Matrix Games Forums

Does the DL of an enemy base affect the air combat result of fighter sweep missions?

So, all else being equal will the sweeping fighters generally get better exchange rates with the CAP if the base has been subject to recon and has a high DL?

As far as I know the DL of the base (by the enemy) only helps the enemy's bombing/strafing attacks. Fighters do not have a DL on where the enemy fighters are until they spot them or ground radar vectors them in that direction.

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BBfanboy wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2026 1:15 pm As far as I know the DL of the base (by the enemy) only helps the enemy's bombing/strafing attacks. Fighters do not have a DL on where the enemy fighters are until they spot them or ground radar vectors them in that direction.

Sorry, I have had to re-consider my response. I've gone back and reviewed 40 posts that theElf made about sweeps, and I now suspect that base DL may in fact help sweeps. theElf never states this baldly, but then again, he only has one post where he ever gives any details about the ACM period. Those of you who can remember, theElf was always (appropriately) quite guarded about the inner workings of the ACM. But in reading those posts I find 7 of them where he continuously pounds on the concept of "preparation". Granted several of these are in the context of coordinating sweeps and other missions, but even so ...

here they are:

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 4#p2001204
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 0#p2056960
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 8#p2096838
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 5#p2130955
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 6#p2160766
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 8#p2172188

and then there is this one, where the insinuation is far more clear:

https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopi ... 1#p2254011

from the last one: "or the Sweep fumbles it's detection of the CAP"
This statement, along with the previous 6, really leads me to consider that base DL would lower the chance of a fumble; if the sweepers know what they are going to face, they will be looking out for that particular menace and have a better chance to spot it. Again it isn't stated but having been around here a while, this is the type of variable association that theElf could have, and I believe probably, made.

Just my opinion. YMMV.

Remember, I am not, nor ever have been a dev and I have not seen the code. This is entirely my opinion.

A higher DL should give you a better intel on how many enemy fighters/fighter models are on the ground.

Thanks for the info guys