Servers Available for Newbs

[[Florida]Florida1146]

After playing DCS for a long time, I decided to take advantage of the sale going on at Steam, and bought Stalingrad. Trying to get my feet wet without embarrassing myself, I'm watching a lot of YouTube on beginner stuff, and in one (https://youtu.be/gmHiWie_tmE), Flying Tea Rex mentions a server called "Combat Box," which sounds just like where I'd like to be. As his video continues, his list of servers is at least a full page, both in Cooperative and Dogfights, but when I open my server listings, I'm lucky if two show up and they're both locked.

 

I'm eager to get going with Il-2, so any help here would be gladly accepted. I'd also like to know what y'all think of the best DLC packs to purchase.

 

Cheers,

-= Florida1146 =-

[357th_KW]

I’m guessing you have mods enabled.  You’ll only be able to see servers that allow mods.

[Cpt_Siddy]

Wings of Liberty server is pretty chill for new players.

 

Its also know colloquially as Wings of Duty: Call of Liberty 

 

Also: Berloga is a good instant action practice server. 

It has constant furball areas and dedicated duel zones, read rules and stick to designated areas. 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Cpt_Siddy

[AEthelraedUnraed]

4 hours ago, [Florida]Florida1146 said:

I'd also like to know what y'all think of the best DLC packs to purchase.

It depends on what you like. Western front with fast late-war aircraft -> Bodenplatte. Early eastern front with good dogfighters -> Moscow. Eastern front with some interesting lend-lease aircraft -> Kuban.

 

Then there's the maps. Bodenplatte is mostly the flat, boring landscape of the Netherlands and Flanders, but there's some hilly terrain in the southeast. It's often cited for its relative lack of towns though (the Netherlands are one of the European countries with the highest population density after all, which isn't entirely reflected in-game). Moscow is mostly forests mixed with small clearings and the occasional river or lake. I personally like it, but many people think it's a bit bland. Kuban is often cited as the most beautiful map. It's got a mix of everything: from flat cultivated areas in the north, to the wooded and occasionally snowy peaks of the Caucasus in the middle/east, to a long coastline with cliffs and sandy beaches and the ocean beyond.

 

I haven't included the upcoming Normandy module as the map and many of its planes haven't been released yet, but it promises to be an interesting module with a large map and good planeset. You can already fly much of the aircraft if you buy the module, the remaining aircraft and the map will be released in the coming months.

[[Florida]Florida1146]

17 hours ago, VBF-12_KW said:

I’m guessing you have mods enabled.  You’ll only be able to see servers that allow mods.

You are correct, sir, and I shall disable mods. Over on DCS or ARMA, mods are the rule, not the exception. I'd rther run without mode, anyway.

 

Looking forward to getting into action. Thanks for the reply.

16 hours ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

It depends on what you like. Western front with fast late-war aircraft -> Bodenplatte. Early eastern front with good dogfighters -> Moscow. Eastern front with some interesting lend-lease aircraft -> Kuban.

Have the DLC for Blue-nosed Bastards of Bodenplatte in DCS. Fly the P-51 and Spit over there. Eastern front still sounds new and interesting. Might have to give it a shot.

16 hours ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

 

Then there's the maps. Bodenplatte is mostly the flat, boring landscape of the Netherlands and Flanders, but there's some hilly terrain in the southeast. It's often cited for its relative lack of towns though (the Netherlands are one of the European countries with the highest population density after all, which isn't entirely reflected in-game). Moscow is mostly forests mixed with small clearings and the occasional river or lake. I personally like it, but many people think it's a bit bland. Kuban is often cited as the most beautiful map. It's got a mix of everything: from flat cultivated areas in the north, to the wooded and occasionally snowy peaks of the Caucasus in the middle/east, to a long coastline with cliffs and sandy beaches and the ocean beyond.

 

I haven't included the upcoming Normandy module as the map and many of its planes haven't been released yet, but it promises to be an interesting module with a large map and good planeset. You can already fly much of the aircraft if you buy the module, the remaining aircraft and the map will be released in the coming months.

In DCS, I have both the Channel and Normandy maps, so I'm a bit familiar with those areas. I just had to find out what all the hoop-la was about Il-2, and maybe some new experiences. Thanks for the replies - can't wait to meet you guys in combat!?️

[357th_KW]

1 hour ago, [Florida]Florida1146 said:

You are correct, sir, and I shall disable mods. Over on DCS or ARMA, mods are the rule, not the exception. I'd rther run without mode, anyway.

 

Looking forward to getting into action. Thanks for the reply.

 

No problem - hopefully I'll see you on Combat Box one of these days!  

 

If you're going to try out CB you definitely want to get SRS installed - it adds a lot to the experience.  Here's some instructions for it:

 

 

Combat Box features a custom Ai radio system where you will get battlefield updates from Command and alerts about enemy activity and dogfight hotspots. Install SRS radio to access this feature and coordinate with your side. We also have an experimental speech recognition feature where the bot will give you a call-sign and coordinate your actions with other players.

Download link: https://github.com/ciribob/IL2-SimpleRadioStandalone/releases/latest
Install guide link: https://youtu.be/QQdAvhjZPvg
Interactive bot guide: https://combatbox.net/en/info/#cb-radio

[[Florida]Florida1146]

Well, I have had SRS installed for a long time, for flying in DCS. Haven't used it for awhile, but I will make sure it's updated and set up for Combat Box. Thanks for the links. Can't wait to dive into this new stuff.