A-A Combat

[gryper]

So after investing a ton of money in this hobby and trying to figure all this out, I am realizing I suck at air combat. I've no idea how you guys get to making youtube videos of complete missions and campaigns in multiplayer, from where I am at - flying around like an idiot being blasted by missiles I didnt even know were pointed at me. I can get a bomb on target in my A-10, F-18 and P-51, but I'm totally lost when it comes to any kind of air to air stuff. I dont even know how to practice to figure it out. I've watched a lot of videos about it, and I just dont see the combat picture, despite of having real world aviation experience and decades of flight sim use. Any advice would be appreciated.

[ricktoberfest]

The problem is, practicing in single player in no way trains you for how it is in multiplayer. The first and biggest thing to learn in multiplayer is how to avoid missiles, and where to fly. Most multiplayer servers are gonna be full of people who just takeoff, fly towards the enemy, launch missiles, and die. There’s no other defense against that short of staying out of the way, and occasionally surprising someone by hiding in the mountains.  If you can’t dodge their missiles then you can’t build up the other skills needed to actually get good. I know, I’m often there myself. Takeoff, launch missiles, die, quit in frustration. Try and watch what the YouTube’s do to maintain situational awareness and dodge missiles. 

Edited February 10, 2022 by ricktoberfest

[Exorcet]

The key to success in air to air situational awareness. Depending on what kind of air combat you're engaged in (P-51, A-10, and F-18 are all very different) you will need to learn how to determine where you are, where your targets are, and where your threats are.

It might help to fly with labels and the F10 map at first as they give you good general SA, but instead of relying on these things directly, use them to help you understand your actual SA tools like radar, RWR, and visual references outside your canopy. For example you might see a labeled enemy flying above and in front of you. Don't fight it immediately, instead try to point your radar at it first and get a feel for its field of view. This can take some time, but eventually you'll internalize the limits of your tools and you'll be able to use them without labels assistance. You might also want to supplement this with missions build specifically for training purposes. This is a good way to learn the mission editor.

In general there is a learning curve for everything, so you really do need to just keep practicing. In the end it just makes mastery feel that much better.

[=475FG= Dawger]

1 hour ago, gryper said:

So after investing a ton of money in this hobby and trying to figure all this out, I am realizing I suck at air combat. I've no idea how you guys get to making youtube videos of complete missions and campaigns in multiplayer, from where I am at - flying around like an idiot being blasted by missiles I didnt even know were pointed at me. I can get a bomb on target in my A-10, F-18 and P-51, but I'm totally lost when it comes to any kind of air to air stuff. I dont even know how to practice to figure it out. I've watched a lot of videos about it, and I just dont see the combat picture, despite of having real world aviation experience and decades of flight sim use. Any advice would be appreciated.

I recommend you train like they do in the real world. Find an instructor who knows Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) (Actually knows it. Hard to find, I know) and get him to teach you that the same way they do it out in the real world, starting from the very basics and progressing through an entire syllabus (basic formation flying and formation joins, primary maneuvers, basic fighter maneuvers, 1 v 1 similar offensive BFM and defensive BFM, 1v1 similar tactics and maneuvering). Be aware that every hour of instruction requires several hours of practice.

Its a long road but it is the fastest way to get there.

 

Edited February 10, 2022 by =475FG= Dawger

[draconus]

What can be learned and practiced in SP is radar work and weapon employment. Depending on the mission AI can only lightly resemble what human players do and your SA can only go so far on how to deal with unknown threats. Imho it's a prerequisite before MP but you will have to play with humans to get to the higher level. First try not to die, killing will come later.

[gryper]

21 hours ago, =475FG= Dawger said:

Maybe it's my browser but this comment board is acting whacked. I'm trying to respond but it doesnt seem to want to let me.

 If this posts, thanks for the comments. I'll heed that advice.

 

6 hours ago, draconus said:

 

 

[gryper]

I've been practicing so much since this last post, I am seeing air combat when I sleep now, and I am always not doing anything right, haha. Anyone else get this?

I suppose I'll know when I am there when I am dreaming about DCS and everything is going smoothly.

Edited February 12, 2022 by gryper

[gryper]

On 2/10/2022 at 2:09 PM, ricktoberfest said:

The problem is, practicing in single player in no way trains you for how it is in multiplayer. The first and biggest thing to learn in multiplayer is how to avoid missiles, and where to fly. Most multiplayer servers are gonna be full of people who just takeoff, fly towards the enemy, launch missiles, and die. There’s no other defense against that short of staying out of the way, and occasionally surprising someone by hiding in the mountains.  If you can’t dodge their missiles then you can’t build up the other skills needed to actually get good. I know, I’m often there myself. Takeoff, launch missiles, die, quit in frustration. Try and watch what the YouTube’s do to maintain situational awareness and dodge missiles. 

 

So I just start up on a ramp in a multiserver and takeoff on my own and start killing stuff? What is a good video for learning multiplayer procedures?

[razo+r]

8 minutes ago, gryper said:

So I just start up on a ramp in a multiserver and takeoff on my own and start killing stuff? What is a good video for learning multiplayer procedures?

Depends on the server. A good start is to read the briefing of the server/mission. Not every mission requires to immediately start killing stuff.

 

Multiplayer and procedures? Those two only go along in a virtual squad. Procedures do not exist on public servers, everyone is able to do what he wants. It's up to the user to define how absurd/normal he wants to behave.

[=475FG= Dawger]

2 hours ago, gryper said:

So I just start up on a ramp in a multiserver and takeoff on my own and start killing stuff? What is a good video for learning multiplayer procedures?

Figure out what era/aircraft you want to fly in MP, figure servers that serve that choice and then find a group or individuals who fly there regularly and are willing to show you the ropes.

You can post here for suggestions if you know what you want.

Which A-10 do you fly?

I don't recommend starting your MP experience in the Warbirds.

 

[gryper]

I joined a pretty good A-10CII squadron so I will be able to get help from those guys. Thanks a lot.

Edited February 18, 2022 by gryper

[Hobel]

One should also mention tacview here.
which in my opinion should not be missing!

https://www.tacview.net/