Essential skills for MP?
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Hi all, I’m still very new to BMS - its my first flight sim and what a sim it is! So much to learn.
My question is, in your guys opinions, what are some of the things a newbie should learn on their own before hopping onto MP servers/joining a clan, and how well should they be able to do it? I’ve tried out most of the TEs in stock BMS, so at least conceptually I think I understand what there is to do in an F-16. I can ramp start, takeoff, land, and I can use some of the weapons - not effectively, but its a start I suppose. However I haven’t played the campaign yet so I’m not sure what else I need to learn other than getting better at the stuff I already mentioned I can do.
Also as a sort of follow up question: I keep reading peoples posts that say you MUST have a HOTAS to play. Is it really such a big hindrance for someone like me to not have one? I imagine the only real difference would be the level of proficiency you can achieve with a HOTAS compared to a simple stick. I figured starting out with something simpler would do for now. I have a freetrack setup so camera move is not an issue for me.
Appreciate your thoughts!
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Keeping formation, Radio discipline.
A HOTAS is definitely a plus - its not really required when things go slow, but as soon as things get heated, especially in AA, there is no way you can be really effective without it.
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I think all you need to know is how to ramp start, takeoff, and land. Everything else you’ll get from doing MP and learn it twice as fast as single player. Pretty much every group if not all have training programs and/or people willing to help teach you the rest. Check out the sticky thread in general discussion for links to groups or log on Falcon Online and introduce yourself.
I started with a basic flight stick as well. You don’t need a HOTAS but it does make things easier.
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You are already ahead of the curve. Being able to use teamspeak is something you will probably need to know to be able to join a squadron, and thats about it. Some squads require you know how to ramp start. Some require you know that plus taking off and landing, then maybe knowing how to employ weapons…
If its your first flight sim, well done! you have jumped in the deep end on this one - sounds like you learnt to swim pretty quick!
RE the HOTAS: you will find it a lot easier with one. the basic 12 buttons just wont cut it for very long, you will at some point find yourself wanting to use most of the controls on the real stick and be scrambling across the keyboard looking for the key combos…
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I think all you need to know is how to ramp start, takeoff, and land. Everything else you’ll get from doing MP and learn it twice as fast as single player. Pretty much every group if not all have training programs and/or people willing to help teach you the rest. Check out the sticky thread in general discussion for links to groups or log on Falcon Online and introduce yourself.
I started with a basic flight stick as well. You don’t need a HOTAS but it does make things easier.
^^ This.
I would only add basic weapon employment …. how to drop bombs, shoot mavericks and HARMs, shoot AA missiles.
…. RE the HOTAS: you will find it a lot easier with one. the basic 12 buttons just wont cut it for very long, you will at some point find yourself wanting to use most of the controls on the real stick and be scrambling across the keyboard looking for the key combos…
All true, but you can ‘get by’ in MP with a simple ‘12-button stick’ (and no head tracking, but that makes things so much easier/better too).
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All true, but you can ‘get by’ in MP with a simple ‘12-button stick’ (and no head tracking, but that makes things so much easier/better too).
Indeed. I know people who use only a keyboard. I dont think I could fly like that, but you cannot deny that it can be done.
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I guess I’ve made more progress than it feels like I have. And for what its worth, I got a TM T.16000m for this sim, I figured the TARGET capabilities would soften the blow of not having a true HOTAS. Though I haven’t found a keyfile for this stick anywhere on the forums, so I’m still messing about with it to see what works and what doesnt.
I’ll be sure to look into joining squadrons, single player is starting to get a bit lonely.
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I once knew a guy who flew with an X-box controller. He was pretty good too!
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X2hawk u r ready. The rest will be learned on the way and learning them with a squad will also help you with the comms practice.
And in general cause lots of new guys have the same wondering… What is needed to have is time, all the rest will follow.
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I would either pick a sqn to join or look into Falcon Online. Tons of really good guys always willing to help out. If you have those basic skills down you shouldn’t have a problem.
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Like they said - you already have the essential skills for any squadron that accepts newbies (and many do)
Just don’t make the mistake I did - which would be training alone to become better so you can join a squadron as a seasoned flier. Better join a squadron right now. With each flight you’ll pick up new skills at an insane rate.(Use of radio being the most important for me)Regarding equipment - same thing. Join a squadron, and you’ll see for yourself if youre able to fly formation and maintain good situational awareness without a HOTAS and/or TRACKIR.
Lastly - I fly with about the cheapest available HOTAS, which is a used Saitek X45 i got off ebay for EUR30.
Having a throttle with a couple of extra buttons really improved the fun for me, and 30 EUR don’t put such a big hole in anyones wallet i think. -
Like they said - you already have the essential skills for any squadron that accepts newbies (and many do)
Just don’t make the mistake I did - which would be training alone to become better so you can join a squadron as a seasoned flier. Better join a squadron right now. With each flight you’ll pick up new skills at an insane rate.(Use of radio being the most important for me)Regarding equipment - same thing. Join a squadron, and you’ll see for yourself if youre able to fly formation and maintain good situational awareness without a HOTAS and/or TRACKIR.
Lastly - I fly with about the cheapest available HOTAS, which is a used Saitek X45 i got off ebay for EUR30.
Having a throttle with a couple of extra buttons really improved the fun for me, and 30 EUR don’t put such a big hole in anyones wallet i think.+1
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Also, if I can add there are lots of squadrons out there. They all fly at different degrees of attention or details. Some are “get into the air and have fun flying” while others are more by the manuals and graphs, and the rest are somewhere in between. You have to first ask yourself, what level of detail of flying do you want to do, and then go find a squadron that likes to fly at that level.
