I enjoy all my planes from props to jets. But when I fly Top Tier, I hug the ground and my defense is the Notch and multi path.
But by hugging the ground, I am only exposed to jets in the general area.
I have noticed in my own matches, watching YouTube superpilots (DEFYN; BadKarma; Tims Variety), that the best pilots seem to fly at and survive at altitude, thus exposing many more targets.
Besides the OBVIOUS, the notch…could a pilot who is good at altitude provide a few tips?
The approach…etc.
When I do fly at altitude Ive noticed that in a notch if I go down, pick up some energy, and then go up (still in the notch) the enemy missile has expended most of its energy, say for instance.
There are subtle nuances beyond the easy explanation…
A few of those would be helpful to me, Thank You Community.
Dont fly straight down the middle of the map. All that will happen is that you will have missiles come at you from too many directions to notch. I usually flank off to one side, and usually walk away with more than a few kills.
Fly below contrail height, and finesse the height based upon your aircraft. Not all aircraft handle high alt equally. For example. in the Typhoon 20-25k ft is fine, but in a Tonka F3 going above 15k gets difficult.
Pre-notch where you can. You dont need to go fully into the notch ,but keep the target at the edge of the radar scope where possible, and then its less distance to travel to go fully into the notch.
Thank You, I get it Morvran_…those are the nuances you understand
I take a lot of experimental flights in all planes, but come Friday and Saturday night…I like to win, and the experiments stop.
Appreciate that,some pilots like to take something that works in one plane and apply it to all their planes.
But every plane, and their armament is different. A good coach in athletics, for instance will adopt the style of play to their personnel.
Appreciate that…well respected.
I would avoid him for top tier air content,
DEFYN is okay.
Bad Karma is a great choice.
MiGan Fox-3 is a must for beginners
Generally most of top tier is a mix of positioning, knowing how to notch, awareness and how/when to use your missiles.
notching is the main skill to learn at top tier.
if you can’t do that, you will never do well.
The general concept is just bringing your velocity between 90-95 degrees to the missile so it switches from PD track to Pulse, where you pop some chaff (while staying in the notch) so it switches to IOG
Then you pull out of the seeker’s FOV while keeping it blinded so it can’t see you anymore (usually pulling up or down)
long range notching can be more annoying as it’s easier for a missile to relock after you defeated it, ending with it just trailing behind you and being a nuisance
Next skills you need are knowing how and when to launch your missiles.
Most of it you’ll build through experience but generally your goal is to use your missiles either to keep enemies at distance (which is the entire purpose of the first BVR phase of the match) in some scenarios or to get kills on people who got too close to you.
The ranges at which you launch missiles are dependent on missile, aircraft and the scenario.
Your radar can help you get a better idea of when you have a decent launch using the NEZ box
Old screenshot but it shows all the relevant info
Most kills for a good player happen within 20km ranges, often 15
Positioning and awareness you can only really build up with time and practice
Positioning is highly dependent on plane, uptier/downtier and your personal preference.
Basic concept is to go high early game (to 9km or so), notch first missile launches going left and then turning in. Ideally you’d be sitting around 5-7km on average in mind-game scenarios.
Eventually you’ll learn to read the enemy players and their general routes and adjust your positioning based on that.
After the first engagement I find positioning to be 80% improv based on how the match is turning out
Thank you MiGoon Fox-3.
Positioning, situational awareness you may call it. Has been important since props.
I do watch the radar to see what direction a player is heading, I, even at this time, wont waste a missle at someone who is already in a “notch”, persay.
Thank you, your advice is well taken and understood.
Those are the nuances I have been looking for, beyond the obvious.
I have a little more time now in my job…and so my hobby, WT, is very cheap compared to some…ready to get back at it again.
Thank You…now thats the community we’ve always had.