I wanna make sure I understand what this game is. . .

[Lupus4]

Ok, so I've been prowling around, trying to figure out if this is for me or not.

 

 

In case you missed an earlier post, I've flown sims for a while now, first IL-2 1946 and many others. I've flown IL-2 1946 since it's initial release in 2006.

 

 

If I understand right, the base game provides you with a map area, a few assets and 2 aircraft. It has 1 campaign installed. That and maybe a few missions (I haven't looked), is all that comes with the game.

 

 

When you 'buy a plane' is that all you get? The plane itself or does it come with a campaign? Or does that vary by plane?

 

 

It feels like this is more of a "here are some toys, go play" than a standard video game. What I mean is, it feels more like Microsoft Flight Simulator or XPlane than IL-2 or something similar.

 

 

Am I reading this right? I just want to make sure I have the right expectations when I start laying down my money. Especially since the aircraft I currently find most interesting is the single most expensive plane on the board right now, the F-14B Tomcat.

[unlikely_spider]

Some of the planes come with a campaign, not all. All of the ones I've purchased come with training missions and some instant action missions though. I don't have the F-14.

[Dagger71]

Think of DCS as more of a open world sandbox simulator. The newer planes will have limited missions/campaigns to start with. The natural progression of learning DCS, start flying the free planes, (the SU25T is a great ground attack and easy to learn). When you buy your first module, do all the training, watch videos and do lots of quick missions to get proficient in its systems. You can then start heading to the PVE servers to hone your skills and even get some much needed help from others while on comms.

 

Then, you can switch to more competitive PvP servers which might have a dynamic campaign and you chose sides in an ever persistent battle.

 

 

Eventually DCS will come out with a dynamic campaign generator built in. No word on its progress or features yet.

 

There are also thousands of player made missions/campaigns and even some dynamic campaign generators (which are a bit more advanced for beginners).

 

So, DCS is an ever evolving simulator that has more content than any/all other combat simulators combined (except for Arma).

[manintan2016]

I too have played IL-2 since it's beginnings. This much more of a simulation than Il-2, which is more arcade-ish. For most aircraft in DCS, physics are more realistic, almost all the switches or buttons in the cockpits work.....it is all-around more realistic.

[probad]

the base expectation revolves around just exploring the aircraft -- the avionics, the flight model. these are often complex systems and its expected that simply learning and building proficiency with these systems already constitutes the bulk of gameplay.

while some modules come with missions, in general its treated more as a bonus for demonstration purposes.

 

so yes its more like fsx than il2.

[Mars Exulte]

Worth mentioning is that it has a powerful editor, so regardless of what it comes with, this can usually be supplemented by community missions, as well as additional paid-for-campaigns (which typically have voice acting etc etc). It can definitely be supplemented by yourself if you're willing to spend some time making scenarios. There is also a dynamic campaign being developed, and generic mission generators for simple scenarios are available ingame.

 

This is a lot more involved than Il-2. In Il-2 you typically can set up your generic controls, learn some basics about the plane, and hop online. For one, most planes in Il-2 obviously don't have radar and complex avionics, etc... but regardless, you can expect to make a greater time investment per aircraft in order to become combat ready.

 

Personally, I'd summarise it like this, based on my experience :

10 hours to get the basics on a simple plane (L-39, WWII stuff, etc) or all the FC3 planes combined (since their systems are largely streamlined and interchangeable learning one largely transfers over), or basic flight on an advanced aircraft (A-10C, Harrier, F-14, etc)

 

40 hours to get good/competent with a simple plane's systems, good with all the FC3 planes, or learn basic functionality of most systems on a more advanced plane.

 

100 hours to get good/competent with an advanced plane's systems. Caveat : learning one advanced plane's systems does not necessarily transfer over one to one, but familiarity with concepts will make learning the next one faster, or even muuuch faster if it has very similar systems.

 

This also depends on your background, assuming you have at least a basic clue what's going on and aren't starting from scratch with no aviation knowledge, in which case it helps a lot to have a tutor and be willing to do actual book reading. Being willing to read will factor in a looooot in either case.

Edited April 19, 2020 by zhukov032186

[Lupus4]

Worth mentioning is that it has a powerful editor, so regardless of what it comes with, this can usually be supplemented by community missions, as well as additional paid-for-campaigns (which typically have voice acting etc etc). It can definitely be supplemented by yourself if you're willing to spend some time making scenarios. There is also a dynamic campaign being developed, and generic mission generators for simple scenarios are available ingame.

 

This is a lot more involved than Il-2. In Il-2 you typically can set up your generic controls, learn some basics about the plane, and hop online. For one, most planes in Il-2 obviously don't have radar and complex avionics, etc... but regardless, you can expect to make a greater time investment per aircraft in order to become combat ready.

 

Personally, I'd summarise it like this, based on my experience :

10 hours to get the basics on a simple plane (L-39, WWII stuff, etc) or all the FC3 planes combined (since their systems are largely streamlined and interchangeable learning one largely transfers over), or basic flight on an advanced aircraft (A-10C, Harrier, F-14, etc)

 

40 hours to get good/competent with a simple plane's systems, good with all the FC3 planes, or learn basic functionality of most systems on a more advanced plane.

 

100 hours to get good/competent with an advanced plane's systems. Caveat : learning one advanced plane's systems does not necessarily transfer over one to one, but familiarity with concepts will make learning the next one faster, or even muuuch faster if it has very similar systems.

 

This also depends on your background, assuming you have at least a basic clue what's going on and aren't starting from scratch with no aviation knowledge, in which case it helps a lot to have a tutor and be willing to do actual book reading. Being willing to read will factor in a looooot in either case.

 

 

Ok, but outside of learning your plane, by default there is no additional content provided for single player. Cool. So for single player stuff I should download player created content or buy created campaigns. Alternatively, I can download and learn to use the few written dynamic campaign generators. However, these are apparently a bit complex for a beginner like me to use? So they aren't fully automated, nothing like Lowengrin's DCG for IL-2 1946 or PWCG for IL-2 GB or RoF?

[cthulhu68]

Ok, but outside of learning your plane, by default there is no additional content provided for single player.

I wouldn't say no additional content by default. It does vary but typically there will be training, instant action, and SP missions as well as a campaign. Newer modules wont have a campaign right away since systems and features may be missing. Heres a link to User Download section set up to show F14 missions.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/?set_filter=Y&arrFilter_pf%5Bfiletype%5D=1&arrFilter_pf%5Bgameversion%5D=&arrFilter_pf%5Bfilelang%5D=&arrFilter_pf%5Baircraft%5D=545&arrFilter_DATE_CREATE_1_DAYS_TO_BACK=&CREATED_BY=&sort_by_order=TIMESTAMP_X_DESC&set_filter=Filter

[Lupus4]

I wouldn't say no additional content by default. It does vary but typically there will be training, instant action, and SP missions as well as a campaign. Newer modules wont have a campaign right away since systems and features may be missing. Heres a link to User Download section set up to show F14 missions.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/?set_filter=Y&arrFilter_pf%5Bfiletype%5D=1&arrFilter_pf%5Bgameversion%5D=&arrFilter_pf%5Bfilelang%5D=&arrFilter_pf%5Baircraft%5D=545&arrFilter_DATE_CREATE_1_DAYS_TO_BACK=&CREATED_BY=&sort_by_order=TIMESTAMP_X_DESC&set_filter=Filter

 

 

Ok, this may seem to be a stupid question, but I can't seem to easily find the answer and with the player created content it seems that the list of modules required is sporadic. Do you need to own all the planes in a mission? In other words, if I dl a mission that has the F-14 flying against an Mig, do I also need to own the Mig?

[cthulhu68]

Do you need to own all the planes in a mission? In other words, if I dl a mission that has the F-14 flying against an Mig, do I also need to own the Mig?

No. All other planes/helos are in your DCS install in AI form. Missions are map specific though, so anything other than Caucasus map means buying a map.

[Mars Exulte]

@Lupus

No, most come with single missions, and usually a campaign or two. I was only saying you can make your own and supplement with downloadable (similar to Arma). And no, you only need to own the plane the mission was designed for, although with a player made mission, you can usually go in the editor and change it to your aircraft even if it was originally made for something else. Within reason of course, a F-16 can't takeoff a carrier, etc.

[Lupus4]

@Lupus

No, most come with single missions, and usually a campaign or two. I was only saying you can make your own and supplement with downloadable (similar to Arma). And no, you only need to own the plane the mission was designed for, although with a player made mission, you can usually go in the editor and change it to your aircraft even if it was originally made for something else. Within reason of course, a F-16 can't takeoff a carrier, etc.

 

 

I don't know, it could be fun to try and get an F-16 to take off from a Carrier. In Il-2 my Navy squad used to have "Whale Wars" where we would carefully try to launch A-20's and dog fight with them. Yeah, good times.

 

 

Seriously though, thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[mungo13]

Ok, this may seem to be a stupid question, but I can't seem to easily find the answer and with the player created content it seems that the list of modules required is sporadic. Do you need to own all the planes in a mission? In other words, if I dl a mission that has the F-14 flying against an Mig, do I also need to own the Mig?

Planes are all included as AI at-least thus flying against should be of no issue, but if terrain comes from DLC you need to buy it. And I think same applies for the ground assets i.e. WW2 ground units that are paired mostly to the Normandy map (but can easily be used for the Korean war scenarios). Thus in such case the mission is unplayable unless you buy terrain / ground units

You may easily check in mission editor what units are available

 

I don't know, it could be fun to try and get an F-16 to take off from a Carrier. In Il-2 my Navy squad used to have "Whale Wars" where we would carefully try to launch A-20's and dog fight with them. Yeah, good times.

 

Seriously though, thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Il-2:1946 A-20 was a beast. Scourge of the Messerschmits unless they had MK108 and were good / lucky with it and the one with twin 50-cal in the rear turret was nasty bird even tor the FW. Countless times we kicked out the teeth of those proud Reich-jagers uberaces who challenged us into the dogfight.

 

Btw. go to youtube, check the channel of the Grim Reapers - those guys besides mission vids and very nice guides also make crazy tests like taking of the carrier in no-carrier planes and trying to land them back on the carrier and so on. And lot of other fun. Worth subscribing.

[mdee]

Try this for starters (I don't think it's too complex for anyone, really)

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=198221

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3305955/

[Pikey]

The powerful editor really does handle "anything you want scenarios"

 

Most scenarios can be simply made by selecting the unit/plane/ship and putting it on the map where you want and then put down the plane you want to fly (that you own) at an airbase or in the air where you want. The fact that many folks use scripts doesn't mean you cannot solve everything you wanted to ever achieve. It will be decided by whether you find it interesting to explore ideas, like I wonder if I can model the recent Drone shoot down over the Persian Gulf or if I could recreate Operation Preying Mantis.

It basically boils down to your gaming poreferences. Some folks like to have their content on a plate, and some say, well I want to change this, or change that and have the content I want, and end up going that way. The latter types get more from sandboxes. Yet it's a kind of unofficial thing that each module comes with training missions and at least one cammpaign on the default map. Which is defined as 10 missions.

Edited April 20, 2020 by Pikey
i'm going to need to go to the Doctors about this poor typing

[Lupus4]

Some folks like to have their content on a plate, and some say, well I want to change this, or change that and have the content I want, and end up going that way. The latter types get more from sandboxes. Yet it's a kind of unofficial thing that each module comes with training missions and at least one cammpaign on the default map. Which is defined as 10 missions.

 

 

Yeah, I'm the kind of gamer that see's buying a game as buying a 'ticket to a buffet'. Then I get to pick what I want to eat from that prepared buffet. I'm not really into building my own missions. Mostly because I don't want to already know what's going to happen in the mission. I want to be surprised. That feels more 'real' to me. If I build the content, then I know what will happen when on a given mission. You don't know that in real life. I don't want to know that in the game.

 

 

However, there does seem to be a massive amount of player made content available for download. I suspect that, like player created content in other games. It is of varying quality. You'll have some that is truly magnificent, equal to or better than anything you could buy, and then you'll have some stuff that is horrific.

 

 

So there seems to be more than enough single player material to more than make me happy in the beginning. Now if only someone could build a dynamic campaign to fly the entire Korean War. :D

[Aluminum Donkey]

Ok, so I've been prowling around, trying to figure out if this is for me or not.

 

In case you missed an earlier post, I've flown sims for a while now, first IL-2 1946 and many others. I've flown IL-2 1946 since it's initial release in 2006.

 

If I understand right, the base game provides you with a map area, a few assets and 2 aircraft. It has 1 campaign installed. That and maybe a few missions (I haven't looked), is all that comes with the game.

 

When you 'buy a plane' is that all you get? The plane itself or does it come with a campaign? Or does that vary by plane?

 

It feels like this is more of a "here are some toys, go play" than a standard video game. What I mean is, it feels more like Microsoft Flight Simulator or XPlane than IL-2 or something similar.

 

Am I reading this right? I just want to make sure I have the right expectations when I start laying down my money. Especially since the aircraft I currently find most interesting is the single most expensive plane on the board right now, the F-14B Tomcat.

 

 

Try DCS out for free. Just download it and install it on your SSD (not a mechanical hard disk!!) and try it out for yourself.

 

You get two free aircraft, an un-armed P-51 trainer and a heavily-armed Russian ground attack jet, the Su-25.

 

When trying it out, you'll be able to see for yourself if it's for you or not. It doesn't cost you anything but storage space.

 

If you're interested in the F-14, you'll probably love it :) It's a great module, but expect it to same some time to get the hang of--the jet modules (except FC3) are extremely detailed and complex, which is a big part of why people around here really dig them.

 

Some modules come with a campaign, some don't. The campaigns you can buy (you must have the respective modules already) are not expensive though, and are supposed to be excellent.

 

 

So, instead of humming and hawing, just download it and give 'er a go.

 

 

AD

[rinkerbuck]

If you get FC3 you end up with a plethora of campaigns and single missions for the multiple planes it comes with. It's a really good deal when on sale for 50% off.

[SeraphimGray]

I suggest you simply download the game ...sorry simulator :) and try learning free SU-25T module and play campaign.

 

If you have right approach to simulators, you'll be 50+ hours into the learning before you learn to do anything right... by that time you'll also understand what I mean when I say "to do it right". Yes, we're sim enthusiasts and armchair pilots, but there's certain pride in learning and trying to do it to best of what simulator can offer, respecting at least some real world procedures in air combat.

 

Trust me that by that time, you'll understand if it's worth investing into additional modules and campaigns.

 

So give it a try because no one can really explain you the experience, unless you give it a try... also once you do your "homework" you should consider multiplayer... either open servers running missions, or joining a clan that is open minded about new players and does not mind training them.

 

 

I should note that I learned about DCS by chance from friend that saw me flying Microsoft Flight Simulator... and I was like "yeah sure, I'll check it out.. once I finish remaining 150 games on Steam that I never started... "... but he insisted it was great (according to his friends)... so I did try it...

 

I ended up flying it daily, accumulating over 1000 flight hours and probably as much making missions, learning procedures and organizing events in clans. :D Not something I intended, but I just could not get away from it...and not one other single game (simulator) has ever kept me so engaged into it... both into the game itself and into community around it

Edited April 22, 2020 by SeraphimGray

[Wolf359]

Not to mention that right now you can try out just about every module you wish to for free until mid May. There are modules that are created to be simple (ie Flamiing Cliff aircraft), and there are modules that are very complex and, if you wish, you'll have to learn how to start the aircraft before you can do anything else, such as the F-14 (and a lot more).

[Hammer1-1]

This simulator is more or less "to be played online" against other players. Its technically a simulator, but an MMPORG style simulator with the occasional campaigns you can buy or download from the ED store/download section. Unlike Il2, all of the aircraft you get are close to real life accurate as possible at the moment.

[Lupus4]

Ok. I've downloaded the game. I've install the 'free to try modules' and I've toyed around in the F-18. I've looked at the other missions available etc. Could be fun. We'll see.

[Hammer1-1]

Be advised you are in for a fire hydrant hose full of water to drink when you get to learning the Hornet. Invest in a squadron who knows what they are doing and learn from them before you think about buying the module. Aint a better time to buy it either since its on sale...

[Lupus4]

Be advised you are in for a fire hydrant hose full of water to drink when you get to learning the Hornet. Invest in a squadron who knows what they are doing and learn from them before you think about buying the module. Aint a better time to buy it either since its on sale...

 

 

I hear you. Not sure I'll start with learning the Hornet, but I agree about the sale bit. I've got a new set of kit coming in soon from Virpil that I think I'll wait till it shows up to get started so I don't have to relearn muscle memory once I set up the controls.

 

 

Do they ever do more than 50% off?

[Hammer1-1]

Only if you save up mileage points..and its very rare they offer better than 50%. what joystick setup you getting?