Post by magnifiscent on Oct 21, 2013 11:26:27 GMT -8
A series on understanding Boelcke's Dicta.
Rule #4:
You should always try to keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses
This rule is another one that is painfully obvious, but a lot of pilots will have trouble with. The first part of the rule is very important. In a combat situation, it can be very easy to lose sight of your opponent. Once you've lost your opponent, it can be very hard to reacquire your target. Worse, it gives them back the element of surprise which can cost you a plane.
The second part of the rule had to do with confirming that your target is out of the fight. Sometimes after taking fire a pilot would put his plane into a dive or a spin to feign destruction. Chivalry at the time these dicta were developed discouraged continuing to hammer on an opponent who was already beaten. Boelcke noticed that a lot of enemy pilots were escaping by feigning death. Boelcke encouraged his pilots to keep an eye on their targets to make sure they were actually dead.
In War Thunder, fortunately, pilots have some help obeying this rule.
First, it is possible to "lock" onto an opponent. Default is the middle mouse button (or #2 on my joystick). Always attempt to lock your target. The "insert" key allows you to lock your view onto the enemy aircraft. With some practice, this makes it very easy to keep track of them while performing maneuvers and allows you to more easily stay with them during a dogfight.
It is also easier to confirm your kills. In some cases, it is very clear when a bandit is dead (their plane explodes, the wings come off, etc). The target lock will disappear from destroyed aircraft, or sometimes it will darken. This typically indicates a destroyed target.
In some cases, a critical hit in the right place is just as good as a kill. Destroying ailerons at the right time will cause an enemy to crash. The danger here is assuming you have the kill and breaking off, only to find the plane was able to escape.
Another danger is assuming a kill when the engine is set on fire. For single engine aircraft, it is usually a kill, but there are cases where the plane is able to keep flying for another 15 seconds - during this time it is still dangerous. Don't assume a burning plane can't hurt you. Multi-engine aircraft can continue to operate with one engine out. Don't always assume the enemy bomber will die just because you have set one of its engines on fire.
Just yesterday I fell victim to disobeying this rule. After making a high-side guns pass on an enemy hurricane I over-shot and lost sight of my target. Assuming I had damaged it beyond the ability to chase me, I opted to try to extend away from the enemy plane. Not 15 seconds later my plane was shot down by the very same hurricane I had damaged. Later that mission I did the same thing to an enemy buffalo that over-shot my Gladiator.
This rule may sound simple, but you break it at your peril.
Rule #4:
You should always try to keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses
This rule is another one that is painfully obvious, but a lot of pilots will have trouble with. The first part of the rule is very important. In a combat situation, it can be very easy to lose sight of your opponent. Once you've lost your opponent, it can be very hard to reacquire your target. Worse, it gives them back the element of surprise which can cost you a plane.
The second part of the rule had to do with confirming that your target is out of the fight. Sometimes after taking fire a pilot would put his plane into a dive or a spin to feign destruction. Chivalry at the time these dicta were developed discouraged continuing to hammer on an opponent who was already beaten. Boelcke noticed that a lot of enemy pilots were escaping by feigning death. Boelcke encouraged his pilots to keep an eye on their targets to make sure they were actually dead.
In War Thunder, fortunately, pilots have some help obeying this rule.
First, it is possible to "lock" onto an opponent. Default is the middle mouse button (or #2 on my joystick). Always attempt to lock your target. The "insert" key allows you to lock your view onto the enemy aircraft. With some practice, this makes it very easy to keep track of them while performing maneuvers and allows you to more easily stay with them during a dogfight.
It is also easier to confirm your kills. In some cases, it is very clear when a bandit is dead (their plane explodes, the wings come off, etc). The target lock will disappear from destroyed aircraft, or sometimes it will darken. This typically indicates a destroyed target.
In some cases, a critical hit in the right place is just as good as a kill. Destroying ailerons at the right time will cause an enemy to crash. The danger here is assuming you have the kill and breaking off, only to find the plane was able to escape.
Another danger is assuming a kill when the engine is set on fire. For single engine aircraft, it is usually a kill, but there are cases where the plane is able to keep flying for another 15 seconds - during this time it is still dangerous. Don't assume a burning plane can't hurt you. Multi-engine aircraft can continue to operate with one engine out. Don't always assume the enemy bomber will die just because you have set one of its engines on fire.
Just yesterday I fell victim to disobeying this rule. After making a high-side guns pass on an enemy hurricane I over-shot and lost sight of my target. Assuming I had damaged it beyond the ability to chase me, I opted to try to extend away from the enemy plane. Not 15 seconds later my plane was shot down by the very same hurricane I had damaged. Later that mission I did the same thing to an enemy buffalo that over-shot my Gladiator.
This rule may sound simple, but you break it at your peril.
