Survival...

[Analyst]

First I need to say I'm really new. And I need to thank the community for being here. It's so great to hit these forums and peruse all the goodies.

 

I've been flying for a month or so, and have gotten to the point that I can start the machine, take off, get to the next way point, hit a hover without vortexing myself to death and that's where the trouble starts.

 

I've been almost exclusively flying the first Georgia Oil War campaign. Take a mission like "defend forward units at TP1" (wording is probably wrong..). I approach, then slow down way outside the enemy lines and float around killing units I can identify. I think the coast is clear, move up a bit and get blown to bits by some SAM emplacement that is hiding behind a tree.

 

I guess what I'm asking, is if there are any tips to acquiring enemies other than hovering for 3 hours looking at the TV at max hoping to see a baddie? I was hoping there were some other tools in the box like satellite imagery/drones/recon folks that would help me in my mission of destruction. I can throw on tags, but then I'm cheating hehe...

 

Thanks again for helping a newbie!

[EtherealN]

Well, the easiest way would take a bit of time to execute, but you should make sure to recon the terrain from several angles at range. Normally a 4-ship flight would usually be able to do this simultaneously and thereby feed each other intel, but if/when you are alone you'll end up having to do it yourself. Once you have checked one place, have a careful look around the target area and then your own rear area and find an angle that should let you see around obstacles, and then try to do it from the other angle as well.

 

In real life you'll never want to stay fixed for too long anyhow, since ground forces might spot your missile trails and tell SHORAD and CAP assets where to look for you. Think a bit like a sniper - locate target, shoot, move, locate target, shoot, move (etcetera).

 

When flying with multiple ships you can also make use of overwatch - have one helicopter stay slightly behind (a km or 2). That way they can spot launches or gunfire that you might not spot and quickly advice on where you should go to quickly get safe - and engage the threat while you are doing so. This works best with a human wingman, ofc, but you can issue such commands to wingmen (overwatch/cover me I think it is).

 

EDIT:

Oh, and always always always have a reconnoitered exit route ready in your mind. When you start taking fire, or spot a missile, you want to already know how to quickly get safe. That way all you have to do is engage defensive and "get home", rather than trying to both engage defensive and recon your extraction route at the same time which is bound to saturate you.

Edited February 25, 2010 by EtherealN

[Analyst]

Thanks EtherealN, this input is exactly what I was looking for.

 

EDIT: Any thoughts on how to tell friendlys from enemies? I've made some mistakes resulting in fratricide... :)

[Silent Warrior]

That's always the problem. Not that I'm an expert on the matter, but what I'd recommend is looking at the in-sim encyclopedia and learn to recognize the different vehicles, and pay attention to the briefing as to where you can expect to find hostiles or friendlies (and what vehicles they'll be driving).

[EtherealN]

Sometimes it's a bit of a pita - especially in the first part of GOW - to decide who's friendly and who's enemy. Welcome to the world of warfare. :D But generally what you want is a good study of the mission profile, and when in doubt you should usually be able to determine their nationality through which way they are facing. This isn't by any means perfect, but it's pretty much as good as it gets.

[GGTharos]

Thanks EtherealN, this input is exactly what I was looking for.

 

EDIT: Any thoughts on how to tell friendlys from enemies? I've made some mistakes resulting in fratricide... :)

 

Know where friendly lines are. This is not always easy because you don't really get to communicate with your guys about front-line movement, and both sides use similar equipment.

 

Some possible hints for IFF are:

1. Enemies will be beyond a certain point, and no closer. Learn to read the terrain to help you determine what this should look like. If you draw a line on a map, can you visualize that line on the ground you see before you? It's an important and real skill - use landmarks where possible to help you.

 

2. Enemies might commonly be pointed in a particular direction.

 

3. Enemies might be shooting towards your guys.

 

4. Enemies are sneaky! If you think 'wow that's a great place to get ambushed right now' IT IS! Eyes out of the pit!

[fangav]

I use my wing-man a lot to recon, they are dumb but keeping them on a short leash helps with their survival.

Also the wing-man don't what to attack friendly's if you order them.

[TKMR]

Some possible hints for IFF are:

1. Enemies will be beyond a certain point, and no closer. Learn to read the terrain to help you determine what this should look like. If you draw a line on a map, can you visualize that line on the ground you see before you? It's an important and real skill - use landmarks where possible to help you.

 

...

 

4. Enemies are sneaky! If you think 'wow that's a great place to get ambushed right now' IT IS! Eyes out of the pit!

 

You know what would help with this? A map to print out. Pretty much like a kneeboard... on you knees, instead of in the sim. I think someone is working on this, and that will be immensely helpful. Maybe something ED should consider including when you buy the game. Off to the wishlist thread! :)

[norm]

If there is a target point for enemy positions select that one, and the shval will aim to that point when it's turned on. as o if it's a defensive mission, the ones moving are unfrendly, and the not moving ones are friendly, and vise versa.

[Analyst]

Great tips, thanks guys!