How do we find something more 'dynamic' to do (either solo or as a group)?

[AhSoul]

Not sure if this is a good place to post this but here goes.....

My buddies and I have been playing DCS for a while. We dogfight each other, do the training and instant action missions to learn our aircraft etc. Sometimes venture online (but in a limited way) - mostly just to dogfight.

It feels very 'sandboxy' though. When not dogfighting, we're playing some prebuilt scenario, and a) it feels like we're having no effect past blowing up what we blow up and it's the same each time and b) creating the missions takes a lot of time/effort (and then we know what's going to happen).

Is there anything more 'dynamic' out there?
We tried Liberation, which is cool but has some disadvantages like having to wait for all the other flights to take off etc. since the game can't put the other units in the air already before we start.
Do the online PVE servers offer something realistic with actual taskings to accept?
We jumped on a couple, but weren't sure how to actually accept missions with waypoints etc. We just end up taking off and flying around hoping to find something to hit.

I guess what we'd like is to go online and have a number of different taskings available. Pick what we'd like to do as a flight, check out the route, pick stores etc. then fly it. Hopefully other players are in the same theatre either directly impacting our mission or just going on on the side. The AI threat would be constantly changing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We're probably missing something obvious :)

[skypickle]

Tasking needs to be added to dcs when it gets multi-core. It should be a checkbox in the mission editor with three levels of difficulty and with ground and/or air target selectability. The game engine should then spawn the appropriate targets and then notify the pilot.

[Topo]

2 hours ago, AhSoul said:

creating the missions takes a lot of time/effort (and then we know what's going to happen).

Sure; anyway the mission editor offer several ways to randomize to a certain extent your missions.

[evilnate]

Until ED releases dynamic campaign, Find a online group to fly with. Recommend jtf191.com

[Lange_666]

Pick an online PVP-PVE server like operation:BLUE FLAG (buddyspike.net) 
It offers fixed scenario's but within an online community so every time you log on, the battle between red and blue has progressed up until a point where either red or blue take the entire map. This can last a couple of days to more then a few weeks for each scenario.
You can dogfight, bomb, fly logistics and, if you have the Combat Arms module, play with ground units. In a commander role you can launch AI air and ground attacks, launch and set up drones, tankers and AWACS, move the carrier group, etc...
Mostly there are 3 scenario's running on various maps and various time settings, currently Persian Gulf - Modern, Caucasus 60's Cold War and Syria 80's.

 

[AhSoul]

1 hour ago, Lange_666 said:

Pick an online PVP-PVE server like operation:BLUE FLAG (buddyspike.net) 
It offers fixed scenario's but within an online community so every time you log on, the battle between red and blue has progressed up until a point where either red or blue take the entire map. This can last a couple of days to more then a few weeks for each scenario.
You can dogfight, bomb, fly logistics and, if you have the Combat Arms module, play with ground units. In a commander role you can launch AI air and ground attacks, launch and set up drones, tankers and AWACS, move the carrier group, etc...
Mostly there are 3 scenario's running on various maps and various time settings, currently Persian Gulf - Modern, Caucasus 60's Cold War and Syria 80's.

 

This was the route we thought was most likely.

What I'm not sure is how you get your tasking. Do you need a commander online who will give you a some target co-ords, then you can build a flightpath to go take it you?

[Exorcet]

It sounds like you're making missions already. The ME has all the tools needed for a dynamic experience, it just comes down to how you design the mission.

For example instead of placing a single enemy CAP flight in your mission you can place multiple and then randomize what spawns via triggers. If you want to go to the next level scripting allows even more precise control and there are tools like MIST/MOOSE/etc that are designed to make harnessing the power of scripting a bit easier.

You can also try making larger missions that make use of DCS's airfield and warehouse system if you want to feel more like you're fighting a war. With triggers or scripts you can automate airbase defense and unit reinforcements. Then as you fly mission across the map you can target airbases and other facilities to influence enemy force strength, basically similar to what Liberation does, but the goal would be to have very large mission instead of multiple smaller ones.

The DCS ME is very flexible and powerful when you learn all of its ins and outs.

[scommander2]

Is it possible to share the download link for ME?  Thanks.

Edited November 14, 2022 by scommander2

[BuzzLine]

5 minutes ago, scommander2 said:

Is it possible to share the download link for ME?  Thanks.

 

ME stands for Mission Editor, it's in every install. If you want to learn how to use it, Sidekick has done a bunch of videos on the topic : 

 

4 hours ago, AhSoul said:

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We're probably missing something obvious

It may be obvious but since you're asking, have you looked at multiplayer missions in the User Files ? 
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/filter/type-is-multiplayer/apply/

[scommander2]

@BuzzLine, thanks.... I thought that there is a 3rd party mission editor tool

[AhSoul]

43 minutes ago, Exorcet said:

It sounds like you're making missions already. The ME has all the tools needed for a dynamic experience, it just comes down to how you design the mission.

For example instead of placing a single enemy CAP flight in your mission you can place multiple and then randomize what spawns via triggers. If you want to go to the next level scripting allows even more precise control and there are tools like MIST/MOOSE/etc that are designed to make harnessing the power of scripting a bit easier.

You can also try making larger missions that make use of DCS's airfield and warehouse system if you want to feel more like you're fighting a war. With triggers or scripts you can automate airbase defense and unit reinforcements. Then as you fly mission across the map you can target airbases and other facilities to influence enemy force strength, basically similar to what Liberation does, but the goal would be to have very large mission instead of multiple smaller ones.

The DCS ME is very flexible and powerful when you learn all of its ins and outs.

Those tools sound really interesting thanks!

35 minutes ago, BuzzLine said:

It may be obvious but since you're asking, have you looked at multiplayer missions in the User Files ? 
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/filter/type-is-multiplayer/apply/

Had a quick look, but probably need to spend more time trawling though it 

[scommander2]

35 minutes ago, scommander2 said:

@BuzzLine, thanks.... I thought that there is a 3rd party mission editor tool

I means BriefingRoom for DCS World (akaagar.github.io) 

[RedeyeStorm]

Check out the DCE campaign on the user missions subforum. It generates dynamic missions and alows you to fly with MP in a PvE enviroment. It even allows you to use different planes. Within the boundaries of DCS AI it does a credible job too.

[pixie]

You might also try Through the Inferno, which s a cool PVE sandbox with real time automated missions spawn. There is one for every theater.

There is an online MP server, but the SP sandbox is available and it can be easily modified for private MP hosting.

https://throughtheinferno.com/

 

[Lange_666]

2 hours ago, AhSoul said:

This was the route we thought was most likely.

What I'm not sure is how you get your tasking. Do you need a commander online who will give you a some target co-ords, then you can build a flightpath to go take it you?

It all depends on who is online. You can get an overview on what's currently happening on the Gadget: operation:BLUE FLAG (buddyspike.net)
You can go in solo when nobody is online and just do your thing that you think is right to advance the battle for the side you're playing for (you can only switch sides when the battle is entirely over (or by demand directly on their discord channel).
You can go in with a bunch of people on your side but with nobody willing to (or being able to) coördinate stuff or...
You can join on a moment you know that there is a commander (or more then one) online who is overseeing the battlefield and gives tasks or fill you in on the current state of progress so you (and your buddy's) can make a decision on what to do next.
It's always different and when even only one player is playing on the opposite side, you always have to count him/her into the equation when you set up a mission or contribute to a given task.
Also, after the server is restarted (every five hours), you can download the Tacview file from that past five hours and see how the battle has progressed over those five hours. You can pick out any player that has logged on during that time and also watch every AI unit that has moved or played a part.

Edited November 14, 2022 by Lange_666

[MadKreator]

Only 2 weeks to 10  years until the Dynamic Campaign releases…give or take

Edited November 14, 2022 by MadKreator

[AhSoul]

5 hours ago, scommander2 said:

I means BriefingRoom for DCS World (akaagar.github.io) 

Tried this out with a mate this evening and it's really good! Being able to just generate new scenarios etc. easily, with mission packages, proper briefings etc. is awesome. Thanks so much!

[AhSoul]

4 hours ago, pixie said:

You might also try Through the Inferno, which s a cool PVE sandbox with real time automated missions spawn. There is one for every theater.

There is an online MP server, but the SP sandbox is available and it can be easily modified for private MP hosting.

https://throughtheinferno.com/

 

This looks really interesting too. I guess I just need to mod the A/C slots to be MP slots....

[SmeagleGoneWild]

The TTI SP missions are great and he just added alot of new features! its absolutely amazing. Whats great is you can adjust it to your taste and how you all want to run things, but there are so many features its crazy. I have been playing it for quite awhile and have watched it grow, he's really put alot of work into them. My personal local version I adjust some models, skins, and terrain mods and it just looks and feels amazing. I definitely think you should give it a shot, the best copies and readmes are in the discord, TTI SP Development channel.

[HeavyGun1450]

11 hours ago, AhSoul said:

Not sure if this is a good place to post this but here goes.....

My buddies and I have been playing DCS for a while. We dogfight each other, do the training and instant action missions to learn our aircraft etc. Sometimes venture online (but in a limited way) - mostly just to dogfight.

It feels very 'sandboxy' though. When not dogfighting, we're playing some prebuilt scenario, and a) it feels like we're having no effect past blowing up what we blow up and it's the same each time and b) creating the missions takes a lot of time/effort (and then we know what's going to happen).

Is there anything more 'dynamic' out there?
We tried Liberation, which is cool but has some disadvantages like having to wait for all the other flights to take off etc. since the game can't put the other units in the air already before we start.
Do the online PVE servers offer something realistic with actual taskings to accept?
We jumped on a couple, but weren't sure how to actually accept missions with waypoints etc. We just end up taking off and flying around hoping to find something to hit.

I guess what we'd like is to go online and have a number of different taskings available. Pick what we'd like to do as a flight, check out the route, pick stores etc. then fly it. Hopefully other players are in the same theatre either directly impacting our mission or just going on on the side. The AI threat would be constantly changing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We're probably missing something obvious

Try Lima Kilo - Flashpoint Levant and join the discord as well. It's one of the best Dynamic PVE servers out there! 

 

[SmeagleGoneWild]

7 minutes ago, HeavyGun1450 said:

Try Lima Kilo - Flashpoint Levant and join the discord as well. It's one of the best Dynamic PVE servers out there! 

 

Also facts. Their Mission set is one of the best for MP

[M1Combat]

Lots of great suggestions here for sure...

Another is the Cold War server...  Try to sync with a GCI schedule... 

Get SRS for at least the squad lead.  Whomever is the squad lead should jump into ColdWar early and get an understanding of which channel GCI uses etc.  Just sit on the ground and change channels and listen.  I can't remember if GCI/Magic/Overlord is channels 1/2/3.  You can also use the automated voice controlled GCI if you prefer.  Just hold the right SRS Push to Talk and say "Overlord Ahsoul 1-1 request picture" and it will tell you what the picture is.  "Overlord Ahsoul 1-1 Bogey Dope" will have it give you a BRA call.  "Overlord Ahsoul 1-1 Vector to home plate" will make it tell you where to go to re-fuel/re-arm.  There are other commands that are also useful.  Just listen to other people using it on that channel.  You'll need to set your squad names to be "something 1-1 | Nickname" so AI overlord understands who's speaking...  and your squad name needs to be recognizable by AI overlord.  So...  ahsoul 1-1 may not work...  but asshole 1-1 probably would...

Setup your comms to have a squad com channel either through SRS (aircraft's radios will work to set a channel frequency for yourselves) or through discord or whatever you're using.  Have your squad leader in SRS at least and on the correct channel for the GCI.  Announce to the GCI that you're a 2, 3, 4 ship of whatevers, where you're taking off from and what you'd like to do (CAP, CAS, wreck everything on the scope...) whatever...  And the GCI will vector you to live targets.  They will even do things like use your flight tactically :)...  which is SUPER fun.  Learn to understand BRA calls and relay them to your squad.  Direct your squad as you see fit based on the BRA calls from the GCI.

 

It's OK to be new at MP.  You'll be targets at first but that's fine.  Use team tactics and a GCI and that will QUICKLY change :).

Edited November 18, 2022 by M1Combat

[M1Combat]

https://gitlab.com/overlordbot/srs-bot/-/wikis/Interaction