Interested in CA, sell me. :)

[JetlinerX]

Hey guys-

 

I have every single DCS product, except for CA. I've heard it's the worst module, as it is very arcade feeling, and not very in depth/entertaining. However, for some reason I keep coming back to it. I am interested in being able to have actual ground tactics. So my questions for you guys are:

 

Pretty much, any true fans of CA, can you sell me on why the review above is false, and why you enjoy CA? Thanks! :D

[Rongor]

I bought it because:

- I can now drive on the ground in some vehicles and enjoy the landscape from a ground view perspective

- ED gets the input that there is a certain amount of interest for land warfare present in the community

- the money I spent supports ED to develop DCS further

[Robert1983NL]

Not a great sales pitch... lol

[Corvus]

Maybe Combined Arms have some "arcade feel" but on the other hand it adds a new layer to DCS. Check out this short movie from MP session. It was recorded quite some time ago- in 1.2.1 version (I'm going to record something new soon) but still you can see more or less what CA is all about. I had a lot of fun making that video- hearing my friend flying A-10 yell to "stop moving that damn laser", watching bombs drop and destroy marked targets, and above that- sound of A-10 flying by. But you have to keep in mind that CA is quite simple- it's not Steel Beast Pro, or SAM simulator.

 

dx1_7wcxPa8

Edited May 20, 2013 by Corvus

[JetlinerX]

Would it change your mind drastically if I said I am not interested in MP right now? That's not to say I WONT get into it, but right now, I need to figure out how to fly, and program the aircraft, before I hop in with the pros. :joystick: So my new question becomes:

 

Can it offer the same amount of fun in SP as the other modules do?

 

I do plan to leap into MP one day... but I am just too piss poor at the sim in general to actually be effective for ground units. However, your story was quite compelling. I can picture myself just looking down range, seeing the explosion, and hearing the "chainsaw" a few seconds later. That sounds so cool.

 

Anyway, what's the new sales pitch with that new info? :)

[Irregular programming]

I'd say CA offers nothing in single player.

 

It's way to basic as it is right now.

[Invader ZIM]

In single player, CA will allow you to maneuver your forces to attack the enemy.

 

You can now coordinate with your strike aircraft to soften up a target with strikes and then move your MBT's toward the recently struck forces with a follow on ground attack for instance. Or a heavy artillery barrage against a large and dangerous known enemy air defence unit, clearing the way for your aircraft to have less trouble attacking the targets in the surrounding area, and minimizing losses for your side.

 

In a way CA in singleplayer really adds to the strategy of the simulation because you can conduct the ground war on your own terms. And also you can still jump into one of the flyable aircraft if you have the module and fight while your ground forces maneuver where you want them to go.

 

Add to that, if you have a favorite ground vehicle, like for me it was the Gephard AAA unit, you can tool around and have fun engaging enemy aircraft if you want, or guide missiles from the T-80's and T-90's, TOW's from the Bradley's, etc. It's just fun, on different levels, just depends how deep you want to get into using the CA module. I've used CA since last July, it was worth it just for the ability to move my units where I wanted to.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Invader ZIM

[JetlinerX]

The fact that you can jump into the battle while the war wages on elsewhere is awesome! I think ED can thank you for selling another copy of CA. Thanks buddy, cant wait to try this out, now!

 

Quicky question though - If you die, do you go back to the RTS screen, or is the whole battle screwed then?

 

PS: Oh hey, I guess I have every DCS module then. x) And I dont know the specifics of any of them! YAY! Time to hit the books. :/

Edited May 20, 2013 by JetlinerX

[Invader ZIM]

I haven't used the feature for awile, but I think you can just jump into other aircraft if you lose your initial one. The battle will rage on as ground force commander. It just has to be an aircraft you have a module for to pilot though. Hopefully someone will help me out with more experience in that regard.

 

But I think you'll enjoy it JetlinerX, I used the quick mission creator and set all parameters to random.

 

Then I selected "Edit Mission" and on the left side selected "Battlefield Commanders"

 

Selected the box which says "Pilot can control Vehicles"

 

Then Select Ground Force CMDR, and select "1" for the red or blue forces you want to control.

 

Choose to pilot your aircraft or select Grnd Force Cmdr.

 

And your off!! You can use the F-10 map view to select your ground vehicles, make waypoints for them, set formations or select targets. Use your artillery units and set up fire zones, control your helicopters and set up kill zones, etc. Best way to learn is to jump in and play around. Also setting "Fog of War" is good for this as it forces you to have units that have eyes on the enemy forces to see them on the map for targeting.

 

Watch out for counter battery fire, make sure to move your MLRS and other artillery after firing as you'll soon see incoming from the AI or if enemy units have seen your forces. Move those AAA and Sams along with your tanks and IFV's to provide cover, use the terrain to your advantage.

 

Most importantly,just have Fun!! :D

Edited May 20, 2013 by Invader ZIM

[JetlinerX]

My first experience was quite interesting! Just did one of the pre-made missions, and sat in the RTS map most the time. Now I am going to try jumping in an A10 and fighting with my troops... too bad all I know how to do is turn on the guns and drop bombs willy nilly... :/

 

Quick question, I just spent all my weapons, do I have to switch to a ground role now? Or are there free refills back at base? ;)

Edited May 20, 2013 by JetlinerX

[mwd2]

do you mean rearm the A-10C or rearm the ground vehicle?

 

Ground vehicle can rearm on Transporter M818 (Blue) or Transport Ural-375 (Red) if you bring the ground unit in 100m of the truck (default key: [LAlt + '])

[JetlinerX]

I mean the A10, sorry.

[mwd2]

if your airfield belong to your side (Red or Blue) you can land and ask for rearm/refuel/repair...

... you will need to shut down both engine, open Canopy and call ground crew or use (default key: [LAlt + '])

[Invader ZIM]

And if your in the F10 map view, you can always select a vehicle your interested in from the F10 map and hit F7, that will allow you to see the selected unit in action, and also get some info on the surrounding terrain better.

 

I believe to pilot the vehicles you have to hit Escape, and then select drive vehicle in the menu that pops up.

[JetlinerX]

@MWD - Uh oh. I am not sure how to shut down, or start up yet. Damn.

 

@ZIM - If you go in the map, you can click a friendly unit's symbol, and then the tank icon on the top bar. Or at least that's what I've been doing, and it works okay... Haven't tried driving yet, which is next on my list.

[Feuerfalke]

if your airfield belong to your side (Red or Blue) you can land and ask for rearm/refuel/repair...

... you will need to shut down both engine, open Canopy and call ground crew or use (default key: [LAlt + '])

 

You don't need to shut down your plane to rearm or refuel.

 

You just need to turn the coms to intercom. Then you can even keep your canopy closed. Just be sure to switch back, before asking for takeoff-permission ;)

[JetlinerX]

Hell, I dont even know how to change to intercom! XD

[shagrat]

Hell, I dont even know how to change to intercom! XD

Simply open the canopy (LCTRL+C), "shout" to the crew chief with LALT+' (you will get the loadout menu)... RightClick on a column to select weapons etc. click OK when ready.

You will hear "Rearming! Copy" and "Refueling! Copy"

Then you need to wait (watch fuel gauges or your wings if you like).

When finished the crew chief will give you a "Rearming complete!" and "Refueling complete!" call.

Now close the canopy (LCTRL+C) and take off again.

 

CHECK that the Airfield is part of your coalition! It must not be set to neutral!

[Irregular programming]

Hell, I dont even know how to change to intercom! XD

 

The radio selection dial is on your left and back, just set it to "intercom".

[skouras]

personally i use it while i'm flying

thats way i have a complete control over the mission

i do whatever i wan't

you can play a mission for hours;)

[scottt]

I still cant see a way of ordering aircraft to Takeoff or Land from the F10 view , which apparently was added in 1.24.

 

If anyone knows how , please let me know..

[Wrecking Crew]

Until any Ground Commander can control AI aircraft waypoints and targeting in multiplayer, Combined Arms is incomplete. There is a lot of potential here, but it is not up to its advertised features IMHO.

 

WC

[JetlinerX]

A ground commander wouldnt be controlling aircraft, would he? Isn't that what a FAC is for? Or are there no FACs in CA?

[FubarBundy]

one of the greatest pleasures in life... shooting down your mates with your very own strella. Makes up for all the other shortcomings of CA :)

[BBQ]

Had an "epiphany" type experience in CA this morning. I mainly bought it for A) to support ED, and B) as a kind of Mission Editor tool -- I could just go into mission and see how things were actually going, for a set battle, e.g. I could see how the various units move around, deal with obstacles, etc.

 

So this morning I'm checking out one of the included missions (CA) to get the feel for how to play from that perspective. I jumped into an MBT, was able to call in some CAS, danger close, and it was freakin' awesome! Hard to describe really -- except the whole world seems less, well -- artificial. At one point I had to break from cover, along with 4 or 5 other MBTs that were in my group, to reach another area of cover, in order to get closer to the enemy. I was like "Go! Go! Go!", and when I finally reached the cover and turned around, I was rooting for the last guy to make it, as he was getting hit pretty hard. Then I was like, "Did I just actually root for a piece of friggin' AI?? But it makes sense -- I had ordered us to move -- it was my command, and so I felt like, obligated or something, to keep these guys safe. I can't imagine what actual leaders go through IRL when they make these decisions. I could have sat there playing for hours -- without ever even getting into a cockpit ;) What can I say? Expect the un-expected. I was so use to living "at altitude" in my "office", that the perspective from the ground blew me away -- especially watching the a/c that I requested as the JTAC, start schwacking the enemy. It was a beautiful thing.