trialing the Apache: it's awesome, but...

[bkthunder]

I'm giving the Apache a go and really enjoying so far. System-wise it's a little daunting but a nice challenge. Flying NOE in Syria is great.
The big issue for me is the stupid all-seeing ground AI, as usual it means a BTR or ZSU emplacement can aim with laser-accuracy and destroy you depsite your best efforts at terrain masking or surprise attacks. Their MK1 eyeball INSTANTLY acquires a target no matter what, and they have a perfetc firing solution at the first try.

I'm really hesitant to buy even with a 50% discount because of this...

[Devrim]

I thought that was solved a while ago. I may be wrong tho.

And, my opinion is that "because of this" is not related with Apache. You could encounter with this problem while you flying Ka-50 or Huey for example...

[bkthunder]

Exactly, that's why I stopped flying helicopters in DCS (and the A-10 doesn't fare much better for the same reason).

You are right, it's not an Apache problem, it's a DCS problem, but the Apache lives in DCS. The environment in which it operates should match the level of realism and immersion, but it does the opposite.

[Floyd1212]

Yes, until the ground AI is "adjusted" to be a little more realistic, your best strategy is to engage those threats with Hellfires between 5-7km.

Keep your head on a swivel for unexpected units, and pay attention to your RWR.  If you hear a "Gun" warning from the RWR, you want to take immediate action to break the lock as it doesn't take long for a Shilka to start putting rounds in the air.  Unfortunately, those BTRs won't give you much warning, though.

[Poptart]

Yep right now the guns in the game are calibrated to shoot down slow moving aircraft. Aircraft moving around 400knots+ are safe from ground fire but the game designers wanted it to be a threat against anything moving less than that. Unfortunately, unless you are evasive, the rounds even from non-radar guided guns are going to be deadly. I've actually have much more luck dodging manpads than guns (the apache has a pretty low IR signature and the flares are very effective).

[NeedzWD40]

The only thing more lethal than a BMP-2 is a SA-19. Currently, dedicated ADA systems seem to frequently get outclassed by straight up IFVs. On top of this, the AI's engagement matrix is quite odd, like I can slowly edge closer to a ZU-23 pit and as long as I'm more than ~2500m away and not moving too quickly toward them, they won't shoot at me til I hit that range. Same's true of ZSU-23. Older systems that have largely been replaced due to lack of effectiveness (S-60, ZSU-57) are often more lethal than modern systems, strictly because their weapons are defined as having greater range.

There are ways to script around these problems but it's a bit inconvenient and then becomes scenario specific as well as processing intensive.

[Raisuli]

3 minutes ago, NeedzWD40 said:

The only thing more lethal than a BMP-2 is a SA-19. Currently, dedicated ADA systems seem to frequently get outclassed by straight up IFVs. On top of this, the AI's engagement matrix is quite odd, like I can slowly edge closer to a ZU-23 pit and as long as I'm more than ~2500m away and not moving too quickly toward them, they won't shoot at me til I hit that range. Same's true of ZSU-23. Older systems that have largely been replaced due to lack of effectiveness (S-60, ZSU-57) are often more lethal than modern systems, strictly because their weapons are defined as having greater range.

There are ways to script around these problems but it's a bit inconvenient and then becomes scenario specific as well as processing intensive.

Zu-23 on a truck bed in a moving convoy; Sergent York would be green with envy.  Pop a maneuvering F/A-18 at Maverick ranges with no trouble at all.  Maybe they were popping me, because I'm an incoming fire magnet. 

[NeedzWD40]

11 minutes ago, Raisuli said:

Zu-23 on a truck bed in a moving convoy

Ironically enough, it's one of the more vulnerable ones because they have a limited firing arc in the forward hemisphere, plus a kick in the shin will blow them up.