A2A Combat thoughts

[Gunner98]

With recent updates and upgrades to the game A2A combat has changed a lot - and I like it.

Although I've been playing around a bit for the last few months, I haven't really had the chance to test things out much. Until today. I sent 4x Mirage F.1C-200s into the lions den, trying to lure out a couple MiG-23MLDs out from under their SAM protection. Six months ago this would have been a one-sided fight, not today. OK I got jumped by a 4-some of MiG-21 but these were flown by Cadet grade pilots, so I thought - no issue. My pilots are Veterans, the Floggers are flown by Regular, the sky is mine. I figured I'd just prance in from two directions, let one pair handle the Fishbeds while the other danced with the Floggers. But wow - what a fight. I ended up bagging one singular MiG-21 and screamed home low on gas and missiles - I had adjusted WRA, but not too tightly as R.530 vs Alamo is not a good match so I wanted to keep range. A SAM trap saved me and the two Floggers ate some SMs but the A2A fight was impressive.

From a player perspective this is more entertaining I think, but from a designer's perspective it makes things better by a long shot. Designers no longer have to stack the decks against the player just to give them a challenge. What it probably means is adjusting a lot of older scenarios over time but overall I think the air fight has become more realistic and far less bloody.

Just throwing this out there to see if others feel the same, or different?

B

[BDukes]

Much better than before. Air Combat is far less one sided and certain. Still need to test and do the good work though!

Mike

[Coiler12]

I can attest that air combat has gotten (even) better.

[Swant]

Agree, definitely better!

[Stanley_The_Rolmate]

Are you planning on updating all the old fury/NFZ scenarios in light of the the recent changes to missiles, ground units, DB weapons ranges and the mission editor?

[jarraya]

I agree, it's a definite improvement which not only adds balance but also makes the game feel more real. I sometimes watch videos of people who know what they are talking about (ex-fighter pilot) playing DCS and the air combat now looks very much like these videos, with pilots maneuvering to get into proper launch windows for increased chance to hit the target or defensively fighting to prevent the enemy getting the into the WEZ. A great change and addition to the game.

This does mean old scenarios will need rebalancing.

[Gunner98]

Are you planning on updating all the old fury/NFZ scenarios in light of the the recent changes to missiles, ground units, DB weapons ranges and the mission editor?

Perhaps eventually, but it is a low priority at the movement. Need to 1) get book 2 out then #3 etc, 2) get new scenarios out, 3) fix big problems as they pop up. After that yes - if I last that long .