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MarkShot's STK/EAW Guide
by Mark "MarkShot" Kratzer
Table Of Contents Download/Print PDF Version
Topic: The Basics of Energy Fighting on 08/29/00
Introduction
This topic deals with Energy Fighting. For those who are familiar with dogfighting concepts, this topic will not be breaking new ground. The original STK/EAW dealt with energy more in terms of how to use it and less in terms of how to get it and manage it. Here we will address these other matters.
Energy is very much the one of the core concepts of air combat. If one searches the Internet, one will find a number of excellent treatments on various Air Warrior, War Bird, and other game sites. I hope that my treatment of energy here will be more well tailored to the EAW dogfighter, and not simply a repetition of the lessons taught by others.
A Valuable Commodity
Everyone realizes that in a fight ammunition is a valuable commodity. You have to use it wisely as it is a finite resource which cannot be replenished while airborne. So, it is with energy. Mismanagement of energy will get you killed. See the original STK/EAW for discussion of what energy is, relative energy states, and how to analyze energy via the HUD.
Energy has a number of applications in a fight, but I will offer these two to illustrate how valuable it is.
- Suppose you and another plane are in a very tight close turning fight. You have both dropped well below corner speed (most degrees/second). You and your opponent are on opposite sides of a circle. Then, the plane with more energy will be closer to corner and able to turn better. Thus, this plane will be able to gain angles on the other as the two planes turn.
- Suppose you find an opponent at your six and within guns range, but you have a significant energy advantage. Then, you may defend yourself by heading into a climbing spiral as close to edge of the envelope as possible. This will allow you to place your plane out of reach of your opponent's guns. And if you are skilled enough, you might even turn this situation into a reversal.
The Energy Fighter's Philosophy
The Energy Fighter flies with a certainly philosophy which pervades everything he does.
- The Energy Fighter realizes that all things being equal, the plane with the energy advantage is assured a victory. Thus, when he has an energy advantage, he makes sure to maintain it and/or increase it. And when he is at an energy disadvantage, he does all that he can to try to force the convergence of energy states between himself and his opponent.
- The Energy Fighter is willing to forgo a quick victory achieved by either grabbing a rapid but risky angular advantage or through clever acrobatic flying. The Energy Fighter realizes that a kill gotten without exposing one's plane unnecessarily to risk after a number of turns is quite satisfactory.
- The Energy Fighter realizes that every action involves energy loss and perhaps gain. To win via energy fighting requires the cumulative management of energy through quite a number of different maneuvers. I like to say that that "Energy Fighters win the fight one turn at a time".
- The Energy Fighter looks to achieve a workable energy advantage. This means that the Energy Fighter will tend to avoid switching into Angles Fighting until he has achieved enough of an advantage that he may press in for the kill. There is no point in trying to cash in a small energy advantage that leaves you stuck in lag pursuit. At the time you cash in, you want your energy advantage to carry you to your opponent's six giving you a tracking, lead pulling gun shot.
- The Energy Fighter avoids dumping energy and rather looks to conserve it wherever possible.
- The Energy Fighter tends to maneuver in the vertical because he understands the concept of how such maneuvering can give good turn rates and energy conservation at the same time.
- The Energy Fighter will often dislodge himself and climb away from an opponent going down to retain his energy as opposed to trying to artificially slow himself down. The Energy Fighter knows that if he retains his energy advantage, then he should be able to reacquire his opponent's six.
How is Energy Lost?
So, how do players lose energy in a fight?
- Starting the fight at a lower altitude.
- Using flaps at the wrong time.
- Chopping the throttle.
- Performing high-G maneuvers.
- Diving down and not fighting in the vertical.
Starting the Fight at a Lower Altitude
Sometimes you are simply forced to start at a much lower altitude than your opponent. Of all the things listed here, this is the one which you may not be able to do much about. Of course, there are various steps you can take which will help in a general way.
- When you have an opponent's engine smoking at a reasonably high altitude (6,000' or better), then try to finish him off quickly. Thus, you should be able to match altitude with him by the time he respawns. (At the same time, he should be trying to drag you down to sea level in order to make you claim your kill.)
- Climb between victories while being conscious of your engine temperature.
- Generally move yourself away from the respawn area as you win each fight.
- Shoot for the tail instead of the engine. Tail kills are unquestionably fatal. (Personally, I just shoot, but I suppose there are some who are good enough to make the gunnery distinction.)
- If you have achieved significant engine damage of your opponent, then simply break off and climb. He will ultimately hit the ocean and respawn. This approach tends to be somewhat unsportsman like, I generally prefer to claim my kills by finishing what I started.
- Fly away from your respawned opponent and make him give up some of his altitude advantage to catch you.
© This STK/EAW Guide is Copyright 2000 Mark Kratzer. All Rights Reserved.
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