Page 9
MarkShot's STK/EAW Guide
by Mark "MarkShot" Kratzer
Table Of Contents Download/Print PDF Version
Some Energy/Angle Observations
I would like to take a minute to discuss the relative importance of energy state versus angle state. Relative energy state tends to take precedence over relative angle state when there is a significant difference in the relative energy state (100 mph difference).
If you have a 100 mph advantage with your opponent on your six, then you can probably save yourself by quickly going into a steep climbing spiral. Thus, relative energy state is more important. If you have 10 mph advantage with your opponent on your six, then you can only frustrate your opponent, but not escape. Thus, relative angle state is more important. Remember with a 10 mph energy advantage and an opponent on your six, you will need to maneuver radically (more radically than your opponent). It is quite likely that you burn up your pitiful energy advantage through high G maneuvers to escape.
A player who is willing to dump energy (losing altitude while throttled back) can gain a momentary angles advantage or temporarily escape from an attacker. But the energy rich attacker, should be able to reposition and once again be in a better situation to push the attack. Of course, the target can once again dump energy to gain angles or escape. However, ultimately the fight will reach sea level. At which point, the attacker holds an energy advantage which can no longer be easily neutralized.
My Plan
You should never simply be flying in a fight and reacting to what is going on. You should always have a plan. Your plan addresses what you are trying to accomplish: I am trying to take advantage of my opponent's energy advantage and sucker him into the water; I am trying to take advantage of my energy advantage and loop so that I can nail him wallowing at the top of his loop; I am trying to take advantage of my energy advantage by turning on the edge of a spin in order to force my opponent to spin; ...
Evaluating the relative energy and angle states will permit you to determine if your plan is prudent and if it is the best plan. If you need to change plans, then your options are going to be dictated by the relative energy and angle states.
Applying Energy State
In this section, I look at how you can apply energy state when you have your opponent in your rear quarter. In other words, we are assuming that your relative angle state is poor.
You are Energy High and Angle Poor
Assume that you are energy high by relatively 40-70mph.
You can see that your opponent is behind you and that he is in lag pursuit (cannot point his nose into your flight path for the shot). You know that he is in lag, because you have gone around a circle or two and are not dead yet.
You can do a number of things at this point.
- Spiraling down would certainly be the wrong thing. This will probably push you above corner speed while your opponent achieves corner speed and can pull lead.
- You could continue your level turn. This accomplishes little as it does not change the situation between you and your opponent.
- Then there is the right thing to do. You could turn and gradually climb. You continue to push up your altitude until you are riding the edge of a spin. At this point, one of two things could happen in regards to your opponent.
- Your opponent pushes the pursuit by attempting to keep pace with you and goes into a spin. If this should happen, you should gently lower your nose to get a little speed and come around behind your opponent. You will either blast him and then break off and make another pass, or if he is coming out of the spin, then saddle up and shoot.
- Your opponent realizing what is going on may start backing off. This will both create horizontal and vertical separation between you and him. When there is adequate separation between you and your opponent, you should roll into him bringing your nose down and attempt to improve your angles situation. If you had enough of an initial energy advantage, then it may be possible to get a rear quarter position from this tactic.
- Another right thing to try if your opponent is not too deeply in your rear quarter is a high yo-yo. Basically, you will turn and climb, and then roll the nose back towards the ground, then turn and descend. If your opponent remained in a level turn, this can help you to cut across his turning circle.
© This STK/EAW Guide is Copyright 2000 Mark Kratzer. All Rights Reserved.
Click Here for Printer Version
© 1997 - 2000 COMBATSIM.COM, Inc. All Rights Reserved.