Can I use Combined Arms for this?

[Adam]

Hi,

 

I'm interested in purchasing combined arms, but only really to play by directing troops from the F10 map.

 

The idea I'm hoping to achieve is to fly a helicopter - use CTLD to pick up crates, haul them where I want them, drop off the troops or asset, and then give them an instruction via F10.

 

The problem I face is that I see on the website that Combined Arms does not support VR - but I only fly in VR.

 

I don't know much about Combined Arms at all. I think it gives the ability to view individual units in 3rd person views (possibly first person as well?) - and from what I can tell none of this is supported in VR. That doesn't bother me for my particular requirements - I don't need to view the actual units, just control them from F10 map screen if it's an option.

 

So I was wondering - can I use the F10 map view while in VR to control troops while flying a helicopter if I have Combined Arms? Or am I still restricted even with this to have to exit the game, reload in 2D, issue my commands, and then exit again and go back into 3D?

 

(Or is there any other 'work arounds' that people have come up with).

 

The only other workaround I thought of is to have a second account that I buy C.A. on and I run that on a second PC - but that's problematic when I'm playing in maps other than Georgia as I have to buy the maps twice (not to mention still having to leave VR), and I'm kinda hoping there's a way of achieving what I'm wanting.

 

I may be right off target and maybe combined arms is for something else entirely - so I thought I'd check if this is possible before buying.

 

Cheers

 

Adam.

[PoorOldSpike]

I've never had VR and know zilch about it, but the consensus of opinion around internetland seems to be that CA can't really be played in VR-

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=186113

 

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/dcs_combined_arms/

 

https://steamcommunity.com/app/223750/discussions/0/3398435622555749188/

Edited October 8, 2020 by PoorOldSpike

[PoorOldSpike]

..I don't know much about Combined Arms at all..

 

 

If you can tear yourself away from your VR headset, it's still fun to play, perhaps these few screenshots will whet your appetite..:)-

 

1- I created this tiny mission in the editor this afternoon, it only took 5 minutes to set up, yes it's that easy.

My blue Abrams and Bradley groups start at bottom right, and the red Russian BTR-80 group at top left-

 

 

 

 

2- I issue simple "go there" move orders on the map, then exit to this zoomed-out birds eye view-

 

 

 

 

 

3- The unsuspecting BTR's on the other side of the ridge-

 

 

 

 

4- I zoom in to my boys and pan around to produce this dramatic screenshot-

 

 

 

 

5- CONTACT! the Abrams open fire on their own initiative (you can either get into a tank yourself to man the gun, or just sit munching popcorn watching the show).

People are on the pitch, they think it's all over!-

 

 

 

6- It is now! a zoomed shot of an Abrams putting paid to any hope the russkis might have had of being home in time for vodka..

 

 

FOOTNOTE- you can open the mission in the editor again and tweak to your hearts content for the next battle, for example by sprinkling a few russian AT vehicles around, or a few - gulp - mighty T-90 tanks..

Edited October 8, 2020 by PoorOldSpike

[Shadow KT]

As far as I understand your question, if you can view the F10 map in VR, you should be able to do what you want.

 

The "not supported in VR" tag is for direct control of units, using them in first and third person, but the tactical map, should be fine

[Adam]

If you can tear yourself away from your VR headset, it's still fun to play, perhaps these few screenshots will whet your appetite..:)-

 

Thanks for that, but the specific reason I would be purchasing it would be to control ground troops in tandem whilst flying in game. I'm sure that CA can be fun on it's own like that - but the need that I have varies considerably. I only need it to work in the F10 view.

[Adam]

As far as I understand your question, if you can view the F10 map in VR, you should be able to do what you want.

 

The "not supported in VR" tag is for direct control of units, using them in first and third person, but the tactical map, should be fine

 

Hi Shadow.

 

Thanks for that. So when starting DCS, there is no difference between loading into a server for C.A. vs normal play (if I can call it that)?

 

ie: I can jump into a helicopter on normal play, and then F10 and control units whilst flying that helicopter - or do I need to switch to a different slot (thus losing my spot in the helicopter) in order to control units via F10?

[Catweedle]

@ Controlling units from airframe slots: yes, but it depends on the mission (maker), i.e. if it has been enabled via tick box "Pilot can control vehicles" in the ME. Then you can control them from any airframe without selecting a CA slot.

[Adam]

@ Controlling units from airframe slots: yes, but it depends on the mission (maker), i.e. if it has been enabled via tick box "Pilot can control vehicles" in the ME. Then you can control them from any airframe without selecting a CA slot.

 

Thank you!

 

Can anyone control them, or just those with Combined Arms?

[Catweedle]

I'm pretty sure it's a CA-only feature. The "Pilot can control vehicles" box can be found in the Battlefield Commanders UI (button with flags on left side in the ME).

[Adam]

Sweet. Thanks

[David OC]

You can use CA with VR.

 

It's just not real good getting into the vehicles for now.

 

Here is a quick demo of me playing around with an A-10C mission with auto smoke / laser script from Jtac at distance and moving the vehicles around (F10 menu) from the A-10C 2 in VR.

 

[Shadow KT]

Yeah, as it has been mentioned, the mission you are playing on will have to have the option, which enables controlling units while in an aicraft, enabled. You won't find this on most MP servers, so you will moat probably experience mainly in SP and your own missions

[PoorOldSpike]

..can I use the F10 map view while in VR to control troops while flying a helicopter if I have Combined Arms? Or am I still restricted even with this to have to exit the game, reload in 2D, issue my commands, and then exit again and go back into 3D?

(Or is there any other 'work arounds' that people have come up with)..

 

 

The brutal truth is that you need to buy CA yourself as that's the only surefire way of knowing what you can do or can't do with any game.

In fact if you join a 'Friends' group on Steam they'll almost certainly band together to buy it for you, that's what friends are for, my group does it all the time..:)

[dimitriov]

The brutal truth is that you need to buy CA yourself as that's the only surefire way of knowing what you can do or can't do with any game.

In fact if you join a 'Friends' group on Steam they'll almost certainly band together to buy it for you, that's what friends are for, my group does it all the time..:)

 

Sound more like taxpayers your friends LMAO

[Adam]

You can use CA with VR.

 

It's just not real good getting into the vehicles for now.

 

Here is a quick demo of me playing around with an A-10C mission with auto smoke / laser script from Jtac at distance and moving the vehicles around (F10 menu) from the A-10C 2 in VR.

 

 

Cheers David. Exactly what I needed to see/know. Appreciate it!