Advice for a Noob?

[Crosstalker]

Hello! I'm new to the forums, as I just learned about this game (and bought it) earlier this afternoon. So far, I must say that I'm absolutely amazed by the level of realism both in the modeling and gameplay. That said, I can't figure out how to turn on the chopper. :)

 

I'm looking for advice on the best way to learn to play this game. What did you guys do to learn the game? Are the tutorials worthwhile? (I listen to each list of features etc. in the tutorial, but then don't know what to do!)

 

Any advice would be helpful.

 

Also, is it possible to control the chopper effectively (at all) without a joystick? I'm going to pick up the X-52 because I think it's about impossible to use the keys to do it.

[Slick Twitchy]

I am totally going to get flamed for this, but I think putting the game on "Easy Avionics" while you learn the rest of the game lessens the learning curve.

 

You will love the X52, with the the throttle. I can't imagine playing without one. If you want a super straightforward profile let me know.

 

Also, think about investing in TrackIR-this game could get expensive.

 

Get a printout of the key commands, and graphic layout as well. Watch the designer (?) notes video, and then try stuff out in Instant Action.

 

Remember to hit Master Arm/Laser Standby for immediate action. And use the SHKVAL as a third eye.

 

I am a noobie as well. But I LOVE this game.

[Crosstalker]

Thanks! Where can I get a straightforward profile for the X52?

 

Not sure where to find the designer notes video :(

 

^ Update: found the designer notes videos

Edited March 21, 2009 by Crosstalker

[AlphaInfinity]

My advice would be to learn one system at a time and fly on realistic. Also, find a good bunch of people to fly with online. The online community here is great and there are tons of knowledgeable people. I know that there are lots of X52 profiles posted in the forums.

[Slick Twitchy]

I don't know how to upload on this site. But Saitek's site has one, and a google search "Black Shark x52" should bring some up.

 

It is pretty easy to "fiddle" with, so adjust it for your own needs.

 

No question is too stupid. It took me a week before I blew anything up ('cause I didnt know how).

 

I am just getting into the Datalink, and it's a bit overwhelming.

 

Taking one thing at a time.

 

I know there are good reasons not to fly on easy, but I was/am too frustrated trying to figure out everything else AND to keep from crashing. I am going to go realistic this weekend.

Edited March 21, 2009 by Slick Twitchy

[Crosstalker]

Thanks. This will be sort of a weekend hobby for me for the next few months!

 

This is a great community. I dream of a simulator for the F/A-18!

[Crosstalker]

I also would love to find some print-outs of the switches...graphical switch print-outs if that makes sense.

 

Would be more fun than hitting buttons on the keyboard!

[Safari Ken]

Also, think about investing in TrackIR-this game could get expensive.

 

No joke! I've been a simmer for quite awhile, but it wasn't until Black Shark that I finally got a TrackIR (should've done that years ago!), and my rudder pedals are enroute. I felt like I should buy these things, if for no other reason, out of sheer respect for the game. :notworthy:

[EtherealN]

Well, the first note really is to do one thing at a time, as someone mentioned. When I had just installed it I started off with some of the tutorials just to get a general feel for it and then created a simple empty map with just me on it.

 

I skipped the engine start for a while and just used the LWin-Home command for startup. Flying is the real fun after all. :P And then I just flew around as much as possible to get a feel for how the aircraft handled. When I felt I could land the chopper with reasonable security I proceeded to weapon deployment.

 

So it was back to tutorials, then I made myself a few small simple missions (basically just me and a bunch of stuff to shoot at) to practice that on and just hammered the systems in. There were a few stops to the tutorials and such on the way, especially when I felt I was good on the weapons and it was time to learn the datalink.

 

Then I just continued that way, learning one system at a time and repeating it like crazy until I had it down.

 

Nowadays I can even start the engines without a checklist! :P Not a massive achievement, and for authenticity's sake I actually usually have my checklist there anyhow because in an aircraft you really do want to make sure nothing is done wrong. (Like the time on the Ka50.com dedicated server when I flew off and couldn't kill anything because I had forgotten the weapon control switch on the right panel. Damn was I frustrated. :P )

 

So it's one step at a time, repeat, repeat, repeat, next step, repeat, repeat, repeat. :)

 

Also, when doing the tutorials, always take notes and pause the tutorial for that if possible. It's better to have too many notes and then clean them up afterwards when you figure out what's not necessary than sitting there confused in the cockpit and having to exit back to the tutorial because you didn't take enough notes. (Been there. :P )

 

I'm looking for advice on the best way to learn to play this game. What did you guys do to learn the game? Are the tutorials worthwhile? (I listen to each list of features etc. in the tutorial, but then don't know what to do!)

 

EDIT: Also - amen on the expensive note. I got myself a new computer after buying this game, and then some overclocking stuff for it, and then a TrackIR4, and I originally bought the game just when my pedal set had arrived because I really didn't want the frustration of controlling a chopper without pedals. :P (Though apparently some reputable people like it better with twist-stick, which I personally find absolutely miraculous and has reinforced my faith in the gods intervening to aid their human brothers. :P )

Edited March 21, 2009 by EtherealN

[Crosstalker]

Thanks!

[JimMack]

There is a very good "Dummies Guide" here

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2626185/STICKY_Tutorial_How_to_take_of.html#Post2626185

[Crosstalker]

Excellent! Can someone tell me the value of Track Clip Pro?

[Safari Ken]

You're in luck! We were just talking about that: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=39129

[Crosstalker]

You're in luck! We were just talking about that: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=39129

 

And do you guys think I should get TrackIR like after a while, or early on? Not sure whether I want to spend this much money on one game *yet*!

[Safari Ken]

I'd get one as soon as you can afford one comfortably. It's way cooler than you expect, probably. :) And it works with pretty much any modern flight sim, and most racing sims. Your situational awareness and immersion level will both skyrocket immediately, and it's so intuitive that there is really no learning curve at all. Check out this video, the first minute or so should be enough to sell you:

[WynnTTr]

And do you guys think I should get TrackIR like after a while, or early on? Not sure whether I want to spend this much money on one game *yet*!

It's only money. In a couple of weeks time you won't notice the cost at all... but you'd be loving playing with TrackIR.

Well worth the investment.

[Glowing_Amraam]

Something tells me, after Black Shark release, sales of TrackIR went skyhigh :D

[BTTW-DratsaB]

For myself, I learned the startup procedure first. I have yet to use the quick engine start, I feel like I'm cheating :). This was the order I learned, from most difficult to remember to easiest: Statup, Abris/navigation, AutoPilot/Flight, Weapon systems, counter measures. There is a whole lot more for me to learn about each system, but I have the basics down for all of them and I am quite familiar with most of them. Now im in the process of learning the Datalink.

 

I cannot stress enough how much the Producers notes helped me (I have watched each of them a lot of times), without these it would have taken me much longer to memorise and understand ever thing. The same can be said for the in game training lessons. The manual is very good, but I think it will be of more use to me when I get the printed version. I need to be able to read it, then try it in the sim imedialty to understand it properly. Reading a whole lot about a system then trying it in game doesn't seem to work for me.

 

One final thing I would suggest looking for are the startup checklists made by some kind folk 'round here. Invaluable for getting used to the startup procedure.

 

Happy Flying! :pilotfly:

[SSneg]

IMO you should use the cheaty win+home combination, skip the start-up procedure if it bores you and get to the fun stuff like blowing tanks up. Use simple avionics and physics if you need to. It's like additional wheels on a bicycle -- if you don't use them, you hurt yourself, give up and never ride again, where's fun in that?

[nemises]

Step 1:

Watch all of Matt Wagners Producers notes for black shark.

 

This will cover many many topics, including startup procedures, basica navigation, weapons etc..

You can find them on this site, infact in this forum, and also on youtube (though I suggest getting the higher res versions from here)

[Crosstalker]

Yep i got them and will be going through all of it once I get HOTAS bought and installed!