Free content

[Rabihbeast]

I was interested in the game and Im getting a flight stick soon, but every iconic jet costs over 60 dollars and I was just wondering what free content there is in the game so I can have fun without spending over 100 dollars on jets

[CRAZY ENZO]

You can take a look at the community A-4E Skyhawk module: https://heclak.github.io/community-a4e-c/

Also, for the standalone non-steam version every module has a trial period and your first module is 50% off there iirc. Steam version can be converted to standalone but not vice-versa.

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Rabihbeast:

I was interested in the game and Im getting a flight stick soon, but every iconic jet costs over 60 dollars and I was just wondering what free content there is in the game so I can have fun without spending over 100 dollars on jets

I would not worry to much about how much everything costs right now. The core game comes with two free aircraft. The SU-25 which is keyboard cockpit commands fighter and the Mustang Trainer which has a fully clickable cockpit but is unarmed.

I would highly recommend learning the depth of DCS as a simulation on those two aircraft before spending any major money.

Have a look at Growling Sidewinder and Spudknocker YouTube videos to get a feel for what the game is about. They can be very entertaining and informative.

As Enzo said above, if you go through ED for the DCS account, you get 50% off on your first purchase for almost everything. Plus there are more sales opportunities on the ED account than through Steam.

Bottom line is this. Learn to start, take off, fly, land, and shut down the two free aircraft before worrying about what to buy. The depth of the simulation may not be what you are looking for. If it is what you are looking for, then pick the aircraft and the terrains and the campaigns that are of interest to you and buy them at 50% off.

Anyway, that is my advice. :)
Good Hunting

[bignewy]

We also have free trials on stand alone version

access the free trial here
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/licensing/trial/

(Not available for steam sorry, you will need to use the stand alone version for this free trial)

[Gunn]

From the steam page itself...

-Fly the TF-51 Mustang and Su-25T attack jet for free!

-Includes a beautiful, free, and highly detailed map of the Black Sea region that includes south western Russia and Georgia and the Mariana Islands.

[Sgt.Salty_K.]

As Enzo mentioned, there is the free skyhawk mod which is excellent and full fedality and then there is also the T45 Trainer mod, with wich you can practice carrier landings. The A4 can also land on a carrier but for the T45 there is a superb training case i carrier landing training mission from Bankler. That's free and if that is not enough, planes like the SU-27 or F15 who are not full fedelity cost only about 13 EUR and also come with a campain.

[SaxonRaider]

I second the Skyhawk, it's by far best mod out there. It's the only mod I have installed as I don't like modding games. But this is basically free DLC quality and you'd be crazy not to have it.

[Rabihbeast]

Originally posted by bignewy:

We also have free trials on stand alone version

access the free trial here
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/licensing/trial/

(Not available for steam sorry, you will need to use the stand alone version for this free trial)

What is the difference between the standalone version and the steam version

[Rabihbeast]

Also thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

[Troll Norris]

Originally posted by Rabihbeast:

What is the difference between the standalone version and the steam version

The non-steam version does not need any 3rd party client.
The addons bought in Steam can be transfered to non-steam version
The addons bought in Non-Steam version CAN NOT be tranfered to steam version.
There is 50% discount for first purchase in the non-steam version.
There is 14 day trial in non-steam version for every addon. You can turn on the trial mode whenever you want once per 6 months.
There is loyalty bonus program in non-steam version.
More about loyalty bonus program here:
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/miles_rules/
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/bonuses/

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Rabihbeast:

What is the difference between the standalone version and the steam version

One additional set of things to add to Norris' excellent list:

* When Steam has a sale, that sale is mirrored in the ED version
* When ED has a sale, that sale may not be mirrored in the Steam version
* Bundles in ED sales are usually not available in the Steam version

In general, Steam is ok but ED Standalone is superior in my opinion.

Good Hunting

[Rabihbeast]

Originally posted by Ironwu:

Originally posted by Rabihbeast:

What is the difference between the standalone version and the steam version

One additional set of things to add to Norris' excellent list:

* When Steam has a sale, that sale is mirrored in the ED version
* When ED has a sale, that sale may not be mirrored in the Steam version
* Bundles in ED sales are usually not available in the Steam version

In general, Steam is ok but ED Standalone is superior in my opinion.

Good Hunting

Ahh Ik, thank you for the help

[Gunfreak]

I also recommend the A4, you can spend as many hundred hours in that plane as the F18 or F16.

[whatdoesthisbuttondo?]

On Steam version, best way to judge if you want to dive deeper is to buy one of the FC3 planes.

As others have already said, they go for about €13 when not on sale which is nothing in the grand scheme of things, and even if you do not stick with the game in the end I'd say it is a good deal.

The more expensive modules I would really consider separate AAA titles, maybe a bit on the expensive side but not too much.

Or go with standalone, but personally, I do not mess with anything that isn't on Steam these days, too much hassle for the limited free time I have.