Much talk has been ignited by the fact that self guided weapons (Anti Air Missiles) take no skill to use. Since this is an aspect of gaming that has interested me for some time, I'm going to do a little post on what's really involved here.
There is actually an abundance of skill related to tracking weapons. Most of it is on the target's end, rather than the trigger puller. “How so”, you ask? Well, that's the meat of this post.
There is skill involved in not allowing yourself to be locked on. Large amounts of it. Skill as in being able to recognize the threat that AA entails. Skill in being able to maneuver in ways that make you a harder target. Skill in how to properly employ your countermeasures.
Any time you get locked on with no way to counter, you've made a mistake and you're likely going to die for it. Your skills have failed you. Crying “Noob weapon” does not get you off the hook. It's your own fault you got tagged regardless of who pulled the trigger.
This stands true of Air to Air encounters as well as surface to air. If an enemy fighter takes you out, you got out maneuvered. You made a mistake, he didn't, now you're dead. Sorry, but it happens.
You need to be thinking all the time while you're in the air now. What's the most likely angle of attack that someone is likely to use? Is your tail clear? Are you presenting someone with a high potential kill opporuntiy? What's happening on the ground? Can you get in, tag, and get clear? Is it a better idea to stand off and wait for a better chance?
Thus, flying is now a thinking man's game.
If ya don't have that skill, it's time ta go home.
Meanwhile, on the ground, using AA effectively is not without it's own skill set. Sitting in an emplacement looking for targets for extended periods is still a great way to get dead. Snipers will grin when they see you, wise commanders will drop artillery on your head. Any random passing grunt is going to want you as an easy kill. You still have to be judicious when it comes to whether or not to man an emplacement. Pop in when you know the area is secure and you really need to spank some planes (or choppers). There is some skill involved in actually firing those things too. Suckering your target into dropping their flares early while still managing to get a follow up shot off isn't as easy as it seems. It's a timing game with poker elements. Do you bluff and just give him tone to watch him drop flares? Do you just let 'em rip hoping he thinks you're bluffing (or already dropped)? Or do you use a combination of the two (fire one shot, hold the other)? Being aware of these tactics and using them effectively denotes skill.
Likewise, effective use of mobile AA requires some additional thinking. In fact, it's a much more valuable asset now. Parking that sucker someplace that has a good view of the sky where planes are most likely to be, but still not too exposed to ground forces (tanks especially) is an art. AA drivers need to be aware of how to employ that asset to it's best effect. Covering an armored column, defending a flag, or just choking off likely skyways have a big impact on how the map will play out. Be smart.
So there we have it.
Skill is a part of this game mechanic.
Discuss.
There is actually an abundance of skill related to tracking weapons. Most of it is on the target's end, rather than the trigger puller. “How so”, you ask? Well, that's the meat of this post.
There is skill involved in not allowing yourself to be locked on. Large amounts of it. Skill as in being able to recognize the threat that AA entails. Skill in being able to maneuver in ways that make you a harder target. Skill in how to properly employ your countermeasures.
Any time you get locked on with no way to counter, you've made a mistake and you're likely going to die for it. Your skills have failed you. Crying “Noob weapon” does not get you off the hook. It's your own fault you got tagged regardless of who pulled the trigger.
This stands true of Air to Air encounters as well as surface to air. If an enemy fighter takes you out, you got out maneuvered. You made a mistake, he didn't, now you're dead. Sorry, but it happens.
You need to be thinking all the time while you're in the air now. What's the most likely angle of attack that someone is likely to use? Is your tail clear? Are you presenting someone with a high potential kill opporuntiy? What's happening on the ground? Can you get in, tag, and get clear? Is it a better idea to stand off and wait for a better chance?
Thus, flying is now a thinking man's game.
If ya don't have that skill, it's time ta go home.
Meanwhile, on the ground, using AA effectively is not without it's own skill set. Sitting in an emplacement looking for targets for extended periods is still a great way to get dead. Snipers will grin when they see you, wise commanders will drop artillery on your head. Any random passing grunt is going to want you as an easy kill. You still have to be judicious when it comes to whether or not to man an emplacement. Pop in when you know the area is secure and you really need to spank some planes (or choppers). There is some skill involved in actually firing those things too. Suckering your target into dropping their flares early while still managing to get a follow up shot off isn't as easy as it seems. It's a timing game with poker elements. Do you bluff and just give him tone to watch him drop flares? Do you just let 'em rip hoping he thinks you're bluffing (or already dropped)? Or do you use a combination of the two (fire one shot, hold the other)? Being aware of these tactics and using them effectively denotes skill.
Likewise, effective use of mobile AA requires some additional thinking. In fact, it's a much more valuable asset now. Parking that sucker someplace that has a good view of the sky where planes are most likely to be, but still not too exposed to ground forces (tanks especially) is an art. AA drivers need to be aware of how to employ that asset to it's best effect. Covering an armored column, defending a flag, or just choking off likely skyways have a big impact on how the map will play out. Be smart.
So there we have it.
Skill is a part of this game mechanic.
Discuss.
. Were discussing AA in BF2. I dont want to be shot down that easily, by a guy who has spent zero time specifically to master the ways of AA, where I have taken my time to increase my skill level. I dont think its fair.
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