New Player Entry Brief V1.0
-
PDF Here - https://github.com/TheChemistAstronaut/Falcon-BMS-New-Player-Entry-Brief/releases/tag/1.0.0
After seeing many DCS players (Like myself!) explore Falcon BMS over the past few weeks due to the VR addition and post here asking for help, I decided to compose all the common stumbling blocks and stuff that initially confused me, or that I had wished I had known at the start, into an organized, condensed, and color-coded one page new player brief that summarizes installing and setting up Falcon BMS. Hopefully, this saves a few wasted hours here and there by smoothing out the common issues in advance for anyone getting started.
I have included instructions for the game itself, and also instructions about third party software that is essential for decent quality of life. In the second half, I included the main learning resources for after you have the main set-up complete.
Looking forward to see what you guys think, and happy to take feedback! I have just gotten into BMS over the past few weeks myself, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement :smile
-
@TheChemistAstro Nice idea. It will certainly easy the transition from other sims to BMS.
Also nice to see “new blood” in the BMS community. Welcome! -
Nice idea.
I’m not sure I’d say “essential” against the list of software though - more a case of, “some useful tools”.
For example, I never touch wdp or mc, and don’t feel the need for open kneeboards , cos I can use ezboards to do all the things.
Some non- Vr users might also recommend a whole host of tools, including Falcon BMS Control for MFDs on your tablet for example.
I’d definitely include voiceattack with AVcS and Falcon BMS radios in that list too - talking to your flight and AtC is so much more natural than reaching for the keyboard.
For your part 2, one of the things that I think people often get confused by is the comms ladder - preset 2 for ground, 3 for tower, 4 for departure/approach, 6 for tactical etc, coupled with the requirements of being on the same frequency as your wingman for IDM to work.
-
For your part 2, one of the things that I think people often get confused by is the comms ladder - preset 2 for ground, 3 for tower, 4 for departure/approach, 6 for tactical etc, coupled with the requirements of being on the same frequency as your wingman for IDM to work.
This could be a rabbit hole that would eventually lead to having to read the manual.
-
@AviationPlus said in New Player Entry Brief V1.0:
For your part 2, one of the things that I think people often get confused by is the comms ladder - preset 2 for ground, 3 for tower, 4 for departure/approach, 6 for tactical etc, coupled with the requirements of being on the same frequency as your wingman for IDM to work.
This could be a rabbit hole that would eventually lead to having to read the manual.
True there needs to be a stopping point so it is concise. But let’s be honest, this is geared towards DCS players coming over, and I believe even your video referred to Chucks guide of BMS for them Your videos are also very helpful of course! I think that one of the biggest differences and probably pretty confusing between BMS and DCS operationally is the comms ladder. In DCS, you would barely know that Approach and Ground exist as ATC entities and last I checked it doesn’t channelize your freqs for the Viper. Maybe just a recommendation in the manuals portion to especially look at the Comms manual for the more robust ATC/AI Comms options and also ramp start differences as your other latest video showed.
-
@Snake122 Very fair suggestions that would work great if I decide to make an exclusive “how things work DCS vs BMS” workflow comparison.
Though I won’t be implementing it here. This guide is designed around getting a new player to a functional (literally and practically quality-of-life wise) BMS install, to implicitly/explicitly guide them around mistakes (QoL/otherwise) they might make on the way, and instill them with the knowledge of where to go next for the actual playing-related details, while remaining (reasonably) well formatted and limited to one page.
Thank you for taking the time to type out the feedback though! I welcome more and strongly appreciate it.
-
As a Brand new user to BMS I much appreciate your efforts, thank you very much. I haven’t played Falcon 4.0 in a very long time. I am amazed at the progress and look forward to many hours of reading and training.
I would humbly request that you include install instructions for OKB, WDP, and MP. I extracted all files to my root BMS directory but I am now getting errors every time I open them. I have looked around for install instructions but have been unable to find any.
Thanks again! -
@GunnerV
Recommend you don’t put anything in the root BMS folder (directory for us old DOS guys/gals). Put them instead in …Falcon BMS 4.37\Tools directory (folder). Also, don’t put anything in “Program Files”, “Program Files (x86)” or “ProgramData” folders. This can cause access issues.For MC and WDP, just unzip them straight into …Falcon BMS 4.37\Tools and run them via shortcut to the executable (Mission Commander.exe or WeaponDeliveryPlanner.exe).
I put all my tools in …Falcon BMS 4.37\Tools, and run them from shortcuts I place in my Falcon BMS “shortcuts” startup folder, as needed.
Regards,
Tomcattwo
(VoiceClone) -
@Tomcattwo
Thanks Tomcat! I’ve got MC and WDP working now, thanks to you. Weather Commander also appears to be working, but I get an “Unable to determine the version of your install” error when I start it up. I’ll keep at it.
And yes, I call them directories too, when the heck did that change, lol.
Cheers,
GunnerV -
@TheChemistAstro Thanks for the idiots guide for us newcomers!