Need some help please.

[ocarius]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong thread ahead of time. I want to get the A 10 DCS simulator but not sure what I need to get. I see a 14.00 flaming cliffs version, there is a dlc version for DCS world and then you can buy the boxed version as well, the later 2 being 35.00. I will be new to the simulator having spent all my flight simulator time in WW2 aircraft. So its safe to say I'll need to spend a lot of time around the crate in a controlled environment before i get my feet wet in some actual combat missions... any help on getting me in the right direction would be great.

 

Thanks!

[PreAmp]

Hi Ocarius,

 

There are basically 2 A-10 versions available:

 

The A-10A is what you get with Flaming Cliffs 3, along with some other aircraft (F-15C, Su-27, Su-33, Mig-29A, Mig-29S, Su-25 and Su-25T).

The A-10A is also available as a standalone version, but you get the very same aircraft. I don't know what is meant with the dlc version, I guess it is just another way to get the software...

 

The A-10C is a standalone module and can be more classified as a so called study-sim. This means that it has a very steep learning curve. Every switch and button in the cockpit should be used in the correct way to get things done right, unlike the A-10A version. This can be very frustrating at times, but also very satisfying!

 

It has a very good documentation and some tutorial missions to get you underway. Should you have more questions then there's always this great forum. There's a lot of knowledge here and everybody is very willing to help each other out.

 

So, the A-10A version is a bit easier to start with, but since you already have some sim experience I would recommend the A-10C version. Be sure to read all information on the website (http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com) to help you with your choice!

 

Good luck with your choice!

[Tetra]

I presume you want A-10C ? FC3 has the A-10A and an assortment of other jets, also you could buy just the A-10A FC3 on it's own which is a standalone module but the same as the one that comes with FC3. A-10C is the full fidelity advanced sim, FC3 A-10 is not full fidelity (no click-able cockpit etc.)

 

If you do want A-10C then do the following:

 

1: Download / install DCS World (free)

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/dcs_world/

 

2: Download / install A-10C

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/modules/dcs_a10c_warthog/

 

3: Purchased A-10C

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/warthog/

 

You will get a key which will unlock the A-10C module you downloaded in step 2.

[ocarius]

Ok So DCS World is an Online Hub where we can all come together with our various games and play together??? The 14.99 A-10A Module is the complete game, however the A-10 isn't fully realized. Meaning its a "laid back" version of the aircraft, where as A-10C the 39.99 version is the full go single player experience, with the aircraft fully simulated?

 

Also does the A-10C version need the A-10A module to work with DCS World, or am I missing the concept of what Worlds is?

 

Thanks again.

[Tetra]

DCS world is literally "the world" for both singleplayer and multiplayer. You need it to run any modules you purchase. It contains the game world and comes with the free SU25T module.

 

FC3 is a collection of several lower fidelity simulation aircraft, in that one package you get the A-10A, the F-15, the SU-25 etc. However you also need LOMAC (Lock On Modern Air Combat by Ubisoft) installed on your computer (has to be purchased separately due to licensing issues). FC3 does not use LOMAC, it runs in DCS World like the other modules, but you have to have LOMAC installed for it to authorize.

 

The A-10A single module is the A-10A from FC3, however it does not require LOMAC.

 

The SU25 single module is the SU25 from FC3, it also doesn't require LOMAC.

 

The A-10C, KA-50 and P-51D are the high fidelity (fully simulated) modules, fully clickable cockpits, fully simulated avionics, weapon systems etc. etc.

 

As I said before, all of the above, regardless of which modules you buy, need DCS World installed to run them.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Tetra

[Flagrum]

Ok So DCS World is an Online Hub where we can all come together with our various games and play together??? The 14.99 A-10A Module is the complete game, however the A-10 isn't fully realized. Meaning its a "laid back" version of the aircraft, where as A-10C the 39.99 version is the full go single player experience, with the aircraft fully simulated?

 

Also does the A-10C version need the A-10A module to work with DCS World, or am I missing the concept of what Worlds is?

 

Thanks again.

DCS World is the base game. It provides the environment for the aircrafts, well, the "world". DCS World is the same for online play and for offline play. DCS World is free and cost you nothing.

 

Then there are the modules. The different aircraft are the modules (Flaming Cliffs 3 is a bit of an exception: is also a module, but contains several aircrafts - but they are not as elaborated as the others). Also worth mentioning, the "naked" base install of DCS World also contains already a pre-installed module, the Su 25T.

 

Now, the A-10A and the A-10C are different aircrafts! The A-10A is - in RL - the version of the Warthog before it was upgraded with better avionics and weapons'n'stuff. The result of these upgrades is the A-10C.

 

You get the A-10A if you install the FC3 module into DCS World. Alternatively, there is a A-10A module which contains only that aircraft - but it is exactly the same which you would get with FC3.

 

The A-10C is a different module, a bit costlier, but also a good bit more elaborated.

 

edit: there are also boxed versions of the Blackshark, the Mustang and the A-10C available for purchasing. These boxes contain just DCS World and the module of the respective aircraft. So, the box as such is a "stand alone product" - you get all what you need in one package. But technically it is still "DCS World" + "DCS xyz"-Module

Edited August 4, 2013 by Flagrum

[Psyrixx]

Ok So DCS World is an Online Hub where we can all come together with our various games and play together??? The 14.99 A-10A Module is the complete game, however the A-10 isn't fully realized. Meaning its a "laid back" version of the aircraft, where as A-10C the 39.99 version is the full go single player experience, with the aircraft fully simulated?

 

Also does the A-10C version need the A-10A module to work with DCS World, or am I missing the concept of what Worlds is?

 

Thanks again.

 

 

World is just the engine. All "dlc" can be played in the engine with anyone else. If you have the A-10A and your friend just has the Su-25T that comes free with World, you guys can play together provided you find (or make!) a mission that includes both aircraft.

 

You can only fly in the planes that you own, but you can fly with anyone who owns anything else in missions. That's what the whole "world" concept is. A single game where everyone can play together regardless of which planes they individually own.

 

The A-10A and the A-10C are two completely different versions of the plane. So you do not need one to play the other. The A-10A is essentially the first revision of the A-10 plane. The C is a later version with improved avionics and targeting systems. The A-10C is also the full blown simulation version where the A-10A is represented a little bit more laid back and easy to start for people who don't necessarily want to be completely hardcore about learning the full targeting systems of a plane. :pilotfly:

 

It's not a versioning scheme within the game either... in real life there is an A, B, C, and even experimental revisions of the A-10 aircraft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-10#Variants). It's how the military distinguishes between the various 'versions' of the aircraft. Generally, the further in the alphabet the letter revision is, the more modern the targeting systems and avionics are.

 

It's the same in DCS World, the A-10A is the earlier version of the aircraft, the A-10C is the later version with much better targeting systems and avionics. It also makes the A-10C much more difficult to learn and master, but in my opinion that's what makes it more fun. :joystick:

 

Which module you choose, really depends on your play style. Do you want to be super hardcore and learn a real-world simulation (A-10C)? Or are you more of a casual gamer who would love to fly around and blow stuff up but don't really want to bother with learning incredibly realistic targeting systems (A-10A)?

[Psyrixx]

And as previously stated, the DCS World engine comes with a free aircraft module, the Su-25T. The A-10A is modeled similarly to this aircraft: most of the controls can be handled with a keyboard, there aren't any switches to flip in the cockpit but everything looks and plays nice.

 

The A-10C, on the other hand, is what is considered to be a "study sim". It was adapted from a simulation that was created for the US National Guard to train its real life A-10 pilots in. Theoretically, if you were to jump into a real life A-10C you should be able to operate it in the real world after having learned the module. It is *very* in-depth and realistic.

 

Also, per my previous post, the Su-25A module "dlc" that is $15 is an earlier version of the Su-25 aircraft platform. The Su-25T is a much later revision that was specifically upgraded to be an anti-tank aircraft with TV guided missiles, rockets, laser guided bombs, and many more modern munitions. And, as stated, the Su-25T is already included for free in DCS World. I'm currently putting together a set of updated tutorials on how to fly it, here is a link:

 

If I had a friend who owned an A-10C or any other module, he could come and fly around with me since we both own DCS World.

Edited August 4, 2013 by Psyrixx

[Psyrixx]

If you want a really good idea of what the difference is between the A-10C and the A-10A, take a look at this start-up sequence video for the A-10C:

 

 

And compare it with the first video in my Su-25T training series. The A-10C is a realistic portrayal of the actual aircraft: the Ka-50, P-51D and UH-1H are also what are considered ultra realistic "study simulations". The Su-25T, Su-25A, A-10A are what are considered "medium fidelity simulations" as they portray the aircraft in a mostly realistic fashion, but you do not need to memorize a four to eight minute start-up sequence and then all of the various weapon employment systems to get off the ground and go have fun.

 

Four or five keyboard commands, taxi to the runway, take off, another two or three keyboard commands to get into the right engagement mode and lock a target and fire!!

[tferrell]

It sounds as though your sim background is very similar to mine in terms of coming predominately from WW II prop aircraft. If you are a flight sim fan I'm going to go out on a limb and say you will love DCS- the products are very good. (They are also open to 3rd party developers and you will find that out if you pursue DCS.)

The previous comments pretty much sum up the essence of what DSC World is but what is also interesting is that you can pick and choose which platform you want to purchase. If you are making the transition from WWII aircraft the A-10C is probably a good place to start. I tried to work myself into modern aircraft with Falcon Allied Force several years ago and, as good as it was, I was utterly frustrated. The manual and tutorials were there but I just couldn't get used to the intricate weapon and sensor systems. You shouldn't have that trouble with the A-10C; there are interactive in-cockpit tutorials with voice-over and clickable functions to get your feet wet. In addition, there is a 600+ page manual included in PDF format.

DCS also updates (automatically, if you wish) all of their modules which I feel is a huge benefit.

The sim also comes in 2 versions- game (arcade) and sim which you can switch between very easily, although I don't think many people bother with the game version.

Be prepared to spend some time with this- I check the forums (and youtube videos) regularly for hints and tips. I remember reading a post somewhere that you will spend about 10 hours or so (real flight time/real life time) until you really start to get a handle of things.

 

You should have some sort of flight control with at least some HOTAS controls- I have an old Saitek X-45 with flight stick and throttle and its good enough for me but all of the newer sticks are much better suited to the complex avionics and systems modeled in all DCS modules. The old X-45 worked fine in IL-2 but in A-10C, more buttons are better!!!

 

Take the Plunge...You'll LOVE it!!!!