Tactics when outnumbered?

[mdbuehler]

I've run into this a few times when the team battle kicks off with either an odd number of players, or over half the room choosing A or B. It never ends too well for the lesser team (and I'm usually on it).

No matter what you do, there will be an opponent or two that have nobody after them that are free to double up on your tail. I can manuever around all right, but as soon as I get to lining up for a shot my actions obviously become predictable (even worse when my target is in contact with my newly acquired tail!) and I get hammered.

I've tried running, double back in a hit and run fashion with some success.

I've tried just winging one of them but not shooting them all the way down so they fly around somewhat crippled, which actually buys you some time at any rate :)

Is there any good way to go on the offense when outnumbered? I was in a two on three this morning, my team mate was having an awful time of it (they dispatched him really quick each time) so it was 3 vs me a good portion of the match and it was ugly.

[Ancient Seraph]

Best way: communicate. Me and Morgoth are frequently outnumbered, since we usually choose team B (for unknown reasons) and for some other unknown reason our team always has a quitter. What we do is just tell eachother if someone is on our tail, and pray the other is fast enough to shoot him down. Not a lot else you can do. It's really aggrevating, since 90% of the time you'll have someone on your tail when chasing another. Not pleasant.

[House MD 221B]

If you can't out turn them drop to ground level and run, if they are faster than you then get as much speed as you can and go vertical and drop your throttle to 0, then let your plane stall and spin in a tail slide, use full rudder either direction so you don't go into a flat spin and go straight down, then resume trying to out turn.

If they are coming from different angles then watching that video about the B-17 dogfighting 17 zeros, and try the S manoeuvre so you always meet them head on so they have less time to fire upon you. Other than that either learn to use the rudder to out turn them, or Run.

Better yet get a team amte to come to your rescue and have them tell you which way to turn so that the following enemy(s) will show him their tail and he can take them out.

[edal86]

I've run into this a few times when the team battle kicks off with either an odd number of players, or over half the room choosing A or B. It never ends too well for the lesser team (and I'm usually on it).

No matter what you do, there will be an opponent or two that have nobody after them that are free to double up on your tail. I can manuever around all right, but as soon as I get to lining up for a shot my actions obviously become predictable (even worse when my target is in contact with my newly acquired tail!) and I get hammered.

I've tried running, double back in a hit and run fashion with some success.

I've tried just winging one of them but not shooting them all the way down so they fly around somewhat crippled, which actually buys you some time at any rate :)

Is there any good way to go on the offense when outnumbered? I was in a two on three this morning, my team mate was having an awful time of it (they dispatched him really quick each time) so it was 3 vs me a good portion of the match and it was ugly.

BE AGGRESSIVE. turn into your opponents dont run. I find it easier to win when outnumberd because you have more targets they dont so most of the time they concentrate on the kill not team victory and end up shoulder shooting and hitting themselves (specially in sim). Take advantage of mistakes, make every shot count by using short bursts you will be more accurate because less recoil that affects aim. STAY LOW, if you have clouds use them too.

In realistic , evade and attack, be smart not brave.

[Reknad]

BE AGGRESSIVE. turn into your opponents dont run. I find it easier to win when outnumberd because you have more targets they dont so most of the time they concentrate on the kill not team victory and end up shoulder shooting and hitting themselves (specially in sim). Take advantage of mistakes, make every shot count by using short bursts you will be more accurate because less recoil that affects aim. STAY LOW, if you have clouds use them too.

In realistic , evade and attack, be smart not brave.

normally i'll justgo for the nearest enemy, damage him as much as possible, then if an enemy is near to me, i will turn towards him. :o

[Dubbedinenglish]

Being agressive as mentioned is the best way to roll. Always turn into the guns ablazing. Try to get your attackers to be on the defensive. Keep hammering at them to make them mess up and pick of pot shots at lone fighters but mreak off as soo as his partner starts to get in position.

If you are more than one on an outnumbered team. Then one should fly as bait for the other side. The plane not being bait should hang back and let their team chase down you teammate, once they turn after him go on the offensive.

[mdbuehler]

Thanks for the tips! The agressiveness worked out rather well! Its tricky as killing an enemy doesn't improve your odds, it actually makes them worse since he'll reappear with more altitude, speed, and a new plane ;)

I quit chasing any one target extensively, and instead swung around to meet whomever was closer, hit at them fast, then break off for the next guy coming in. I think I was getting hammered extra hard because I'd stick to a target too long so the other could predict (or the two of them set me up) my moves and another teammate could take me out. That was a lot of fun!

Went on You-Tube and watched that B17 dogfight, wow! Lots of good videos up there from the Dogfights series! Made for some educational viewing, highly recommended :)

[Vulcan607]

what works for me is if im out number i latch on to the tail of a bandit and mimic his movements as he tries to get away, cause if hes him self dificult to hit then so am i

[Swagger7]

If you can get a partner, I'd suggest employing a Thatch Weave.

[Ancient Seraph]

If you can get a partner, I'd suggest employing a Thatch Weave.

Although this worked in RL, I'm not sure this'll work in-game. People shoot from way further in-game, so they don't need to be close to someone (i.e. vulnerable to pilot no.2) to kill him.

[Soviet Ace]

I usually take one target head on, while the other chases me. Usually it's like "chicken" but with a third character, rather than just two. I do whatever I can really, usually just take a tight turn or roll? Nothing fancy, just simple. :)

[edal86]

I am sure that tactics will be of better use once they integrate the "no respawn, three waves" option, this way players will want to stay alive and not ruin the game, also with limited ammo so dont get the typical player who sprays infinite bullets all over like crazy. If only we could take off and land to refuel and rearm, but oh well. I love this game.

[Ancient Seraph]

I am sure that tactics will be of better use once they integrate the "no respawn, three waves" option, this way players will want to stay alive and not ruin the game, also with limited ammo so dont get the typical player who sprays infinite bullets all over like crazy.

Sounds like you think this'll actually happen ;). It's been confirmed this will probably not come to BoP, but it might be in the sequel, who knows.

[edal86]

Sounds like you think this'll actually happen ;). It's been confirmed this will probably not come to BoP, but it might be in the sequel, who knows.

What? No!!! I must have understood wrong. Ancient seraph did you need to ruin my fantasy???? lol

[Zeroptimus]

Always late to the party, I am...

Not sure about what you use in a dogfight, but armament is always nice. I like to carry something with rockets. While usually not very effective, they act as a nice deterrent for any attacks coming from your front. As for your six...depends on your difficulty mode.

For realistic or Sim...Climb to about 4000 feet, force yourself in to a spin. You sharply lose speed. Get the hang of pulling out of it. It's quicker than the barrel roll manuever, and if done right can put you behind your tail, who thinks you have lost control and usually will drop their guard. It just takes a lot of practice, and luck sometimes. Also, make sure you have a plane that is capable of pulling out before the engine stalls out. That tactic is kind of dangerous, but sometimes you have no other choice.

Also, flying low also works for me as well. In areas with sharp contrasts in height, you might be able to lose someone in odd terrain. The crash won't count as a kill, but it's one less person to worry about, and frees up your six. Also, if your other foe is in a slower plane, this can set you up for a boom and zoom if you find yourself far away.

Flying upside down is good for keeping a tail busy. Something about being upside down throws off a person's aim, and they will most likely try to emulate what you are doing. While they are busy trying to follow you, try to cut your speed sharply, and pray they are too focused on being upside down to notice they're about to shoot ahead of you. I would try this only if they are closer than 1000 feet.

If you're trying to hit a bomber, always always always go for the sides. This prevents those pesky gunners from murdering you. Also, try to line yourself up and make a straight line out of your target, you, and your six. If your tail is keen on team play, he will be more conservative with his shots in an effort to not shoot down his buddy. I will admit that I have killed and have been killed by friendlies while an enemy was between us.

Also, a lot of people mention a friendly as acting as bait. These people are right. Setting up a nice tactic like that can easily help down a few. Also, if you have a friendly with a tail gunner, you can use him to set up enemies in a straight line, and then dive in on them while they're busy trying to get him. Anything else Edal86 says, do that too. The man knows his stuff. There's a reason he's #1 (And I'm not).

[NephilimUK]

If you are good at evasive flight, simply draw the hordes away from the target area, allowing your team-mate to land a few hits (in strike) or get a more secure touch-down in CTA.

Another strategy would be to implore the development team to incorporate a patch to the lobby system that stops folk from overloading one team,

There is also a third way..

If, as happened to my team last night, (after a prolonged team switching 'mini-game') someone insists on unbalancing your team by jumping into it in the last seconds - simply shoot the cheating scumbag down yourselves.

Simples

[Swagger7]

Although this worked in RL, I'm not sure this'll work in-game. People shoot from way further in-game, so they don't need to be close to someone (i.e. vulnerable to pilot no.2) to kill him.

Good point. I didn't think of that. It's still worth a try, though.

[InfiniteStates]

If, as happened to my team last night, (after a prolonged team switching 'mini-game') someone insists on unbalancing your team by jumping into it in the last seconds - simply shoot the cheating scumbag down yourselves.

Simples
LOL I'm not sure how effective that was mate. The guy still sent me a friend request...:eek: