I'm looking to buy IL-2

[Zombrii]

Hello Everyone,

 

Little about myself
I'm Brian a.k.a. Zombrii, 28 y.o. and from the Netherlands. I played alot of War Thunder (aviation and tanks) and am looking to make a shift into into IL-2, you could say i'm a fan/veteran of combat simulator games or close to realistic as i spend hundreds of hours in (ARMA 3, Escape From Tarkov). Back when i was just a boy i remember playing the first IL-2 and having no clue what so ever on what i was doing but was fascinated by the game because of the realism, i remember having my first joystick and actually taking down my first plane...how proud i was!.

 

What should version would suit me?

So i just recently purchased Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X to get into it again.

I really love everything regarding WW2 history and particularly Dutch WW2 history, so dutch regions/map would be awesome to have!
Also since the dutch had squadrons in the RAF (320, 321 & 322th squadron) i love to fly in all Spitfires (Used by 322: Vb, Vc, XIV, IXb & XVIe)

Besides that i have a love for German aircraft as well, Russian aircraft on the other hand is probably at the bottom of my list.

 

Discount?

Since my purchase i'm short on my saving.

I'm wondering if there will be a discount soon or is expected in a certain period?

Unfortunately i cannot pay the full price game and support the devs in this particular moment since the corona-crisis has cut down my salary, when i can i would 100% do it like i have done in Escape from Tarkov.

 

Thank you for your time and response.

[RedKestrel]

2 minutes ago, Zombrii said:

Hello Everyone,

 

Little about myself
I'm Brian a.k.a. Zombrii, 28 y.o. and from the Netherlands. I played alot of War Thunder (aviation and tanks) and am looking to make a shift into into IL-2, you could say i'm a fan/veteran of combat simulator games or close to realistic as i spend hundreds of hours in (ARMA 3, Escape From Tarkov). Back when i was just a boy i remember playing the first IL-2 and having no clue what so ever on what i was doing but was fascinated by the game because of the realism, i remember having my first joystick and actually taking down my first plane...how proud i was!.

 

What should version would suit me?

So i just recently purchased Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X to get into it again.

I really love everything regarding WW2 history and particularly Dutch WW2 history, so dutch regions/map would be awesome to have!
Also since the dutch had squadrons in the RAF (320, 321 & 322th squadron) i love to fly in all Spitfires (Used by 322: Vb, Vc, XIV, IXb & XVIe)

Besides that i have a love for German aircraft as well, Russian aircraft on the other hand is probably at the bottom of my list.

 

Discount?

Since my purchase i'm short on my saving.

I'm wondering if there will be a discount soon or is expected in a certain period?

Unfortunately i cannot pay the full price game and support the devs in this particular moment since the corona-crisis has cut down my salary, when i can i would 100% do it like i have done in Escape from Tarkov.

 

Thank you for your time and response.

Unfortunately you have just missed a few pretty big sales that were going on earlier. Sales are relatively frequent though, they happen four or five times a year it seems. 

Battle of Bodenplatte is the late-war setting and a significant portion of the map covers the Netherlands, including big cities like Antwerp. The timeline for that module covers most of the fighting that occurred in that area in 1944-45. If you are into Multiplayer, Combat Box, one of the more popular online servers, regularly runs a multiplayer mission based on the Battle of the Scheldt estuary.

The rest of the modules are set on the Eastern front of WWII but they are excellent as well. If you don't find yourself super interested in that setting, give it a shot during a sale. All of the modules integrate together once installed so it all works as one big game - when you purchase a module it just unlocks content on your current install and you can fly it immediately.

Battle of Normandy is in pre-order phase at the moment. Right now there are no maps or planes, but as planes and the map are released, pre-order buyers can use them immediately as part of their install.

As for Spitfires, we have the IXe in Battle of Bodenplatte and the Spitfire Vb as a collector plane (purchaseable separately) OR as part of the premium edition of Battle of Kuban. The Spitfire Mk. XIV will come as a collector plane with Battle of Normandy.

[Mollotin]

Welcome!

 

If u like Spitfires and German aircraft i suggest u get the Battle of Bodenplatte. It includes a spit 9, some more allied fighters and some late war german fighters.

There is also spit V available as separate purchase as collector plane. There is only one server currently (Combat Box By Red Flight) that has Bodenplatte planes available constantly so if u are into Multiplayer u might find that server sometimes less populated than some others.

 

Other option is to get Battle Of Kuban and buy the spit v as collector. Thus u make sure u can find populated multiplayer servers to fit ur plane set.

 

I myself also moved from war thunder to Il2. They are a bit different. IL2 maps are way bigger and if there is only few players on MP server it feels really empty. Not to discourage u but just something to be aware. There is most of the time at least one server with 60-80 players online.

[Zombrii]

1 hour ago, RedKestrel said:

Unfortunately you have just missed a few pretty big sales that were going on earlier. Sales are relatively frequent though, they happen four or five times a year it seems. 

Battle of Bodenplatte is the late-war setting and a significant portion of the map covers the Netherlands, including big cities like Antwerp. The timeline for that module covers most of the fighting that occurred in that area in 1944-45. If you are into Multiplayer, Combat Box, one of the more popular online servers, regularly runs a multiplayer mission based on the Battle of the Scheldt estuary.

The rest of the modules are set on the Eastern front of WWII but they are excellent as well. If you don't find yourself super interested in that setting, give it a shot during a sale. All of the modules integrate together once installed so it all works as one big game - when you purchase a module it just unlocks content on your current install and you can fly it immediately.

Battle of Normandy is in pre-order phase at the moment. Right now there are no maps or planes, but as planes and the map are released, pre-order buyers can use them immediately as part of their install.

As for Spitfires, we have the IXe in Battle of Bodenplatte and the Spitfire Vb as a collector plane (purchaseable separately) OR as part of the premium edition of Battle of Kuban. The Spitfire Mk. XIV will come as a collector plane with Battle of Normandy.

 

Always my luck just missing the discount, no other option then to be patient then.

 

Thx alot for the detailed information, i will look into battle of bodenplatte! 

 

Really appreciate the comment, thx again!

1 hour ago, Mollotin said:

Welcome!

 

If u like Spitfires and German aircraft i suggest u get the Battle of Bodenplatte. It includes a spit 9, some more allied fighters and some late war german fighters.

There is also spit V available as separate purchase as collector plane. There is only one server currently (Combat Box By Red Flight) that has Bodenplatte planes available constantly so if u are into Multiplayer u might find that server sometimes less populated than some others.

 

Other option is to get Battle Of Kuban and buy the spit v as collector. Thus u make sure u can find populated multiplayer servers to fit ur plane set.

 

I myself also moved from war thunder to Il2. They are a bit different. IL2 maps are way bigger and if there is only few players on MP server it feels really empty. Not to discourage u but just something to be aware. There is most of the time at least one server with 60-80 players online.

 

Thx alot for your comment, i will look into battle of bodenplatte!

 

Don't worry, the milsim emptyness feeling is something i am all to familiar with! In ARMA 3 milsim large escale op it could take 2 hours before seeing action haha. For the multiplayer part i  will mainly do singleplayer  

[Eclipse4349]

There are also servers running missions that have AI in addition to any human players. There's something for any kind of play.

 

Welcome! I also came over to IL-2 after a very short exposure through War Thunder.  I saw it on sale and decided to give it a shot, and there was definitely no going back. 

[=RS=Stix_09]

Some other considerations

1) if you want to use any steam content then you have to buy Battle of Stalingrad first on steam.

Steam content is always behind non steam content in release. (no early access content is on steam, where as everything is available on website.

If you only want to use stand alone client (and will never get any steam content), then it doesn't matter.

 

No steam content works with standalone client(only steam content in the past was able to be registered on stand alone client, This was changed in an update since in 2018(LINK see this post for details on how game works with steam version)), 

 

As long as you get Battle of Stalingrad via steam you can use any steam purchased content if you launch the game via steam client, You can also link steam to  non steam content if you run the steam version of the game (which required battle of Stalingrad purchased on steam)

If you only ever buy from website and only want to use non steam content this is not a consideration. 

 

2)Career (is tied to theater of war) and  various scripted campaigns, may require particular planes or theater(which has the maps) . Every theater in the Il-2 series comes with its own maps and a set of planes that match that theater. 

 

BUT In multiplayer you do not need to own the maps, to play them online as long as you own a plane that is available in that multiplayer match , but any offline single player you will need the particular theater to get its planes and related map of operation.

 

MY ADVICE:
If you are a steam user, consider starting with Battle of Stalingrad on steam. (on sale this can go for 75% off...) 

You can add any collector plane to it (like Spitfire VB). The main advantage of website purchase is , you can buy any content , (premium additions with 2 collector planes and early access content). If you start BOS on steam , you still can link to non steam account and buy non steam content later.

 

If you don't care about steam , its really all about what planes you want to fly. And all versions are equally good IMHO. I own all non early release content myself.

I like all of them. I have a mix of steam and non steam content, but to use all of them I just have to run the steam version of the game (which requires BOS on

steam)

 

Buying from steam devs lose about 30% of the sale to valve corp, but for me its always slightly cheaper on steam because of the payment gateway they use on website . Its got a terrible exchange rate (and its fee is also added to the exchange too) which adds about 10-15% to the same item on steam.

 

Edited May 30, 2020 by =RS=Stix_09

[=RS=Stix_09]

7 hours ago, Mollotin said:

There is only one server currently (Combat Box By Red Flight) that has Bodenplatte planes available constantly so if u are into Multiplayer u might find that server sometimes less populated than some others.

 

 

@Zombrii

Unprofesssionals server also has all planes available on all maps, its more geared to newer players, gets regular ppl and does a weekly flyout.

It would be a good intro to you , and you can see some of the maps you may not own if you only get one Theater of war.

Its also got AI planes to play with when u are just learning to fly the plane , let alone do combat with it...

It is an Australian server so may not suite you local (There are a lot of servers some with AI planes and some without , some have more experienced players more often  than others.)

 

Just note: Combat box does get  a lot of experienced players lurking... (prob not the best for 1st time online), def check it out though its an excellent server and popular by all. 

 

To see what planes and time periods of each theater, just browse the main website.

STORE LINK

 

There is a great deal of depth to Il-2 GB series, much more than apparent from loading into its main menu.

For example there is a full mission builder (In game its only a quick builder and far less powerful), and 3rd party tools , like mission generators, campaign creation tools, user created skins etc. Video tutorials on all aspects of il-2 etc , etc.

 

The forum is the best place find out how  to get the most from this sim...

Edited May 30, 2020 by =RS=Stix_09

[ACG_PanzerVI]

Additional advice - you've invested in a HOTAS, but that is only 1/2 the equipment necessary for full experience.  Recommend you purchase only one IL-2 title and save up for a Track IR.  This is critical, as it permits a MUCH more intuitive, easy view control and immerses you in the sim.  The jump from hat switch camera view to Track IR is equivalent to the jump from Track IR to VR.  Track IR is not cheap - there are a few less expensive alternatives and I've also seen at least a few YT videos on how to build your own.  You should also browse the forum here extensively.  Several different members frequently host 'give aways' to set up new players.  They seem to select randomly, but it is their money, so perhaps your story would be compelling and up your chances.  Recommend you respond on their posts and see if you can get lucky.  

[SAG]

 

1 minute ago, ACG_PanzerV said:

Additional advice - you've invested in a HOTAS, but that is only 1/2 the equipment necessary for full experience.  Recommend you purchase only one IL-2 title and save up for a Track IR.  This is critical, as it permits a MUCH more intuitive, easy view control and immerses you in the sim.  The jump from hat switch camera view to Track IR is equivalent to the jump from Track IR to VR.  Track IR is not cheap - there are a few less expensive alternatives and I've also seen at least a few YT videos on how to build your own.  You should also browse the forum here extensively.  Several different members frequently host 'give aways' to set up new players.  They seem to select randomly, but it is their money, so perhaps your story would be compelling and up your chances.  Recommend you respond on their posts and see if you can get lucky.  

 

 

I 100% agree that what you need next is some headtracking but if money is tight, then don't buy a TrakIR. Make your own tracker using opentrack that will be just as good and it's free (except for the webcam you would need and a couple of dollars for 3 LEDs). I flew from 2014 to 2017 using Opentrack and Freetrack before that and never had an issue, I only stored it for VR.

 

If you want to build a "headtracker" and know how to use duct tape and a screwdriver then ask me and i'll help you build your own.

[=RS=Stix_09]

Yes suggest to  get opentrack like me is much cheaper (about 50$ US on ebay for head piece and ps3 eye cam 640x480@75fps) it works just as good. 

This is what I got. (you can make your own cheaper, but this is already done for you), Its been working over 2years now without any issues.

 

Spoiler

https://www.ebay.com/itm/151757117873

 

Software is free d/l

 

There is a very good setup guide here by.

 

by 

Edited May 30, 2020 by =RS=Stix_09

[Reggie_Mental]

Track IR is obsolete. The major gripe people have about Track IR is it is expensive and flimsy. I broke 2 clips, and eventually my sensor spazzed out too and was unusable 

 

Get Trackhat or Delan Clip and a PS3 Eye. 

 

Track IR is okay, I used it for years but it was developed for much more than PC flight sims, and industrial/commercial use. Consequently they put a processor in the sensor. This processor takes the load off your processor, but they never thought about how to cool it. So sometimes it will just crash out or start flicking randomly like you have whiplash. You don't need a processor in the sensor or in the clip. You have a powerful one on your motherboard that you paid a small fortune for.

 

Modern gaming PCs with DDR3 or 4 RAM and 7th or 8th Gen processors have the headroom to process head tracking reliably and smoothly. Trackhat is also much cheaper and has many more options.

 

I use this kit. The setup was easy but the fine tuning took a wee while to get the way I want it. There is lots of advice here and on the web about it to help you. It's usable in lots of other games too. The PS3 camera is quite a good bit of kit too as it has a zoom function and a built in mic. (remember to turn it off for team chat with a headset mic as you will get an intermittent echo)

 

https://www.trackhat.org/trackhat-clip-plus

[216th_Jordan]

6 hours ago, Reggie_Mental said:

Track IR is obsolete. The major gripe people have about Track IR is it is expensive and flimsy. I broke 2 clips, and eventually my sensor spazzed out too and was unusable 

 

Get Trackhat or Delan Clip and a PS3 Eye. 

 

Track IR is okay, I used it for years but it was developed for much more than PC flight sims, and industrial/commercial use. Consequently they put a processor in the sensor. This processor takes the load off your processor, but they never thought about how to cool it. So sometimes it will just crash out or start flicking randomly like you have whiplash. You don't need a processor in the sensor or in the clip. You have a powerful one on your motherboard that you paid a small fortune for.

 

Modern gaming PCs with DDR3 or 4 RAM and 7th or 8th Gen processors have the headroom to process head tracking reliably and smoothly. Trackhat is also much cheaper and has many more options.

 

I use this kit. The setup was easy but the fine tuning took a wee while to get the way I want it. There is lots of advice here and on the web about it to help you. It's usable in lots of other games too. The PS3 camera is quite a good bit of kit too as it has a zoom function and a built in mic. (remember to turn it off for team chat with a headset mic as you will get an intermittent echo)

 

https://www.trackhat.org/trackhat-clip-plus

 

How is it with reaction time/input lag and accuracy? Afaik TrackIR samples at 120hz but I always found it to be a bit laggy although my sensor never overheated or got hot (or so it seems).

[DD_Crash]

Hello, one of the best things to do is join a squad that suits your style look here and see if you like the sound of any. By the way we have FoolTrottle who used to be a mod on the Ubizoo fly with us and he lives in the Netherlands.

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/forum/17-virtual-squadrons/

[SAG]

1 hour ago, 216th_Jordan said:

 

How is it with reaction time/input lag and accuracy? Afaik TrackIR samples at 120hz but I always found it to be a bit laggy although my sensor never overheated or got hot (or so it seems).

 

Refresh rate depends on the camera. the Play station Eyecam was 120Hz too if I remember correctly. I never had any trouble and it was very smooth.

 

but maybe someone else can answer that better as I have not used it in about 3 years.

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Welkom! Ook een Nederlander hier, een jaartje ouder dan jij

 

Do you use Steam? If so, you'll need Battle of Stalingrad (BOS) as all other titles are implemented as DLCs on Steam (on the official site, you can buy them as separate titles).

 

Also, I advise you to at least try out the Russian planes anyhow, you might find them rather fun to fly. For me too, they used to be somewhat less appealing. Our country was never invaded by the Soviets after all, and it's all a bit far away. But currently, I think the Russian planes are my favourites. They're agile and usually have great flying characteristics.

 

If you're looking for combat more relevant to the Netherlands, or even the West, you should get Battle of Bodenplatte (BoBP) as some others have said:

17 hours ago, RedKestrel said:

Battle of Bodenplatte is the late-war setting and a significant portion of the map covers the Netherlands, including big cities like Antwerp

Antwerp isn't in the Netherlands of course

The map does indeed cover most of the Netherlands however, up to and including Overijssel to the North. If you want to take a look at exactly what's included, you can see the map at https://il2missionplanner.com/#rheinland.

 

BoBP is the latest release however and hence usually a tad more expensive. You should probably wait for a sale anyhow, they're held pretty frequently so it probably won't take more than a month or two.

 

The upcoming Battle of Normandy (BoN) may also be interesting as it includes V1 bombs, which were launched from our country and intercepted by our compatriots of 322 squadron RAF. It'll take a while before it's released though.

 

If your joystick is enough really depends on whether you intend to play online a lot. As ACG_PanzerV says, a trackIR system is recommended (I'm saving up for one right now). Singleplayer, which I usually play, is easily doable without one though as you can just use the padlock functionality to automatically lock your view to an enemy plane. There's also one or two multiplayer servers that allow padlock, but the more hardcore ones will really require you to use trackIR as looking around with your mouse or hat switch only goes so far when flying fighter planes. So it really depends on how you plan to use IL2. Offline or easy, less realistic servers or bomber planes on realistic servers -> trackIR not needed at all. Online, realistic servers, fighter planes -> trackIR is a must.

 

I'd recommend to start offline anyhow until you know what you're doing. That way you won't embarrass yourself by turning straight into a friendly on a botched takeoff attempt, or blow up your engine 5 minutes in

 

Groeten uit Eindhoven!

 

Fer

Edited May 30, 2020 by AEthelraedUnraed

[TempestV]

You really can't miss with this sim.

I guess multiplayer is solid-but I'm a single player/editor geek myself and BoS has given me hours of enjoyment just in those arenas.

The Developers always fix any problems and updates are common.

Everything looks gorgeous.

 

I strongly suggest you buy it from their website rather then from STEAM-they get a bigger cut of the profits.

 

FWIW-I own DCS sims and enjoys those to-but one HUGE area IL2 has over DCS is that is does not take forever to load. You can just jump into the cockpit and fly.

Edited May 30, 2020 by TempestV

[Reggie_Mental]

On 5/30/2020 at 12:06 PM, 216th_Jordan said:

 

How is it with reaction time/input lag and accuracy? Afaik TrackIR samples at 120hz but I always found it to be a bit laggy although my sensor never overheated or got hot (or so it seems).

Very good. I think it performs better all round and mine is only sampling at 75hz and is buttery smooth