From WT to IL-2

[crinch33]

Hello pilots!

I'm very interested in Battle of Stalingrad and the whole IL-2 series. Currently I'm playing WT (War Thunder) and it's my first plane game. I played WT for a long time (only Historical Battles) and I think I'm now pretty experienced. However, I want to ask you guys a few things: Will my WT-experience help me, when I start with BoS? And what Hardware do I need to play it (in WT I only played with mouse and keyboard)? Is the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas Stick X a good flightstick or would you recommend another stick and are pedals required? If so, what should I take?

Thanks in advice

 

 

Sorry if something is written wrong or incorrect. I'm from Austria

System: Intel Core I5-3570K @ Stock

             AMD VTX3D Radeon HD 7950 V3 Boost @ 1000/1250

             8GB Kingston HyperX

[startrekmike]

Your computer specs are fine, I don't see any big issues there, as far as a flight stick, I would say that you are going to want to get the most bang for your buck and it is my opinion (and only my opinion) that the TM HOTAS-X is not a really great value, it looks good from a distance but when you get it, you will quickly find that it lacks a lot of controls that make a HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) useful, it only has one hat switch and that is a big limiting factor.

 

  Your choice of stick is going to depend on what you are going to do with it, if you ware just sticking to WWII sims, a simple stick (like a Logitech 3D pro) would be fine, if you think you may venture into more hardcore sims like DCS world and it's modules (like the A-10C, etC), you will want something like the Saitek X-52 as a entry level stick as it will have the features that you will want.

 

  As far as going from War thunder, well, that is going to be more complicated, since you never did simulation battles and you have been using a mouse, this will be a entirely different experience (and a experience that pretty much requires a joystick, keep that in mind), if you like WWII air combat as a point of study or as a hobby, the detail here will make you very happy but if you are looking for a game like War thunder where there are mechanisms in place to balance the online play and also to make sure that you are always "having fun", well I don't think that is what simulations are about.

 

  IL-2 Battle fo Stalingrad is really fun and really well made (even in it's early stage of development) but it is also going to be pretty difficult and unforgiving for someone who has not yet really played a simulator at all, I think you should give it a try (I also hope a lot of WT players follow your lead) but please be aware that it will require practice and some degree of learning to really master, it will be difficult enough just to hit your target, let alone learn to manage how to use a joystick effectively.

 

 Don't let those things stop you, learning is a big part of simulations so don't get discouraged.

 

  Oh, as far as pedals go, I hear the Saitek pro-flight pedals are good and I would say that they will help you a great deal.

[Azref]

Welcome Crinch.

 

The first thing i will say is that there is no way you could play BOS or similar sims with only a keyboard and mouse. A good stick is a must, although pedals are completely optional (but once you use em it's hard to go back).

 

Price wise the T-flight HOTAS is relatively good for the money if you can't afford to spend much, although personally i'd reccomend spending a bit more and getting something that will last, look on ebay and see if you can get a Microsoft FFB2 as that is an excelent stick and will last you ages.

 

Having played some WT myself i will say that it's alot more gamey than IL2, meaning it has probably taught you some bad habits, which are easily forgotten once you get into sims such as IL2.

 

The most important thing to remember about BOS in particular is that it's still an early access title so some features are missing/ incomplete. So far i haven't regretted making the purchase though and i'm sure you'll feel the same after trying it.

[Anw.StG2_Tyke]

Hello pilots!

I'm very interested in Battle of Stalingrad and the whole IL-2 series. Currently I'm playing WT (War Thunder) and it's my first plane game. I played WT for a long time (only Historical Battles) and I think I'm now pretty experienced. However, I want to ask you guys a few things: Will my WT-experience help me, when I start with BoS? And what Hardware do I need to play it (in WT I only played with mouse and keyboard)? Is the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas Stick X a good flightstick or would you recommend another stick and are pedals required? If so, what should I take?

Thanks in advice

 

 

Sorry if something is written wrong or incorrect. I'm from Austria

System: Intel Core I5-3570K @ Stock

             AMD VTX3D Radeon HD 7950 V3 Boost @ 1000/1250

             8GB Kingston HyperX

Just a litte mention.

 

If you think you got experiance in Warthunder, you don't. Because flying in War Thunder is something completly different than flying in a real Simulation. I made the same Step and started flying IL2-CloD and this was such a giant leap. You will have to learn flying nearly from the scratch, or in other words. You have to learn real flying. Sometimes Its a little bit unforgiving, and you might lose your fun. But stick to the game and you will improve fast.

 

In my opinion, IL2:BoS is even in its current state a better simulation as WT could achiev with the current Lead-Designer. So have fun in it!

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 Welcome aboard. I think you are in for a tough but enjoyable ride with IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad 

[crinch33]

Thanks alot you helped me guys

I'm very interested in WWII fighters and history and I think I will stay in WWII era, because it's much more challenging and interesting.

The reason I want to play BoS is, because War Thunder is too much arcade (even in HB) in my opinion.

Well, I think I'm going to get BoS and the hardware as soon as possible.

Hopefully we will see us in sky

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 There are tips and tricks in hardware section of this forum as well. And helpful individuals as well, so do not hesitate to ask

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Word of advice: Be sure to keep the tail of your VVS aircraft parallel to the horizontal line on my Revi sight.

 

No, in all actuality, I began not much different than you. Practice, practice, practice.

 

Don't go all out on your flight gear until you know that AC Simulation is a hobby that you want to stick with. The Logitech 3D Pro is a great place to start, and I would suggest not purchasing rudder pedals (which can cause some sensory confusion with the coordinated hand/foot movements) until you are comfortable with how rudder authority works. TrackIR is (for everybody that I've met) a necessity that will come further down the road, and YOU will know when you acquire the need for head-tracking.

 

On a side note, I think it's completely incorrect to ascertain that War Thunder can teach you nothing in the translation from AC Gaming to AC Simulation. EVERYTHING you learned in War Thunder will, without a doubt, translate here. Aerial combat is aerial combat - the primary difference you will find here is the quality of the atmospheric/ballistic/flight/physics/engine modeling compared to what you are used to. Be sure to apply the fighting/maneuvering/management/OODA techniques you learned while playing WT - if anything, when you can see/feel what will/won't work in a more simulated environment, kicking any bad habits you may have picked up in the gaming world will be much easier when you can actually feel the necessity in combat.

 

It will be unforgiving. It will be absolutely tough. You will be brutalized, murdered, evaporated and shot down. You will probably get hopeless and feel like you will NEVER hit the broad side of a barn. This is all temporary, and through dedication and practice, you will overcome any obstacles quickly. When you finally plant your first mentally calculated deflection shot in the the cockpit of a Yak, all of your training will come through and you will realize how rewarding and worthwhile it was to stick it out.

 

Enjoy, and see you in the skies.

 

~S 

[Sokol1]

Instead Logitech 3D PRO buy a Tm T16000.M, 3D PRO use cheap potentiometers that may present "spikes" with relative few use.

T16000.M use the same HALL sensor of Warthog, and cost similar to 3D PRO.

 

If want HOTAS look for some Saitek - is not "the best, like real..." but have good cost/benefit.

 

Sokol1

[crinch33]

Thanks alot

I really appreciate your help

Thanks for your tips and help

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Instead Logitech 3D PRO buy a Tm T16000.M, 3D PRO use cheap potentiometers that may present "spikes" with relative few use.

T16000.M use the same HALL sensor of Warthog, and cost similar to 3D PRO.

 

If want HOTAS look for some Saitek - is not "the best, like real..." but have good cost/benefit.

 

Sokol1

 

That's the one I meant, the T16000!

 

Couldn't think of it off hand...

 

Crinch, the T16000 is easily the most "bang-for-your-buck" twist stick on the market. It is a great place to start, and even stick to, because some companies sell analog throttles separate.

[wintermadnezz]

Hi,

I am a Warthunder player, too. I just don't like to play it with a joystick, because it is too hard to compete with mouse players. I just got an T16000m joystick to replace my old Logitech Wingman. It is realy cheap and precise, but i haven't got the settings right now. If anybody can recommend good settings for this joystick I would be grateful:-) . I didn't start playing fightsims with Warthunder (flight unlimited by looking glass was my first) but I don't think it is very hard to get into IL2. Just the landings and engine management need some practice.

[crinch33]

Hey wintermadnezz,

how does the T16000m handle? Is it comfortable even after 2 hours or more?

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Hi,

I am a Warthunder player, too. I just don't like to play it with a joystick, because it is too hard to compete with mouse players. I just got an T16000m joystick to replace my old Logitech Wingman. It is realy cheap and precise, but i haven't got the settings right now. If anybody can recommend good settings for this joystick I would be grateful:-) . I didn't start playing fightsims with Warthunder (flight unlimited by looking glass was my first) but I don't think it is very hard to get into IL2. Just the landings and engine management need some practice.

 

50% - 100% sensitivity on the in-game axis, and play with dead zones from there.

 

Check the hardware subforum, or search the top of the GD board for Requim's tutorials - he's an awesome guy with a great handle on things.

 

Good luck.

[wintermadnezz]

 

how does the T16000m handle? Is it comfortable even after 2 hours or more?

I like it so far, but compared to my old force feedback joystick the force of its spring is fairly strong. Nontheless my arm isn't tired after 2 hours . As I said my settings aren't perfect, that's why I can`t say much about its performance in game, but I already managed to get some kills in MP.

 

50% - 100% sensitivity on the in-game axis, and play with dead zones from there.

Thanks! I will try that.

[crinch33]

Thanks alot!

I think I'm going to buy the T.16000m as it's sounds pretty good for a beginner

[siipperi]

Get a joystick, maybe TIR if you are really enjoying the game and don't be afraid of learning new game, that progress is half the fun.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Welcome,

 

From a playing/combat perspective it is really all about keeping your ENERGY up. Beware the endless turn fight. Join a squadron and get help from teammates.

 

Again, welcome.

 

*Posting this in the other guys new from WT post as well

[VBF-12_Snake9]

Personally I have never played WT, but it's a good thing that so many WT players are checking this game out.  More money for the devs to play with and also show a successful game to investors.  Invite all your buddies.   

[Lextor]

I came from WT full real battles. BoS is just so much realistic, it makes WT unplayable. It is felt from the start, on the runway. You just feel the weight of your plane, as it sways on shock absorbers.. From this point you realize that WT was an arcade for children.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Lextor

[1./KG4_Blackwolf]

I have one in my squad that came from WT. Its good to see some make the move. We should all help them get adjusted to this new game.

[pixelshader]

As above, I could not play WT any more after this game. WT feels plastic. Playing the historical battles would have taught you about energy, positioning, and spotting. It's not totally different with regard to those things.

 

+1 to the T.16000M as well, very sensitive (except for the twist, which is average I think, but good enough). The spring was stiff when I first got it, but after some days use it settled into something more comfortable. If you just have stick + keyboard I recommend looking with wasd, throttle / guns etc on keyboard, joystick hat and buttons for pilot head movement.

[Johnny_Red]

The BIG change is going to be situation awareness. Unless you were one of the rare breed of WT players who used cockpit view. If not, and you used 3rd person view, I would recommend trackir You're going to spend a lot of time looking around and not just at the fantastic landscape

[1./KG4_Blackwolf]

As above, I could not play WT any more after this game. WT feels plastic. Playing the historical battles would have taught you about energy, positioning, and spotting. It's not totally different with regard to those things.

 

+1 to the T.16000M as well, very sensitive (except for the twist, which is average I think, but good enough). The spring was stiff when I first got it, but after some days use it settled into something more comfortable. If you just have stick + keyboard I recommend looking with wasd, throttle / guns etc on keyboard, joystick hat and buttons for pilot head movement.

Spoiled now are you?    I find myself flying this and still the old IL2'46 more than anything else. Well ROF as well, but not as much.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Blackwolf

[pixelshader]

Spoiled now are you?    I find myself flying this and still the old IL2'46 more than anything else. Well ROF too but not as much.

 

Definitely. First day of early access I spent hours just feeling the wind.. that was it, WT was ruined. I went back to a 'full real' test flight and I just started laughing at the take off!

 

If I play it now it's with mouse aim, in arcade or arcade+ mode, as intended. I have trouble figuring out the finer points of arcade though.

[1./KG4_Blackwolf]

I never played WT, the whole grind to get ahead thing just turned me off. I guess its a good game for some but not my cup of tea.

[Bearcat]

Instead Logitech 3D PRO buy a Tm T16000.M, 3D PRO use cheap potentiometers that may present "spikes" with relative few use.

T16000.M use the same HALL sensor of Warthog, and cost similar to 3D PRO.

 

If want HOTAS look for some Saitek - is not "the best, like real..." but have good cost/benefit.

 

Sokol1

 

 

This.. Also consider IL2 1946 as well... it is dated .. but it still looks and flies pretty good.

[wintermadnezz]

 

I would recommend trackir You're going to spend a lot of time looking around and not just at the fantastic landscape.

 

 

TrackIR is quite an investment if you are new to "real" flightsims. But I think headtracking is a must, that's why I built my own freetrack device for less than 15€ (cam included).

[DoWSiq6Six]

It's not hard

 

It's Not Hard

 

It's NOT HARD!

 

Everybody is like "AHMAGERD!!! U pl4y3D WARTHUNDER U EFFUN NUB!"

 

It's really not that hard. If you spent much time and Warthunder and you should understand the concepts of Boom & Zoom and Turn & Burn. You should have a grasp on energy retention, diving and climbing.

 

The biggest jump in change will be that you will be in control of the aspects of your plane from the ailerons to the rudders, the prop pitch & the power. Where as in WT, you point to a pixel on the screen and the computer guides the plane there for you, controlling the plane. The computer rarely stalls and crashes the plane. You will find yourself pushing your playing harder and causing it to stall out, falling from the sky as you fight to regain control. You'll find that you have to pay a lot more attention as you attempt to land, successfully.

 

When you are successful with takeoffs and landings, controlling your plane into an attack and killing an enemy, it is so so much more satisfying.

 

It is not hard to be successful, however it takes a lot of time to be good.

 

I suggest finding a decent joystick. The ThrustMaster T16000 gets raved about. Look into freeware track IR software. This will get you started relatively cheaply. Later you may want to get rudder pedals and likely a better HOTAS. However before you make the leap into the hardware, you want to be sure that you're going to continue playing flight combat sims & this isn't a passing interest.

[siipperi]

It's not hard

It's Not Hard

It's NOT HARD!

 

Exactly. And judging forums pretty much all had adjusting period to get used to BOS, so don't be afraid, people!

[harisund]

Does BOS have remotely the same multi player activity as WT? Just curious..

[pixelshader]

Does BOS have remotely the same multi player activity as WT? Just curious..

 

Not even close, but it is also not hard to find good action because there is no matchmaker or tiers to wrestle with.

[Bearcat]

Does BOS have remotely the same multi player activity as WT? Just curious..

 

Of course not .. it isn't even out yet. Don't forget.. what most folks in here have is still an Alpha unless I am mistaken and it has moved to Beta and I didn't know it. I have no idea what WT s at now.. but it is certainly farther along in development than BoS.

[CreepiJim]

I have to disagree with Bearcat. It has more multiplayer activity if you just take Simulator Battles as a reference. Some guys have to wait hours to get one match because of the match making. In BoS you can jump in, chose your plane and go for it. No match maker that tries to find the worst possible combination with some stupid values like "battle rating" or "player skill" based on win/loss ratio...

 

Playernumbers are not that high, however, you won't play 4 vs 4 and the rest is filled with bots like it is in WT.

[Bearcat]

I meant overall multiplayer.. Not just the SBs ... and WT is farthert along in development and has been out longer ... hence a larger audience for now..