jakeleg

I am a new DiF player, but I really like the risk factor surrounding pilot mortality. The danger is part of the fun and one of the main factors that draws me to the game. There is always that knowledge in the back of your mind that your #1 ace pilot might get killed when he sorties. It makes your choices when playing that much more exciting and challenging. Now, if I had invested the time and effort that some of the top players have put into their pilots, I suppose I might feel differently, but so many games in other genres shy away from the finality of a player-character's (pilot's) death, it has been a refreshing change to see it modeled in DiF. If there is going to be a change to the system, I would vote for pretty stiff penalties. There should be a sting when you revive a "dead" pilot. If not this, then how about an optional mode that a player can select when they create a character: A "hardcore" (ala Diablo 2) or "ironman" mode that makes death for that pilot what it is in reality - final. These might be tracked separately in the ladder or these pilots could receive XP bonuses/medals as an incentive. Non-hardocre pilots can be revived and might still be penalized but it wouldn't need to be as severe.

Just wanted to say I picked up the game this week and haven't played much of anything else despite being a pretty hardcore strategy gamer and ALWAYS having multiple games going at one time. DiF is pretty darn addictive. Thanks for the new guy question threads - these have been a big help. My question is I have started some online pilots and been slowly moving them along while learning the game. Is there any advantage to starting in 1939 vs. 1940 or 41? I've got a stable of 1940 Brits who have done okay, but I can't seem to beat the German AI in the Emils and the +1 damage modifier -even when using the Spit I. I might get the leader but invariably the wingman will immediately send my leader down. I suspect I need to leave more cards for my leader to respond to the wingie's counterattack instead of going all out for the kill. Is it better strategy to start out with 1939 pilots and pay my dues with the Glad or older a/c before going to the better aircraft. Do the quality of opponent aircraft also adjust along the same timeline?