My Thoughts on the v1.2 patch as to Fixed-Wing Air.
I'm a Pilot and I love to fly both the bombers and fighters, but I'm an SU-34 & SU-30 whore, and have enjoyed owning all the ground grunts, including Armor of course. I really don't mine the new much improved Stinger AA, It is something that was needed. It did not take me long to learn a new work around for the new AA and punish the little guy manning the position. A Pilot now had better know where every stationary AA is located, and be able to tell the difference between AA and air to air threats. Why DICE did not use two different warning sounds for Ground AA and Air to Air is beyond me. As for mobile AA, well they can still be evaded but it's not easy, and chances are your going to get hit at least once. Once you know where a mobile AA is you have two choices, load up on bombs and hit it from straight down attack or just stay away from that area. All in all I'm all for the Ground based AA improvements.
Now for my thoughts on air to air. At first I kind of liked the new missile physics, I was one who bitched about how worthless they were before. However after a couple of hours flying I learned some things.
1) Any Newbie who is lucky enough to find himself on the tail of a good pilot can hit quite good with missiles now. A good pilot can kill you quicker than ever before.
2) From what I have seen of the missiles after only a couple of hours flying is kind of weird at best. If a pilot makes slow Newbie turns and evasive moves the missiles seem to have a hard time hitting the target. However if your on the tail of a fast experienced Pilot the missiles seem to lock and stay till it gets a hit. Plus they also seem to hit even on angles that seem impossible. I made kills on good Pilots with missiles that absolutely blew my mine, and was killed by good pilots while making moves that before the patch would not even come close to hitting me. So, it seems to me that the better you are at flying the better chance you have of being hit by another aircraft's missiles.
3) In Gulf of Oman with several AA missiles positions manned and enemy air also up you can't fly anywhere without being lit up and the warning buzzer staying on full time. Not being able to tell if your target by Air or Ground makes for a rough day in the air. The best defence against me is to have every Ground AA manned at all times, and if they don't get me a smart Pilot will. However, that Enemy Pilot is just as vulnerable to his own Ground Based AA missiles as I am, if not more. Zata Wetlands, my Wing-Man and myself were both shot down over the center Island Flag by our own friendly AA at the same time. This can be a major problem for both sides, especially on a Pub server where the noobs don't have a clue.
OK, what do I think of the new Patch from a Pilots prospective? The new Ground based AA is ok by me, the ground units needed more reliable protection. However I feel DICE swung the pendulum to far in the other direction when it comes to Air to Air. Skill is required in air to air and from what I have seen so far that has been reduced by the new missile physics. It would sure help and even balance the air better if there were two different warning sounds for Air and Ground lock on's.
Only time will tell how this new patch will work out on all fronts including aircraft. Before I really start moaning and crying I will have to play many more hours to see if I can find new ways to prevail in the air.
I would love to hear other Pilots thoughts on the new Patch.
I'm a Pilot and I love to fly both the bombers and fighters, but I'm an SU-34 & SU-30 whore, and have enjoyed owning all the ground grunts, including Armor of course. I really don't mine the new much improved Stinger AA, It is something that was needed. It did not take me long to learn a new work around for the new AA and punish the little guy manning the position. A Pilot now had better know where every stationary AA is located, and be able to tell the difference between AA and air to air threats. Why DICE did not use two different warning sounds for Ground AA and Air to Air is beyond me. As for mobile AA, well they can still be evaded but it's not easy, and chances are your going to get hit at least once. Once you know where a mobile AA is you have two choices, load up on bombs and hit it from straight down attack or just stay away from that area. All in all I'm all for the Ground based AA improvements.
Now for my thoughts on air to air. At first I kind of liked the new missile physics, I was one who bitched about how worthless they were before. However after a couple of hours flying I learned some things.
1) Any Newbie who is lucky enough to find himself on the tail of a good pilot can hit quite good with missiles now. A good pilot can kill you quicker than ever before.
2) From what I have seen of the missiles after only a couple of hours flying is kind of weird at best. If a pilot makes slow Newbie turns and evasive moves the missiles seem to have a hard time hitting the target. However if your on the tail of a fast experienced Pilot the missiles seem to lock and stay till it gets a hit. Plus they also seem to hit even on angles that seem impossible. I made kills on good Pilots with missiles that absolutely blew my mine, and was killed by good pilots while making moves that before the patch would not even come close to hitting me. So, it seems to me that the better you are at flying the better chance you have of being hit by another aircraft's missiles.
3) In Gulf of Oman with several AA missiles positions manned and enemy air also up you can't fly anywhere without being lit up and the warning buzzer staying on full time. Not being able to tell if your target by Air or Ground makes for a rough day in the air. The best defence against me is to have every Ground AA manned at all times, and if they don't get me a smart Pilot will. However, that Enemy Pilot is just as vulnerable to his own Ground Based AA missiles as I am, if not more. Zata Wetlands, my Wing-Man and myself were both shot down over the center Island Flag by our own friendly AA at the same time. This can be a major problem for both sides, especially on a Pub server where the noobs don't have a clue.
OK, what do I think of the new Patch from a Pilots prospective? The new Ground based AA is ok by me, the ground units needed more reliable protection. However I feel DICE swung the pendulum to far in the other direction when it comes to Air to Air. Skill is required in air to air and from what I have seen so far that has been reduced by the new missile physics. It would sure help and even balance the air better if there were two different warning sounds for Air and Ground lock on's.
Only time will tell how this new patch will work out on all fronts including aircraft. Before I really start moaning and crying I will have to play many more hours to see if I can find new ways to prevail in the air.
I would love to hear other Pilots thoughts on the new Patch.
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