Some newbies questions

[ScherzkeCks]

Hi there,

 

I am a huge fan of realistic simulations so the DCS series was a must for me to get.

Having played the Black Shark and really liked it I got the A-10C as well.

 

Now I have some questions/problems and I hope you will be able to help me.

 

1) I did get through all the training now I started the Devil's Cross Campaign and finally at my 20th try or so completed the first mission without being dead. My question is: I almost always get shot down by SAM or so. The thing is, I am being assigned some tanks by the JTAC so my task is to destroy them right or can I first engage the SAMs as I wish and then go for the tanks? I thought somebody else will be assigned the Anti-Airs...(which worked the last time for I got in late in the zone and the Anti-Airs were gone)

 

2) Even though I start to get home alive I am not able to get my wingmen home alive. What can I do to keep him healthy? I tried assigning special things to him, telling him nothing but the only thing that seems to work is telling him right away to RTB which isn't really helpful, is it?

 

3) I do have some performance issues, I can run the sim fine in medium settings through all the training and at the base of the mentioned first mission of the campaign. I can also switch through all units on the map with external views without stutters at all, but as soon as I approach the enemy-area with my plane it stutters even on lowest settings, what can I do about that?

 

4) I'd like to get into multiplayer, maybe even get some training do you have any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Stefan

[sam777777]

Hi there Stefan, welcome to DCS!

 

lets see:

1) To avoid getting shot down by SAMs fly HIGH, very high. If they are bugging you, go ahead and hunt them down, just make sure you have enough left to take on those tanks afterward, it's your call.

2) Once again, make sure you take your wingman up high, and tell him to engage air defenses with longer range weapons (laser guided bombs from high alt for example) then go in with mavs.

3) Just to be a bit more precise, does it lag when in the enemy zone if you look at the sky (no enemy units)? If it does lag when looking away, your CPU is having trouble with the AI. If it doesn't lag when looking away, you GPU is most likely to blame (I am not too great when it comes to knowledge of how this sim works, so just guessing here).

4) Depends on your country, just make sure you have Teamspeak and a good mic, this makes everything much more fun. Most people here only fly multiplayer because nothing beats flying with friends. Make sure you are at least slightly knowledgeable, they can teach you the rest (part of what makes the game great, learning from others).

 

If anyone has something else to add, go ahead (I probably haven't covered everything).

 

See you in the skies! :smilewink:

[Sarge55]

Welcome Stefan, Sam777777 covered the questions pretty good.

 

In order to help regarding the lag or stuttering it would be a good idea to list your spec's as that would help identify a weak link (if there is one).

 

Multi-player is great and I would strongly suggest you follow up. The point sam777777 made about being up on the basics is very valid.

 

Here is a link to the Squadron Directory in the forums;

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=34062

[ScherzkeCks]

Thanks for your answers!

 

As for the stuttering I figured out that it actually works best for me with everything on low but the resolution set to the native resolution of my monitor while setting a lower one actually decreases performance for me which is kinda odd but hey as long as it works. Fine with me.

 

Some more questions I do have however:

 

5) How do I deal with AWACS correctly? I understand that it is basically a big eye for me and can tell me where enemy are and so on. But how would you utilize this in a battle? I mean the JTAC is giving me orders as to what to attack and possible threads. So when do you actually call AWACS?

 

6) Are unguided bombs accurate enough if I fly as high as you recommend? Because the standard load out for the missions I flew so far didn't have guided bombs. So should I just go ahead and change them or will I be fine?

 

7)Why do you have only six 7's in your nickname, wouldn't seven of them make more sense? ;)

[EtherealN]

5) How do I deal with AWACS correctly? I understand that it is basically a big eye for me and can tell me where enemy are and so on. But how would you utilize this in a battle? I mean the JTAC is giving me orders as to what to attack and possible threads. So when do you actually call AWACS?

 

As a striker you talk to AWACS mainly to ensure you won't get jumped by enemy fast-movers. Generally I'd expect you to mainly listen in - they'll call any popups (new contact) and update on existing targets, and if something gets close to you or soddenly turns hot, you take the range and bearings given into consideration to decide if you need to go hide.

 

6) Are unguided bombs accurate enough if I fly as high as you recommend? Because the standard load out for the missions I flew so far didn't have guided bombs. So should I just go ahead and change them or will I be fine?

 

If you worry about the accuracy, switch to guided munitions, generally.

[sam777777]

 

7)Why do you have only six 7's in your nickname, wouldn't seven of them make more sense? ;)

 

hahaha, It's actually a really old name, I now go by Peregrine7.

 

6x7=42 and I just like the two numbers (especially 7 :)).

[ashcanpete]

First of all, I just wanted to thank ScherzkeCks for the post, I am also just getting into this sim and had some of the same questions. I had a few more newb type questions to add (if this needs to be a new post, let me know or move it)

 

1) With regards to multiplayer, I wanted to if there is any prerequisites in general before attempting to play online. I am pretty proficient at startup, takeoff, landing, navigation and weapons use, and have read a lot of the manual (but of course there is still tons more to read). I saw that some of the squadrons have training/qualifications, but many of them don't say if there do or not. Also, I there some way I could maybe spectate/sit in on some MP sessions to see if I could handle it? I am really getting into this sim, and I feel like playing online would really take it to the next level.

 

2) I am also having some framerate issues (lag) and I was wondering if you guys could tell me which part of my system may be the culprit/need to be upgraded. It usually occurs when low to the ground or at takeoff/landing, and when my TGP or Mav cams are on the MFCDs. My setup is:

3.0 GHz AMD quad core

8 GB RAM

Windows 7 x64

ATI Radeon HD4870 1 GB video ram

also I am using iControl DCS on my iPad

 

3) This is more of a suggestion to other newbs like myself. I recently upgraded from a AV8R to a x52 and got TrackIR, and the difference is amazing! If you can afford any HOTAS setup and trackIR (or you could try FaceTrackNoIR if you have a webcam), I think you will find that you will not regret the investment. TrackIR has cut my startup times in half and tripled my situational awareness.

 

4) Also had the same question about unguided bombs. Do most of you just wait until all SAM's are eliminated to use them, or just not really use them at all if there is a threat (or do you try to drop from 15k and pray?)

[SmokeyTheLung]

There's no question that the guided stuff is far more accurate and deadly, arguably a lot cooler too :D

 

But there is a time and place for the dumb stuff too! Adjust your tactics accordingly for dumb bombs (i.e. drop in pairs or ripple off the whole lot!). You will, hopefully, have more success

 

1 MK 82 at 20,000 ft is very unlikely to score a hit. 2 CBU 87s with a high HOF on the other hand...

Edited July 16, 2011 by SmokeyTheLung

[jeffyd123]

hey ashcan... Thats great you want to get into MP. Sounds like youre all set but you will need to install teamspeak 3 and map a Push-To_Talk button to your stick.

 

The guys at http://firstfighterwing.com/joomla/ are very cool and will take you out on sorties and teach you a ton of stuff (although it is a good idea to know your way around your weapons and have a basic knowledge of nav). Either way youre in for a whole new world bud.

 

On the link above, You can click on the top of the teamspeak list and it will launch and hook you up to their teamspeak server.