Looking to play with friend against NPC/AIs (ie: PvE)

[NeilF]

I'm looking for a flight sim to allow a group of us (upto 6) play against AI/NPC opponents, ideally in different missions/settings.

IL2 seems to come up as allowing us to do this...?


So can someone help me out and let me know:-
- Which version of IL2 would allow us to do this?
- What would we need to do this? Would I need to download and run a server for example for us all to play on?

Any other advice/insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[lagahxx]

Install IL-2, patch it up to 4.13RC, and then us the Full Mission Builder from the main menu to make yourself some missions!

The best way to do what you are describing (which is the only way I play) is to make your mission, and then set bases and start your server as a dogfight server... I know this doesn't sound right but it's way better!

If you start a coop server everyone is locked into a certain aircraft, when they die they stay dead and have to wait for everyone else to finish the mission, and then you have to start the mission all over again.

When you do a dogfight server, you can set the bases to have certain aircraft and loadouts available to your human players, and when one of them dies they can choose another plane and take off again to continue the mission. You can set it so there are a limited or unlimited amount of aircraft available, but basically the mission keeps going as long as you want. Saves alot of time and you can still be on the same side, it will give you the option to choose sides when you join the server.

You can do a simple mission, or you can set repeating waves of AI fighters or bombers, set trains and ground targets, ships, etc... And just keep playing until they are all dead. Great fun!

If you aren't sure how to use the FMB (it's pretty complicated) here is a good place to start. http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base&cat=95

You shouldn't need a dedicated server, just set up your port forwarding, host a game and let everyone join and you should be good as long as you have decent upload speed with your internet connection.

[Marabekm]

Ok first off, all versions of IL-2 will allow you to play co-operative mssions or dogfights. But everyone has to have same version as the guy hosting.

The co-op missions allows you to set up a fly a specific mission. And with co-ops you can have multiple people in the same plane. But once you get shot down, you can not respawn.

Alternatively you can create a dogfight mission and set home base for just one side and make all enemy flights AI. With this you can not share a plane with someone else. But if you get shot down you can respawn.

I recommend looking for missions at: www.mission4today.com this sight has plenty of missions and other goodies.

[majorfailure]

You might try DCG, third party campaign generator for il2.

It is very useful for playing longer campaigns vs. AI, you can influence the outcome of the battle quite a bit by playing well(or the other way round). It tracks losses in ground units an planes, and applies them to the next missions.
And has lots of options, e.g. worst weather to occur. And customizing campaigns is not that difficult, though creating your own full-blown campaign is a bit of work, but it is possible to do so(Want to play Japanese invasion of Hawaii -set up the campaign and have fun). Using it for years now, and still like it.

[Woke Up Dead]

Good advice here, but since you appear to be new to IL2 I'd go with Marabekm's suggestion as it's the simplest one:
* Make sure you all have the same game version (4.13 is probably best and has most planes)
* Practice with your friend in a dogfight mission against AI so you can get the hang of flying together and communicating
* Try a "real" mission in co-op where you only get one life each

Maybe someone could suggest some good beginner dogfight and co-op missions on Mission4Today.

[Marabekm]

Well for the beginner coop mission, I would just go with one of the stock ones that everyone already has. The IL-2 attack on ships in the gulf of Finland is good.
It has both sides available, so just make sure everyone knows to go the same side, and then you could play it again and everyone goes other side.

(Stay away from the TB3 night/dawn bombing mission at first. This one is difficult because it is at night.)

You can build your own missions in the FMB, but that's a whole other thread on how to use that............... 8) But happy to help if you want to start using it.

Important: Make sure who ever is going to host, knows how and has done the port forwarding thing. Otherwise no one will be able to join your game.

Look here for info on how to port forward: http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/
or get ahold of Alpha. He can help with this.