Friday 2010-11-12 Dev. update and Discussion

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by Splitter

I'll have to go back and find it, but I do remember a report that some groups eliminated tracers completely and their effectiveness went up.

Think about it...on a longer deflection shot, tracers help. But when you a snuggled up on someone's six at close range, tracers don't matter at all. Flashes from hits tell you everything you need to know.

All AP and incendiary rounds would do more damage than replacing 20% of the ammo with less destructive tracer rounds.

Now I guess I have to go find the documents on groups eliminating tracers

Splitter

I remember reading the report as well. One of the USAAF fighter groups (or perhaps it was just a single squadron) decided to remove tracers from their loadouts. They found their overall scores were going up. Possibly because the enemy was not alerted by the tracers flying near their plane and possibly because it forced the pilots to not rely on tracers and instead do range/angle calculations completely in their head.

Depending on the virtual situation the lack of tracers may be or not be a useful feature. Either way I'd love to see customizable loadouts. If someone wants to not use tracers...great. If someone wants to load up a ton of tracers then ok.

[1.JaVA_Sharp]

Originally Posted by IceFire

I remember reading the report as well. One of the USAAF fighter groups (or perhaps it was just a single squadron) decided to remove tracers from their loadouts. They found their overall scores were going up. Possibly because the enemy was not alerted by the tracers flying near their plane and possibly because it forced the pilots to not rely on tracers and instead do range/angle calculations completely in their head.

Depending on the virtual situation the lack of tracers may be or not be a useful feature. Either way I'd love to see customizable loadouts. If someone wants to not use tracers...great. If someone wants to load up a ton of tracers then ok.

easy solution: tracers or no tracers become a difficulty option. But what does Oleg say?

[winny]

The way I understand it the 2nd loadout I mentioned, (no tracer) was deemed to be the better option because if you missed when you were bouncing someone (as most BoB encounters seem to have started) they didn't know about it, if you miss with tracer it let's them know you're there.

[Icewolf]

Originally Posted by 1.JaVA_Sharp

easy solution: tracers or no tracers become a difficulty option. But what does Oleg say?

good question but I think it already has been asked but worth repeating.

BUT there is so much idiot spam on this thread I doubt Oleg reads it anymore

I'd like a few preset options for online games in a pulldown menu. Sort of like in IL-2 when you can select your bombload/gun loadout/fuel. That way people who like lots of tracers or non will have that option.

Another option or addition to that could be people saving their preferred tracer/ap/inc/ball loadout on their PC's then that preset being an option for them when they play online.

[David603]

Originally Posted by 1.JaVA_Sharp

easy solution: tracers or no tracers become a difficulty option. But what does Oleg say?

I don't see that tracers should be a difficulty option. Historically some planes had tracers, some didn't and there was a lot of choice, even between aircraft in the same squadron. Customisable (historic) loadouts would therefore IMO be a much better way of doing things.

[AWL_Spinner]

Customisable (historic) loadouts would therefore IMO be a much better way of doing things.

I think the operative word there is historic. It will get very tiresome very quickly online if it becomes stuffed with goons who find it entertaining to load 100% tracer and pretend they have laser cannons.

[David603]

Originally Posted by AWL_Spinner

I think the operative word there is historic. It will get very tiresome very quickly online if it becomes stuffed with goons who find it entertaining to load 100% tracer and pretend they have laser cannons.

Of course.

Otherwise I'm going to take a Spitfire, load up all 8 guns with de Wilde ammo (maybe 2 inner with mixed tracer/de Wilde) and watch as everything I shoot at immediately bursts into flames

I think Oleg already said there will be a number of loadout options for ammo, which to me would imply being able to select from preset options (hopefully historical), rather than full customisation.

[C_G]

Originally Posted by David603

Of course.

Otherwise I'm going to take a Spitfire, load up all 8 guns with de Wilde ammo (maybe 2 inner with mixed tracer/de Wilde) and watch as everything I shoot at immediately bursts into flames

I think Oleg already said there will be a number of loadout options for ammo, which to me would imply being able to select from preset options (hopefully historical), rather than full customisation.

I'd prefer full customisation myself, even to allow non-historic loadouts.

The way to "control the goons" (for those who wish to do so) is to make the ammo selection settings controllable by the server host, imo.

[David603]

Originally Posted by C_G

I'd prefer full customisation myself, even to allow non-historic loadouts.

The way to "control the goons" (for those who wish to do so) is to make the ammo selection settings controllable by the server host, imo.

That could work, something like a switch that allows fully customisable/historical only ammo loadouts.

On the other hand, if someone does want to load up full tracer, good for me/you, bad for them. They will do less damage, alert every player within miles to the fact they are firing and probably have a hard time seeing what they are shooting at.