I just downloaded HL and launched it to find lots of games going on. I have a lot to figure out but the difficulty levels/game options are clearly shown which is great. Tempted to join in but can you join a game thats already started? Wasn't sure so thought it best to ask on here first then get my ass smoked later.......:grin:

Anyway, will continue reading the HL manual and may try joining a game later......

SO we don't need Forgotten Battles for multiplayer?

Nope, Il-2 Sturmovik 1946 is the latest version, and the only one you'll find being used much on Hyperlobby. It includes everything in the earlier versions - Forgotten Battles, Pacific Fighters etc.

Hyperlobby used to show IL-2 as 'Forgotten Battles', but this has now been corrected, and shows '46, which is where you will find the action. You will need to patch to 4.08 and then 4.09m, and you will find some servers are using mods, though there are others that don't.

IL2 1946 and patch it from v4.07 to the current version.

IL2 1946

http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=5163


4.08 update

http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=2176

or

http://patches.ubi.com/il2_1946/

4.09m update

http://www.flygflottilj16.se/fil/409m.exe
http://www.f16vs.se/download.php?list.2

409m Torrent link >

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IMGI7IIB

Depends on the server you go on. I always recommend spending a bit of time in the Quick Mission Builder flying around until you feel like you can shoot down the AI with some degree of success with a few different types of aircraft (there are so many to choose from!). And then start online.

Some servers are more difficult and have a greater degree of restrictions (locked cockpit, no icons, etc.) whereas others are more open (virtual cockpit allowed, team or full icons, external cameras allowed, etc.). The ones with more relaxed settings tend to have a greater mix of players with the inexperienced and the experienced mixed in together.

On servers like UK-Dedicated the regulars tend to be very helpful although if they find you in their sights you're still dead :)

Joined several games and really enjoyed it - only managed one kill but not put off! Some games are straightforward with colour coded icons making it easy to spot friendly from foe but can someone explain how you ID a foe in sessions that don't have icons? I navigated to an area that I was suppose to defend but upon entering the fray hadn't a clue who I was supposed to shoot....:confused:

Also, do you have to land for re-arming and to be awarded your kills?

If you are getting kills that early in your career, you are doing well.:grin:

The no-icon servers are definitely not a friendly place for beginners. Figuring out who is hostile before they start shooting (usually a good indication) is difficult, and not something I'd be able to give reliable advice on. I'd stick with servers that at least have icons enabled, for now - you have more than enough to learn without that added complication.

And yes, you are supposed to land to get awarded points, though to be honest, there are flaws/bugs in the points system anyway, so I'd avoid getting over-obsessed with them, and concentrate more on fulfilling your own objectives.

I may have seen you on Hyperlobby earlier, there was a 'SEEXXX' (where XXX was a number) online, and I wondered if it was you. I ended up not flying on HL anyway, but I'll keep an eye open for you next time.

Thanks AndyJW, I will avoid the no icon servers and it was me (SEE47) on HP that you probably saw. I was browing the various HL options and sussing how to use it but couldn't resist the temptation to join a server.....

The only clear way to be sure who is the enemy, is to check the markings. Using zoom in-game helps in this. Learn to identify the different markings in QMB.

The next best thing is to identify the plane type. If you're flying a BF-109 and see a Spitt... :) This is most often reliable enough way to identify the enemy. So learn to id the different types too.

Ofcourse there is servers where there are mixed/unrealistic plane sets where you cannot definitely say what planes the are the enemy (unless you check the enemy airfields and what they've got).


-LLv34_Untamo

First, go to Joint-Ops and follow a Basic Flight School, it's the fastest way to learn. www.joint-ops.com
Second, join an online squad, or at least ask to fly with one as a guest. The real fun starts there.

Cheers,
Insuber