Everyone should try multiplayer!

[seikdel]

Bear with me on this. I spent a good couple of years flying the Shark in SP-only. Recently, with the advent of BS2, I decided to try out this multiplayer that everyone keeps talking about. I found myself a squadron, zipped through their training program, and have been spending some quality time on their server.

 

With Teamspeak and TARS, the communication is phenomenal! TS works only over the actual radios on actual frequencies. We can communicate with the Hog pilots on both the fore and aft radios (thanks to some nifty lua frequency changess).

 

The quality of the teamwork is just exceptional! Last night, I flew out to one of our active ranges and took out a few targets. As I was heading back to the FARP to rearm, I broke left just for the heck of it, only to have a Strela shriek by and take out my landing gear. Talk about my luckiest maneuver to date!

 

I met up with 2 more squadmates who had just popped in. I caught up with them at the other end of the active range and had some fun taking out a tank column and some AAA. Afterwards, I sat high and did watch duty while #2 did a SEAD flyover. I was able to actually spot the Strela launch, alert him to take evasive action, and track/engage the SAM. It was awesome!

 

When #2 took damage, I was able to escort him back to the FARP and watch him ride the hydrolic rollercoaster while #3 finished cleaning up the range. When #3 got nicked, I was able to meet him (had to find him visually because his DL was out) and escort him back as well. It's just so cool working with real people!

 

So, my point is this: If you love the bird but hate the AI, get online! Find a group of like-minded chopper pilots, set up a mission or training range, and go work as a real team with real people! There's else nothing like it!

Edited May 15, 2012 by seikdel

[TurboHog]

Think most of us already know. ;)

 

We make use of a very risky but effective strategy. One of us (I mostly fly KA50 coop with me and a mate) flies into an area while the other stays behind. If something fires at #1, #2 will quickly use HMS to lock the target and take it out. In general: the KA50 in the most dangerous/advanced position always has the advantage of a full 360 degrees situational awareness and basicly designates targets by making them fire (tracers/muzzle flash/smoke trail).

 

+ datalinking comes to life in multiplayer. You're no longer sending it to your dumb AI wingman. Also you can try A10C - KA50 datalinking by designating targets directly into your PVI-800 or by using ABRIS marker, drawing and offset capabilities.

 

You will soon find yourself using systems that you've never used that often before. :P

 

I haven't completed all campaigns actually. Multiplayer is so much better :)

[Pikey]

I'd love to have the dedication and time for Co-op. Teamwork is fantastic when it comes off. I've got so many memories of other online activities requiring a high level of coordination and management with voice comms in the last 5-7 years, going back to playing America's Army when it first came out and showing how a small group of coordinated people can overcome numbers.

 

The problem with these things is organisation, real life getting in the way, people dropping out last minute. I have found people very fickle creatures and organising these things is frustrating, perhaps even more so due to the hugely sensible nature of teamwork in simulators.

 

Perhaps the culture is different and i might try it, but it's an enormous and daunting commitment before 9pm for myself. I envy you.

[sgtmike74]

I have co workers who play Battlefield 3 on the PS3. We have a blast but I wish I could get them in these sims. The problem with my buddies is that they don't have the patience to learn it. One of them cant even fly in BF3!

 

I flew before with a squadron but my work takes me away at months at a time so its hard to keep that connection. But you are right, Multiplayer is where its at.

[Yurgon]

One of them cant even fly in BF3!

 

Back in the day I could land an F-16 on a taxiway without ruining the landing gear. I think I'm a decent Black Shark pilot (when I'm not creating rotor blade salad. Or saying hello to my old friend, the Vortex Ring State).

 

But hell, I can't even fly UAVs in BFBC2, let alone anything with a cockpit. And I've just become level 50. :-)

 

But seriously, the Battlefield flight model is just so terrible, I think it's not worth learning. Besides, there are some very good BF pilots out there in desperate need of a good gunner, which is how I got my air vehicle awards. :-)

[Griffin]

I'd love to have the dedication and time for Co-op...

...but it's an enormous and daunting commitment before 9pm for myself. I envy you.

 

+1 Simming takes alot of time and multiplayer is the heaven for me. It's like losing a part of your soul (dramadramadrama :P) when RL gets in the way even if you can still sit around drooling at all this going on.

I need my own simming room and 3 hours free time each evening!

[ErichVon]

Bear with me on this. I spent a good couple of years flying the Shark in SP-only. Recently, with the advent of BS2, I decided to try out this multiplayer that everyone keeps talking about. I found myself a squadron, zipped through their training program, and have been spending some quality time on their server.

 

With Teamspeak and TARS, the communication is phenomenal! TS works only over the actual radios on actual frequencies. We can communicate with the Hog pilots on both the fore and aft radios (thanks to some nifty lua frequency changess).

 

The quality of the teamwork is just exceptional! Last night, I flew out to one of our active ranges and took out a few targets. As I was heading back to the FARP to rearm, I broke left just for the heck of it, only to have a Strela shriek by and take out my landing gear. Talk about my luckiest maneuver to date!

 

I met up with 2 more squadmates who had just popped in. I caught up with them at the other end of the active range and had some fun taking out a tank column and some AAA. Afterwards, I sat high and did watch duty while #2 did a SEAD flyover. I was able to actually spot the Strela launch, alert him to take evasive action, and track/engage the SAM. It was awesome!

 

When #2 took damage, I was able to escort him back to the FARP and watch him ride the hydrolic rollercoaster while #3 finished cleaning up the range. When #3 got nicked, I was able to meet him (had to find him visually because his DL was out) and escort him back as well. It's just so cool working with real people!

 

So, my point is this: If you love the bird but hate the AI, get online! Find a group of like-minded chopper pilots, set up a mission or training range, and go work as a real team with real people! There's else nothing like it!

 

I went into Multiplayer in the DCS: Warthog almost immediately last year. I usually fly by myself, but I did join a squad for awhile. Sad, though, for when I access Multiplayer in P-51D nobody has a server up and BS2 might have a couple not-locked ones open. BS1 in FC2 usually has more opportunity to fly online. I am currently learning Su-25T for FC2.

 

I flew with some guys last week that asked me to join their squad.

 

I like offline, too. Nice to have both.

[Slazi]

I never really have a problem finding a BS2 server to join, I usally just fly with the A10 guys if there are no other sharks around.

 

Most multiplayer servers have TS, and it's pretty easy to jump in and find people to fly with.