Tips for New Players

[Squeaking Mission]

There's quite a few things us salty vets know to do so naturally that we've forgotten that we had to learn to do them, so I'll try and throw up some basic stuff here. If anyone has anything to add go for it.

FoV (Field of Vision): When you first launch the game you can go into video settings and adjust the FOV. It defaults to 90 degrees, which can kind of limit your ability to see things easily. If you're having trouble tracking enemies try bumping this up to 106 or higher. Play around with it and find something you like.

Head Position: Some of the default head positions in cockpit may limit your view, or you may just not like where they are. You can adjust them by using the arrow keys and the PgUp/PgDwn keys then save the position with F10.

There are a couple of autopilot modes as well.
By hitting X you go into level flight.
ALT-X brings you into autoclimb based on speed. The speed will vary by plane but you can set it manually each sortie.
SHIFT-X is angle autopilot, where the plane will maintain whatever pitch you have it at when you enable it, airspeed permitting.

BOMBS/ROCKETS
You can select ordnance in the hangar when you choose your plane, as well as different gun packages if the plane has them. If you are flying a fighter or a plane with 2 different types of ordnace you can cycle through them in flight by pressing BACKSPACE and then using your secondary weapon button (default B or whatever you have it set to on joystick) to drop/rocket them. This also applies to drop tanks.

DOT COMMANDS
In your radio bar (brought up by pressing /) you can enter commands to do all sorts of things, for example: Exiting flight when your plane is parked on the ground or you have bailed out hit / to bring up the radio bar then type .ef then hit enter and you'll be back in the tower.

.squelch PLAYERNAME gets rid of a players text messages
.vsquelch PLAYERNAME gets rid of his annoying voice
.unsquelch PLAYERNAME returns the text
.unvsquelch PLAYERNAME brings back his annoying voice
.s PLAYERNAME sends a server wide 'Salute! PLAYERNAME' message, most use this after theyve had a good fight with someone.
.rs Returns a salute someone has sent to you
.p PLAYERNAME >message goes here< sends a private message to a player
.r >message goes here< replies to a player who has PM'd you
.report PLAYERNAME reports a player who is being a ♥♥♥♥
.speed XXX sets the climb speed in auto climb (alt-x) just input a speed in MPH and it will attempt to hold that speed. NOTE: If you set a high speed, you will not be climbing and the ground will get big fast.

That's all i can really think of right now, most people in game are pretty helpful so don't be afraid to ask questions. I'll also help (if i can) whenever i'm online. My ingame name is 'horble' don't be afraid to hit me up in PM or on knights country channel.

[Cap. Brannigan]

This should be a sticky!

[ImADot]

Don't forget about setting your gun convergence in the hangar. I think the default is 250 yards. If you don't shoot at a bad guy at that range, you'll either miss or won't do much damage. I like mine at 350, others push out to 450-600. It all depends on the plane and personal preference. The important thing is to know what it's set at and fire at that distance for maximum effect.

[Markster]

When you're more used to it, the .speed xxx command is good to use in general for customizing your climb speed and angle to meet a target or destination. Please note that each airframe has a default speed tied to the auto speed autopilot setting, and that default each plane has is the most efficient climb speed for this plane's aerodynamics, lift, and thrust. If you are going to change it and have it on, pull up your clipboard and see what your IAS is (it's always IAS, not TAS) and remember that so you can reset it back to the most efficient speed later. If you forget what it is, it will default the next time you roll a new plane. If you can't wait that long, just bet that it's going to be 165 for fighters and 140 for most bombers (ballpark, but good enough to get you by)

Also, for those that don't like pulling up the clipboard, if you happen to come from more of a text interface background or just find it faster, .ef is the "end flight" command.

Once you gain a few friends in the game and you want to fly with them, you can also use the .f <playerID> command to find which arena they are in, if they are online.

[Scorch Draken]

Just bumping this to the front page, and adding a note.

Do not be worried about asking for help, all of us that play the game are willing to help you, just ask in game over voice or text chat, and people will help you.