Server Review by JG51

[WB_jokkr]

Alpha server review

 

 

 

IL2 great battles is a remarkable game. It provides a long lifespan in ones personal game career. The start begins with playing the game stand-alone version against AI opponents likely in preplanned missions. One learns general aircraft handling, ie how to effectively fly each aircraft with its unique characteristics. Axis aircraft and allied aircraft all have there own individual flight and ground characteristics to master. All aircraft are a amalgam of compromises and limitations. There is a learning curve that takes months (not years) and the game can be largely mastered in the first year.

 

At some point the idea of flying against others takes root. The game all of a sudden takes on a whole new set of challenges. Many of the built in game aids begin to evaporate. The level of predictability greatly diminishes. Is my opponent an ace, or a new guy barely staying in the air? Navigation takes on a whole new skill set. Do I even know where I am at any given time. Throw in winter, where everything looks the same, and the difficulty goes off the scale.

 

Often more complex control systems come along. Full HOTAS, along with rudder pedals are almost required. Long term players eventually have very sophisticated setups. Not required to succeed, but very useful as most have considerable customization available to move away from the keyboard. 

 

As one gains more skills through participation, the player begins to specialize. Usually the first decision is to pick a side. Axis or Allied, are different mindsets. Note I’m not talking politics, but the German (and Italian) plane design is very different than Soviet, very different than British, and very different than American. Late war vs early war add in a bit of spice.

 

It takes years to master everything, if that’s even possible. But generally, multiplayer is the pinnacle of game play and you will find your place. I once flew a fighter, the FW190 exclusively, now I fly an attacker, the BF 110. I am honestly only highly skillful in the 110, though there are some nights I tend to disprove that.

 

At this point socialization becomes the way to advance. Join a squadron. Other like-minded pilots who fly in cooperative combat. There is usually command structure, different assignments, different specialization. You’ll often have a wingman who will guard your back and visa versa. Squad commitment becomes critical. Web sites need to be developed, mission planning becomes specialized.

 

 

Multiplayer arenas come in many forms, each with their own goals. Many never leave the arenas that provide considerable help. Map aids often exist on the basic dogfight arenas. It has a tracking bug that shows current location so you’re never lost. It often includes “tech notes” which provide help along the way. One doesn’t need to know details re: engine setting. Set continuous power or combat power for a limited time, easy-peasy just read out the note on front right of view. Power 83%.

 

As the arenas focus on advanced players, they become specialized. Some are private, some are strategic, some are dogfight only. There are many variants. I fly most weeks on Finn server. It’s a near expert server. I say “near”, as it still includes some flight aids, and other limits. Their focus is ongoing multiplayer play with a strategic goal set. It’s a good place to play and learn. It does “not” include navigation aids and has a longer term view.

 

 

But if you want to fly in a truly “expert” arena, I highly recommend the Alpha Expert arena. It is a strategic arena with moving front lines. What is special and really uncommon , it does not include any player aids (if you’ve been flying for a while, you don’t need them). That little crutch quickly disappears and you gain all information from the instrument panel, and other indicators on the aircraft. It really adds to the experience. And quickly becomes second nature.

 

 

Like other arenas, there are main airfields, with a number of aircraft available. "Unlike" other arenas, “all” airfields” are usable. While you can’t initially launch from a secondary field, once a plane is launched from a main field, you don’t need to return. The only time to return to the main field is to close out a mission and receive the points you’ve accumulated. One can area attack, using a secondary airfield to refuel, rearm, and repair. That’s correct, all one has to do is land, taxi to the correct area (look for the fuel truck) and the plane (in its initial configuration) will be restored. All it takes isto shut down, give the appropriate key commands, and the plane will be repaired, rearmed and refueled. in minutes. You can then resume the mission.

 

So why do I find this so interesting. First, it puts a premium on staying alive. Too many arenas allow death to become a very minor inconvenience. It encourages kamikaze behavior. While even on Alpha, death is an inconvenience, it tends to have more value of committed time. In addition, the fog of war is greater and I find this really appealing.

 

My wingman for the night, “Balapan” and I flew multiple mission chasing down a pair of allied planes attacking our side. We didn’t know where, and we didn’t know what they were flying. So first order of business was a search mission. We guessed their most likely approach based upon the maps and likely attack profile. We did a search and destroy of the most likely targets and ingress path. We flew separated, constantly communicating our position and sit-rep. We found nothing and examined the most likely targets. Damn, nothing. We landed and shifted our area of operation south. Voila, we found their bombing targets. We separated, I went east, Balapan stayed closer to the target. I found nothing at their likely launch airfield. I started back(edited)

 

Balapan called out, he found them returning from an attack mission. One fighter escorting a bomber. We arrived at the enemy location together and went after the fighter. Balapan got the kill. By then the bomber cleared the area. We flew a spread flight path back to two likely airfields they might be using. . Balapan found the the bombers return path. The bomber was well flown but it really didn’t matter (he's our best ace) and Balaban got the kill. We were on fumes with fuel needles just above 0. We were lucky and found a friendly field just a flew clicks west in friendly territory. Landed and mission over.

 

What a high. Now that’s what I call an "expert" server. I am currently CO of JG51 and would highly recommend you try this arena. It has a strategic model being developed that looks really tasty. All it needs is more players. We plan to use it as a squad against other squad invitational arena. We were early on the Finn “no rules” arena and the population has increased from sparse to nearly full. I think for the experienced pilot and experienced squad, this is the future. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Five Stars

Edited February 22, 2021 by JG51_jokkr