"getting better at check your 6!?!" Topic

ok guys, strange question;
I'm terrible at CY6. by brain just does not seem to be wired for the arial plotting stuff. do you have any recommendations to get me better at CY6 in particular and air games in general? I really like the idea of arial games but being terrible at it is kinda off putting…

thanks in advance
~Joe

Haven't played it, but have played WWI games, with pre-plotting.

I suspect over time you will improve.

If playing with experienced opponents, try to avoid positions where you can possibly get shot down, and vary your tactics/maneuvers, so your pilot(s) are not predictable.

As in real life, victories are nice, but surviving is even more important, especially if you are playing in a campaign setting.

"Fly 5 and stay alive" – situational awareness.

Also, know the rules and how your plane acts in them.

For example, WW1 WoW/WoG games that a friend runs – SPAD 13? Hit/Run/rinse… I mean reposition at a different angle/repeat. Nieuport 17? Play Ballet Star (Turn/twist, never get into a repeating pattern.)

I am sure there are similar things in CY6! that you can do.

Practice (play) and like any skill it will improve (well, except my painting.)

Play games without plotting?

Learn how the opponents aircraft "flies" so you can take advantage of any notable differences in "performance". Do you turn better than your enemy, are you faster, do you climb better? Then develop tactics that work against your enemies aircraft.

There are basically two types of a/c in most games. One is the "dancer", think Japanese Zero and the other will be the "boom and zoom", think U.S. P-40. Never try to outdo one type of a/c with one from the opposite class. Don't get into a turning fight with a Zero if you are a boom and zoom a/c and don't get into a boom and zoom fight if you are a dancer.

Play more. Don't do your "best" move all the time…it's too predictable. If you don't own the game, get a copy so you can study the aircraft differences more.

Control your speed/elevation. Higher is always better. If enemy is getting set up for a shot, make that extra turn to add the deflection modifier.

One thing to remember is that you can't turn around in one turn unless you Immelman or split-s. You also can't turn more than 60 degrees unless doing an extreme turn. Once you get a feel for how long it take a plane to turn and how fast planes close at various angles, you'll be fine.

The best thing to do is study dogfighting tactics – what is in the pilots "rulebook" actually works on the tabletop.
Speed is life
Energy management
Turn toward your enemy
These rules apply to the game as well. Once you grasp the basics then look at how to do more advanced maneuvers in game terms
Yo-yos – barrel rolls – scissors
But the basics will get you very far
Keith

Boelcke's Dicta still apply:

link

Boelcke's list of tactics

1. Try to secure the upper hand before attacking. If possible, keep the sun behind you

2. Always continue with an attack you have begun

3. Open fire only at close range, and then only when the opponent is squarely in your sights

4. You should always try to keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses

5. In any type of attack, it is essential to assail your opponent from behind

6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try to get around his attack, but fly to meet it

7. When over the enemy's lines, always remember your own line of retreat

8. Tip for Squadrons: In principle, it is better to attack in groups of four or six. Avoid two aircraft attacking the same opponent

While written in WWI, they still apply to modern jet combat, today.

Find an opponent and play play play, also play games like X-wing miniatures and Wings of Glory. If you play enough you'll get the hang of it. I was the worst at this type of game. Then I started playing X-Wing after MANY games I got a good grasp on what to do and when. Just be prepared to loose allot, and remember "you don't learn anything by winning only by loosing". There are also books on aircraft tactics written for computer aircraft games and Shaws Air Combat and Tactics is a book written for real pilots and it's pretty much the holy grail of books on this subject. link

Learn about your plane. Which ones are you using.

I become an ace with my Mc202

Do you have really poor spatial analysis that you're not seeing the board in 3D? Some people do.

Try to use a wing-man until at least point of contact. Fire judiciously, and the ranges to do damage are pretty close 2-6 hexes. Saw this more in the Jet Age game – energy management – there's just so much altitude you can loose to increase energy AND you don't have afterburners. But remember you can usually either climb or dive or head off board out of a bad situation to fight another day.
I am a fan of the Split-S and a fan of the alternate rear target/engagement area.