War Thunder - F2P Combat Flight MMO

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KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
31,955
50,451
136
Don't upgrade any plane in one hangar. I've had more fun playing with the hangar I didn't touch than I have with my full tier 4 hangar. The tier system is just stupid if you aren't matching planes that are somewhat similar.

The tier 1 plane would cause that much of an imbalance? the other 3 were reserve planes
 

Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
3,513
10
81
At least for me all the tiers are checked & greyed out so it looks to me like theoretically it's matching up everyone against everything atm... but I could be wrong.

But the Tier 0 and 1 being matched up with higher planes may explain why so many people insist on ramming into me... probably the only way they can bring down the bigger boys... doesn't mean you have to use the same tactic on my level 0 peashooter tho. :(
 

Elcs

Diamond Member
Apr 27, 2002
6,278
6
81
At least for me all the tiers are checked & greyed out so it looks to me like theoretically it's matching up everyone against everything atm... but I could be wrong.

But the Tier 0 and 1 being matched up with higher planes may explain why so many people insist on ramming into me... probably the only way they can bring down the bigger boys... doesn't mean you have to use the same tactic on my level 0 peashooter tho. :(

If you hover your cursor over the Rank 0-4, Rank 5-11, Rank 12-20 or whatever it is, it says something along the lines of 'feature not yet available'.

There is very little of a matchmaking mechanic going on. With my Reserves + Rank 1 + Rank 2 Japs, I regularly see up to Rank 5 and occasionally Rank 7 planes. I haven't played many matches lately so I cannot say how often I encounter higher than 7.

With my Brits (I'm Rank 11), I'll see a mishmash of different ranks. By taking planes as low as Rank 7, I've seen jet fighters on occasion.

To me it seems like Matchmaking is a lower priority for the devs at the moment. Personally I don't mind a great deal as I've taken down Rank 6 Beaufighter Mk X's with my Rank 1 Japanese fighter and even against Rank 7 opponents, my reserve rank biplane is quite capable of doing something in a match before leaving. Repair costs are so insignificant at Rank 1-2 (some exceptions) that I can afford to play a little recklessly such as taking my biplane and it's little machine guns to play with the enemy AAA batteries or shoot up some armoured cars. All I need is one kill and I've gained exp and more lions than I have lost. 2 kills in quick succession and that's an easy 500xp for next to no work.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Match making cant be working correctly or at all right now. I started playing the british line last night. With the reserve aircraft and most of the teams not being much higher than lvl 8. Some guy got in there with a Mig15 lol. The absolutely funny thing is we managed to win anyways by sinking all their ships. But that guy had something like 22 kills.
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
Yeah I thought even using Reserve planes you still got matched with higher rank planes. Seemed that way when I first started but maybe I'm wrong.

I've been doing a little better lately since I've been trying to stick closer to my teammates, and encouraging them to do the same. I suppose I'm also getting used to the game more but sticking together is a must, IMO. Almost to level 6 and a new plane (Germans)! Slow goings... I started playing like two weeks ago at least, though I only play an hour a night probably.
 

ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
Matchmaking isn't fully implemented yet. It favors faster matching over good matching, so more games are run instead of having higher level players sitting there forever waiting for other similarly high level players to queue up. However, it does appear to do some basic grouping of tiers if there are enough people queueing, separating planes into these rough groups: 0-1, 2-6, 7-11, 12+

I've played about 60 hours so far and still rarely see jets even when playing my T10 country.

Even in the reserve (tier 0) planes you can be effective against higher tier planes. The trick is just to try and get planes to dogfight you. The reserve planes are the most maneuverable planes in the game, they just lack speed and firepower. So if you can get into a turn fight, you'll win eventually unless the other player gets help. I know I hate it when I get a reserve plane on my ass in my higher tier planes as I know they're basically glued there until I disengage and outrun/outclimb them or an ally takes them out.

Make sure to keep an eye on the radar and use mouselook to check out enemy planes that are getting close. Don't get target fixation and ignore changing situations. One of the best ways I find to take out lots of planes is to fly through a large dogfight and target planes briefly as I'm flying past, changing directions as little as possible to keep my speed high. This works especially well on fast but unmanueverable planes with good firepower.

Spend some time in the Flight Academy forum and watch some of the many videos on dogfighting tactics: http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/forum/161-flight-academy/

As others have mentioned, avoid joysticks in arcade mode currently. There's supposed to be some joystick fixes in 1.29 but no idea when that's coming out. Personally, I really like the mouse aim control in arcade as it makes the game really approachable.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Got rank 4 in the German AF. Holy hell does having a canon make killing people much easier. The HE-112 with the 20mm canon is like night and day. It is a slow clumsy plane but when it gets behind somebody it can tear them apart. I also got the highest Italin fighter. That thing is the first plane that feels like a fighter. Somewhat nimble, 4 machine guns, and can climb with good speed.

Goal this weekend after buying the ultra pack is to get into the BF109 and say bye bye to those lower level Italian planes for good.
 
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Rinaun

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2005
1,196
1
81
Yeah I thought even using Reserve planes you still got matched with higher rank planes. Seemed that way when I first started but maybe I'm wrong.

I've been doing a little better lately since I've been trying to stick closer to my teammates, and encouraging them to do the same. I suppose I'm also getting used to the game more but sticking together is a must, IMO. Almost to level 6 and a new plane (Germans)! Slow goings... I started playing like two weeks ago at least, though I only play an hour a night probably.

Matchmaking is either non-existent or simply dysfunctional in its current state. Roughly 30% of the time I've ended up against tier 4-5's flying only reserves; it happens in prime-time the most. What I do is play other nations as tier 1-6 etc and leave japan as reserves. I've had about 70% luck in getting paired with ONLY reserves and maybe a few tier ones on rare occasions. When I do get paired against crazy good opponents, I just end up ramming people because you get shot down instantly otherwise. I've chased bombers for 4 clips, dumping it into them and they still shoot me down in 2 shots. I find it funny that MIG15's get close enough to allow me to ram them, too.

I tend to stick with reserves because I earn quite a large amount of experience and currency from doing really well in the lower tiers. The reserve planes I don't think cost much to repair, either.
 
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clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
Matchmaking is either non-existent or simply dysfunctional in its current state. Roughly 30% of the time I've ended up against tier 4-5's flying only reserves; it happens in prime-time the most. What I do is play other nations as tier 1-6 etc and leave japan as reserves. I've had about 70% luck in getting paired with ONLY reserves and maybe a few tier ones on rare occasions. When I do get paired against crazy good opponents, I just end up ramming people because you get shot down instantly otherwise. I've chased bombers for 4 clips, dumping it into them and they still shoot me down in 2 shots. I find it funny that MIG15's get close enough to allow me to ram them, too.

I tend to stick with reserves because I earn quite a large amount of experience and currency from doing really well in the lower tiers. The reserve planes I don't think cost much to repair, either.
That's a good idea to keep some country as reserves. I'm gonna start playing Russians tomorrow since I see there's gonna be benefits for Russia for a couple days to honor a holiday there, which works out well cause I've been meaning to start Russia anyway.

And I'm pretty sure reserve planes are free to repair and rearm. woot!
 

Rinaun

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2005
1,196
1
81
That's a good idea to keep some country as reserves. I'm gonna start playing Russians tomorrow since I see there's gonna be benefits for Russia for a couple days to honor a holiday there, which works out well cause I've been meaning to start Russia anyway.

And I'm pretty sure reserve planes are free to repair and rearm. woot!

They are. I think that's the reason I'm leveling so fast. Until you get to tier 7-8 the experience bonuses of the lower tiers don't compensate enough for rearming, etc. With 4 reserve planes in my loadout, I normally do really well (5-6 aircraft shot down) and just rake in the exp. I'm almost rank 4 japan but I've only ever used/bought the reserve planes. I just spent the extra last night and got 5 planes on loadout now; worth every point.
 

ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
So how many are buying planes and paying cash to play this? Just curious..

I am. I bought the $80 ultimate pack that comes with the two single player mission packs, 10,000 gold eagles, two months of premium and several premium planes. I've put a lot of time into the game and enjoy it quite a bit and felt the devs deserved my money.

On top of that I bought a TrackIR head tracking system to handle free-look in game naturally for $180 + shipping. This game is getting expensive.

Have a friend I squad with that bought TrackIR and bought gold eagles/premium time as well and he's buying a couple extra monitors to set up a 3-monitor system for the game. So that means he's spent close to $500 for this game. :p

Arcade is just a blast and the graphics in this game blow away any other flight sim I've played. Historic Battles and Full Real Battles also fill the niche for hard core flight simmers as well.
 

chimaxi83

Diamond Member
May 18, 2003
5,457
63
101
Dang, I'm gonna have to try this game. Might have to dust off the HOTAS/pedals/TrackIR, I've given World of Tanks enough of my money... for this month. lol
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
I picked up a premium account for 30 days. Not sure if I'll spend more once it runs out (have about two weeks or so left).

Man, played Russia early this morning since today starts a couple days of Russian XP and plane bonuses. Haha, I played an hour and a half, about 4 battles I think, and I'm already mid-level 3 rank. LOL. Until this morning I played strictly Germany for almost 3 weeks I think and I'm not even level 6 yet (close to it though). I can't blame it solely on superior Russian planes, I am definitely getting better at the game.

I was thinking of getting some pedals, not necessary just for this game, but was wondering if any pedals would work with my T-Flight HOTAS joystick and throttle. Like, can I get Saitek pedals and would they work with my Thrustmaster stick? Don't know much about flight controller stuff. Any recommendations on pedals? Thanks!
 

power_hour

Senior member
Oct 16, 2010
779
1
0
I am. I bought the $80 ultimate pack that comes with the two single player mission packs, 10,000 gold eagles, two months of premium and several premium planes. I've put a lot of time into the game and enjoy it quite a bit and felt the devs deserved my money.

On top of that I bought a TrackIR head tracking system to handle free-look in game naturally for $180 + shipping. This game is getting expensive.

Have a friend I squad with that bought TrackIR and bought gold eagles/premium time as well and he's buying a couple extra monitors to set up a 3-monitor system for the game. So that means he's spent close to $500 for this game. :p

Arcade is just a blast and the graphics in this game blow away any other flight sim I've played. Historic Battles and Full Real Battles also fill the niche for hard core flight simmers as well.

wow, really? Well if you got the coin and you enjoy the game, why not. Interesting.
 

ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
wow, really? Well if you got the coin and you enjoy the game, why not. Interesting.

The nice thing is that they do F2P right IMO. Premium planes are generally planes that other countries have access to but your country normally wouldn't. They're basically captured planes, so they're not OP. You also get a 50% bonus to XP and Lions (currency) you earn in game, so it's not a huge boost to the point where it's almost required but it's a noticable increase.

Basically about on par with World of Tanks but slightly less benefit from going premium. I think WoT gave you double XP with premium and some of the premium tanks were OP back when I played and generally only available by buying them.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
I am. I bought the $80 ultimate pack that comes with the two single player mission packs, 10,000 gold eagles, two months of premium and several premium planes. I've put a lot of time into the game and enjoy it quite a bit and felt the devs deserved my money.

On top of that I bought a TrackIR head tracking system to handle free-look in game naturally for $180 + shipping. This game is getting expensive.

Have a friend I squad with that bought TrackIR and bought gold eagles/premium time as well and he's buying a couple extra monitors to set up a 3-monitor system for the game. So that means he's spent close to $500 for this game. :p

Arcade is just a blast and the graphics in this game blow away any other flight sim I've played. Historic Battles and Full Real Battles also fill the niche for hard core flight simmers as well.

How does trackIR work in arcade? Or are you using more advanced controls than mouse aim?
 

Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
3,513
10
81
How does trackIR work in arcade? Or are you using more advanced controls than mouse aim?

Basically the same as if you hold down and C and look around with your mouse. Helps me find people on my sides or behind me while keeping my mouse aimed on the guy in front when I'm in 3rd person view. Also nice when I'm in a bomber and in the 1st person view to look around to find targets.

Now if they get it to the point where joystick users can actually consistently hit things instead of just flying better but not being able to hit crap then it'll be great to have. I guess I could always try to be creative and fly with a joystick in my left hand and aim with the mouse in my right... damn that'd be awkward lol. :p
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
One think I am not getting. It seems like when I turn no matter how much I point the nose up it keeps sinking. And it is especially bad near the ground. I cant get the plane to pitch back up. And I have plenty of air speed. Honestly I crash about 30% of the time vs being shot down. Is this just a function of mouse aim or is there something else going on?
 

ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
One think I am not getting. It seems like when I turn no matter how much I point the nose up it keeps sinking. And it is especially bad near the ground. I cant get the plane to pitch back up. And I have plenty of air speed. Honestly I crash about 30% of the time vs being shot down. Is this just a function of mouse aim or is there something else going on?

No, that's not a problem I've encountered with mouse aim. Are you holding down the W button or something? Do you have a joystick/gamepad hooked up? If so, that may be sitting outside it's deadzone for some reason and messing up your trim, basically, in game. *shrug*

In mouse-aim mode the plane is flying in the direction where you see the firing indicator (the plus) pointing and it tries to steer the plane into the mouse pointer/circle. As long as the firing indicator is at or above the horizon you shouldn't be going down unless you're going too slow. Hit V to switch views to the first person view without the cockpit and that has a horizon/angle indicator in the middle of the screen. That should tell you what angle your plane is at.

The only problem I've had with crashing in this game is my own stupidity when I try to pull maneuvers in planes that the plane can't handle, like pulling out of a steep dive too late or trying a tight turn in a canyon that's not wide enough. Or of course when I'm shot up enough that my control surfaces are broken.

edit:

I also wonder if you're in mouse-joystick mode instead of mouse-aim mode. That behaves entirely different. If so, you'd see four quarter circles on screen and moving your mouse within them causes your plane to fly as if you'd moved a joystick in that direction.
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
I'm thinking of picking up the TrackIR 5 from Amazon and am wondering if this package had all I need to play. I see it doesn't come with Trackclip Pro but I don't know if I need that.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
No, that's not a problem I've encountered with mouse aim. Are you holding down the W button or something? Do you have a joystick/gamepad hooked up? If so, that may be sitting outside it's deadzone for some reason and messing up your trim, basically, in game. *shrug*

In mouse-aim mode the plane is flying in the direction where you see the firing indicator (the plus) pointing and it tries to steer the plane into the mouse pointer/circle. As long as the firing indicator is at or above the horizon you shouldn't be going down unless you're going too slow. Hit V to switch views to the first person view without the cockpit and that has a horizon/angle indicator in the middle of the screen. That should tell you what angle your plane is at.

The only problem I've had with crashing in this game is my own stupidity when I try to pull maneuvers in planes that the plane can't handle, like pulling out of a steep dive too late or trying a tight turn in a canyon that's not wide enough. Or of course when I'm shot up enough that my control surfaces are broken.

edit:

I also wonder if you're in mouse-joystick mode instead of mouse-aim mode. That behaves entirely different. If so, you'd see four quarter circles on screen and moving your mouse within them causes your plane to fly as if you'd moved a joystick in that direction.

I will sometimes use the W key to accelerate or maintain airspeed in a turn. But it is like it gets sticky and the only way out is to stop the turn and make it go straight to reverse the slow spiral of death. I will check the mouse\joystick deal. I set the defaults on mouse aim. But maybe something got switched. I run 95% of the time in 3rd person mode.
 

chimaxi83

Diamond Member
May 18, 2003
5,457
63
101
I'm thinking of picking up the TrackIR 5 from Amazon and am wondering if this package had all I need to play. I see it doesn't come with Trackclip Pro but I don't know if I need that.

That's not really a kit, you do need a Trackclip in addition to the TrackIR set from that link.

Edit: On second thought, that kit has got to come with something that goes on your head,I don't think they'd sell just the camera and call it a kit. It's probably a clip that fits on a hat, with some reflective tape on it.
 
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Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
3,513
10
81
I'm thinking of picking up the TrackIR 5 from Amazon and am wondering if this package had all I need to play. I see it doesn't come with Trackclip Pro but I don't know if I need that.

I don't wear hats so I wouldn't have anything to clip the standard clip to so I just bought the TrackIR 5 + Trackclip pro combo from Natural Point directly. That way I have it clipped to the side of my headphones. Unfortunately they aren't the sturdiest units since they seem to fall apart at the pivot point... instead of RMAing most people seem to just glue or in my case twist tie the arm in place since I never adjust it anyway. (And I didn't have any glue ;))

So to answer your question yes you'd have everything you need (provided you have a hat to attach it to and ambient lighting in the room to reflect back) since the basic TrackIR comes with the standard clip included or you can pay the $20 more and get the pro version as well as the standard one.
 
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ZaneNBK

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2000
1,674
0
76
I will sometimes use the W key to accelerate or maintain airspeed in a turn. But it is like it gets sticky and the only way out is to stop the turn and make it go straight to reverse the slow spiral of death. I will check the mouse\joystick deal. I set the defaults on mouse aim. But maybe something got switched. I run 95% of the time in 3rd person mode.

With the standard (non-FPS) keyset W puts you into a dive (w/s control elevator) and shift/ctrl are accel/decel. Sounds like you might be using the FPS keyset which I haven't used at all. *shrug*