Question for squads flying MP with 8 to 12 pilots

[Talisman]

Hi Folks,

 

Quick question aimed at larger squads flying MP with approximately 8 to 12 pilots. 

 

Are you having any difficulty operating together as a complete unit (same aircraft or a minimum of 2 types per mission (single type of bomber and single type of fighter escort) for example) on general MP servers, or are you running your own servers, perhaps locked, to achieve the squad flying experience in historical larger numbers as a group?

 

I ask because at first glance it appears to me that the general MP servers cater best for smaller numbers like lone wolf, pairs or up to 4 or so pilots, but the scripting for MP servers generally appear to make it difficult for larger squad flying.  My thoughts are that there may be a gap in the market for some squad based MP servers.

 

I have yet to encounter many other larger squads on general MP servers in BoX, as I have done with other flight sim titles and miss this aspect of the simulation  

 

Thoughts?

 

Happy landings,

 

56RAF_Talisman

 

[BOO]

The short mission times (comparatively), supply limitations, limited targets and popularity/free space available on the wider public servers make large squad participation very hard especially if you have set squad nights. 

 

My old Squad (SACG or 4./JG52) tried hard to muster interest in having a squad v squad evening but it got little support which was a shame. Dunno how the ground lies now but perhaps its worth making contact with them http://www.simulatedcombatgroup.com/

 

They're a good bunch (if every so slight American :-))

 

Cheers

 

BOO

[xvii-Dietrich]

I agree that short mission times are a problem. The XVII used to fly high-altitude bombers, but the number of times the mission rolled just as we were reaching altitude means we've given up. We still fly on BoX, but mostly just lone-wolfing these days. Squad nights are flown with other sims. Sure, we could set up our own BoX server, but we've not really had the time/motivation to get around to it  (yet).

[Lusekofte]

Short missions, small maps and the way missions are made . the targets are mostly concentrated to a few places and can easily be defended. There is few hopes to not get massacred flying bombers in a squad without protection. For fighter squads it is basically free hunt. There easily dominate a server in such a degree that it almost ruin the fun for less organized pilots. 

In my point of view squad flying is best done in COD for many reasons, one of them is bigger maps, and a tradition to fly in groups

[[CPT]Crunch]

Big Squads don't work the way most think of them, never have, never will.  You need to break up into elements of two in combat to be effective comms and fight wise, or you do nothing but try herding cats until the lone wolfs slip in and kills you in the chaos. 

 

Pick a specific target or objective, brief, brief, and train for what each elements role is and where exactly they should be.  It's all in the tactical set up for the mission your trying to pull off.  Pick a specialty, you sound like you have the manpower, shut down and destroy airbases, no one else can do that by lone wolfing.

 

You can use multi channel comms and hot swap between channels sharing intel and updating the picture on the fly, but comms discipline is required.  If you can do that, it really won't matter the squad size, four or more guys who are actively fighting in pairs together with the same objective are a fearsome thing to run into for the lone wolves.  Never put more than four guys on a channel, only one has to be able to cross talk to the other lead.

 

Once you get comms set up, and it will work, than you need to concentrate on plans and tactics, constantly evolve, flexibility and openness to change are the key, just as they were IRL.

 

You don't need to set up training events, train right on the server in active combat, there's no better training than a bloody nose, you'll find exactly what will and doesn't work.  Always discuss what went wrong and right, figure out what you guys need to change up, and what to keep.  But most of all keep it fun for all your guys, reap the fruit, and enjoy it while it lasts.

 

The 2 ship element is the highest authority, no such thing as just a wingman, both are hot swap leads.  Who gives a crap who's shooter, but you do coordinate and work it together as an element, the kills will come, there's enough for all.  Guy in the element with the best picture instantly is the lead, you spot the bogey, your lead, no time to waste.  Any element not directly engaged but there is security, watch over and protect, always assume the guy you have cornered has help nearby.  There is no greater thing than protecting your fellow pilot, unless he's doing utterly stupid stuff, than you have no obligation to follow.  Make friends and enjoy the game, our motto, every man a Captain, what we learned works best.  At one time we had over 20 guys, your best success comes in elements, and if you can all share the same objective it'll be hell to defeat you.    

[[CPT]CptJackSparrow]

What he said ^

[1./KG4_OldJames]

Mission times are the main reason we fly Finnish server, as long as we can get organised close to the start. The problems start when one side or the other are too efficient and the mission ends early, usually when you have 4 or 5 squad mates in slow-climbing bombers just reaching 4 km alt.

[LLv34_Temuri]

29 minutes ago, 1./KG4_OldJames said:

Mission times are the main reason we fly Finnish server, as long as we can get organised close to the start. The problems start when one side or the other are too efficient and the mission ends early, usually when you have 4 or 5 squad mates in slow-climbing bombers just reaching 4 km alt.

I wish the multiplayer/server system was made so that there would be an API that the background app could use. Then it would just be a question of running the server without any need for a predefined mission or mission restarts. The app would just use the API to remove the destroyed tank bases etc. and then create new ones.