Post by magnifiscent on Oct 17, 2013 8:52:19 GMT -8
A series on understanding Boelcke's Dicta.
Rule #3
Open fire only at close range, and then only when the opponent is squarely in your sights
This rule is about maximizing your chance to hit before you pull the trigger. It is very common for new pilots to rush their shots and open fire much too early. This can be a problem for several reasons:
1. At extended ranges (anything beyond 750m) it is nearly impossible to hit your target.
2. It wastes ammunition. Reloading takes time in Arcade. In Historical battles, it forces you to land, costing precious minutes where you aren't doing anything for your team..
3. It destroys the element of surprise, robbing you of another of your advantages.
It is far better to hold your fire and take the time to line up your shot carefully to maximize your chances of killing your opponent with your first burst. If the opponent dies before being able to react, you stay safe. Many kills have been spoiled because the attacking pilot opened fire too soon and alerted his target to his presence. Against a superior plane or pilot, this could very well turn the tables in the enemy's favor and result in your death.
Following this rule also uses ammo more efficiently, allowing you to stay in the air longer and kill more enemy planes.
For planes with wing-mounted machine guns, knowing where the convergence distance is set is a good way to determine your optimal range. If my 6 .50's are set to converge at 400m, I want to put an enemy plane right in that sweet spot so that all of my guns are hitting the same part of the plane, rather than spreading out. This focuses my damage and increases my chance of doing serious damage to the enemy plane.
Rule #3
Open fire only at close range, and then only when the opponent is squarely in your sights
This rule is about maximizing your chance to hit before you pull the trigger. It is very common for new pilots to rush their shots and open fire much too early. This can be a problem for several reasons:
1. At extended ranges (anything beyond 750m) it is nearly impossible to hit your target.
2. It wastes ammunition. Reloading takes time in Arcade. In Historical battles, it forces you to land, costing precious minutes where you aren't doing anything for your team..
3. It destroys the element of surprise, robbing you of another of your advantages.
It is far better to hold your fire and take the time to line up your shot carefully to maximize your chances of killing your opponent with your first burst. If the opponent dies before being able to react, you stay safe. Many kills have been spoiled because the attacking pilot opened fire too soon and alerted his target to his presence. Against a superior plane or pilot, this could very well turn the tables in the enemy's favor and result in your death.
Following this rule also uses ammo more efficiently, allowing you to stay in the air longer and kill more enemy planes.
For planes with wing-mounted machine guns, knowing where the convergence distance is set is a good way to determine your optimal range. If my 6 .50's are set to converge at 400m, I want to put an enemy plane right in that sweet spot so that all of my guns are hitting the same part of the plane, rather than spreading out. This focuses my damage and increases my chance of doing serious damage to the enemy plane.
