Hi, I wanted to offer this idea as a suggestion but I would like to have feedback from other simulator mode battle players before suggesting it (or not depending on the feedback).
I was thinking that the aerial battles in simulator mode are almost “too easy” after playing the same map several times. We know the position of the bases by heart, the pattern of the surveillance planes is predictable, etc.
So I had the idea of overhauling the map system in the mode because it is thanks to/because of this tool that the mode becomes too easy.
So I propose two ideas :
Reducing card information
This idea would aim to remove certain information displayed on the map such as for example the position of ground targets (convoy and battle) as well as removing the position of bases to be destroyed. The positions of these targets would still be indicated in the mission orders and tasks to be accomplished (as is already the case for AI) and would appear there for the bases.
This option would make the search and destruction of these objectives more complicated but also more interesting because an observation phase would be necessary.
Deleting the map
This idea is the idea that would make the mode the most realistic, access to the map would be removed and would be replaced by a paper topographical map that pilots can have with them (as is the case IRL), this map would be accessible directly in the cockpit. The objectives would still be displayed as in the previous idea
Tell me what you think and if you have any ideas for improving/changing certain points.
Personally, I don’t think there needs to be any changes. Bases would be nearly impossible to find, and convoys and such would be much more difficult to locate.
The map also shouldn’t be deleted, but a better topographical map would be welcome. How would having it be accessible in the cockpit work too?
I know but it still comes very quickly, if I take for example the most played maps at the top Br (Afghanistan, Denmark or Sinai), the bases are really known and easy to find.
I will admit that on some maps the bases are slightly difficult to find (for example Vietnam) but in the majority of cases they are really visible, all those on desert or snowy maps really stand out
It would be difficult but not impossible, the game mode is still supposed to be the one that comes closest to a real combat scenario and (unless I’m mistaken) the enemies do not give their position permanently. If the search area was already designated by coordinates on the map grid, it would make the experience a little more immersive
For the display in the cockpit, there are 2 or 3 possibilities, either a plate (touch or digital) attached to the pilot’s leg (this plate is normally used to note flight data or mission orders but can also include a map of the combat zone). Or a paper map that the pilot takes directly into the cockpit of his plane (this version was mainly used during the Second World War)
I played in historical custom sim events several times.
There was no GPS on map, no markers, and we all turned interface off and guided by our aircraft gauges.
This was another level of experience when you search for landmarks outside and look at your compass to find yourself on map and direction to objectives.
War Thunder can be a bigger game if only it wants to.
I think to solve the issue of knowing where the AI is would be allowing a player to “take over” for one of the AI… maybe even lead it. Have this a way to add helicopters or tanks into Air Sim (kinda reverse how CAS is added to Ground sim).
Here I disagree strongly: Remember the "Holy 6 P’s* of aviation: Proper Preflight Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
Preparation of maps, drawing in targets, waypoints and other relevant info is an important part of mission planning, and having reduced information on the map or even no map at all I would consider less realistic.
On the contrary, I would advocate extending the info on certain aspects, for example display of selected mission targets (and make those bases even selectable on the map), as some aircraft still lack a working display of those targets in the cockpit, even if they’re equipped with CCRP capabilities.
What could be an interesting idea is to have the “known” say fixed targets and ground battles, but have the moving objectives (convoys, ships) only shown for a certain time after they have been spotted. Similar to the carriers today, but disappearing again. Give a little reward for spotting such targets of opportunity.
And also maybe add more targets of opportunity one could find and engage: Small convoys, small point targets,…
