Going from IL-2 Stalingrad to the Dover Bundle

[VvonAlmen]

Hey all, 

 

I recently bought Il-2 Battle of Stalingrad, have put about 90 hours into it, and its quickly become one of my favorite games of all time. Most of my time has been spent in Bf109s or Fw190s. I have the gist of taking off, flying, dogfighting, bombing, landing etc. I'd love to do some early war flying over Britain and North Africa. Will it be easy for me to go from IL-2 Stalingrad to Cliffs of Dover? Will it be a matter of just rebinding my keys to what I'm comfortable with, or is there a lot more to it? 

 

Thanks, 

 

-VV

 

[Buzzsaw]

Hi VvonAlmen

 

These are two different games, so it will require time to become proficient in the CLIFFS series.

 

CLIFFS has different features, like clickable cockpits, as well as more complex damage models.

 

The key bindings are also complex, and require some effort... although there is a joystick wizard for the basics.

 

I would recommend you look over the 'Getting Started and Troubleshooting Guide' prior to starting... as well as the aircraft flash cards.

 

For example, the early versions of the Bf-109E have manual pitch control, which requires some skill in managing.  (there are other versions with auto pitch)

 

It is important you know your aircraft and its limits mechanically, etc.

 

Sometimes starting off with a simple aircraft like the Stuka is the best way to introduce yourself to the game.... easy to take off and land in.  The Bf-109's, with their narrow undercarriage can be tricky.... however, if you have lots of experience in BoS, then you might be ok.

 

Considering the price, you really can't go wrong.  BLITZ is available for $9.99 or if you catch it on sale, 1/2 that price.  😉

[BOO]

For the 109s one thing you’ll have to get comfortable with is the offset gunsight. The “lean to gunsight” animation is a little clunky but it you use something like a head tracker it’s easy to align it. 
 

A tip I picked up from @FTC_Karaya is setting a button to 30degree fov zoom for instant focus. Karaya has also posted a useful set up guide so where on here. 
 

Other than you can pretty much use the same controller profile for most fighter allied or axis ( swapping Wep and boost cut out) though I think you have to reverse the prop pitch buttons between then to. 
 

One rabbit hole you can fall down is loadouts. There are many options and ultimately you can make your own custom belts. It can become a game in itself. Have a look around the ATAG site and this forum. I’m sure there will be a good few threads on it.  After years of faffing about I myself have come to the conclusion that it’s less about the magic setting and more about personal ability although some RAF 8 gun loadouts may need their range pulling back (to maybe 278 or 218 yards) as a starting point.  Most RAF 8 gun players also change their belt to use more de Wilde and AP over ball. LW convergence for most I flew with was around 400/400 for nose and 400/200 for the wing guns.  Ymmv. 
 

Early 109s and even the late uprated  Es take more management than in GB as there’s less automation. That can be frustrating at first but the time spent mastering it can be rewarding. The E1 whilst undergunned can be very agile. The Hurris and Spits are considerably easier to fly in terms of engine management but again one has to learn how to really get the best from them and avoid falling into speed and climb traps by scrubbing off too much energy in turns. 
 

If you intend to play multiplayer then the games biggest plus is view distance and dot spotting. Realistic or not, with a wingman and good strategy you can dominate an arena. 

[Gunfreak]

Also if you're just used to IL2 109s and Fw190.

You'll find taking off in the Clod 109 will be quite challenging.

 

Taking off in IL2 is easy mode.

While Clod simulates the rather difficult take of the 109 was know for.

Can be particularly hard on shorter runways in the desert.

 

You'll also find if playing singleplayer. That the enemy AI is far more challenging than the IL2 AI.

[BOO]

The main thing you are likely to find though is the the UI of the game may feel a little dated or even incomprehensible in comparison to GB. But stick with it and look around for some threads and tutorials. It’s not as bad as it first seems if you are ready to battle through using a small amount of perseverance for perhaps an hour or so initially. The in game windows are a nice feature once you learn to configure them. 
 

As for the AI yes it’s more challenging but it’s also just an idiotic as in most other combat sims at times. TFS state that they are working on this but fixes do not come fast. You will encounter different behaviour affecting different AI aircraft. 
 

Overall though it’s the price of a burger and takes up comparatively little drive space so there’s really nothing lost seeing if it’s a fit for you. 

[WillyWacker]

The graphics in both are cool, CloD is harder, BoX is also challenging, but different. I like all of them, only DCS I mostly take for the new stuff and choppers, as IMO the machines in DCS are unrealistic instable modeled, but thats just my opinion from what I read in memoires of pilots - I'm not one who flew those warbirds in real.