Sim mode.. blind as a bat or is it just me?
 

Hi,

I'm farily new to IL2 but love it and have just started playing Sim mode (especially now that there's more players on since the patch came out).

Love it other than finding it difficult - almost impossible - to spot or keep an eye on other planes.. especially when they're flying 200 feet from the deck.

Any of you more experienced guys got any suggestions or do you think it'd be a good idea to have other players flagged up (like arcade/realistic mode) though maybe only if they're within eye line (ie. only show the indicator arrows/highlight players) if you're looking in the direction of them - e.g. you couldn't see them coming up behind you etc).

Help!

Cheers!

Hi and welcome to the boards :)

Are you trying to use the default configuration where you need to press R3 to look? If so, practise with one of the other configs that lets you look by either pressing another button, or no button.

Also, fly at tree top level - other planes are easier to see against the sky. I'm sure some of the better pilots on here can give you some more tips...

Good luck! And don't ask me how to easily ID friend from foe... lol

To make a short aswer even shorter: nothing is easy in this game (sim level), which makes it a great game

Morning all, I too find it "challenging" to ID foe, spent 5 mins last night chasing a Spit in team battle (sim) only to discover he was a teamate!!!! Unfortunately this wasn't until after I had shot him down..LOL!

When approachin enemy static camera will help so you can see any movement easier. And Your eyes will get better day by day to spot a plane. With team matches only way I think is to fly close enough to see those tags. Use map all the time to see where to look for an enemy plane. These were my tip's and welcome to all new sim players.

* use your map A LOT

* Strongly recommend the Pad (flight sticks are a mess), choose Aviator Layout or Layout 4.
(these 2 layouts are excellent for having complete control on free look, which enables you to track your enemy easier)

* for enemies farther than 1000 meters look for a black spec on the horizon, for enemies closer than 700 meters have your view static and be alert for any movement, it will most likely be a small white flash (I am guessing that it originates from the plane reflecting the sun's light)

* for enemies closer than 300 meters, track them at all times (here is where having complete control of free look is important) if you loose your target at that distance you will be history. Dont forget to check your altimeter at low altitudes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COd66Y-N44Q

* at 0:52, when I start using the P-51, you will see me quickly scan my left side (because at the moment I knew my enemy was on my left side).

* After not immediately sighting my enemy I then opened my map, only a quick look as you can see is needed just enough to know my enemy's position.

* Then, I started turning towards the direction of my enemy that my map indicated. (notice I dont exactly know where he is, but I can get an idea)

* 1:08, As soon as I start turning I have already began scanning for that black dot, or any movement on my screen, you will see how as soon as I detect that black dot I immediately try to put it at the center of my screen.

* After I have my enemy at a good sighting distance notice how I never loose track of him, I even make sure he explodes before looking forward again :)

(not the best quality sorry) (It is also much more easy if you use virtual view)

Thanks for the tips!
 

See you online.. take it easy on me! :)

The more you play the better you will bcome. Couple of other the things, HDMI large screen gives you an advantage (I use a 17in PC monitor with HD VGA settings on Xbox but not supported on PS3 AFAIK) which I find OK and far better than standard set up.

Change brightness and contrast on your monitor (and in the options menu) and experiment in 'Practice'. Also select different weather, time of day, map terrains, etc and note which settings help you ID that elusive plane.

If you are new then don't be tempted to fly into a combat zone immediatley. In fact fly away for a few minutes then check map, fly towards combat area and look for the palls of smoke - zoom is most useful here. Fly in, ID target, quick burst then fly out till you get used to panning and flying at the same time. Experienced flyers will be busy in Turn fights so look for a 'stray'; (predator tactics)..........if only I had a PS3, its getting very quiet on Xbox these days and I so love this game!

:shock: me as well... in comparison to you I'm an old lady in a mobility scooter!!!:lol:

practically the whole reason to play sim mode is so there is no target tracker. Putting a red dot on the enemy or an arrow pointing towards them would ruin it.

Here are some basic winning strategies:

use the right stick for freelook, but not any layout where you have to press it.
Look at the map for an enemy, and if they're still at a distance, turn towards them.

Look for the big black splotch when they appear. The spot will disappear and be replaced by a more realistic, tiny dot. So look where the splotch is moving. You can tell if your enemy is diving towards the ground, or to your left, or right, or flying straight toward you.

Then you'll know generally where to look. Hold the camera steady until you spot the opponent, then set up an attack.

It's best to keep the camera movement simple: left, right, up, check 6.

Caveat about checking the map: the map lags, and sometimes it lags bad. If your enemy is at 9 oclock on the map and circling left, they may really be at 6 oclock already. Look at the map just long enough to estimate the opponent's heading, then look where they'd be on the map in another couple seconds. Look high first, if they're not high, then they're low.

In team battles, look for the color of the bands on the wings red or blue. You won't see them until you're close, but that's realism.

When you see a big fat spitfire, shoot it down for me. They're easy to spot