Bodenplatte Blues’ Target-Rich Environment

[kurtj]

As someone who typically flies online on whichever side has the best target-rich environment, I spent the majority of the past few years going after a plethora of 109s and 190s.

 

The Bodenplatte release has been phenomenal in many ways, and for the most part I’ve contributed to the Red-heavy server imbalance of late (51 and Spitfire fan).
 

Yesterday, for a change of pace I took a Jabo A8 to Arnhem, where I spent the better part of an hour strafing ground targets alongside two 110s before getting a shared claim of a P-47. Safe RTB with the fourth-highest Blue points score, and this was with a full 80 on the server.

 

The only flak I caught was from someone who spent the better part of 20 minutes lamenting the “OP” P-51, who asked why I preferred to fly “inferior planes.”

 

Fine, I thought, “I’ll pick an A5 and go Mustang hunting.“

 

Over the 1315 Panzers I bounced a 51 on the treetops... 1 down. After regaining altitude, over the Fuel Depot I bounced a formation of 2 51s and a 47, catching the 47 in the engine, then dragging the 51s down to the treetops and toward one of our airfields. More Mustang fertilizer for the crops, thanks to some inferior 109Gs. After things settled down (I experienced a new vertigo(?) effect where the pilot POV kept wobbling like in a FPS) I made my second safe RTB... All told, two 47s and one 51 for me, and two other 51s for other Blues, all flying “inferior” aircraft.

 

The expanse of the Bodenplatte map seems to create a more realistic online environment where tactics, and not the thin margins of aircraft performance, are the greatest factors for success. Sure, it isn’t nonstop Air Quake action, but neither was the real thing.

 

I find it ironic that so much attention is sometimes paid to the “realism” of aircraft performance by some players in the “____is OP” format. The impression I get is they’re actually looking for as big of an advantage as possible to make up for or excuse their underdeveloped tactics or skills. (I do appreciate when actual original source materials and flight data are referenced, in support of development.)

 

The best part of flying “inferior” aircraft is bagging “OP” aircraft. Many of you already know this (especially you P-40 guys), but if you don’t, I highly recommend it.

 

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by kurtj
Clarification

[Field-Ops]

I think the new G effects have been the greatest help as of late to even the playing field between better/worse aircraft. Raw performance in a turn wont save you if you cant handle the Gs. Its more situational where you have to plan ahead now. 

 

The A8 has been a favorite of mine for a long while, I've found it can hold its own quite well. There are always plenty available too. 

[kurtj]

6 minutes ago, Field-Ops said:

I think the new G effects have been the greatest help as of late to even the playing field between better/worse aircraft. Raw performance in a turn wont save you if you cant handle the Gs. Its more situational where you have to plan ahead now. 

 

The A8 has been a favorite of mine for a long while, I've found it can hold its own quite well. There are always plenty available too. 

Good point!

[busdriver]

2 hours ago, kurtj said:

The expanse of the Bodenplatte map seems to create a more realistic online environment where tactics, and not the thin margins of aircraft performance, are the greatest factors for success. Sure, it isn’t nonstop Air Quake action, but neither was the real thing.

 

I find it ironic that so much attention is sometimes paid to the “realism” of aircraft performance by some players in the “____is OP” format. The impression I get is they’re actually looking for as big of an advantage as possible to make up for or excuse their underdeveloped tactics or skills.

You're a successful gamer, good on ya. If you think flying around all by your lonesome is somehow a realistic tactic worthy as an exemplar, I'll wave the BS flag. Unless you're part of a well organized association/caste/clan/horde/tribe of folks that fly highly organized formations, then you're simply flying "same way, same day...until the merge." Your success boils down to your gaming skill set.

 

Enjoy your success. Talk smack about your superior virtual airmanship, but don't confuse it with superior tactics. You just happen to be a pretty good 1GCCFP. I can guarantee that EVERY single MP participant can kick my ass in 1-v-1 all day long...it's a fact. I simply suck at virtual BFM, and I personally want every advantage to compensate for my lack of gaming skill. 

 

 

 

 

[Lusekofte]

Well I can tell you the target rich environment has moved on. He became tired of being target practice to 30 mm equipped fighters looking for a heavy loaded P 47 ?

[kurtj]

51 minutes ago, busdriver said:

You're a successful gamer, good on ya. If you think flying around all by your lonesome is somehow a realistic tactic worthy as an exemplar, I'll wave the BS flag. Unless you're part of a well organized association/caste/clan/horde/tribe of folks that fly highly organized formations, then you're simply flying "same way, same day...until the merge.”

I agree that teamwork is far more realistic than lone-wolfing; I perceive the field of tactics is broad and deep and not limited to formations...The finger-four is far less organized than the echelons it replaced, as well.

Using altitude advantage, the sun and surprise are all tactics that work irrespective of formation... and a disregard for such things is an invitation for trouble.

40 minutes ago, No.322_LuseKofte said:

Well I can tell you the target rich environment has moved on. He became tired of being target practice to 30 mm equipped fighters looking for a heavy loaded P 47 ?

I feel ya on that. The environment as a whole remains rich in Tempests and Mustangs.

[busdriver]

1 hour ago, kurtj said:

I agree that teamwork is far more realistic than lone-wolfing; I perceive the field of tactics is broad and deep and not limited to formations...The finger-four is far less organized than the echelons it replaced, as well.

Using altitude advantage, the sun and surprise are all tactics that work irrespective of formation... and a disregard for such things is an invitation for trouble.

 

I think you missed my point. I never mentioned any specific formation, simply highly organized. In my Jurassic era experience, fighter pilots knowing and doing their job is what makes a formation highly organized, not the size or shape of the formation. Formations evolve. Indeed successfully using the sun or an altitude or speed advantage whilst hunting other singleton day fighters shows basic tactical awareness. But MP servers encourage singleton play, and your MP success as a singleton, IMO gives you a false sense of your air combat acumen versus the players that choose to fly something that goes fast or is a heavy hitter (gun-wise). 

 

6 hours ago, kurtj said:

The impression I get is they’re actually looking for as big of an advantage as possible to make up for or excuse their underdeveloped tactics or skills.

 

You are by your own admission, a superior 1GCCFP. I am a terrible gamer...I die easily and often...it is what it is. You're the polar bear and I'm the seal pup on MP. I'll take a Tempest or P-51 all day, every day if the server allows. You just had the misfortune of having a former RL fighter pilot that sucks at this game engage you in a debate. 

[kurtj]

2 hours ago, busdriver said:

You are by your own admission, a superior 1GCCFP. I am a terrible gamer...I die easily and often...it is what it is. You're the polar bear and I'm the seal pup on MP. I'll take a Tempest or P-51 all day, every day if the server allows. You just had the misfortune of having a former RL fighter pilot that sucks at this game engage you in a debate. 

First, thank you for your service, and it’s a pleasure to have a discussion with you. One downside of online discussion is there’s so much context that’s left out. Thank you also for clarifying your point. What did you fly, if I may ask?

 

My initial reaction which led to my OP stemmed from my online encounter with what I would describe as a form of the “Mercedes-Benz” (marketing tagline) condescension: “the best or nothing,” that was directed at me. It goes with the “win at all costs” and “winning is the only thing that matters” attitudes that I’m sick of. (I do like winning) I don’t blame people for choosing top tier aircraft, but being attacked for flying less than the best drove me to demonstrate it isn’t as plane-deterministic as some make it out to be. I wanted to represent that the best I could, knowing what I do know. With my mind in that direction, I wasn’t thinking about other ways my account might come off. You bring up good points.

Edited November 10, 2019 by kurtj

[busdriver]

2 hours ago, kurtj said:

My initial reaction which led to my OP stemmed from my online encounter with what I would describe as a form of the “Mercedes-Benz” (marketing tagline) condescension: “the best or nothing,” that was directed at me. It goes with the “win at all costs” and “winning is the only thing that matters” attitudes that I’m sick of.

 

Indeed the limitations of forum posting led me to infer something you did not imply. Thanks for clarifying. We're good. 

 

I don't know what to tell you in order to counter the taunts other than ignore the trolling. Their insecurity is their problem not yours. I recall the days when that was a challenge for me.

[GP*]

Interesting discussion. I'm finding the career mode a refreshing break from all of this. MP is great, but the airfield attack mission I flew last night in my beloved P-47 felt just like the footage you see on youtube, and made me forget all about folks arguing over the nth degree of performance for each aircraft. (Side note: I'm guilty of this too).