Recommended plane for beginner - MP dogfighting

[MarcelDeVirginie]

I'd describe my skill level as low, but there's a certain spice to fighting against real humans that AI opponents can't provide. Specifically the MP experience I'm looking for is jumping straight into dogfights, like Berloga. Not so much flying around the map searching for enemies on long missions.

I notice in Berloga it seems to be a lot of late war action.

What would be a good plane for a beginner that's competitive in late war, but isn't too competitive? I'd like a plane with some challenge that would force me to learn. I've heard the Tempest get de-recommended for beginners for this reason. It's such a good plane, it becomes a crutch. In general, it seems to me that fighters with tight turning radiuses wouldn't be great for starting out. It would be too easy to fall in the trap of constantly relying on out turning your enemy rather than learning other maneuvers/energy management.

So it seems like the Tempest and the Spit are out. Another condition I'd like to add is I don't have great situational awareness, so something with a bubble canopy would be preferred. I've tried the Fw 190 D-9, but arrgh! the snap stalls are maddening.

The plane I'm looking for could be either Axis or Allied. Automated engine controls would be nice, but if it doesn't have that, if it's the type of thing where you can set your engine up, then largely forget it, that would be sufficient.

 

Thanks for your insights,

Marcel

 

[Hanu]

1 hour ago, MarcelDeVirginie said:

I've tried the Fw 190 D-9, but arrgh! the snap stalls are maddening.

 

 

Usually I'm not too fond of custom pitch axises, but D-9, Ta-152 especially and P-47 benefit for the smoother pitch axis response. In Ta also the center position could use some adjustment. You might give a try for that. At least I managed to mitigate snap stalls with those as I'm more used to Bf-109's.

 

[AEthelraedUnraed]

I don't play multiplayer, but how about the 109? It's a decent allrounder. Even in late war, it usually outperforms its competitors in at least one metric, be it turn speed, speed, climbing or diving. On top of that, it has automated engine controls, mostly benign flying characteristics, and good enough armament.

 

It's definitely not overpowered though and most Allied fighters are better in some or even most metrics, so it forces you to think about how to fight depending on your situation and opponents.

Edited March 17 by AEthelraedUnraed

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

If he wants to dogfight then dogfighting the meta red planes in a late war 109/190 likely won't be very fun for a new player. Late war is naturally very assymetrical and its tough to think of a goldilocks plane in the set that isn't too hot or too cold. The 51D with no g-suit (teaches bad habits) is probably the closest to what you want. Its got a bubble canopy and easy engine management, and it's very competitive in dogfights with the 109 but can still lose, you'll clober 190s though.

[MarcelDeVirginie]

On 3/17/2025 at 3:34 AM, Hanu said:

 

Usually I'm not too fond of custom pitch axises, but D-9, Ta-152 especially and P-47 benefit for the smoother pitch axis response. In Ta also the center position could use some adjustment. You might give a try for that. At least I managed to mitigate snap stalls with those as I'm more used to Bf-109's.

 

Thanks, hadn't thought of that.

If there were such a thing as a bubble canopy 109, I'd totally go for it. But I'll give it serious consideration. I don't like it's lack of visibility, but in midwar plane sets, that's an issue shared by most of its opponents, so maybe I'm focusing on the wrong timeframe.

[MarcelDeVirginie]

20 hours ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

I don't play multiplayer, but how about the 109? It's a decent allrounder. Even in late war, it usually outperforms its competitors in at least one metric, be it turn speed, speed, climbing or diving. On top of that, it has automated engine controls, mostly benign flying characteristics, and good enough armament.

If there were such a thing as a bubble canopy 109, I'd totally go for it. But I'll give it serious consideration. I don't like it's lack of visibility, but in midwar plane sets, that's an issue shared by most of its opponents, so maybe I'm focusing on the wrong timeframe.

 

On 3/17/2025 at 3:34 AM, Hanu said:

Usually I'm not too fond of custom pitch axises, but D-9, Ta-152 especially and P-47 benefit for the smoother pitch axis response.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

 

19 hours ago, =MERCS=JenkemJunkie said:

If he wants to dogfight then dogfighting the meta red planes in a late war 109/190 likely won't be very fun for a new player. Late war is naturally very assymetrical and its tough to think of a goldilocks plane in the set that isn't too hot or too cold. The 51D with no g-suit (teaches bad habits) is probably the closest to what you want. Its got a bubble canopy and easy engine management, and it's very competitive in dogfights with the 109 but can still lose, you'll clober 190s though.

I wasn't aware of such assymmetry in late war. I thought Blue was relatively competitive.
So, let me rephrase my question, what's a good plane for MP dogfighting. What eras do you think are well balanced, and within those eras, what would be some good starter planes?
I'm gonna drop the bubble canopy requirement, because in midwar it was relatively uncommon. But I still think it would be good to avoid excellent turners, and I would prefer something with, not necessarily automatic, but at least relatively simple/forgiving engine management.
Thanks for your time.

[Zooropa_Fly]

Just fly whatever you enjoy flying.

If you're a noob on Berloga I'd expect you'll be getting pumped sideways no matter what the 'match up' is.

 

[=MERCS=JenkemJunkie]

3 hours ago, MarcelDeVirginie said:

I wasn't aware of such assymmetry in late war. I thought Blue was relatively competitive.

Not for dogfighting specifically. If you're flying a late war 109, then depending on variants and mods you'll come across planes like the spitfire that you might be competitive against if you don't mind long extensions and never dogfighting, but if you don't enjoy that style then you're gonna come across alot of party pooper planes, and that can get boring.

 

3 hours ago, MarcelDeVirginie said:

So, let me rephrase my question, what's a good plane for MP dogfighting. What eras do you think are well balanced, and within those eras, what would be some good starter planes?
I'm gonna drop the bubble canopy requirement, because in midwar it was relatively uncommon. But I still think it would be good to avoid excellent turners, and I would prefer something with, not necessarily automatic, but at least relatively simple/forgiving engine management.
Thanks for your time.

It also depends a lot on the personalities of the people you're playing with. Midwar can be good for dogfighting, but only if the Germans choose to dogfight, if they take advantage of the crappy red superchargers and stay in space the whole time, its a pretty boring era for dogfighting.

Yak 7b, 1b, 9s and the 109 F2/F4 are good beginner planes here, but la5, la5F and yak 9T can be fun as well, but lots of people hate those planes.

 

In early war Hurricane, 109 E7 and F2 are good beginner planes for early war.

[MarcelDeVirginie]

Thanks man.

[Ace_Pilto]

Pick the one you like best. If you're starting out you're going to get slaughtered anyway so die in style. You owe the game 1,000 deaths before you can start to call yourself competent.