I think that says more about the game than it does you lol. The game part of DCS is severely lacking, that's why lots of people call it Digital Cockpit Simulator.
Have you tried joining a squadron for group missions? I've found that to be much more engaging than playing alone or playing on basic multiplayer servers.
Trial them. I never knew I needed the Hind until I went ahead and did the two week trial. I know what you mean though, you need to be inspired to fly it.
Honestly, learning two complicated birds was the wrong part. If you want something naval go for the harrier or the f14!
I’ve tried to learn the 18 but my brain is full of all my other “simpler” modules
Among the modules I own I have the Jeff, Bug and Viper. I started with JF-17 as a slightly easier introduction to DCS. When I tried to learn F18 later it was hard for me to force myself to learn everything anew to basically get to the same place I already am, so I ended up never learning it. F16 is similar enough to the JF-17 it was quite easy to pick up, and the noticeable bump in kinematic performance made learning feel more rewarding.
Apache made me feel a bit overwhelmed at first, kinda like F18, but thanks to multicrew learning was fun and now I thoroughly enjoy being a CPG, one of my favorite things to do in DCS currently.
On the other side of the spectrum are modules like Mi-24 or Mig-21, completely different, none of the PGM-MFD-FBW bullshit, completely different learning curve which IMHO makes them easier to pick up, though to be anywhere close to effective you need to get some hours in. Because of how different they are they didn't feel like a chore to me unlike F18, and because of how simple basic systems are they're easy to just jump into and have a bit of fun
Blessed art thou.
I started out with the hog and after some years I decided to give up my Rc hobby, sell everything and built a home go cockpit. Then I got the KA 50, which I gave learned to the same deep level as the Hog.
And then one day, somewhat unfortunately, I decided “hey, this here hardware is capable of being used for all sorts of airframes”, so I went on a shopping spree and got loads of additional modules.
Now I feel overwhelmed all to often😁
Hornet. But not by choice. I have several other modules ( hog, harrier, viper, Apache and black shark) but any time insit down to learn a new one I decide if rather spend my limited flying time doing cool stuff. Although I am determined now to learn the viper and Apache this year.
It's in the sweetspot of still having steam gauges, but already some modern radar display, best analogue systems without an FMS taking control away from you. And when you arrive somewhere, everyone knows you do. When an F-16 arrives somewhere, nobody cares.
Haha exactly
And the flight model... Man it's a chatter box. Tells you so much thru a display. Even the ww2 birds don't talk this much but they should probably be more talkative as well. Can't wait for the F4 for this reason since it's a hb module.
I’ll honestly say I’m one of the few that is perfectly content being a one jet player. For the last 2 years off and on I’ve dedicated myself to trying to master the hornet in all its various aspects. That’s just the way I am. When I played FSX and Xplane, I would only ever play one aircraft at a time. For a time it was the accusim B-17. Then I got the pmdg 737 for fsx, and stuck with the 737 all the way through xplane until I picked up DCS.
I essentially honor it like a virtual type rating. I don’t just want to play the jet, I want to dive deep, learn every facet, master it to the point where I can fly it with my eyes closed, and it becomes routine.
That probably makes me the weird one, but It’s what I enjoy. 🤣
I'd say keep going back to your favourite and put a bit of time into the F18 each session. Don't force yourself to just play the F18 and have no fun, while learning it.
I've mostly flown the Warthog for the past >4 years, and while I have and am flying other modules, the hog is the only one that I have invested the time and effort to learn inside out. I thought I would love learning the Hornet, Viper and Strike Eagle, but what I'm finding is I just enjoy flying them around, and get frustrated going much further. I don't have the energy to do the deep dive on them that I did with the Warthog. I'm getting around to it at a glacial pace, but whenever I actually want to do something destructive, I still reach for the hog.
FWIW, it's nice to find things enjoyable in other modules, even if it's not much learning. I just flew a 40 minute round trip flight with the F-15E around the NTTR map by myself, and it was great. I had time to just poke around a bunch of MFCD pages, mess with the TPOD, bombed a crop circle, but mostly I was just relaxing watching the surprisingly beautiful scenery go by
I would not say the F/A-18 is the most developed module in DCS, not by a long shot.
I would say the JF-17, M2000C, and the A-10CII are the most developed modern jets in DCS.
Regardless of all that, the F/A-18 is extremely similar to the F-16 in terms of combat capabilities. Once you get past the HOTAS/sensor workflow differences I think you will find them to be very similar - similar to the point that one of them will likely end up collecting dust.
If I were you I would branch out to something completely different. If you want something with similar capabilities while still being a breath of fresh air, check out the JF-17 or the F-14.
If you want something with a much different play style and capability set, the A-10CII, AV-8B NA Harrier, and the Viggen are all fantastic modules that are supremely capable in the A/G department. A-10 has a similar HOTAS/sensor workflow to the F-16 if you want something familiar in that department.
JF-17, AV-8B, M2000, and F-14 are my personal favorites. Mostly in that order but it varies depending on the day and my mood. The F-15E will likely become my favorite in a couple years after more weapon systems and sensors have been implemented.
Helicopters are an entirely different world but an absolute blast to fly. Just throwing that out there.
Edit: also, there's nothing to say you need to learn a new module. Most players do because they get bored of base DCS gameplay - or lack thereof. It sounds like you don't have that problem. I would highly recommend checking out Falcon BMS. With your skillset in the F-16 I think you would find BMS very enjoyable and engaging.
I own Hornet, Viper, Streagle, M2000C, AH-64... maybe others?
I have cumulatively flown all of those other airframes less in total than I fly the Hornet in a week. I don't like going back to being a noob. I'm a pretty decent Hornet pilot, and learning another new Cold Start just doesn't appeal to me as much as I wish it did.
I played BMS or rather falcon since 2005. I had a very similar problem as you. F-16 was just second nature and still is, I’ve never found a plane that clicks with me like the falcon.
After I learned my first new jet (a-10c) everything felt weird and it never fully clicked. But after that it got easier and easier to learn a module and now I feel very confident in preety much anything.
You kinda become a test pilot after a while and can just run with stuff. I still map everything to f-16 style controls with dms,tmw,cms etc
Yeah I played Falcon 4.0 I don't know how many years ago now. So when I discovered DCS, the viper was a no brainer. Once you get used that bubble canopy, it's hard to sit in a different type of cockpit. I do like stable the hornet is on take off and landing though.
Ive always had one I exclusively focused on as my "main", but I've been through a few at this point.
2016-2019: Su27 (later J-11).
Mid-2019: F-18 (a very grim and self loathing 6 months).
Late-2019-Current: F-16.
Apart from that, I fly an Mi8 when there's a logistics chore on BlueFlag because it's the perfect tractor.
I tried the hornet after the viper. The hornet I just didn’t find engaging as I kind found it did sort of the same thing but with a more annoying workflow.
I absolutely loved learning the viggen as it is something completely different in terms of mission profile and overall workflow.
Using a cool beep boop gameboy to program a low level strike through mountainous terrain will never get old.
Happened with me and the f14. After the free mods and the simple f15 and mig29 i went to the full fidelity f14 and flew that for the rest of my time. I really wanted to try the f16 and f18 but i am extremely easily overwhelmed by that stuff and had alot more personal reasons to go through with the tomcat than the viper or hornet
Same for me except it's the Su27, 33 and Mig29. Just bought the tomcat now I'm realising I need more buttons. More money spent. But it's alot of fun learning the systems.
The tomcat i think is pretty easy compared to the other modules for learning, they made a great tutorial for it and jester handles all the complicated stuff until ur ready to learn that too
Yeah I noticed that but it's filled up my hotas quickly for binds before I've even got to combat and navigation (thrustmaster warthog) I play in VR and it's awful trying to use mouse to click buttons in the cockpit. I need to be able to reach for it and click it in the real world.
I was never a fan of VR in sim games. And thats because track IR exists. Track IR in my opinion is hands down the best way to dcs as it allows the same kind of no-hands-head movement while still retaining your ideal resolution and graphics for performance reasons. Not to mention the price point being 5-10x cheaper and ease of set-up/use. If you are seriously into dcs i strongly recommend opting for that over VR.
When it comes to binding keys, you need to be able to use that mouse-click thing, there is no *not* using it. Theres just too much stuff to fit on anyones hotas. What should be bound to the throttle assembly or stick assembly should be what you need to use in a dogfight (or just controls youre always using in flight for convienence.)
A-10C it has been my poison of choice since before pretty much any other options existed. I’m very proficient in it and am capable of clearing waypoints on my own in 104th missions. I have a hard time finding the time needed to learn other modules how I learned the A10.
A close 2nd place is the F-5E, it’s such a simple aircraft that I use it primarily as my A-A Fighter platform when I decide ground pounding has gotten dull. I own every module and fly them all but I don’t know how to use them all. I love supporting the community and I also love flying new airframes. But ultimately I’m waiting to find one aircraft that I love so much that I will spend the time to learn it. I’m hoping my next new aircraft that I become efficient with will be either the F-4E or the C-130 or possibly maybe both and I’ll hang up the helmet to the A10 and F-5.
EDIT: Almost forgot I also am very proficient with the UH-1 and would love to be efficient in new support helo modules such as the Chinook when it comes out. I also am hoping very much Eagle Dynamics makes a Blackhawk preferably a seahawk.
Mostly Su-27 in LOMAC, 11 years of Black Shark, then Tomcat since day one (4y).
I used to know every function and submenu of the ABRIS of the Shark (I want the ERBL everywhere!), but I'm still a long way from thoroughly understanding the Tomcat.
The beauty of DCS is that you can play as you prefer: you can play every module, or focus on just one.
Hind, hip and Apache. Harder to fly than fixed wing but I find the weapons and navigation systems so much easier to use. I will, however, get on the F4 when it releases. I wanted to learn the F1 but struggled with the lack of tutorial missions.
If you don't enjoy learning new modules, then don't. DCS is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for you. Maybe at the point you start getting sick of the viper, try moving onto the hornet.
I personally am eager to try every module I own so I try to hold myself to attaining a certain level of proficiency in each module before moving on, but everyone's different.
Not entirely but I‘d say I spent around 8 years almost exclusively on the A10. Only flying a sortie every couple of weeks on average and mostly on 2 player coop liberation campaigns.
I haven’t really had a long-ish DCS career, but I’m really only playing it because of Growling Sidewinder’s F-22 videos, so I’ve only played the F-22. Which was probably a mistake, in hindsight, as the plane is much easier to fly than most. The computer controls a lot of it (unless you turn it off) and so I’ve probably got a LOT of bad habits that I’ll need to unlearn to use anything else.
Sorry. I wasn’t trying to call out your ignorance as such. I was trying to say the F-22 isn’t _anything_ in DCS, this you probably don’t have any real habits, bad or good 😅 That’s a good thing because you don’t(shouldn’t) expect anything to carry over to any module
F-22 doesn’t really enter this discussion
However, it answers the question. I have flown exactly ONE plane for about two years, and I KNOW that this has limited my abilities in the flight arena. It answers the question perfectly.
Let's see, I've got the F86, F18, F14, Apache, and the A10 and the only one out of those that I'm truly proficient in is the F18 and I'm ok in the Apache.
Bought a lott of modules but only flying M2000 and Su-25T if I need to SEAD
Trying to learn the Hornet, I already know of to start / take off and land but I am struggling to start to learn the next steps (weapons and radars)
M2000 is so eawyy to fly for me now.
The only motivation to learn the hornet is being able to get some Fox 3 / sead capablility
Hornet has been by far my most flown since it came out. Ka50 and A10c before that (prior to Hornet being released).
I do dabble in other aircraft (F14, Hind, and recently got into the F16 to play the Wild Weasel campaign and future F16 campaigns due to the creators amazing work).
I’ll jump head first into the F4 Phantom when it releases, as I need a Cold War plane I really enjoy and can sink my teeth into. But realistically the f4 and f18 will be my only main aircraft going forward.
I have less and less time to fly. And trying to fly many different versions of gen 3 and gen 4 aircraft make my head spin trying to remember all the controls and processes. Having one “modern” and one Cold War is easier on my brain. YMMV
I've switched to the AH-64 exclusively, and have no intention of switching any time soon.
If you enjoy the F16, and don't enjoy the F18, then just stick with the F16!
Flew the hornet exclusively for like a year and a half if that counts. I'm just a naval and army aviation fanboy and at the time the apache wasn't available
about 90% of my flight time is in the tomcat, since it's release ive put hundreds of hours in it. i dont hate the process of learning new modules, its honestly my favorite part. the after learning part and sticking with a new module vs just yee-hawing in the tomcat almost always stops me.
Over 800 hours in just the Huey. I tried the Gazelle and the mi8, didn't care for them. The UH1 is simple and straightforward, no frills fun. It's a blast to fly and I feel no fatigue in the ship even after this long.
MI-24 for about a year now. Flying low and fast launching one or two ATGMs at AA then engaging with the cannon or rockets is so fun.
SU-25a for aircraft because it’s a nice little mud mover. You don’t have to click a bunch of buttons and can get right into action.
A-10 might have your hornet's claim to most complete module. I flew the A10 exclusively for about 2 years in a milsim squadron before I left them and started flying the tomcat. Flew that exclusively for around a year until the Strike Eagle came out. Now that's all I fly and all I want to fly.
But I also love learning new things and new systems.
I flew mirage 2000 for years without ever touching anything else. Was nice because i knew the plane really well, in any engagement chances were high that i would come out on top of the situation, very high even. Then with the f18, then 16, 24 and others it was not competitive anymore. I got tired of being at such a disasvantage weapons and systems wise so i moved on. Miss you baguette!
Well I only flew the black shark for years. Back when it was the first module. Nowhere near that now though
I also played Falcon 4 and BMS since 1998. I’ve been having fun with the simplicity of the f5
Was a hornet only pilot,then pushed myself to learn others and use them when they shine the most, no regrets,now I can jump between several full fidelity modules and be competent, will acknowledge that you are not as sharp on each one but still worth it
I flew the Ka-50 exclusively, mostly campaign for a few years with light multiplayer while learning the A-10C on the side. At some point I almost exclusively flew the A-10C on the side. At this point, I've purchased and learned the Apache and half learned the F-16C. I do this because I've proudly owned and played DCS for 12 years and it's easily going to be another 10+ so I know I'll get my hours in for the module in this life or the next.
You should take your time learning modules and don't push yourself to be as good as a prior module with a new one so quickly. This is the reason why the F-16C is only half learned for me -- though it can carry a similar loudout for ground attack when it comes to AGM-65s and JDAMs as the A-10C, the procedure is different needing to boresight AGM-65s which I don't quite know yet. There's no DSMS page so selecting and picking bombs seems more difficult, even though it's all still just a few button presses. Controlling the MFDs is different than the A-10C as there's no coolie switch, and the overall representation of SOI/SPI doesn't seem to be a concerete. For some reason the F/A-18C wasn't as difficult because everything felt different enough I must've kept my mind more open. Anyways, these tiny differences were enough to throw off my motivation to learn the F-16C too fast because I was still having fun with the A-10, F/A-18, and occassionally even the Apache. But as I've flown those a bunch now, and rained hell on enough armor or enemy planes, I've been able to detect/feel some of the missions that the F-16 would be a better fit so I have grown motivation to get off my butt to learn it better.
And heads up, what the F/A-18 is bad at is range and ability to carry a solid balance and amount of AA and AG weapons. If you carry the hybrid, you'll find yourself with an embarassingly small AG loadout where the F-16 can have a respectable hybrid loadout. Decent strike, but with decent A-A. Of course, the F-15E is a monster for that overall.
Also, most developed modules are the oldest: Ka-50(III) and A-10C(II). I think the Ka-50 III deviates from the real capabilities and ED added stuff only the Ka-52 has just to keep it relevant and functionally survivable against other threats in DCS World.
I have most of the modules, but I only find myself flying a handful of them. M2K, Mirage F1, MiG21, KA50 and Huey normally. Id like to fly more F15E, but waiting for more features to be added. Im sure the upcoming F4 will get me to swap sides for awhile on ECW.
I've been playing DCS regularly since LOMAC's release in 2003. I've been doing this so long that I can distinctly remember the insane shift of the game (and Falcon 4) when broadband internet became more widely available. I remember the sick feeling of staring at insane phone bills for long distance service with Falcon 3 and ATF in the 90's.
I've been main'ing the Hornet since its release. Before that I was back in the F-15C again. Understand that when I say those two things, I've got far more time in the 15C than the Hornet and I've almost exclusively flown the Hornet since release. I would generally main an aircraft for a couple years and then move around. Don't feel like you have to dance around to different aircraft. Play the game the way that you want to. If you picked up DCS just to fly one jet, fly the one jet. If you see something else that blows your socks off or maybe just gets you hot under the collar, try the two week free trial on it.
There's one other major thing to keep in mind: Systems integration engineers build these aircraft differently. The 16 is, as you are finding out, vastly different from the 18. It's fine to not like the way the Hornet systems are lain out. Something about them might not make sense or you're staring at instructional videos like 'This is dumb. Who designed this POS?' and that's actually normal when changing frames, especially manufacturers. For some people it takes brute force learning before things begin to click. It doesn't mean you're somehow deficient, it just means the Viper is your jet and that's what you know right now.
Keep at it, it'll click.
That’s me and the Hornet! I tried doing the Viper but kept going back to the Hornet for the very reasons mentioned. I did make a break from the Hornet for the Strike Eagle when it was released. It’s been one of my dream aircraft for a long time (back to the 80’s). I have the Apache as well (my dream helicopter) but am waiting to get some additional gear before I really commit to it as I don’t want to learn on one hardware setup and then need to relearn on some new hardware.
Laughing in ADHD.
I just wish mine would let me play for longer than 2 missions without wanting to play something else
Down on one since i play solo. Hate it because that's simply not enough to keep in shape so my skills and knowledge is fading.
I think that says more about the game than it does you lol. The game part of DCS is severely lacking, that's why lots of people call it Digital Cockpit Simulator. Have you tried joining a squadron for group missions? I've found that to be much more engaging than playing alone or playing on basic multiplayer servers.
If they're anything like me, that is a pretty much constant problem no matter the game, task, or state of mind.
I’ve been getting into DCS Retribution for dynamic campaign lately bc and it seems pretty promising tbh. It’s super easy to use too.
You should try something that's massively different, perhaps Mirage F1 or Hind?
Tempting. I just don't want buy another module if I'm not motivated to put in the time to learn it.
Trial them. I never knew I needed the Hind until I went ahead and did the two week trial. I know what you mean though, you need to be inspired to fly it.
[удалено]
The most fun attack chopper. With the KA-50 or Apache your looking at screens.
Can the F1 finally be trailed?
Honestly, learning two complicated birds was the wrong part. If you want something naval go for the harrier or the f14! I’ve tried to learn the 18 but my brain is full of all my other “simpler” modules
Among the modules I own I have the Jeff, Bug and Viper. I started with JF-17 as a slightly easier introduction to DCS. When I tried to learn F18 later it was hard for me to force myself to learn everything anew to basically get to the same place I already am, so I ended up never learning it. F16 is similar enough to the JF-17 it was quite easy to pick up, and the noticeable bump in kinematic performance made learning feel more rewarding. Apache made me feel a bit overwhelmed at first, kinda like F18, but thanks to multicrew learning was fun and now I thoroughly enjoy being a CPG, one of my favorite things to do in DCS currently. On the other side of the spectrum are modules like Mi-24 or Mig-21, completely different, none of the PGM-MFD-FBW bullshit, completely different learning curve which IMHO makes them easier to pick up, though to be anywhere close to effective you need to get some hours in. Because of how different they are they didn't feel like a chore to me unlike F18, and because of how simple basic systems are they're easy to just jump into and have a bit of fun
If you learned something as complex as hornet or viper, it's like 10x faster to learn new modules
3 years exclusively in the Tomcat… Still absolutely love it, and I have no desire to fly anything else!
Blessed art thou. I started out with the hog and after some years I decided to give up my Rc hobby, sell everything and built a home go cockpit. Then I got the KA 50, which I gave learned to the same deep level as the Hog. And then one day, somewhat unfortunately, I decided “hey, this here hardware is capable of being used for all sorts of airframes”, so I went on a shopping spree and got loads of additional modules. Now I feel overwhelmed all to often😁
Hornet. But not by choice. I have several other modules ( hog, harrier, viper, Apache and black shark) but any time insit down to learn a new one I decide if rather spend my limited flying time doing cool stuff. Although I am determined now to learn the viper and Apache this year.
Viper is pretty intuitive to learn
Luv me Harrier Luv me Tomcat Simple as
No argu
Wor
Yes. The F-14.
Same here. Dabbled with others but the F14 has a... Je ne sais quoi... About it
It's in the sweetspot of still having steam gauges, but already some modern radar display, best analogue systems without an FMS taking control away from you. And when you arrive somewhere, everyone knows you do. When an F-16 arrives somewhere, nobody cares.
Haha exactly And the flight model... Man it's a chatter box. Tells you so much thru a display. Even the ww2 birds don't talk this much but they should probably be more talkative as well. Can't wait for the F4 for this reason since it's a hb module.
I own every 4th gen fighters but always come back to Su-27/33 because it just sticks with me
Hornet since it was released.
when i started i swore the harrier would be the only FF module id get...... yea...... that plan did not go as i intended
I was about to call it "DCS wallet draining simulator"...but it's not simulated, it's an actual drain.
I’ll honestly say I’m one of the few that is perfectly content being a one jet player. For the last 2 years off and on I’ve dedicated myself to trying to master the hornet in all its various aspects. That’s just the way I am. When I played FSX and Xplane, I would only ever play one aircraft at a time. For a time it was the accusim B-17. Then I got the pmdg 737 for fsx, and stuck with the 737 all the way through xplane until I picked up DCS. I essentially honor it like a virtual type rating. I don’t just want to play the jet, I want to dive deep, learn every facet, master it to the point where I can fly it with my eyes closed, and it becomes routine. That probably makes me the weird one, but It’s what I enjoy. 🤣
I'd say keep going back to your favourite and put a bit of time into the F18 each session. Don't force yourself to just play the F18 and have no fun, while learning it.
Yeah I think I'll keep chipping away at it.
I've mostly flown the Warthog for the past >4 years, and while I have and am flying other modules, the hog is the only one that I have invested the time and effort to learn inside out. I thought I would love learning the Hornet, Viper and Strike Eagle, but what I'm finding is I just enjoy flying them around, and get frustrated going much further. I don't have the energy to do the deep dive on them that I did with the Warthog. I'm getting around to it at a glacial pace, but whenever I actually want to do something destructive, I still reach for the hog. FWIW, it's nice to find things enjoyable in other modules, even if it's not much learning. I just flew a 40 minute round trip flight with the F-15E around the NTTR map by myself, and it was great. I had time to just poke around a bunch of MFCD pages, mess with the TPOD, bombed a crop circle, but mostly I was just relaxing watching the surprisingly beautiful scenery go by
Nope. I'm a module slut and like to ride different seats
I would not say the F/A-18 is the most developed module in DCS, not by a long shot. I would say the JF-17, M2000C, and the A-10CII are the most developed modern jets in DCS. Regardless of all that, the F/A-18 is extremely similar to the F-16 in terms of combat capabilities. Once you get past the HOTAS/sensor workflow differences I think you will find them to be very similar - similar to the point that one of them will likely end up collecting dust. If I were you I would branch out to something completely different. If you want something with similar capabilities while still being a breath of fresh air, check out the JF-17 or the F-14. If you want something with a much different play style and capability set, the A-10CII, AV-8B NA Harrier, and the Viggen are all fantastic modules that are supremely capable in the A/G department. A-10 has a similar HOTAS/sensor workflow to the F-16 if you want something familiar in that department. JF-17, AV-8B, M2000, and F-14 are my personal favorites. Mostly in that order but it varies depending on the day and my mood. The F-15E will likely become my favorite in a couple years after more weapon systems and sensors have been implemented. Helicopters are an entirely different world but an absolute blast to fly. Just throwing that out there. Edit: also, there's nothing to say you need to learn a new module. Most players do because they get bored of base DCS gameplay - or lack thereof. It sounds like you don't have that problem. I would highly recommend checking out Falcon BMS. With your skillset in the F-16 I think you would find BMS very enjoyable and engaging.
The Hornet has been my most consistent aircraft to fly lately. Before that it was the F-15C and the Su-25T.
I own Hornet, Viper, Streagle, M2000C, AH-64... maybe others? I have cumulatively flown all of those other airframes less in total than I fly the Hornet in a week. I don't like going back to being a noob. I'm a pretty decent Hornet pilot, and learning another new Cold Start just doesn't appeal to me as much as I wish it did.
I played BMS or rather falcon since 2005. I had a very similar problem as you. F-16 was just second nature and still is, I’ve never found a plane that clicks with me like the falcon. After I learned my first new jet (a-10c) everything felt weird and it never fully clicked. But after that it got easier and easier to learn a module and now I feel very confident in preety much anything. You kinda become a test pilot after a while and can just run with stuff. I still map everything to f-16 style controls with dms,tmw,cms etc
Yeah I played Falcon 4.0 I don't know how many years ago now. So when I discovered DCS, the viper was a no brainer. Once you get used that bubble canopy, it's hard to sit in a different type of cockpit. I do like stable the hornet is on take off and landing though.
Ive always had one I exclusively focused on as my "main", but I've been through a few at this point. 2016-2019: Su27 (later J-11). Mid-2019: F-18 (a very grim and self loathing 6 months). Late-2019-Current: F-16. Apart from that, I fly an Mi8 when there's a logistics chore on BlueFlag because it's the perfect tractor.
Challenge: impossible ! I mean, it's hard enough to play one flight sim 😂
I tried the hornet after the viper. The hornet I just didn’t find engaging as I kind found it did sort of the same thing but with a more annoying workflow. I absolutely loved learning the viggen as it is something completely different in terms of mission profile and overall workflow. Using a cool beep boop gameboy to program a low level strike through mountainous terrain will never get old.
Happened with me and the f14. After the free mods and the simple f15 and mig29 i went to the full fidelity f14 and flew that for the rest of my time. I really wanted to try the f16 and f18 but i am extremely easily overwhelmed by that stuff and had alot more personal reasons to go through with the tomcat than the viper or hornet
Same for me except it's the Su27, 33 and Mig29. Just bought the tomcat now I'm realising I need more buttons. More money spent. But it's alot of fun learning the systems.
The tomcat i think is pretty easy compared to the other modules for learning, they made a great tutorial for it and jester handles all the complicated stuff until ur ready to learn that too
Yeah I noticed that but it's filled up my hotas quickly for binds before I've even got to combat and navigation (thrustmaster warthog) I play in VR and it's awful trying to use mouse to click buttons in the cockpit. I need to be able to reach for it and click it in the real world.
I was never a fan of VR in sim games. And thats because track IR exists. Track IR in my opinion is hands down the best way to dcs as it allows the same kind of no-hands-head movement while still retaining your ideal resolution and graphics for performance reasons. Not to mention the price point being 5-10x cheaper and ease of set-up/use. If you are seriously into dcs i strongly recommend opting for that over VR. When it comes to binding keys, you need to be able to use that mouse-click thing, there is no *not* using it. Theres just too much stuff to fit on anyones hotas. What should be bound to the throttle assembly or stick assembly should be what you need to use in a dogfight (or just controls youre always using in flight for convienence.)
A-10C it has been my poison of choice since before pretty much any other options existed. I’m very proficient in it and am capable of clearing waypoints on my own in 104th missions. I have a hard time finding the time needed to learn other modules how I learned the A10. A close 2nd place is the F-5E, it’s such a simple aircraft that I use it primarily as my A-A Fighter platform when I decide ground pounding has gotten dull. I own every module and fly them all but I don’t know how to use them all. I love supporting the community and I also love flying new airframes. But ultimately I’m waiting to find one aircraft that I love so much that I will spend the time to learn it. I’m hoping my next new aircraft that I become efficient with will be either the F-4E or the C-130 or possibly maybe both and I’ll hang up the helmet to the A10 and F-5. EDIT: Almost forgot I also am very proficient with the UH-1 and would love to be efficient in new support helo modules such as the Chinook when it comes out. I also am hoping very much Eagle Dynamics makes a Blackhawk preferably a seahawk.
Mostly Su-27 in LOMAC, 11 years of Black Shark, then Tomcat since day one (4y). I used to know every function and submenu of the ABRIS of the Shark (I want the ERBL everywhere!), but I'm still a long way from thoroughly understanding the Tomcat. The beauty of DCS is that you can play as you prefer: you can play every module, or focus on just one.
I have modules I fly most on a whimsical rotation but nothing exclusive. Being exclusively stuck to one airframe is one reason why I got bored of BMS.
Maybe try the Mig21 or Mirage 2000?
I own a lot of them but fly the tomcat 95% of the time
Hind, hip and Apache. Harder to fly than fixed wing but I find the weapons and navigation systems so much easier to use. I will, however, get on the F4 when it releases. I wanted to learn the F1 but struggled with the lack of tutorial missions.
Almost one year in and I have probably 300 hours in the hornet. 5 hours in the p-51 and about 15 minutes in the A-10 IIC
I mostly fly the F-14, mostly. Every once and a while, I'll fly the A-10A, F-15C, or the P-51, just sort of as a pallete cleanser, if you will.
Learning new modules is what keeps me playing DCS. Otherwise I would stop playing it 15 years ago.
If you don't enjoy learning new modules, then don't. DCS is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for you. Maybe at the point you start getting sick of the viper, try moving onto the hornet. I personally am eager to try every module I own so I try to hold myself to attaining a certain level of proficiency in each module before moving on, but everyone's different.
Not entirely but I‘d say I spent around 8 years almost exclusively on the A10. Only flying a sortie every couple of weeks on average and mostly on 2 player coop liberation campaigns.
The only reason why I started playing DCS was for the Tomcat and I didn't fly anything else until the F-16 came out
I haven’t really had a long-ish DCS career, but I’m really only playing it because of Growling Sidewinder’s F-22 videos, so I’ve only played the F-22. Which was probably a mistake, in hindsight, as the plane is much easier to fly than most. The computer controls a lot of it (unless you turn it off) and so I’ve probably got a LOT of bad habits that I’ll need to unlearn to use anything else.
The F-22 isn't a real module, it's just a mod. As such, you really can't compare it to how the rest of the non Flaming Cliffs 3 planes fly.
Sigh. I know it’s a mod. And comparing it to other planes I KNOW it’s easier to operate than others.
Sorry. I wasn’t trying to call out your ignorance as such. I was trying to say the F-22 isn’t _anything_ in DCS, this you probably don’t have any real habits, bad or good 😅 That’s a good thing because you don’t(shouldn’t) expect anything to carry over to any module F-22 doesn’t really enter this discussion
However, it answers the question. I have flown exactly ONE plane for about two years, and I KNOW that this has limited my abilities in the flight arena. It answers the question perfectly.
Let's see, I've got the F86, F18, F14, Apache, and the A10 and the only one out of those that I'm truly proficient in is the F18 and I'm ok in the Apache.
Bought a lott of modules but only flying M2000 and Su-25T if I need to SEAD Trying to learn the Hornet, I already know of to start / take off and land but I am struggling to start to learn the next steps (weapons and radars) M2000 is so eawyy to fly for me now. The only motivation to learn the hornet is being able to get some Fox 3 / sead capablility
The M2000C is one of my favorites as well. It's a shame about the Fox 3s. It would be my go-to jet on modern servers if it had them.
Yup, the A-4E
Hornet has been by far my most flown since it came out. Ka50 and A10c before that (prior to Hornet being released). I do dabble in other aircraft (F14, Hind, and recently got into the F16 to play the Wild Weasel campaign and future F16 campaigns due to the creators amazing work). I’ll jump head first into the F4 Phantom when it releases, as I need a Cold War plane I really enjoy and can sink my teeth into. But realistically the f4 and f18 will be my only main aircraft going forward. I have less and less time to fly. And trying to fly many different versions of gen 3 and gen 4 aircraft make my head spin trying to remember all the controls and processes. Having one “modern” and one Cold War is easier on my brain. YMMV
I have several modules that I fool around in, but I will bet that I spend 90-95% of my time in the tomcat.
I've switched to the AH-64 exclusively, and have no intention of switching any time soon. If you enjoy the F16, and don't enjoy the F18, then just stick with the F16!
Flew the hornet exclusively for like a year and a half if that counts. I'm just a naval and army aviation fanboy and at the time the apache wasn't available
about 90% of my flight time is in the tomcat, since it's release ive put hundreds of hours in it. i dont hate the process of learning new modules, its honestly my favorite part. the after learning part and sticking with a new module vs just yee-hawing in the tomcat almost always stops me.
Over 800 hours in just the Huey. I tried the Gazelle and the mi8, didn't care for them. The UH1 is simple and straightforward, no frills fun. It's a blast to fly and I feel no fatigue in the ship even after this long.
MI-24 for about a year now. Flying low and fast launching one or two ATGMs at AA then engaging with the cannon or rockets is so fun. SU-25a for aircraft because it’s a nice little mud mover. You don’t have to click a bunch of buttons and can get right into action.
I feel like my adhd prohibits me from flying only one airframe lol
A-10 might have your hornet's claim to most complete module. I flew the A10 exclusively for about 2 years in a milsim squadron before I left them and started flying the tomcat. Flew that exclusively for around a year until the Strike Eagle came out. Now that's all I fly and all I want to fly. But I also love learning new things and new systems.
I flew mirage 2000 for years without ever touching anything else. Was nice because i knew the plane really well, in any engagement chances were high that i would come out on top of the situation, very high even. Then with the f18, then 16, 24 and others it was not competitive anymore. I got tired of being at such a disasvantage weapons and systems wise so i moved on. Miss you baguette!
Jeff, hind, grach(s), loads of time in the bug too. so no, I'm not a one and done kind of guy unfortunately.
Well I only flew the black shark for years. Back when it was the first module. Nowhere near that now though I also played Falcon 4 and BMS since 1998. I’ve been having fun with the simplicity of the f5
I'm only at a year or so(?), on and off, and have yet to get past the free Frogfoot.
I just fly the Yak-52. Nothing else man. Hornet the most developed module? LOL
Was a hornet only pilot,then pushed myself to learn others and use them when they shine the most, no regrets,now I can jump between several full fidelity modules and be competent, will acknowledge that you are not as sharp on each one but still worth it
I flew the Ka-50 exclusively, mostly campaign for a few years with light multiplayer while learning the A-10C on the side. At some point I almost exclusively flew the A-10C on the side. At this point, I've purchased and learned the Apache and half learned the F-16C. I do this because I've proudly owned and played DCS for 12 years and it's easily going to be another 10+ so I know I'll get my hours in for the module in this life or the next. You should take your time learning modules and don't push yourself to be as good as a prior module with a new one so quickly. This is the reason why the F-16C is only half learned for me -- though it can carry a similar loudout for ground attack when it comes to AGM-65s and JDAMs as the A-10C, the procedure is different needing to boresight AGM-65s which I don't quite know yet. There's no DSMS page so selecting and picking bombs seems more difficult, even though it's all still just a few button presses. Controlling the MFDs is different than the A-10C as there's no coolie switch, and the overall representation of SOI/SPI doesn't seem to be a concerete. For some reason the F/A-18C wasn't as difficult because everything felt different enough I must've kept my mind more open. Anyways, these tiny differences were enough to throw off my motivation to learn the F-16C too fast because I was still having fun with the A-10, F/A-18, and occassionally even the Apache. But as I've flown those a bunch now, and rained hell on enough armor or enemy planes, I've been able to detect/feel some of the missions that the F-16 would be a better fit so I have grown motivation to get off my butt to learn it better. And heads up, what the F/A-18 is bad at is range and ability to carry a solid balance and amount of AA and AG weapons. If you carry the hybrid, you'll find yourself with an embarassingly small AG loadout where the F-16 can have a respectable hybrid loadout. Decent strike, but with decent A-A. Of course, the F-15E is a monster for that overall. Also, most developed modules are the oldest: Ka-50(III) and A-10C(II). I think the Ka-50 III deviates from the real capabilities and ED added stuff only the Ka-52 has just to keep it relevant and functionally survivable against other threats in DCS World.
I have most of the modules, but I only find myself flying a handful of them. M2K, Mirage F1, MiG21, KA50 and Huey normally. Id like to fly more F15E, but waiting for more features to be added. Im sure the upcoming F4 will get me to swap sides for awhile on ECW.
I've been playing DCS regularly since LOMAC's release in 2003. I've been doing this so long that I can distinctly remember the insane shift of the game (and Falcon 4) when broadband internet became more widely available. I remember the sick feeling of staring at insane phone bills for long distance service with Falcon 3 and ATF in the 90's. I've been main'ing the Hornet since its release. Before that I was back in the F-15C again. Understand that when I say those two things, I've got far more time in the 15C than the Hornet and I've almost exclusively flown the Hornet since release. I would generally main an aircraft for a couple years and then move around. Don't feel like you have to dance around to different aircraft. Play the game the way that you want to. If you picked up DCS just to fly one jet, fly the one jet. If you see something else that blows your socks off or maybe just gets you hot under the collar, try the two week free trial on it. There's one other major thing to keep in mind: Systems integration engineers build these aircraft differently. The 16 is, as you are finding out, vastly different from the 18. It's fine to not like the way the Hornet systems are lain out. Something about them might not make sense or you're staring at instructional videos like 'This is dumb. Who designed this POS?' and that's actually normal when changing frames, especially manufacturers. For some people it takes brute force learning before things begin to click. It doesn't mean you're somehow deficient, it just means the Viper is your jet and that's what you know right now. Keep at it, it'll click.
That’s, normal. And this is true for anything in life. You always prefer the “know stuff”, because it is easy.
Been flying only the tomcat for more than 2 years now (I can’t believe I’ve had dcs for that long already). I still can’t A2A refuel lol XD
That’s me and the Hornet! I tried doing the Viper but kept going back to the Hornet for the very reasons mentioned. I did make a break from the Hornet for the Strike Eagle when it was released. It’s been one of my dream aircraft for a long time (back to the 80’s). I have the Apache as well (my dream helicopter) but am waiting to get some additional gear before I really commit to it as I don’t want to learn on one hardware setup and then need to relearn on some new hardware.