Battle of Moscow campaign nightmare

[6./ZG26_Gielow]

No easier missions please. Keep it Dark Souls.

[Ace_Pilto]

I too am almost at level 11 and flying ground attack missions in the G2, I16 and P40 are virtually impossible to survive.

 

Devs, the campaigns would be so much more enjoyable if we could set our own pilot levels.

 

Yeah, I've struggled with them too, you have to be patient and you especially have to discard any notions of following the parameters stipulated in the briefing and forget about the concept of loyalty to your friendly AI. In general, both of these these factors will make your campaign a lot less painful if you change your perspective from "I'm going to fly a historically realistic mission in formation according to a flight plan" to "Screw you suicidal bastards, I'm doing things my way".

 

There will almost always be enemy fighter cover at the target so it might be a 15-20 minute session of evading the defensive patrols before you get your window to attack. Sometimes you might not get one at all. My problem was that I tended to make a beeline for the target under the assumption that my speed would carry me through but, if you fly like this then you end up with every bugger chasing you and flak shooting at you to boot. Usually if you come in higher than the briefing says and sniff around a bit before attacking you can get a run in on the target unmolested provided you can lure the baddies away first. It works better in the faster planes since you can lead the defending fighters on a merry chase towards your lines, where they stand a chance of getting tangled up with other flights in the area, before cutting back and making your run.

 

For the P-40, try steep angle bombing. That's how the RAF used it in the desert. Come down from 15,000 or so and Bob's your Uncle. I don't know what you can do in the I-16 to live through these missions except using the tactic of "not flying the I-16" which is the best tactic for the I-16 all round if you ask me. If you insist on flying it though, my advice is to try religion. (But remember that the commies frown on that so try not to pray too loud, the NKVD is always listening!). 

 

Hopefully that gives you some ideas my fellow Adelaidian! (Para Hills here)

[Higaluto]

I dont like the singleplayer system in this game, and thats fine i like better to build my own missions or go online.

 

Here is what i do to get skins: Take long missions on normal, autopilot on, 2x game speed. Go do something else, come back in 15min, repeat

 

Works most of the time but there will be some failures, so far i have the skins for all fighters this way.

[Trooper117]

No easier missions please. Keep it Dark Souls.

 

That's great, just think about yourself mate... if we had the ability to choose the level at which we played the game (as per the original IL2) you could set it to your 'Dark Souls' while us lesser and lower mortals could enjoy it at whatever level we like as well... see what I did there? All sides are happy, it's called 'options', not just playing the game for the elitist few!

[Chief_Mouser]

I have almost finished the Il-2 unlocks on Pilot Level 9, but I nearly gave up before getting a single one. Nine missions and all of them failed, including some where I'd achieved the objective but, shot to bits, never made it back. I really hate the Exit Point; that's the first thing I'd get rid of; sometimes I could have made it back to base if I didn't have to go there first.

Anyway, eventually the campaign relented and I got a 'no enemies' mission to start me off. Since then I've been getting mainly evening flights; can't see the target or anything else half the time. Since I got going on it I've been playing the Il-2 campaign purely for the unlocks; go in, nail the target and get out - never mind about your wingmen or anything else that's tempting in the target area; just head for that blasted Exit Point as soon as poss. Not really much fun, but what do you do? I've other planes that I want to get going with.

Cheers.

[pilotpierre]

That's great, just think about yourself mate... if we had the ability to choose the level at which we played the game (as per the original IL2) you could set it to your 'Dark Souls' while us lesser and lower mortals could enjoy it at whatever level we like as well... see what I did there? All sides are happy, it's called 'options', not just playing the game for the elitist few!

Good post Trooper

[pilotpierre]

I just started a poll on whether or not Pilot Level should be selectable.

[KoN_]

I dont like the singleplayer system in this game, and thats fine i like better to build my own missions or go online.

 

Here is what i do to get skins: Take long missions on normal, autopilot on, 2x game speed. Go do something else, come back in 15min, repeat

 

Works most of the time but there will be some failures, so far i have the skins for all fighters this way.

Its a pretty sad state of affaires to play a fight sim in this way `  it is  clear the campaign is a Fail .

Who would of  thought that todays flight sim 2016 would be a ` Auto pilot and times two speed....................... ` Go and make a cup of tea come back ....mission finished ...........skin unlock ... !!

I really dont think your get me paying $80. for the same mistake again . 

PWCG should use the unlock system .

 

Edit ....So many people were looking forward to this Sim .

Edited April 15, 2016 by II./JG77_Con

[BlitzPig_EL]

That's great, just think about yourself mate... if we had the ability to choose the level at which we played the game (as per the original IL2) you could set it to your 'Dark Souls' while us lesser and lower mortals could enjoy it at whatever level we like as well... see what I did there? All sides are happy, it's called 'options', not just playing the game for the elitist few!

 

This single statement covers so much that I find lacking in this series.

 

When just the hard core play flight sims, the genre dies.

 

Why is that so hard to understand.

[6./ZG26_Emil]

Can someone explain what the issue is? Is it that it is carrying your level through from BOS to BOM?

 

I decided to do a couple of missions to unlock skins for the I-16 and was quite surprised at how challenging it was...The first one was two I-16s intercepting 6 E7s and 2 F2s. After smoking 5 of them I got shot down lol. The second mission I was in an I-16 intercepting 3 bombers, as they got closer I saw they were 88s. I pulled a high yoyo before I passed them but as I came down behind them they were already leaving me in the dust.....after 10 minutes of chasing I gave up 

 

So much for being an elitist onliner ha ha! I don't even know what level I am but I doubt it's very high.

 

Anyway in the end Custard made us all I-16 skins so I can crawl back in to the online world where I obviously belong.

 

I will say this though...the missions that the game generates are actually very well done and incredibly immersive. If only they would rename Action Point to CAP Zone or something because every time I read those words it makes my eyes bleed.....and also map Icons should  not be there in expert surely?

[6./ZG26_Gielow]

 

LOL

[TP_Silk]

Is there really any reason to be that patronising Gielow?

[Willy__]

I really hate the Exit Point; that's the first thing I'd get rid of; sometimes I could have made it back to base if I didn't have to go there first.

 

You dont! Just go straight to the base and land (assuming you completed the objective) and you will get full points for the mission. 

 

I only go to the exit point when I'm damaged or when I know I wont make it back to the base, because I can finish the mission in flight and still get the points.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Herr_Istruba

[Chief_Mouser]

You dont! Just go straight to the base and land (assuming you completed the objective) and you will get full points for the mission. 

 

I only go to the exit point when I'm damaged or when I know I wont make it back to the base, because I can finish the mission in flight and still get the points.

You're kidding! Well, well, I learn something every day - thanks.

[Elem]

You dont! Just go straight to the base and land (assuming you completed the objective) and you will get full points for the mission. 

 

I only go to the exit point when I'm damaged or when I know I wont make it back to the base, because I can finish the mission in flight and still get the points.

It's true! I didn't know that either, but I just tried it. That is going to make a big difference as it means you can avoid the warm welcome you get from the fighters that are always in that area.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

True indeed, though they played me once. Intercepted three Ju-87s and two Macchis, my wingmen disappeared. Went home, found a wingman along the way. Right above the airfield there were two Macchis - them damn vulchers!

 

Got one down, then the second hit my engine head on. My windscreen had oil all over, and the Macchi went around to get me but then it broke off. I then saw my wingman firing a long, decisive burst at the bastard, disabling his aircraft and allowing me to land.

[Ace_Pilto]

I just started a poll on whether or not Pilot Level should be selectable.

 

I think the level system should be discarded and AI should be randomized to historically plausible levels but, that said, having an easy mode wouldn't be a bad thing. It's a hard game and people with time constraints or a casual level of interest should be able to enjoy it too. 

 

The idea of having every plane and flak gun in the world get magically better because you unlocked some skins and an arbitrary number of "levels" is silly. It doesn't even really work that well in games like Skyrim (every "bandit" suddenly has glass armour and a sword that can one shot a dragon...), let alone in flight sim campaigns. Whatever over-educated marketing "expert" conned the devs into inflicting this poorly researched nonsense upon us needs to be excluded from further input until they can demonstrate that they have a working knowledge of their product niche. The whole campaign design strikes me as foolhardy in the face of what was expected but the actual missions can be very good except that the level system eventually breaks the game.

[VBF-12_Snake9]

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I remember playing that game. Those nazis jumping out and screeming made me piss my pants. Lol

 

LOL

[PatrickAWlson]

It doesn't even really work that well in games like Skyrim (every "bandit" suddenly has glass armour and a sword that can one shot a dragon...), let alone in flight sim campaigns. 

 

I hate that and always mod the living snot out of my TES games (Bethesda and 777 products are pretty much all I play).  And yes - it's ugly in a swords and sorcery game.  In a flight sim ... ?  

 

One thing to remember is that most players are not unlocking only skins.  Unless one has purchased the premium version you are unlocking mods too, some of which can have a significant  impact.  

[Ace_Pilto]

I hate that and always mod the living snot out of my TES games (Bethesda and 777 products are pretty much all I play).  And yes - it's ugly in a swords and sorcery game.  In a flight sim ... ?  

 

One thing to remember is that most players are not unlocking only skins.  Unless one has purchased the premium version you are unlocking mods too, some of which can have a significant  impact.

 

I wonder how people are expected to complete the campaign missions when they can't use the weapons. What if you're flying the Macchi and have to go tank busting? Those Breda SAFAT's wouldn't chip the paint on a T-34.

 

 

Off topic, me too regarding Bethesda, I've never played anything since Morrowind with less than 100 mods. There's a good unleveller mod for Skyrim out there that makes all enemies available from level 1. If you use it along with mods that change the enemies, add new ones and make them more varied and tougher the game becomes a lot more interesting since any trip out of town, or even across town, can turn into a frantic battle for your life. It makes a lot of the quests like that first dragon fight seem much more epic. I still haven't finished the main quest after 1,400 hours and I'm sure I never will.

 

Even further off topic, have you tried Dark Souls? It's a very different approach to RPGs but I'm getting increasingly addicted to it. Definitely worth picking up DS 1 on the cheap and giving it a try. I always thought it was over-hyped but the more I play the more I see that it deserves the high level of praise it gets.

 

[HotPursuit]

Well I guess I'm in the minority because I really enjoyed the campaign. I think it's very well done. It makes you learn about each of the planes operating systems, it's strengths and weaknesses. While I have had my share of failed missions, I've found the campaign overall to be not too difficult. Of course I understand not everyone feels the same way I do so I agree it would be good if the player had the option to adjust the level of difficulty.

 

Although I've finished the five chapters I have yet to unlock all the planes. Yes I know I have the option to get them with a single 'click' but that would be too easy and no fun at all.

Currently I have the I-16, MiG-3, P-40 E-1 and Ju 88 A-4 fully unlocked with most of the other planes nearly unlocked.

 

I have flown all the missions on 'expert', sometimes flying the 'short' mission and other times the 'full' mission.

I used to use the onscreen compass all the time until the Moscow map became available in the 'Il-2 Mission Planner' (app by curiousGamblerr). I run the map on a second monitor and navigate using the cockpit compass. It does increase your workload as you have to keep an eye on your location as well as keep and eye out for bandits, but I think it adds to the immersion. I highly recommend this utility.

 

For the P-40, try steep angle bombing. That's how the RAF used it in the desert. Come down from 15,000 or so and Bob's your Uncle. I don't know what you can do in the I-16 to live through these missions except using the tactic of "not flying the I-16" which is the best tactic for the I-16 all round if you ask me. If you insist on flying it though, my advice is to try religion. (But remember that the commies frown on that so try not to pray too loud, the NKVD is always listening!).

 

I was not looking forward to unlocking the P-40 as it's a mediocre performer at best. Having said that it turned out to be ok to unlock. Most of the missions I selected for it were ground attack, although I did have some high altitude intercepts too. Bombing in the P-40 is ok but often I didn't take the bomb,relying on those six 50 cals. They are devastating on ground targets and planes.

I don't recommend hanging around the action point dog-fighting in this plane. You want to get in and out fast. Also take the least amount of fuel as you can as it really affects your performance in the P-40.

I absolutely love the I-16. It was the first plane I unlocked in the campaign.

It's an ideal plane for ground attack missions as it performs so well at low altitude. With good all-round visibility it's easy to keep your six clear. On the deck it can easily out turn the AI 109's. If you do get one behind you keep jinking as the AI tend not to follow you through too many turns.

The only ground attack missions I got were airfields, convoys (of trucks) and artillery. All of these targets can easily be destroyed by an I-16, even without the 20mm SsVAK's unlocked. And remember that it doesn't have to be you that gets the objective. On some occasions my wingmen completed the task before I had a chance to. I just took the points home.

 

 

 

 

[Chief_Mouser]

I absolutely love the I-16. It was the first plane I unlocked in the campaign.

It's an ideal plane for ground attack missions as it performs so well at low altitude. With good all-round visibility it's easy to keep your six clear. On the deck it can easily out turn the AI 109's. If you do get one behind you keep jinking as the AI tend not to follow you through too many turns.

The only ground attack missions I got were airfields, convoys (of trucks) and artillery. All of these targets can easily be destroyed by an I-16, even without the 20mm SsVAK's unlocked. And remember that it doesn't have to be you that gets the objective. On some occasions my wingmen completed the task before I had a chance to. I just took the points home.

This sums up my experience with the I-16 exactly! Loved it to bits. I also managed to down the odd He111 with it.

Cheers.

[pilotpierre]

Now at PL 11. Just tried 5 IL2 missions and scored a total of 4 points (for the entire 5 missions) crash landing prior to the exit zone in one of them

 

????*&(^%$# pilot level.

[BlitzPig_EL]

I still want to know why forcing the play of the singleplayer campaign is so important to the dev team.

 

There has to be a real reason for it, other than taking sadistic pleasure in watching your customers twist in the wind.

 

Honestly, why?

[ShamrockOneFive]

 

I wonder how people are expected to complete the campaign missions when they can't use the weapons. What if you're flying the Macchi and have to go tank busting? Those Breda SAFAT's wouldn't chip the paint on a T-34.

 

 

Never run into that situation. You can't do the missions required by an unlock until you have the unlock - then those missions also become available.

[Yogiflight]

OK, now the campaign is getting funny, I think. I was just flying an intercept mission with one Bf110. I thought there would come a single IL2 to intercept and was quite surprised when I saw three IL2 with four escort fighters arriving at the action point. Fortunately the escort fighters appeared to be P40s and the AI pilots were definitely overwhelmed with flying them. Three of them crashed to the ground, the fourth was shot down by me after I got two IL2 shot down. When I attacked the Sturmoviks I was just waiting for the sound of the hits in my 110, but there were no.

[LukeFF]

LOL

 

Very mature of you. 

[Brano]

I started ilyusha "campaign" last Sunday evening. It is hard to accomplish missions without fighter cover,but not impossible. I flew 6-7 missions on ground support and some train hunting. 2 times I didn't make it home (messers:) ) but the rest was quite thrilling with flying smoke puffing and bullet riddled ilyusha back home. I unlocked almost everything. There are few skins and some extra loadout left to unlock.

[Chief_Mouser]

I now have the I-16 and Il-2 unlocked so am working through the MiG-3. Good fun even for a terrible dogfighter like me, because so far I keep getting to intercept attack planes rather than anything too far above my level. However, I would have a load more XP if the missions weren't all at sunset under a 500m cloudbase. Very often I never see the enemy at all, just stooge about waiting for the AI to accomplish the mission, then invariably bend the prop on landing as I'm pretty crap at landing such a bouncy plane at the best of times, but in the dark - no chance.

Cheers.

[Willy__]

 

 

I now have the I-16 and Il-2 unlocked so am working through the MiG-3. Good fun even for a terrible dogfighter like me, because so far I keep getting to intercept attack planes rather than anything too far above my level. However, I would have a load more XP if the missions weren't all at sunset under a 500m cloudbase. Very often I never see the enemy at all, just stooge about waiting for the AI to accomplish the mission, then invariably bend the prop on landing as I'm pretty crap at landing such a bouncy plane at the best of times, but in the dark - no chance.

 

 

Are you playing on expert right ? You can see the enemy planes marked on your map when they are just above the action point(intercept missions only)! Use that to your advantage, because when they leave the action point their planes disappear from the map and you have to rely on the good old Mk I Eyeball to find them.

[Brano]

If you have time and will,sometimes it is good to fly to nearest enemy AF. I did it few times when I lost enemy above "action" point. And they were there on landing approach. Not those I thought in particular (MiGs instead of peshkas hehe) but they were there. You can get some kills while they are gear down-pants down :D

[Elem]

If you have time and will,sometimes it is good to fly to nearest enemy AF. I did it few times when I lost enemy above "action" point. And they were there on landing approach. Not those I thought in particular (MiGs instead of peshkas hehe) but they were there. You can get some kills while they are gear down-pants down :D

That is one of my favourite techniques! Avoid taking on any opposition during the mission but loiter at a distance until the fight is over and follow the surviving enemy to their airfield. Then bingo! Otherwise known as "vulching" if employed in MP! Of course, you do have to cope with the defensive AAA, but stay fast and weave a lot.