can copy/paste to way points, Link 16, etc. etc. As a M-2000C owner, you'll know RAZBAM's strengths and weaknesses, so if you expect the same for the AV-8B, you won't be too surprised.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Ramsay

[Sylosis]

Hey Sylosis,

 

Talking about the campaigns and missions: currently I am working on the full set of interactive training missions (a total of 20), in close cooperation with people having first hand experience with the Harrier. The work will progress as the features are added to the module, you can follow it in this thread.

 

On top of that I will be adding a few full - fidelity single missions with voiceovers etc that could be flown either in SP or MP mode. That will be included with the Harrier and free of charge.

 

The campaign for the Harrier will be a DLC, but having said that I am thinking about including a short introduction, probably of around 3 missions, with the module, so you can judge if you want to continue or not. All this in the coming months / by the end of the year, a lot depends on the progress made by RAZBAM as well. Hope this helps!

 

Hey thanks for that info. I've really enjoyed your M2000C campaign and also the one you made on the A-10 (don't remember the title right off the bat...)

 

Definitely a positive point to know you are currently working on this!

[baltic_dragon]

Thanks, having a lot of fun preparing the training - mostly because of feedback I get from people working on real Harriers. As a side note - if you liked the M-2000C campaign and you have the NTTR a Red Flag campaign with 16 missions, featuring the same characters as the Caucasus one will soon be out.

 

But returning to the original question - Harrier already is great and will only get better when stuff is added. I would highly recommend it.

[reyco1987]

First of all, I would definitely recommend going to the user files on the Eagle Dynamics website. That's a great resource for all kinds of things. Skins, checklists, and most importantly based on what you said, missions!

 

As far as the Harrier itself is concerned, I honestly believe it's totally worth having at this point in DCS World's development, because it's such a unique airplane to learn to fly...with VSTOL capabilities and such. Plus I'm personally HUNGRY for any asset that has any kind of SEAD ability, or ship-borne operations.:pilotfly: Oh, and with this being the night attack variant, it's a lot of fun operating it in total darkness. Being able to project an ir picture within the hud view is cool as hell if you ask me...

 

There's certainly trade offs with an early access module. It's definitely a bummer and can be frustrating dealing with bugs and missing features. But in the long run at least you will get a better and more in depth understanding of the systems as they come online.

 

Lastly I would say that as far as multiplayer goes, there are a few servers just dedicated to training or PvE stuff. That's about as far into mp I go. I've never really been into the PvP:music_whistling:

[NineGravity]

you should get harrier,it's the jump jet!

[Schmirco]

Join the Jumpjet Gear Tester Club, do it!!!!

[Fakum]

Simply put, you wont be disappointed! GETSUM!

[Johnny_Rico]

flip a coin and let the universe decide

[LcSummers]

I should say YES.

 

I was fighting too (Persian map and the F-18 module is near) but 2 days ago i decided to buy the AV-8b and i love it.

 

I for myselt didnt regret it.

Sure its not complete yet but step by step devs turning this module into a nice ac. Its worth.:)

 

S!

[Growling Sidewinder]

I held off on my purchase of the av8b until recently, not for any particular reason there was just other stuff I wanted first...

 

and now I have it, and....man is it fun. shes a beaut. deff one of my fav modules. top 3 for me for sure.

[Bloodhound57]

I bought it when it first came out. Razbam is working their tail off to make it even better.

[Mars Exulte]

Do you like the Harrier and interested in flying one? Then yes, buy it.

 

Do you dislike the Harrier and are not interested in flying it? Then no, don't buy it.

 

 

Simple, huh?

[SafetyTurtle]

I recently got it and it's pretty dang cool even though it's not finished.

 

This is without a doubt my primary module I'll be flying in DCS from now on, absolutely love it...but then again I'm heavily biased as the AV8B has always been my top favorite jet.

[davidp57]

I'll help you decide : YES !

[Flummi]

If you like ground attack then yes!

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

It indeed depends on what you want to do with it.

 

I pre-purchased the Harrier around a week before the pre-purchase period ended (after much consideration since I was annoyed at the lack of progress with the Mirage module and the priority being given to the Harrier), but I have to say I don't regret that decision:

 

- It is *by far* my favourite module in DCS to just fly around with. I absolutely love the uniqueness of the Harrier, the flight model, the responsiveness, ...

- Unlike say the Mirage, in the Harrier even the slightest pressure on my Warthog stick causes a control surface response. I absolutely love that!

- Formation flying is the easiest of any (full-fidelity) module I have flown so far in DCS, and I own almost all of them. A/A Refuelling is tricky at first but once you figure out how to efficiently connect to the drogue, staying with the tanker is incredibly easy;

- I prefer A/A missions and only occasionally enjoyed A/G before I stepped into the Harrier. This module is changing my mind :-)

- The cockpit is absolutely gorgeously modelled, and the visibility around you is superb;

- ...

 

 

Keep in mind the module is in Early Access and not everything is implemented yet. I personally prefer all the non-combat avionics being implemented first for an Early Access module, with weapon systems coming afterwards.

I don't like how long it took for the radio to be functional (without setting Easy Communication), or that TACAN is not fully functional yet, or that we can't set way-points in-flight yet, but we'll get there.

The moving map that was implemented recently looks great but for me has a very noticeable performance impact so I tend to limit the amount of time I use it.

In the end, RAZBAM can't please everyone and the Harrier was released with a decent mix of non-combat and combat effectiveness implemented.

 

I hope this helps.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Elysian Angel

[kotor633]

The statement that has ever been made here in the forum is absolutely correct: The A-10C on steroids! Of all the modules I have in DCS World, I can safely recommend the Harrier. This module just makes you happy. In the hope that Razbaam adds more functionality to this module.

[Freeroamer]

I would personally wait until they come out with the AV8B+ which has AMRAAMS and an APG-65 Radar.

[Sylosis]

I would personally wait until they come out with the AV8B+ which has AMRAAMS and an APG-65 Radar.

 

Interesting indeed, however... when would that be?

[some1]

Not soon.

[Sylosis]

Not soon.

 

What I thought exactly...! :lol: