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EDIT:  22 November 2012 2:50PM Pacific Time (yes, Thanksgiving Day)

This update is HUGE!  All of the images are now up-to-date, most of the old content has been removed, new content added, and the organization is much more in line with the current World of Tanks manual.  Hyperlinks were added all over the place, so people can jump to exactly what they're looking for.  Also, the manual revision name will reflect the build number the game is currently in, so it's even easier to know if you've got the current manual.

Yes, I do understand that there's only a "Getting Started" and "Basic" section to the manual.  Rest assured, more will be added coming up soon!  Enjoy everyone!!

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Welcome to the "un"official site of the World of Warplanes Game Manual!  This manual has been designed to help new Beta Testers understand the basic concepts of the game.

Anyone can benefit from this manual, from World of Tanks veterans and flight sim enthusiasts to absolute newcomers to computer gaming.  I highly recommend utilizing this manual for reference if you have any questions regarding the game.  Many questions can be answered by searching the manual's PDF bookmarks.  (If you're not familiar with PDF bookmarks, download the latest version of Adobe Reader here:  Adobe PDF Reader)

This manual will be in a consistent state of upgrade due to the unknown nature of update content until it's released.  Therefore, some information may be out of date.  If you have any recommendations as to what you'd like to see in future revisions, please leave a reply!

Enjoy!


Update history:

0.7.0 - Initial version.
0.7.1 - 27 November 2011  20:15 UTC
0.7.2 - 03 March 2012 06:40 UTC
0.7.3 - 04 March 2012 07:05 UTC
0.7.4 - 04 April 2012 05:57 UTC
0.7.5 - 14 June 2012 17:10 UTC - massive update.  Too many items to list.
0.3.4 - 22 Novermber 2012 14:50 PST - complete update, overhaul, revision, spit-polish, you name it.

0.1 - 9 October 2012 19:10 UTC - added Quick Reference Card



You're the man Crash! Keep up the good work.

I thought it would be good to post this guide also on the NA forum. Enjoy

Now that with the new patch the role of the bomber and ground atack plane has been better defined, I saw the need of making this guide because some of the players haven't learned yet that they need to protect the bombers, which are left  easy prey for the enemy.

What I am writing now is from historical sources and I will try also to make some propositions about how to use this tactics but at a smaller scale, because we don't have that much planes.  

The Heavy Bomber "Combat Box"

A key to the success of the American daytime strategic bombing campaign against Germany was the evolving bomber formation called the "combat box" Designed to maximize defensive firepower and concentrate the group's bomb load, variations of the combat box included 18, 27, 36, or 54 heavy bombers. Devised at the end of 1942, the basic 18-plane formation, called the Group Javelin Down, consisted of high, middle, and low six-plane squadrons stepped diagonally downward toward the sun.

Originally USAAF planners had hoped that 200-plus .50-caliber machine guns mounted in 18 Flying Fortresses would produce an impenetrable screen of fire around the formation. Even when later formations expanded to include 54 aircraft, their nearly 700 guns could not ensure that the majority of the bombers would reach their target, let alone survive the return trip. It took effective fighter escort, combined with the combat box, to make the ongoing strategic bombing campaign possible.

These large bomber formations provided distinct challenges to fighter pilots on both sides of the struggle. For Allied fighter pilots, the job of escorting the bombers to and from the target was an evolving task as the formations, enemy tactics, and the escort fighters' combat range changed over time. For German fighter pilots, the task of attacking massive streams of bombers flying in ever more effective formations and escorted by fighters with increasing range and freedom of action was a daunting one.



Escorting U.S. Bomber Formations

When it became clear early in the strategic bombing campaign that German fighters were making mincemeat of the heavy bomber formations, American fighter pilots were ordered to stick close-as close as 50-75 feet-to the slow-moving bombers. This very close escort robbed them of the advantages of altitude and speed, but provided opportunities to dive on enemy fighters below the formation. However, by early 1944 the American escort pilots were allowed greater freedom of movement, ranging out to the sides and front above the formation, sometimes scissoring to stay near the slower bombers. As described by Mike Spick in Luftwaffe Fighter Aces, the three squadrons in the fighter group escorting the bomber combat box usually arranged themselves as follows:

-One squadron would overtake the bombers and position above, dividing into two sections, one some miles ahead of the other.
-A second squadron also divided into two sections and positioned above and about a mile out from the bombers on each side of their box.
-The third squadron acted as top cover some 4,000 feet above the bombers, one section directly above and the other about ten miles ahead towards the sun where it would be ready to intercept any attacks from this "blind spot."

Typical Close Escort Formation


The picture above shows a typical close escort formation, with flank escorts, rear escort, and a forward sweep. The latter is the group furthest away from the bombers, usually out of visual range, and is the group's defense against the head-on pass.

This wider-ranging escort made it possible for the escorts to find trouble before trouble found the bombers. Attacking enemy fighters before they could form up for a coordinated attack reduced Allied bomber losses and increased German fighter losses. Fighter group leaders had to resist sending their entire group against enemy attacks, since a well-timed German feint could attract so many pursuing fighters that the bombers would be left vulnerable to attack from another direction.

Attacking U.S. Bomber Formations

While it may sound as if German fighter pilots had the advantage in their freedom to form up at a distance, then hit fast and hard from the most advantageous angle, leaving their opposition little time to react, in reality there was plenty of fear to go around-for the attackers, their intended victims, and the shepherding escort pilots. The combat box formation bristled with heavy machine guns, and in the course of the war gunners aboard the bombers shot down far more enemy fighters than their fighter escort did. As Luftwaffe pilot Hans Philipp noted, " ...curve in toward 40 Fortresses and all your past sins flash before your eyes."

The frontal attack promised the best chance of survival. The German fighters would fly alongside the bomber formation, out of range of the gunners tracking them. About three miles ahead of the formation they would turn 180 degrees and attack from out of the sun at 12 o'clock high, aiming for the big bombers' cockpits. Sometimes they flew so close to their target that they had to zoom at the last instant to avoid the towering tail of the B-17. A two-gun chin turret was added to the B-17G model specifically to counter this head-on attack.

When attacking bombers from behind, the idea was to concentrate the attack by hurling one four-plane Schwarm after another at the target aircraft, quickly firing and then flying over the formation. Whether attacking from in front or behind, the German fighters often finished their attack with a split-S, while taking fire from the bombers' dorsal, tail, and belly guns, to open up as much distance from those guns as quickly as possible.

Other Luftwaffe tricks made life difficult for the American escorts. For example, as Mike Spick notes in Luftwaffe Fighter Aces, " ...one flight of ...FW 190s was sent down through the formation as a decoy; the remainder stayed above to fall on the Americans when they dove after the sacrificial flight." In the sudden, violent and confusing world of aerial combat, it was hard to resist the urge to follow any fighter that flew through the formation.

While German weaponry and tactics improved, the German fighter force was being worn down, with fewer and fewer experienced pilots left to lead the attack against the bombers. Bf 110s and Fw 190s armed with rockets and cannon, accompanied by Bf 109s flying top cover, broke up bomber formations and fell on the stragglers like wolves. These tactics were effective, but it was finally attrition that decided the outcome.

The appearance of the Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter allowed circumvention of the defending escorts altogether. In a technique pioneered by Luftwaffe pilots of the Kommando Nowotny, a Me-262 would approach the rear of an American formation at top speed (nearly 600 mph), bypassing the fighter screen. The German jet would then dive to a position roughly a mile behind and a quarter mile below the bombers, pull up into a high-g climb to scrub off airspeed and level off when even with the enemy formation. Now inside the screen of escorts and with a relatively slow closing speed with the bombers, the interceptor pilot could select a target, trigger a short burst from his four 30 mm cannon, roll inverted and dive away.

Notes

-You want as much distance between you and the bomber stream as you can get and still be able to see - and get to - the bomber group. The more distance you have, the more time you have to interfere with bandits on their way to the bombers. Escorts shouldn't hesitate to move beyond visual range of the bombers if they spot bandits further out.

-The escorts usually stay between 5,000 to 8,000 feet higher than the bombers, so as to have enough energy to turn into attacking fighters.

-The conventional wisdom is to stay with the bombers, to break off enemy fighters when they cease to be a threat, and especially not to follow enemy fighters to lower altitudes. This may or may not be the right response, depending upon the circumstances. In an event, where every downed pilot means one less enemy plane, it is often better to release some escorts to follow and kill known bandits, even if they are trying to leave. In an arena, where there are always more enemy planes to come, it is usually best to stay with the bombers rather than chase bandits.

-Maintain your position relative to the bombers by keeping your speed high and flying at angles to the bomber stream. You will be faster than the bombers, and the temptation is to throttle back and fly level with them. You can do this if you are sure no bandits are around, but otherwise, you want to keep your speed high so that when they do show up, you have the energy to deal with them. Stay in position by flying at angles to the bombers. For example, if the bombers are holding 90 degrees, fly 120 degrees for a while, then turn to 60 degrees until you're back in position, then repeat.

-If you have bandits hitting the bombers in a head-on pass, fire your guns at them, even if there's no hope of hitting them. A head-on pass is a tricky thing. It takes place at closure speeds of 500 mph or faster and aiming is very difficult. If the shooter flinches on the approach, it can mean the difference between a bomber kill and a clean miss. Fill the air with tracers, make him think he has to take evasive action or die.

We can use most of these tactics in the game, but we must adapt them to the small number of planes that each team has.For example we can have 5 bombers, 3 escorts in the front, 2 on left side, 2 on right side and 3 in the rear.

Good day my fellow forum dwellers. I am Heh, your friendly forum spammer and whale biologist. In this episode of "Heh's biology report on WoWP's fascinating creatures", we're gonna show you the slowest, biggest, and most graceful creatures of the aerial kingdom: sky whales.

Sky whale taxonomy:

 

Sky whales (Caleum Ceti), are big, slow lumbering creatures gracefully roaming at low altitudes in the WoWP maps. Like their marine counterparts, they tend to eat krill, but they only eat dead, highly oxygenated krill processed by ground targets. The sky whale will tend to use its teeth to chew the krill in either big chunks or rapid bites, depending on the sky whale's age. In order to move, sky whales use a powerful nose muscle that propels them forward at a graceful speed, except for the royal whales that we'll explain later. Due to metal birds flying all around, the sky whale needs to defend itself. Since it's too colossal in size and weight to evade them properly, they usually grow up with a dorsal defense system.

Sky whales tend to poop on big targets as well. A sky whale's poop is extremely explosive and radioactive, and some sky whales tend to poop to save their hides, much like a skunk. They also carry 8 explosive thorns at their child stages, which are usually not used, but some like using it to eat metal birds, as their taste is twice better than krill.
The glorious floating whales have 4 main evolution stages, from stubby clumsy newborns to healthy calves to fully grown adults. Those of royal blood are special, but we'll explain them later. Here's all 10 sky whale evolution stages at your fingertips:

Newborns:

Newborns are named TShes, which mean Ticklish Shy fellas. They tend to be only tickled by the planes they face and have to bite at a faster rate than piranhas! There are two varieties, which are very much the same:

TSh-1: Those are the first sky whales, and tend to be only a few days old with two fins. They have no teeth at first, but then they get their piranha bites as they grow up. Because it is a TSh, it tends to be quite a clumsy little thing, always struggling to turn. It loses poop storage organs for stronger teeth at one point, as well as for a stronger nose muscle. There have been rumors about it having thorns at that age, but it is considered a myth.

TSh-3: At this stage, they gain a single fin instead of two, and get 10 teeth that double in power afterwards. They also get a stronger dorsal defense system and regain their poop organs. That is the final stage of newborns for all sky whales.

Calves:

Calf life is very long in a sky whale's life. In fact, most sky whales are actually teenagers! They tend to develop incredible damage systems, better defense systems, and even fully destructive thorns. They tend to have closed backs at that point.

LBSh: After a painful moulting, the TSh loses its teeth and regains sharper ones, though not as potentially destructive as the tiny teeth in the TSh stages. It also gains more powerful poop. The most important development here is the access to some sort of turning ability though. This is the first Odontoceti, which are characterized by their HUGE teeth. The ones with shredding teeth are Mysticeti. All sky whale stages start with a Mysticeti stage except the TSh, IL-10 and royalty stages.

IL-2: Now the sky whale sheds its dorsal defense system off for much sharper teeth that take giant chunks out of ground targets. The sky whale also gains incredible agility compared to its younglings, and has incredibly thick skin impervious to tiny metal bird teeth. It relies on friendly metal birds to help it stay afloat, as its daddy and mommy are far away. It also gains its adult thorns at that point.

IL-2 t: After a painful post-moulting moment of paranoia, the sky whale is rewarded with a very dangerous dorsal defense system. Even though it keeps the same teeth, it loses them right after getting the DDS, which is frankly the same as the old one in its TSh-3 stage, and also losing its first teeth. However, it also gains VERY dangerous poop too. And thicker skin. It's a very formidable foe to any metal bird, but loses part of its newly found agility.

IL-8: Now the sky whale is in its preteen stages, and develops a VERY dangerous DDS. And has bigger teeth. It's an evil evil foe for anyone that stands in its way, unless it's a swallow. Swallows are the main enemy of every single sky whale, only being scared off by the great Moby Dick (tamed and trained by yours truly) and outran by royal whales. The IL-8 stage is just one of two teen moulting processes, and sacrifices all mobility for much larger teeth and stronger blubber, making it part of the Odontoceti suborder.

IL-10: This is another moulting process a sky whale can go through if it hates the immobility of the IL-8 stage. The sky whale then becomes faster and the most agile sky whale of all stages. It's still a Mysticeti and is usually neglected due to how slow it grows and how it isn't as armored, but it's still a fearsome evolution with the NR teeth, capable of dealing the same degree of damage the TShes dealt to the enemies around them. However, unlike the IL-8 stage, it has access to the NR, which helps it grow to a fully well-bred adult sky whale faster.

Adult whales:

All of them are notable by their big heads. Hell, all of them are actually so alike that we call them IL-20s.

IL-20: In this stage, there's a GIANT leap in sky whale puberty. It's even the end of sky whale puberty, as out comes a fully grown sky whale. It gains an extremely powerful DDS called the NR. At this stage, some sky whale riders name them. Adult sky whale poop is massive and can wipe an HQ out with just one poo. An adult sky whale's teeth change from the shredder teeth in its adolecent stages to the biggest teeth in whale growth ever. The most popular sky whale of them all is the legendary Moby Dick, with his trusty tailgun named Ivan.

That marks the end of common sky whale growth. However, some whales are royal whales named IL-40s.

IL-40: This whale returns to grinder teeth, relegating it to a Mysticeti, but this time, they are all on the nose of the whale. Its thorns are seemingly similar to the old ones, but they have a larger blast radius. The main thing that characterizes a royal whale though is the change from a nose propelling muscle to a powerful gas sac, located near the tail. The gas sac allows the king whale to move a lot faster than a commoner whale and also glide at high altitudes. Also known as the King Whale. However, Moby basically hates royalty. He prefers a democratic system.

IL-40P: This is the final stage of sky whale royalty, also known as the Emperor whale, which Moby hates even more because once again, he prefers democracy. It is also known as the pig whale, mainly because of its nose. Even though it's laughed at by the other sky whales because of the nose, the Emperor is still the scariest sky whale ever. There are less teeth, but they're all more powerful to the point of dealing more damage and having more precision than the King whale. The speed is absolutely ridiculous, capable of outrunning most sky dolphins. But what characterizes it is the EXTREMELY thick blubber. Nothing has thicker blubber than the Emperor. With all these aspects combined, the Emperor whale is truly the most dangerous sky whale on the field, and should be treated with absolute caution and should be taken out immediately before it annihilates every ground target.

Mutant whales:

When I went back in here, I discovered new kinds of sky whales not in the normal sky whale tree. I'll call them mutant whales.

Pegas: A baby whale, similar to the TShes. Anyway, it has a single tooth that's remarkably powerful when playing with baby sky dolphins, and quite decently thick blubber. It lacks a DDS, but it can carry poop sacks at such a young age. It is also the most agile sky whale in existence, though a lot less agile than baby sky dolphins, which are extremely agile.

BSh: This one was part of the LBSh stages, but it developed the traits at such a young age. The strange thing about this creature is that it's STRICTLY a Mysticeti unlike the LBSh, which is an Odontoceti. While the DDS is also poor, it has the remarkable ability to drop a lot of poop. We people at the Bureau of Aeromarine Biology thought that the record holder for most poop was the skorca in the Fw 57 stage, but the BSh poops more, even though its poop is smaller. Not one creature poops more than the BSh.

Sh-Tandem: Also known as the ShT whale or the Tandem whale. This is by far the most intriguing discovery I've seen. It's strikingly similar to the BSh, but it has one thing that sets it aside: it has a tail on the bottom. This was an atrocious design that shocked the BAB. Now, it has a more powerful nose muscle, but it carries the same amount of poop as the LBSh. But this is not the weird part folks. The weird part is that it can perfectly imitate a SKORCA. The Tandem whale has the climbing ability of an I-16 sky walrus, thus causing massive shock to those that try energy fighting. The mobility is also tied with the Pegas, but the Tandem is a tier 5. Thankfully it lacks proper teeth, as it would scare every sky whale if it had LBSh teeth. Overall, the Tandem is the weirdest sky whale to glide in the skies of the WoWP universe. An absolute beauty.

Now, let's talk about whale blubber:

-Sky whales are hunted by Swallows for their thick blubber, which is basically a very powerful growth accelerator. Some sky whales have been known to eat their own kind, mainly the legendary Moby.

-Apparently sky whale blubber tastes like crackers, while royal sky whale blubber tastes like honey-coated waffles.
Now, this is the story of how I met Moby Dick, and the story behind him:

One peaceful day, an alpha player was talking to me about finding a sky whale to ride. I always doubted them back in the day, cause I was always a mobility lover. But then, I saw a little sky whale sitting at a shop. He seemed lonely as no one picked him, so of course I adopted him. Had to trade in a cookie for him. And then, I took him out for a walk, then I saw metal birds all up in the air, of the biplane ethnicity. I then commanded him to stay down and smack ground targets, then I noticed, at a pretty young age, his anti-air potential. That's when I had a goal: To make the greatest whale of all time, and ride it.

So I was training my good old Moby all the time, till when I made him poop by accident and I watched a monoplane disintergrate behind him. I then discovered that sky whale poop CAN have the range to beat up people chasing him for blubber. That was in his little IL-8 stage; you can just imagine how cute and curious he was back then. :3

At his adolecence, Moby started to hate other whales. That's when he neglected my usual orders and then punched a younger whale down to the floor. I then found out that Moby had an EXCELLENT talent when it came to beating up his own kind, and then it evolved to effectively beating up anything in front of him. My Moby was starting to no longer be the calf I raised, but a legend.

When he became a beautiful and very graceful sky whale, he had a pretty white color. Then I noticed he could knock out the fastest enemies, sometimes even ALPHA ACES (sometimes) down with his bigger poo. Then I found that his tailgunner was all drunk (no duh, as always), so I took that tailgunner to rehab, and that's where Ivan's famous accuracy came from. Do not tell me how he became sober. Then when Moby had his big teeth, he loved eating up P-51s that are stupid enough to hit ground targets. Then, inspiring from Corsairs in the wild, I taught him how to aim his rockets. Somewhat. And then, he started to FARM metal birds, laughed at everyone on his tail at low alt, always pooped on carriers, making their captains yell at him all the time. And then, he scored his signature triple ace, with a double ground ace, and then he was in the history books, incarnated as Moby: The Whale Whaler. He sits quietly in the hangar nowadays, but I still love him.

And that guys, is how I met Moby, and also the end of my documentary.

Supreme edit to relieve everyone:

How to make the DDS work to your advantage:

We know, the DDS is extremely freaking drunk on vodka and all. However, there's a way for a skilled sky whale to cope with that. Basically, it moves its dorsal fin in a way to move AWAY from the enemy (or yawing). For some odd reason, it seems that the DDS aims where the plane is, not where it WILL be due to weird sky whale anatomy, so if one whale yaws away, it might just lead the DDS teeth stream TO the enemy bird's next location, and so it gets magical results. I've never noticed it since as an Ace Combat addict, I'm very very used to yawturning, but then I stopped yawing back when I still played really, and by god the shots didn't connect that well. Then some adult skorca (I remember his name, but I'm not telling you incompetent fools) tried attacking me, and when Moby yawed, 50-75% of the burst kept connecting and he went down surprisingly fast. The reason why it works when you go in a straight line is because the enemy is ALSO forced to fly in a straight line to damage you, and so there is barely any leading needed, and so the shots connect better.

Sky whale camo: It's as existent as Manbearpig. Really.

Edit: GODDAMMIT WG STOP UPDATING SO FAST
This here is an actual guide, just in documentary format.

CrashTailspin's Guide to Successful Heavy Fighter Operation

Hey everyone!

This guide was written to give players some tips, hints, and tactics to get the most effective use out of their heavy fighters.  Note:  I said Heavy Fighters, not "bombers".  These aircraft were not specifically designed to fly straight and level like a heavy bomber.  With their speed and potent armament, they excel in high-speed slashing attacks against even the most armored aircraft.  However, this speed and firepower comes at a price:  reduced maneuverability.  The following information will help you maximize your heavy fighter's strong points while minimizing its weaknesses.


Rule 1:  GET ALTITUDE!
At the beginning of a match, nearly all aircraft start at very close to the same altitude.  Most players choose to remain at the altitude they start at, too.  However, gaining altitude at the beginning of a match gives you several advantages, especially in a Heavy Fighter:

• It gives you a better vantage point of the battle map.
  
• It allows you to better choose which target you want to attack.
  
• It acts as stored energy (since diving converts altitude into airspeed).
  
• A diving attack gives an enemy less of an opportunity to mount a counter-attack

An efficient method of gaining altitude is to enter a boost-assisted climb at a constant airspeed.  This allows you to gain altitude without reducing your most important asset - your speed.  However, you do not want to exhaust all of your boost in the initial climb.  I recommend using at most 50% of your boost.  This allows you to attain a respectable altitude while conserving the rest of your boost for potential egress climbs (more on that later).


Rule 2:  PICK AN APPROPRIATE TARGET
Once at an effective altitude, targets will start to appear.  You may be tempted to engage the first target you see, but I would advise against it.  Look around first and determine which target would be best to engage first.  Here's a few characteristics of proper targets to engage first:

• Aircraft which are unaware of your presence or are currently occupied.  Tell-tale signs of this are aircraft flying in a straight line or on a ground attack run.
  
• Aircraft that are weaker and / or have less firepower (think Japanese fighters / I-16s / lower-tier fighters).  Tehese fighters can typically be destroyed in a single pass and at longer range (due to your cannon) if engaged early and adequate hits are maintained.
  
• An aircraft carrying ordinance.  External ordinance weighs an aircraft down and adds drag, reducing its maneuverability and top speed.  Also, these aircraft are more likely to be focued on attack ground targets, taking their attention away from incoming enemy attackers (see previous tip under this rule).

Occasionally, you will encounter fighters at your altitude.  If this is the case, stop boosting (if you are - you want the most time for your guns to be on-target), aim true, fire as soon as the lead indicator shows up, don't let off the trigger, and plan to break off early if you don't take out the target in time to avoid a collision.  ALWAYS ATTEMPT TO AVOID A COLLISION!  You don't do your team any good if you die in a head-on collision.

Rule 3:  ATTACK IN A HIGH-SPEED PASS / AVOID THE TURNFIGHT
Once you've chosen an appropriate target, it's time to start your attack run.  From your altitude advantage, dive down on your target, and open fire once they're in range.  Here's some tips to achieve maximum damage to the (hopefully) unsuspecting target:

• Try not to overshoot!  Heavy fighters are fast, but you'll do yourself no good if you pass your target before you destroy it.  To avoid this, reduce your throttle (if you have a joystick), or flat-out idle your throttle (keyboard / mouse users) to avoid gaining too much airspeed in your dive.  Also, every aircraft has an "effective speed range".  Overspeeding this range makes the aircraft sluggish to respond to control inputs, potentially causing you to dive right into the ground (and that's bad).
  
• Once you're in range of the target (your lead indicator gets brighter), start firing and DON'T LET UP until you either destroy the target or egress from the attack.  Enemy aircraft left at 1% health can still deal damage.  Better to finish them off then to leave them damaged.
  
• Try at all costs to stay out of a turning engagement.  Heavy Fighters are large, heavy aircraft - nowhere near as light or nimble as their Light Fighter or Carrier-Borne Fighter counterparts.  As such, they cannot turn as well, and are easy prey if caught in a turning engagment.

Rule 4:  EGRESS THE AREA IN A CLIMB
After your attack run, it's time to get out of the engagement, get some range from the enemy, so you can turn around safely and re-engage.  Here's some tips to effectively re-engage with success:

• After your attack run is through, enter a climb at about a 45 degree angle (it doesn't have to be perfect).  This helps accomplish two things - DISTANCE FROM THE ENEMY and ALTITUDE ABOVE THE ENEMY.
  
  • Too steep of a climb doesn't provide enough distance from the enemy (and reduces your airspeed too much).
    
  • Too shallow of a climb doesn't allow for enough altitude above the enemy to re-engage in a diving attack.
• Once the area is clear (typically ~2,400ft / ~800m from the previous target) and no other enemies are immediately near, turn to either re-engage or pick a new target and repeat the process.

Rule 5:  FIGHT ON YOUR TERMS
Eventually, you WILL get an enemy on your tail.  However, do not fret.  There are several tactics which work particularly well against enemy pursuers:

• If you've got boost (and you should), USE IT!  Enter a fairly steep climb and hit the boost.  Most fighters have only half the boost duration that Heavy Fighters do, and are somewhat slower as well.  This combination allows you to pull away from an enemy in a climb.  Enter your boost climb, and once the enemy is around ~2,400ft / ~800m, turn around to re-engage your new target.
  
• If you're out of boost, get some altitude while keeping as much airspeed as you can and find some friendly fighters.  The F7 key is the default macro for "Clear My Tail!", and puts a little "SOS" above your aircraft for friendlies to see, letting them know that you've got an enemy on your tail, and need some help shaking him.
  
• If friendlies are in short supply, try to find some friendly ground targets.  Friendly targets quite often have at least one (and sometimes multiple) AA guns, which can damage the enemy.  The friendly base is full of them, and when loitered over, can significantly damage (or even destroy) an enemy fighter.
  
• Remember, whatever you do, AVOID A TURNING ENGAGEMENT!  As previously stated, Heavy Fighters don't work too well in a turning battle.  If you see an enemy attempting to lure you into a steep turning battle, get into your egress climb, boost away, and if need be, completely avoid engaging the more maneuverable fighter.

Rule 6:  BOMB EARLY, BOMB QUICKLY
Let's review a couple concepts in regard to external ordinance and ground attack concepts (for a better review, check out my Guide to Successful Low-Tier Attack Aircraft Operation):

• External oridnance (i.e. Bombs and Rockets) add additional weight and drag, reducing maneuverability, acceleration, and top speed.
  
• Heavy Fighters are NOT armored like similarly-tiered Russian Ground Attack aircraft
  
• Heavy Fighters do not receive as much camoflage bonus a Ground Attack aircraft when they fly at low altitude
  
• A Heavy Fighter's optimum altitude is typically not low-level

With these concepts in mind, it's beneficial for Heavy Fighters that are carrying bombs to rush to the target they're attacking, drop their bombs, and then do what they do best - fast, slashing attacks.  If you're carrying bombs and looking for targets to hit, here are my recommendations:

• Get to your optimum altitude and gain airspeed.  This gets you to your target faster than diving to the deck, where your aircraft doesn't operate as well.
  
• Stay at altitude until you find a target to your liking.  Once you're close, enter a dive until you see the bomb reticule on-target.  Once on-target, drop your bomb (or bombs), find a new target, drop your bombs again, and regain altitude.
  
• ALWAYS BE AWARE OF ENEMY FIGHTERS!  Even though you're at altitude, you're typically going to be flying in a straight line, which makes you an easy target.  If you see an enemy approaching (other than head-on), do not be afraid to dump your bombs and run.  Staying alive outweighs dying after taking out a single ground target.

TO SUMMARIZE

Use speed an altitude to your advantage.

Avoid entering a turning engagement.

If using bombs, get to your target early.

Remember, each battle is different.  What works in one may not work in another.  These rules and tips are general in nature and are not meant for any specific engagement.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Well, I've tried several games since last patch, and read feedback...  I think I've found the words to describe my feelings now.

Less Epic.

The biggest thing for me personally is the game now feels less epic.

It certainly seemed like we were going the other direction - brits added, lots of new planes, new premiums to try, lots of stuff to fly - and there was probably stuff in the recent patches that made folks happy.

The biggest thing I've noticed, though, is I die faster.

I know - this seems like a 'sour grapes' kind of answer - I don't like the new patch, because I personally don't do nearly as well as I used to with the new mechanics - and, to be fair and honest, that IS part of it. But I also think it changes the overall feel of the game for me, too.

If I found myself on the wrong end of a 2 or 3 vs 1 in the past - I'd trust my flying skills, use the strengths of my plane, evade until I had a shot, then maybe take a bad guy out. Played well and smartly, I had a chance - worst case, I'd tie up several enemy aircraft engaging me for a few minutes, while in theory my friends either came to help, or fought their battles at better odds (since I was tying up bad guy planes...)  Even 4 or 5 on 1, I could go full defensive, and trust that I could survive for a significant portion of time, maybe even run to friends. On days I didn't get grouped, I was capable of aces fairly often, and loved to see those epic matches where things just fell in to place, and I could turn the tide for my team with a LOT of kills. Heck, initially I was thrilled with the inclusion of the new medals - I figured now I'd have more than a screenshot to celebrate a 10+ kill match. These to me were epic matches - I was outnumbered, but persevered and overcame the odds through skill. Or, maybe I didn't - but had a fun 90 to 120 seconds frantically dodging fire from four opponents while the battle raged elsewhere. Or the guy on my tail was as good or better than I, and proved it over my flaming wreckage - even then, it was an outcome that felt like skill mattered in an epic battle.

But...

...I can't dodge fire anymore, and don't live long enough to do any of that. If I am outnumbered and have a couple on my tail (heck, even one) I can't dodge - well, more accurately, I CAN dodge, but take damage anyway. I rarely live long enough to get more than 2 or 3 kills. Boom and Zoom fighters - well, I see why folks rave about them now, as the heavy firepower means you can swat planes out of the air and maybe keep folks off your tail that way - but I liked the little, fragile turnfighters, and the current mechanics, for me, make these frustrating to play. I have managed to get a few aces since the patch, some in turnfighters...  but the thing is, now it's all about being timid. Hiding behind your team, hoping to swarm some other poor fighter on a 4 or 5 on one, hoping you don't get rammed by a teammate in the process - because if you engage, with closer to even odds, you'll end up with one on YOUR tail, and that now spells death or serious damage (where in the past, it meant going defensive and having a good chance of evading, depending on the skill of the other pilot - but that's gone now...) Used to be I'd pay attention, see the boom and zoomers coming, and evade, and at least survive to keep fighting. Now, yeah, I still see them coming - but when I do, it's only to realize I'm about to be wiped from the field. (I feel boom and zoom with their superior firepower really ARE the way to play now; the big guns with added accuracy mean lots of derp kills, or so it seems to the guy flying the fragile light fighters...)

It's now all about shooting first. Now, this also means it's about getting position (and the upper hand) quickly - and that's OK; position should be important in an air combat game. But you should also be capable of a reversal if you find yourself in a bad spot and recognize it soon enough - and I don't see that right now; it's more if you're in a bad spot, you die. Recognizing it just means you see it coming.

Now, I'm very much against lone wolf tactics - I don't want to give the idea that I think all planes should be on their own, solo against the enemy team. I do think an element of 3 or 4 should feel fairly confident, though - knowing that even if they hit a larger element of 6 or 8, they could effectively fight until help arrives or (worst case) they can fight effectively on their own with a chance to pull out a win. I just don't see that now - if you're outnumbered, then there's one on your tail; if there's one on your tail you can't avoid taking damage, and if you can't avoid taking damage you will eventually die.

So the smart tactics seem to be to play timid - only engage where you have overwhelming odds. In today's games I've seen the return of my least favorite strategy from a few patches ago - where the whole team stays in one big 15-plane amoeba and roams the battlefield, swallowing smaller groups as it finds them. it used to be folks would do that because the starting positions kind of started you out that way - now I hear cries of 'Form up and head for the middle!' and I think it's fueled by folks knowing that they can't get a bad guy on their tail, and like a herd of zebras, the best way to keep a predator off YOUR tail is stay with the herd.

OK, so, engaging when you have an advantage is a good strategy - I'm not going to argue that. What I AM going to say (from my own personal opinion) is that the game is about fighter air combat - and fighters are inherently offensive weapons. I don't know too many fighter pilots who have a herd mentality, or want to stay in the middle of 15 friends to feel safe. Staying with a wingman (or 3 or 4) - sure, smart thinking, but this is to prevent you getting outnumbered to the point where you can't be on offense at all; you shouldn't feel you have to hide in a swarm to be effective.

So, here's the end result for me personally. You may disagree - and I respect those who do; this is just my opinion.

1) Battles are less epic - I die faster, and have generally less effect on the outcome than before. This may be intentional; but I still don't like it.
2) Planes are forced into tactics that emphasize never getting shot at (pure boom and zoom, herd tactics) vs. merely never being hugely outnumbered.
3) The end result for me is a product that feels less fun than it was a few patches ago.
4) You shouldn't have to have a timid zebra mentality in an air combat game. Granted, you can't go all king of the jungle and charge in by yourself - you need to play smart. But there's smart and then there's timid, and I think we're on the timid side right now.

I've got my preorders - and (despite recently learning it may be possible to cancel) I may be on for the ride on this roller coaster; I'm reminded that the patches giveth and the patches taketh away, so I'm hoping for patches down the road that restore some of the epic feel to the matches. And it's not an awful game in the current incarnation - it just feels less fun than it has been. I'm hoping we can put some of that feel back at some point.

Until then, I'll play a few matches, get a couple kills a game before dying, get frustrated, and go play something else - and repeat.

One last parting shot - I haven't been around lately, so some of you may not know me. So...  I'm a 5000 hour military pilot (i.e. I do know a little about real airplanes) and I've got nearly 5000 battles logged between closed and open Beta. This does NOT mean that I'm automatically right - the above post is purely my opinion, and it may very well not match any one else's impressions of the game (and, for the record, I very much resent any of us using the 'I've got a ton of battles so you have to listen to me!!!' argument). What I AM hoping to prevent is the 'learn to play, noob!' comments - I do know how to play, a little, I'm just irritated with the current state of things and expressing my opinion. I welcome opposing opinions if you have them, but let's keep it game-mechanics related if at all possible and be civil to each other!

Good Hunting!

Psyrenn

StormTroopr

Life Blood Of This Game - Soon To Arrive
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We all know the REAL BEGINNING and the ULTIMATE TEST OF THIS GAME is about to take place very soon. Also, we must all known that the future and longevity of this great game is completely dependant on the influx of many new players.
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I personally feel, and sincerely hope we ALL feel the same and will make every effort to welcome new players to the World Of War Planes game and it’s environment.  However, after reading some recent Forum Posts and seeing comments made during Battle Missions we must be more understanding and tolerant of new players and current players with little skills during their start.
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Calling any players names and using unfriendly or showing a critical or disrespectful attitude towards them is not going to make them feel welcomed or encourage them to keep playing the game and grind-it-out to become experienced.
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Currently this game has many players who have contributed  much time and effort in trying to improve this game for the benefit of all. This same effort or even more must be extended to all new player’s so they can learn this game and will continue to play this game.
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There is no doubt that within the coming weeks and months our/your patience will be tested by inexperienced new players/flyers. Currently with many seasoned player’s who skill and ability levels range from Low to Crazy Good new player’s will find it extremely tough to learn and survive the game play.
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Let’s NOT make it any harder on the new player’s as this game will not survive unless the player base is increased considerably.
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So might I suggest ... “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, Then DON’T Say Anything At All”
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*** Sorry for the OVERSIZE Font, as these font sizes are available in the Editor I did not know there was a restriction on which could be used ... Sorry Again.

Pilots!

We figured since our collection will continue to grow, it would be nice to have all our Youtube videos in one spot.
So we will post them all here from now on!

Thanks for watching!

~Hathore

CrashTailspin's Guide to Successful Low-Tier Ground Attack Aircraft Operation

Hey everyone!

This guide is written to give players a few hints, tips, and tactics to getting the most out of their first few Russian Ground Attack aircraft.  These aircraft have a playstyle that's different from most other aircraft.  They're large, slow, and significantly less maneuverable than other aircraft currently in-game.  However, this does not mean that they don't play an important role on each team.  I'm here to explain how to best utilize these aircraft in order to achieve more kills, and in doing so score more wins.


Rule 1:  Get LOW and Stay LOW!
In Build 0.3.4, aircraft concealment with relation to altitude was introduced.  The closer an aircraft flies to the ground, the more it's concealed ("stealth mode").  This effect is greatest for Ground Attack aircraft, and least for fighters.  The lower you fly, the more you're concealed (starting at 200m off the ground).

The best way to take advantage of this is simple:

• As soon as the battle starts, start diving for the deck.  Not only will this get you camouflaged faster from enemy pursuit aircraft, but it will also give you a slight increase in airspeed, getting you to the enemy targets faster.

Also, if you proceed to an enemy target at a low altitude, you give the enemy AA guns less of a target to shoot at, in contrast to a high-altitude level bomb drop, where all of your aircraft's underside is exposed.

In addition, a high-flying Ground Attack aircraft is an easy target to pick off for a wandering fighter.  Also, most GA aircraft have very poor rear gun depression, which means that fighters can attack from below and not have to worry about taking damage from a tail gunner.  Place that same GA aircraft at low altitude and now the fighter has to worry not only about the tail gunner, but also smacking into the ground.

REMEMBER:  Unseen is safe.  Try to stay that way.


Rule 2:  Choose an approach route and STICK TO IT!
Before the battle starts (or as soon as you spawn into battle), survey where you're at, where the enemy Headquarters is (denoted on the minimap by a flag inside a red circle), and determine what route you're going to take to get there.  Typically, a route along the outer parts of the map will keep you (relatively) safe from roving enemy fighters, and provide enemy ground targets to take out along the way.

Here's the big thing - DO NOT get caught up in an early dogfight! You effectively remove yourself from the entire battle if you attempt to chase an enemy aircraft, no matter how tempting it is.  You're here to DESTROY GROUND TARGETS.  Go do that.

Tip 2a:  Attempt to take out the Headquarters AT ALL COSTS

The Headquarters (or Aircraft Carrier on some maps) is the strongest and most heavily guarded enemy target on the map, and for good reason:

ITS DESTRUCTION NETS 3 SUPERIORITY POINTS AND REDUCES ENEMY AA GUN ACCURACY

Your primary goal should be to survive long enough to take out this target.  A 3-point swing in supremacy points could be enough to cause your team to gain the advantage, and at the very least inaccurate enemy AA gun fire helps out the entire team from taking any additional damage.

As previously stated, the Headquarters is strong - usually at least 3 times the HP of other ground targets.  If you've got large bombs equipped, one well-placed bomb should take it out.  However, if you have lighter bombs equipped, you may need to use two bombs, and even then have to come around on a strafing run to completely take it out.

Tip 2b:  Use ordinance APPROPRIATELY

A Ground Attack aircraft can only carry so much ordinance (bombs and rockets), and as such it should be used judiciously.  Most GA aircraft can take out a target in one pass with only their guns.  However, the use of guns will break your "stealth mode" and allow enemy fighters to spot you much easier.

Herein lies the trade-off:  do you use your ordinance early and maintain concealment, or do you save your ordinance and use your guns to take out targets as you proceed to the headquarters?

The answer to this varies with situation.  If there's a lot of enemy fighters overhead, I tend to use ordinance.  However, if I don't see any enemy fighters nearby, I'll typically use guns only, saving the bombs and rockets for a later time.  

The IL-2 is an exception to the rule.  With 8 rockets and 4 bombs, it's got ordinance to spare.  With the IL-2 I typically wait until I'm about 3,000ft (1,000m) away from a target, then fire one rocket while I strafe it with cannon, repeating this process to as many targets as possible while still proceeding to the enemy Headquarters.  This allows a player to conserve the IL-2s ordinance while still keeping the cannons cool enough to take out targets in one pass.  However, in a Tier 5-7 match, ground targets are strong enough to require multiple rockets AND cannon fire to destroy it in one pass.

Tip 2c:  AVOID CIRCLING A TARGET prior to the Headquarters

If you attack a ground target but fail to destroy it, keep on flying toward the enemy HQ.  DO NOT TURN AROUND!

Why?

Simple:  every time you attack a ground target, that enemy's minimap pings the location of the ground target you just attacked.  By turning around to re-attack it, you're giving the enemy more time to "fly to the ping", find you, and take you out.  Also, by loitering in one spot, you're delaying the destruction of the enemy Headquarters.

Once enough enemy fighters are destroyed, loitering an area to destroy all the ground targets is permissible, so long as the remaining fighters are not nearby or pose a threat to you.

Rule 3: If attacked, Fight on YOUR TERMS
Eventually, every Ground Attack aircraft will take some sort of enemy aircraft fire.  This does not have to mean an instant death for the GA pilot.  Here's some tips to survive (and even thrive) in an aerial engagement:

Tip 3a:  Ask For and Find HELP!

In-game Chat Macros are wonderful things.  They're a quick way to place a chat message to your team and also place a symbol over your aircraft visualizing what you've requested.  The default "F7" key is "Clear My Tail!", with an "SOS" symbol placed above your aircraft.  The "F4" key is "Cover Me" as well.  A combination of these will let your team know that you're in need of fighter support.

If the Headquarters is destroyed and you're out of ordinance, a viable option is to head towards friendly fighters and AA guns.  Any extra friendly firepower in a fight is a good thing, and closing the gap between you and your teammates can help shorten the time it takes to get those guns on target.

Tip 3b:  Maneuver SMARTLY, but not EXCESSIVELY

A maneuvering aircraft is harder to hit than an aircraft flying straight and level.  With this in mind, a GA pilot should keep changing direction.  Bobbing and weaving or a horizontal scissors maneuver (sharp change in the opposite direction when the enemy pursuer changes theirs) gives your tail gunner the most time to engage the enemy.

However, do not attempt any steep pitch attitudes.  You will NOT out-climb an enemy pursuer, and your aircraft generally does not have enough power to climb (at a reasonable speed) for an extended period of time.  What will most likely occur is a stall, which makes you an easy target.  This completely goes against Rule 1.

You can use your slow speed to your advantage in some cases.  If an aircraft of lower tier is chasing you, and your tail gunner has a clear shot, you can actually SLOW DOWN to draw the enemy closer and potentially overshoot you.  The closer the enemy, the more damage your tail gunner can do.  Smart maneuvering and a low airspeed can keep the enemy close enough for the tail gunner to hit while minimizing the amount of damage you sustain.

Finally, try to avoid engaging enemy aircraft AT ALL with ordinance equipped.  A ground attack aircraft has poor maneuverability in general, and any ordinance still equipped will bring down the aircraft's maneuverability even more.  Simply dropping bombs or firing rockets to get rid of them to dogfight should be the absolute LAST RESORT possible.  If there's a ground target still standing, your ordinance should be used on that if at all possible.

To summarize:

Get low and stay there.  Stick to your route.  Take out targets enroute to the enemy Headquarters.  Take out the Headquarters, whatever you do.  Don't pretend to fly like a fighter.  Stay alive!

Remember, each battle is different.  What works in one may not work in another.  These rules and tips are general in nature and are not meant for any specific engagement.

Good luck, and happy ground target killing!

I had posted this in another thread and decided it is probably better used as its own thread.

Here is a crash course of using the new axes graphs to adjust for sensitivity/precision and getting the joystick properly setup for the game.

Note: I will be showing how to adjust the axes via the yaw axis because this is the only axes I have still linear.


Basic Overview of the Joystick Settings

First thing you need to press ESC, click settings and change the control scheme to Joystick.  (if yours is bugged and shows all joystick or another control scheme, then select through them till the Adjust Joystick Axes button appears.)  Now press the Adjust Joystick Axes button (button encase in red in picture.)


This will bring up the Axes graphs, each axis has its own graph, Roll, Pitch, Yaw, Thrust and Boost (green section), how the game reads your stick (orange section), deadzone and invert axis (red section), and what axis to set for each axis in game (blue section).


Make sure that the orange section reads your joystick all centered, if this is not the case, then exit the game and re-calibrate it via Windows Game Controller screen.  (Google this if you can not find it for your Operating System.)

Now for each Axes on the left, make sure that each one has the proper axis assigned to your joystick (blue section).  Also make sure that it is not set as Axis # (Default Controller), inside the (  ) should have your Joystick Name, like it does for my Extreme 3D Pro in the yellow section of the picture.


You will also notice that there is no sensitivity slider anymore. this is done via the graph.

How to read the Graph

This is what the graph looks line in default state:


The bottom of the graph (horizontal plane or the yellow line) is the representation of the physical joystick positions (or %).  Each graph line represents 5 points in a scale of 0-100 points.
The left side of the graph (vertical plane or the orange line) is the representation rate of roll, pitch, or yaw (or %).  Each graph line represents 5 points in a scale of 0-100 points.

Setting up the Curves

Each graph has 8 movable points, green section, you can add (left clicking anywhere on the graph) or remove (right clicking the point) from the graph and 2 stationary points (0 and 100 and are not displayed). Note: In default state only 1 point is displayed.

In a default state, the graphs shows a 45 degree line from 0 to 100.  This is also known as a Linear curve.  What this represents is that all points are 1:1.  For example, if my joystick is at 50% axis then the game will roll, yaw or pitch the plane 50%.


Now with the picture above you will see a non-linear curve. I have plotted 3 points, 15%, 25% and 35% of the Joystick Position, also these points are at the 5%, 20% and 35% of the Rate of Pitch, Roll, Yaw.

What does this mean? Well, what it means is that when my joystick is at 15% of the axis the game will represent the rate of pitch, roll, or yaw at 5%, at 25% joystick axis at 20% and at 35% joystick axis at 35%.  This also will lower the sensitivity of my joystick at these said points because they are not outputting the same % as what my joystick is positioned at.

Basically how you will look at the graph is anything below the 45 degree line will lower the sensitivity and anything above the 45 degree line will raise the sensitivity.

Also you will be doing a lot of tweaking of the graph at this stage till you can find a curve that will work for you.

Examples

The picture below will show how I lowered the rate by 5%, which is pretty much still a linear curve just adjusted lower.


What this curve below achieves is that from 0 to 35% it reduces the sensitivity of the rate of pitch, roll, or yaw near the center of the joystick, this also will allow more precision tuning of the plane at the center of the joystick.  Then after 35% its the same linear 1:1 curve for the remainder of the joystick positions.


Now my curve that I use looks like this:
(do not look at the additional points that I have in my curve, this is advanced modding of the xml to get more then the 8 points to adjust, I am just using my curve itself as an example)
This is my old curve.

This curves overall has a slight lower sensitivity.  In the center of my joystick its lowered to where I feel I have the best fine tuning for me then it rolls back up in sensitivity around 30-50% of my joystick then it rolls down in sensitivity again after 50% to about 99% to give me even more fine tuning at this point (this would be used more in a turn fight because this is roughly where my joystick is when I am lining up a shot) then at 100% stick it gives me the full rate of pitch or roll.

My new curve as of 4/17/13, both pitch and roll are different curves now:



Well I hope this helps explains the graphs a bit.  I am not sure if I went enough in detail.  If you have any questions just leave it here or PM me.

Dear Developers and Fellow Community Members,

 

After reading a lot of the 'nerf this' threads, and playing a little over 100 battles in the release version of World of Warplanes, I have several suggestions that I think would change the course of the game for the better. Please be aware that some of my suggestions may seem very complicated. This is because I (would like to think) understand a lot of the theories behind advanced air combat tactics, and I see where the game falls short in terms of allowing us to use these tactics effectively. Now, before you say 'World of Warplanes is supposed to be a sim-cade'... I want it to remain a 'sim-cade'. If I wanted to play a simulation, I would go play one of the DCS games. What I want from World of Warplanes is exactly what was advertised, a game that's easy to learn, but hard to master. Originally, it was advertised that this would be accomplished through simplifying advanced flight mechanics to the point where players tell their aircraft what to do, and it would manage all the systems for them. (We wouldn't have to adjust propeller pitch, fuel mixture, etc) According to this vision for the game, player skill should have much more impact than the 'Random Number Generator'.

 

So, with all that, let's get down to business.

 

---

 

How World of Warplanes Plays Now:

 

Currently, World of Warplanes plays like this... Player A decides to fly a heavily armed aircraft, which also happens to have the best climb rate at-tier. Player B wants to fly something with medium firepower, but lots of maneuverability. Player A right off the start uses his advantage in climb rate to move his gun platform approximately 1000 meters higher than Player B is able to climb. Right now, RNG (Random Number Generator) automatically gives Player A a massive advantage over Player B as gun damage from above is increased.

 

Altitude increases gun damage output.

 

This means, not only did Player A start with more firepower than Player B, he also started with the ability to climb higher, and thus grab that all-important firepower boost from RNG. Now, don't get me wrong, Player B still has the maneuverability advantage if Player A decides to try to engage in maneuvering combat. But let's say Player A is a smart player... He will never attempt maneuvering combat with Player B. He's going to use his speed and altitude advantage to avoid Player B's maneuvering advantage. This is how Player A should use his aircraft. This automatically puts Player B at the disadvantage as he has to play a defensive game. Air combat is about grabbing the offensive and keeping it. Traditionally this has been accomplished by gaining an altitude advantage on your opponent.

 

Why is the altitude advantage so important?

 

The altitude advantage is important for several reasons.

• Air combat is based on energy management (you'll see me refer to this as 'Energy Fighting'). A successful pilot balances his Kinetic (airspeed) Energy and Potential (altitude) Energy to manage his situation. 
• Having the altitude advantage gives you a potential energy advantage going into the combat.
• Having the altitude advantage means you get to initiate the combat at the time and place of your choosing. If you're below, you will lose a LOT of kinetic energy to gather potential energy. This leaves you vulnerable to a 'bounce' from the pilot with the energy advantage.
• Holding the altitude advantage means you will be able to perform any maneuver your opponent performs, while having more energy than he does. This gives you a very apparent advantage after the maneuver.

 

So, now that we know why the altitude advantage is so important, let's continue our discussion.

 

We now have Player A who has these advantages...

1. Altitude
2. Firepower
3. Airspeed
4. Durability

...and Player B who has these advantages...

1. Maneuverability

 

It is very obvious from this point who is going to win. Sadly, there are still several more things that Player A has in his favor...

• RNG - Altitude advantage = extra firepower
• RNG - Altitude advantage = extra accuracy

 

So, that is how the game currently plays. Let's get on to what's wrong with that, and then how to fix it.

 

---

 

So, you may say 'Player A worked to gain those advantages and should be rewarded'... However, I just have to say, Player A has a MUCH heavier aircraft (that's why it's called a heavy right? actually... not true, see the notes at the bottom please.) which means he should have a harder time gaining altitude. 'But he has two engines!' you object... While he does have two engines, you have to remember that not only are these engines carrying the added weight of themselves, they are also hauling a heavier airframe around, which means not only do they have to move the weight, they also have to account for the increased drag.

 

---

 

For a quick reference, let's compare the Bf.109 series to the Bf.110 series and Me.410 series.

 

Bf.109 Series:

• Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
• Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)

 

Bf.110 Series:

• Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph)

 

Me.410 Series:

• Maximum speed: 624 km/h (388 mph)

 

As you can see, the 109 is about 17 mph faster than the 110 and 10 mph faster than the 410. The 109, due to the power:weight ratio would be able to maintain this airspeed more easily in a climb than the 110 and 410 as well, which means the 109 should have a better rate of climb... Let's check the stats... (real life)

 

Bf.109 Series:

• Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)

 

Bf.110 Series:

• Rate of climb: 8 min to 6,000 m (20,000 ft) - That's a 12.5 m/s climb rate.

 

Me.410 Series

• Climb to 6,000 m (19,680 ft): 10.7 min - That's 9.35 m/s climb rate.

 

Yep, suspicions confirmed. So, we come to a very important fact... Heavy fighters can get altitude (service ceiling average of 33,900 ft) but it takes them a LONG time to get there. This is why heavy fighters were generally based further back than light fighters. It gave them more time to climb. Now, let's look at the service ceiling of the Bf.109... a light fighter. 39,370 feet... This is certainly contrasting with the current game mechanics. Light fighters should have a generally higher service ceiling than heavy fighters... 

 

Here are also 2 videos which can help you make an idea how it was back then.  

Thilix

NOTE:  I have to link the pictures and the Spoilers do not work after editing, so I removed them.

 

I am posting up my mod compilation that I use in 1.0.0. This Mod Compilation uses the res_mods folder that is the similar res_mods folder that WoT players are use to for modding. What makes this nice is you do not have to download a Mod Manager software, do not have to manually back up and overwrite original files to mod.

 

Well, actually there is only 1 file that you have to back up and overwrite and that is the paths.xml file because this is what points to look at the res_mods folder. This is included with the rar file below.

 

My compilation are various mods that I use from the Russian Forums plus some that are my work.

 

 DrSinister Mod Compilation.zip   3.34MB   0 downloads

 

Installation: 

  1. Backup paths.xml located in the WoWp root directory.
  2. Download "DrSinister Mod Compilation.zip" and upack in WoWp root directory.
  3. Copy Localization folder from Res folder and paste into Res_Mods folder.
  4. Play the game.

******************************************************************************************************************************

Individual mods downloads of each mod in my compilation are listed below.

Authors of each mod are listed with the Mods.
Also some of the descriptions I put in are the Russian descriptions that I have Google Translated so bear with the broken English.
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Attitude Indicator 4 v1 - Author: roxblnfk

 

 Attitude Indicator 4 v1 1.0.0.zip   148.47K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/9mVLcIH

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Smaller Magenta Lead Indicator - Author: DrSinister

 

 Smaller Magenta Lead Indicator 1.0.0.zip   1.03K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/6ZuZNeP

******************************************************************************************************************************

Plane Icon Mod - Author: DrSinister
  

http://forum.worldof...e-icon-mod-0532

******************************************************************************************************************************
In Battle Time of Day Mod - Author: roxblnfk
  

 In Battle Time of Day Mod 1.0.0.zip   69.81K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/ZBPhEyi

******************************************************************************************************************************

DrSinister Camera Mod - Author: DrSinister
 

 DrSinister Camera Mod 1.0.0.zip   2.46K   0 downloads

 

• This is strictly 1st person view only
• No Strafe Mode
• 80 Degree FoV with 4 zoom modes on the mouse scroll.
• 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%

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Alternate HUD Arrow Markers - Author: Hootorez
  

 Alternate HUD Arrow Markers 1.0.0.zip   8.07K   0 downloads
 

http://imgur.com/rmo2CIx

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Alternate Ground Target Icons w/ Alternate Box Colors - Author: Hootorez
 

 Alternate Ground Target Icons with Alternate Box Colors 1.0.0.zip   113.01K   0 downloads
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Multiple Crosshairs - Author: Hootorez/Pustah/DrSinister

 

 Multiple Crosshairs 1.0.0.zip   137.11K   0 downloads

 

Magenta Crosshair = Crosshair 2, Red
Green Crosshair = Corsshair 3, Red
Red Circle = Any Crosshair, Orange
Larger Red Circle = Crosshair 1, Combined
Black/White Cross = Crosshair 2, Combined
Magenta Circle = Crosshair 3, Combined
Yellow Circle = Crosshair 4, Combined 

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Red Bullets - Author: DrSinister
 

 Red Bullets 1.0.0.zip   4.19K   0 downloads

 

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Lighter Red Tracers - Author: DrSinister
 

 Lighter Red Tracers 1.0.0.zip   86.37K   0 downloads

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MISC MODs

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Red Tracer Trails - Author: DrSinister
 

 Red Tracers 1.0.0.zip   24.03K   0 downloads

 

I used this Red Tracer Trails mod to help prove the Aim Assist, I had some ask for it so here it is.

 

Red Tracer Video

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Magenta Lead Indicator - Author: DrSinister

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Frame Around Planes Mod - Author: Hootorez

 

 Frames Around Planes 1.0.0.zip   2.34K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/OZK1Akz

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Hootorez Camera Mod - Author: Hootorez

 

 Hootorez Camera Mod 1.0.0.zip   2.84K   0 downloads

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Alternate HUD Arrow Markers with Cyan Locked Target - Author: Zapperguy

 

 Alternate HUD Arrow Markers with Cyan Locked Target 1.0.0.zip   4.42K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/wgOZBhQ

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Cyan Lead Indicator - Author: Zapperguy

 

 Cyan Lead Indicator 1.0.0.zip   1.13K   0 downloads

 

http://imgur.com/xJY4u4k

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Remove Heavy Effects - Author: Hootorez

This will help increase frames per second by removing certain graphics.

 

 Remove Heavy Effects 1.0.0.zip   3.31K   0 downloads

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This is my attempt to provide a legitimate idea for what to do instead of auto-aim, in order to create a skill-based game that will have longevity but is easier to transition into for new players.

Let me start by saying any features that resemble auto-aim are what I believe to be 'false hope' features. As many players have pointed out, providing this false hope does many things to harm new players more than help them. I won't go into that any further because some very good points have already been raised about why it harms them even when at first glance it seems to be a benefit. (Think big picture here. Even though scoring hits is awesome... being melted in 2.5 seconds sucks more)


So, lets ask ourselves a few important questions. "How long did it take to become 'good' at flying?" Well the answer here is subjective but a very general answer is- a lot. The more important question to ask would be "Why did it take a lot of game to get good?" Here is where it starts to get interesting... The answer is because we had to make a lot of mistakes and learn how to correct them (on our own, without guidance). This leads me to ask "Why is it so difficult to learn how to avoid mistakes in WoWP?" Answer- Because there are a lot of conceptual parts of flying (ie energy) that need to be mastered before a pilot has an opportunity to even be AWARE of what is and what isn't a mistake.


What can be done about this learning curve? Here is an answer that may shock you... better training. Wait, better training? That's not so shocking. A training system that teaches *concepts* of flying is what is sorely missing and why new pilots struggle. Of course everyone needs the basic flight lessons, which the game already has... but I personally take offense to the fact that in the last patch WG even dumbed down the 3 totally simple flying lessons to make it easier to complete. Are you serious? You simplify the flying lessons and wonder why your new pilots stink? I'm speechless (but not really).


But I admit its easy to say train new players better- and leave it at that. So I'll go a little further and suggest how to do it the right way. Ready? Design new training missions that teach these important concepts, but do it in a way that isn't just a pass or fail... one time deal. Make it a real challenge. Make it in-depth. Most important... don't make it easy. Provide a reward for improving. Here is a brief example-

- The energy management mission could be time based. Finish in 5 minutes and get a bronze ribbon. Finish in 4 minutes and get a silver ribbon. Finish in 3 1/2 minutes and get a gold ribbon.

- The evasive maneuvers mission could be based on % of health retained. Finish with 30% health for a bronze ribbon. And so on...


With this type of system, players who are new to flying games would become aware of these concepts hundreds of games before they normally would. Of course there are more than just the two example I listed above, but the list of the most important concepts can be left to the dev team to figure out. Once this is added to the game new players would understand immediately that it's not just- point, shoot, don't crash. Pilots don't need to stumble across some vague reference to Boom and Zoom and then manifest the desire to learn about it on their own.This is the positive way of nurturing the improvement of all pilots. The biggest benefit to this type of system will be to show new players... before they even start the game, exactly what they need to learn to be successful. Then, all of a sudden- no one is in the dark. No one can say "Where the hell do I even start?! I'm getting demolished." Just like the requests for WG staff to share more information with the player base instead of less... when you let us know what we need to be prepared for, we will prepare.


The 'flight school' series and individual plane guides are a halfhearted attempt to make players better. Even when you link these videos to the launcher screen, the honest truth is many people won't bother to watch. Fewer will be motivated to take what they see and attempt to learn from it. If the goal is to have more newcomers enjoy the game from the start, WG needs to take responsibility for providing resources that are built into the game client that provide a clear path toward improvement


I will paste this reply in the 0.5.3 Aiming feedback thread, and I reserve the right to link it into other threads in the future as necessary.

Hi guys,

  this isn't meant to be a groundbreaking master-level thesis on anything - for players of even a little experience, most of this will fall into the 'Well, DUH!' category. But, just in case new beta testers want some ideas or there is someone out there who maybe hasn't looked at tactics yet, I thought I'd throw together some thoughts from an almost-mid-level-experienced guy...  :)  (Note: I'm a guy who is still learning myself, so feel free to chime in, you experienced folks!)

1) Don't be an early casualty!

Look around at the beginning of the battle. Especially in early tiers, it’s very common to see mid-air collisions thin out a team before the fight really even starts. Fly defensively!

2) Avoid channelization
Channelization means focusing all your attention on one thing – and it’s bad! There is a tendency to focus on your target, for example – and not notice little things, like the ground zooming up at you as you fail to pull out of a dive. Always try to maintain your situational awareness, even as you try to keep the bad guy in your sights – this will let you notice more enemies inbound, or friends who need help, or any other important tactical consideration. Keep the larger picture in mind as you engage (or are engaged) - your radar and the close-up view of your enemy are great tools for this; glance at them often as you fly. If you're engaging a bad guy and suddenly you notice tracers all around you - that may be an indication someone is trying to get your attention; it's not always in your interest to break off and address the new threat, but at least consider, as sometimes it is the right thing to do. Don't be afraid to change targets or break off to adjust to the tactical situation as it develops.

3) Keep the learning curve steep

When you do die (and you will, often!) take a couple of seconds to think about why. OK, the short answer may be you were outnumbered three to one, but how did you get there? If it was because you were in a group and your allies got shot down, well, ok – but if it was because you dove headfirst by yourself into a pack of enemy planes, well…  Even in the first situation – could you have done something to save your allies by breaking off your target and going to aid a teammate? Always think about what happened, and what you may have done differently to improve. Sometimes you’ll die and it’s not your fault – but I find after every fight there’s almost always something I could have done better tactically or strategically that would have improved my chances. (On that note, especially early, staying in a fight as a spectator after you die and watching teammates can give you insight to new tactics and tricks!)

4) Call for help/answer calls when able

On SOS’s – use them when you need them, and answer them when you can. It’s frustrating, but I’ve been in a heavy, engaged three on one, maneuvering to buy 45 seconds of life or so and desperately sending SOS’s while right next door four good guys are engaging a single bad guy….  I’m not saying you need to fly half way across the map to save a teammate who’s on the wrong end of a 4-on-1; but if you can help, it’s in your interest to do so – you’ll be engaging an already engaged enemy, so you’ll have the opportunity for a quick kill or two, and most importantly, you’re keeping a teammate alive (and, heck, you never know – it may be you who needs help next time!) Note: if you haven’t already, get to know the hotkeys for team communication. F7 in my setup (default I believe) sends an SOS and a ‘clear my tail’ message. It will also send a short ping of your location on the radar, letting your teammates know where they should go to help – but it is a very short ping, so you may have to be persistent in asking! (Also a good reason for keeping your situational awareness up, so you can notice a friend in need)

5) Look at your enemy

Recognize your target. If you’re in an average fighter, and you see your selected target is a heavy, accepting a head on pass may not be the best tactic. Similarly, you’re in a higher tier and the enemy is a lower tier – ok, you’ve got them outgunned, but recognize turning with them may be a bad move; odds are they’re slower and more maneuverable, and will whittle you down in a turning fight. . (I actually love this, getting tier IV kills with my tier II biplane because the bad guy keeps turning trying to get me, and I keep turning inside of him holding him in my sights. It does take a while, though!) If you're in a under-tiered light fighter, maybe that upper-tier heavy with the big tail gun isn't a good choice for an opponent to engage. Bottom line – get to know your strengths, and try to recognize enemy strengths. Engage where you have an advantage, and try to avoid putting yourself in a spot where you don’t have an advantage. Remember – if you ever find yourself in a fair fight, then your tactics need work!

6) Ground Attack no-escort strategies

OK, ground attack guys – let’s face it. I like my GA birds too, and we would love to have a dedicated fighter escort – but the truth of the matter is, having a fighter do nothing but shadow skywhales is a waste of the asset. Let me suggest some alternate strategies instead of asking for someone to escort you:

A) Go where the pack is – that is, try to engage ground targets in the vicinity of where your friendlies are, if able. This gives someone a chance to answer a distress call from you, should you be engaged. Yes, it also means you may be engaged by the enemy – but if so, at least there may be someone nearby to help!

B) Consider buddy-escort; that is, pair up with another heavy. Two of you can make short work of an area’s ground targets, and with two, you can clear each other’s tails, and give yourself a chance for some air kills. Note this doesn’t require coordination – just if you happen to see another heavy on your team, consider going where he goes and staying together.

C) OK, yes – it’s fun and effective to sneak into the enemy base. I’ve done it, and it’s a blast – take a low route hugging terrain, or skyhook over the top, or skirt around the edge all by yourself and sneak in the back door. When it works, it’s a thing of beauty! But…  when it doesn’t work, know what you’re in for. If noticed, you’ll most likely be alone and far from help – which is not a good thing for a heavy. Against a single attacker, you may have a shot – offer a head on pass. Against more than one, well, it’s probably the end of your game. I’m not saying don’t do this – heck, it works great sometimes – just be aware that it is a calculated risk, and don’t be mad if the gamble fails and you find yourself on the wrong end of a 3 on 1 in a non-maneuverable airplane…

7) Ground Attack - don't fear the furball!

As a ground attack, don’t pass up the opportunity to dogfight. Yes, I know – you’re generally far less maneuverable, and can’t keep an enemy in your sights for very long – but, with the forward firepower most GA’s carry, you don’t HAVE to have them in your sights for very long to do serious damage, or even grab a quick kill. Look for opportunities – a head on pass, or an enemy who isn’t paying attention to you – and it’ll pay dividends both for your team and your kill count. Remember, you can always go back to killing ground targets after the enemy planes are smoking holes in the ground - the ground target's aren't going anywhere.

8) Channelization also kills GA birds

OK, you’re ground attack, going after ground targets. You’re lined up perfectly for your run, 4200 feet out, and (because you read #1 above and are keeping your situational awareness up!) you notice a bad guy appear on the radar, coming for you…  
…Most folks I’ve seen here will flash back to Star Wars – remember the guy in the trench, who kept repeating ‘stay on target’? They’ll focus on the ground target, trying to complete the run. Well…  remember what happened to that guy in the trench? Yeah, blown to smithereens….  Look, if you stay on your ground target, the best case is you’ll complete your pass but be badly damaged by the approaching fighter. Worst case, he kills you before you even get your target (a distinct possibility against higher tiered fighters...). I suggest, instead, turning to engage in a head on pass. As a ground attack, odds are your guns are far stronger than most of the fighters you face, and you have more hit points – head on passes very much favor you! If you catch the other guy napping, it’s a good opportunity to get a quick air kill – and after he’s gone, the ground target will still be there…  

OK, as I said, very basic thoughts from a very basic player - but hopefully someone new may benefit, and the old-timers will chime in with more nuggets of wisdom!

Good Hunting!

I have been a fan from the very early days of alpha, however i recently stopped playing due to horrendous incompetence in the game-play and streamlining development.

now i am back. having not touched the game in almost 2 months. So here is a review from fresh eyes unencumbered by the propaganda of new patches and the apparent developer overlording of this once proud community.

First, the improvements:

flight model: I actually like what WG has done with the altitudes. increasing the performance degradation of lower altitude planes to keep them from hovering over their base until they reach "altitude" then out turning aircraft made to be better at that altitude was making the game broken. It is fixed and i applaud you for it. and most of the airplanes do not feel particularly under-powered... as long as you play German or Russian... anyway.





Now for the rest:

gunnery model: worthless... absolutely worthless.... having a set built in inaccuracy in a gun or gun configuration to balance is one thing, but you WG have gone full retard in the worst possible way. forget monkeys securing the guns to the airframe. they may as well be floating in gun mounts made of jello pudding. did the koolade man spike the vodka? or are you really that worried about people learning the craft of aerial gunnery that you have to turn the entire screen into the spread pattern to make it "fair"? what happened to the motto that you marketed to US the ones who helped you get this game off the ground. the alpha testers who came to play this game because of the promise of skill and technique ruling the day.... now its come down to whoever can pay to elite their crew the fastest along with "crack shot". Come off it now, a magical tick mark next to your pilot turns your jello gun mounts back into solid steel? That's not even arcade quality. That's soap opera back room dollar theater grade arcade feces..


general game play and smoothness: congratulations, you have managed to get me to buy a radion 7870 just to allow the game to play above 20 fps any time i get below 2000ft. any game system less than that, and forget about even thinking about diving into a fur-ball in pacific or national park. So, what were the streamlining tweaks that i read  about upon my return? did you take the monkeys off mounting guns and promote them to computer programmers?



I have no delusions. I have watched as every thread remotely negative toward this game has been erased by the "gods" of warplanes.

Going into a battle in a Tier V plane, and you get a Tier VII match.  Over the chat window, someone starts whining about MM being 'unfair'.  You know instantly that that guy has lost.  In his mind, he cannot win; so he won't.  A self-fulfilling prophesy.
Two questions arise:  

• Is it you doing the whining?
  
• If not, is the loser on your team?

If the answer to both is "no" you're in pretty good straits.  If yes to the second; you and the team have to pick up his slack, and whomever else he has demoralized.  If yes to the first: this post is for you.

Strategery.  Tacticalness.  Planz.

All have to change based on the situation.  Your plan should never be: fly the way the game points me until I see a plane then try to shoot it down.  If that's your current plan, reassess.

Being top tiered is not a key for success; it simply means you can survive more mistakes.  Your equipment can make up for you pulling a stupid.

Being bottom tiered is not a recipe for disaster; you simply must avoid or minimize mistakes, because your equipment cannot pick up the slack for poor decision making.

So, first off, what do you need to know?  Here's how I do it:
Situation

Mission
<p>

• Going to climb to get altitude and linger over our base.  During this time I watch the minimap for where the enemy has most of its planes - I'm going the other way.  Need to stay near our blob and avoid theirs.  Priority targets include base sneaking mid-low tier bombers, and their escorts if any.  After that, I will go where we have a numeric advantage and assist in the swarm.

Execution
<p>

• When high tiered, I don't mind fighting the enemy up front, but this time I'm staying back, watching the map and flying high.

Administration and Logistics

Command and Control

And what do you know... It worked.
TL;DR - change your tactics to be much more conservative and maximize your advantages (AA, Turning Ability, Situational Awareness) when low tiered.  Minimize mistakes; your equipment cannot cover for you making stoopid decisions.
Profanity
6h RO issued
~GM/Mod Teams

Silent_Scope