its cometely different game tx. even morafs from original df started at around level16. he started everyone joining during beta testing at half their rank,rounded up as favor to older players while game is being tested. example I was 27 in df1 and 14 on elite. I couldnt access my top plane until I hit level 15. if I read zups posts correctly anyone starting after beta is done and full game rolls out will start from scratch. elite is awesome,give it some time,bullets are more realistic,clouds n terrain offer concealment even from radar. should make for more interesting games and do away with boring flying from one base straight to the other tryin to fight everyone in between on bomb mission. tactics will be better now I think,opens up the map now. I go back to original dogfight now and find myself wanting to go back to elite. I c more n more pilots each day now especially since ape finally released it. its more realistic now and second phase hasnt been released yet I dont think,so should be even better things coming in next phase. zup done good on this one and I think a look of people will be playing more once beta phase is done. seeing my gunners inc,wolf pack and nlr brothers n sisters now. keep playing it and give yourself a bit to get used to it I think u will like it. nobody has same rank they had in df1