Expert Level: I can't spot the SPAD fast enough.

[Champagne]

Any tips on how to see the enemy during dogfighting?  My Dr. I can't run away from the SPADs, so, while I'm on one SPAD's tail and hitting him, I've got to watch the sky for other enemy SPADs coming at me out of the blue. Often times, when the enemy is on Veteran skill level, he's hitting me from 400 meters away before I can spot him.

 

I've got to get better at spotting them early.

 

I also need to learn how to snap turn into SPAD coming at my side or tail so that he misses. On Veteran level, the enemy does not miss often.

 

I'm alone fighting three Veteran SPADs. We are at 500m, same altitude, coming face to face. I have no energy advantage, and, I'm not likely to have a chance to get one during the dogfight.

 

Tips? Yes, I know I've covered a couple of topics but, I could use tips on these topics.

 

Thanks!

[SharpeXB]

Just takes a lot of practice. Frankly WWI is the easiest sim to spot other aircraft in. They’re slow, at close range and have all sorts of distinctive shapes and colors. You’ve got an open cockpit with plenty of view too. If you practice with the triplane you can make incredibly fast turns. Just need to pay more attention to the rudder and prop effects. Notice which way it wants to pull and counter it before it happens. 

Edited October 11, 2018 by SharpeXB

[Champagne]

Thanks, yes. That's good advice.

 

But, I wonder if I have the best "pilot viewing" setting mapped out on my keyboard.  Is Pan View best? Or Snap View?  

 

There must be a way for me to find out that I have the optimal setting to spot enemy planes on Expert Level. I have already cleaned my computer screen, so, that's a start.

[SharpeXB]

There’s a zoom view command as well. It’s handy to have that mapped somewhere that’s easy to use. 

[Guest deleted@83466]

If you don't have TrackIR, think about getting one.  Your next best bet is the Snap views. I've heard of people doing it, but Panning around with a mouse, or even your hat switch seems like a form of torture to me.   In your monitor, try adjusting some settings like contrast and brightness.  I got some benefit from going from the Cool Color Temp setting to the Warm temp setting, because it was a better fit for my room lighting and things looked more like real life.  And after all is said and done, the biggest dividends are going to be found in technique and tactics.  Develop a scan technique, where you are constantly scanning set pieces of the sky...doesn't hurt to glance over your shoulder quick when you are coming in on a target.  Don't get target fixated.  Finally, if you're in a plane like the Dr.I, don't get yourself boxed in by 3 Spads in the first place; you're likely to die, no matter how well your spotting skills happen to be. 

 

P.S. Wingmen are good because they watch each other's six!

Edited October 11, 2018 by SeaSerpent

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

Sounds strange but panning with your mouse using your left hand with stick in the right works pretty well.  I used my hat switch for throttle control, but you might be able to map that to the mouse wheel.

 

Between those, that's about all you'll need for the WW1 planes most of the time.

[BMA_Hellbender]

3 minutes ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

Sounds strange but panning with your mouse using your left hand with stick in the right works pretty well.  I used my hat switch for throttle control, but you might be able to map that to the mouse wheel.

 

Between those, that's about all you'll need for the WW1 planes most of the time.

 

Wait, do you still use that now?

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

Just now, Hellbender said:

 

Wait, do you still use that now?

 

Hell no; unless I'm flying a two-seater.

[BMA_Hellbender]

1 minute ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

 

Hell no; unless I'm flying a two-seater.

 

Okay, okay, because I was about to elevate your 100-kill streak from DAMN IMPRESSIVE to UNWORTHY OF US MERE MORTALS.

 

Still damn impressive.

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

8 minutes ago, Hellbender said:

 

Okay, okay, because I was about to elevate your 100-kill streak from DAMN IMPRESSIVE to UNWORTHY OF US MERE MORTALS.

 

Still damn impressive.

 

Well you can downgrade it at least one level, because I had icons for about 85 of those.  But thank you nonetheless.

[BMA_Hellbender]

1 minute ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

 

Well you can downgrade it at least one level, because I had icons for about 85 of those.  But thank you nonetheless.

 

BURN THE WITCH!!

 

To be honest, now that NFF is pretty much the only active server during the week, I'm so used to icons that it's going to take me a while to get back into spotting dots when Flying Circus comes out. Besides, it's so hectic in NFF that you just have to have them on if you want to survive for more than a few seconds in a dogfight. The Captain actually has them off, because he says it messes with his aimbot. I am a simple, man, however. If I can get icons, I will turn them on.

 

That said, I can still usually tell what a plane is earlier than when the type comes up with icons, but it's obviously way easier to see the icon from much further away. Then of course once you get the red arrow it does get a bit easier.

 

Still damn impressive.

[No.23_Gaylion]

Icons jack up my plane ID because of the little x it puts on them. I turn them off.

[SharpeXB]

RoF doesn’t need icons. It’s the easiest sim to ID planes in. The WWII aircraft can look really similar. But WWI aircraft are so varied.