I was accused of being a 'dropper' tonight. Not once but twice.

Let me preface this by saying I'm not the most skilled pilot. Nor am I all that much of a veteran in terms of Dogfight or Dogfight Elite. I've only really been playing for a few months. I WAS, however, a highly skilled veteran of Air Warrior, which if anyone who's old enough to remember, was one of the first multiplayer WWII games with a wide user base (and MUCH more realistic, physically and historically based flight-models/physics).

Anyway, if you ask around, you'll learn that it's super rare to hear of me leaving a game early (whatever excuse people tend to use). Whether I'm 1 on 4 in a scenario that I'll clearly end up the 'loser', or I find myself 1 on 1 vs the top dog, Mr. BStrahan... I'll stick it out to the embarrassing and brutal bitter end. Not really because I want to, but because I believe it's just 'good form'.

After all, if every pilot who thought the odds weren't in their favor took this notion lightly and just began to 'drop' in order to find a game with better odds, Dogfight/Dogfight Elite would end up in the crapper.

So that's where I'm at. I play the hand I'm dealt- for better or for worse (oftentimes for worse).

Tonight though, I was first accused of being a 'dropper' by pilot "+1"... which really pissed me off. An hour later, I was accused of the same by someone else... And the finally, a pilot I considered a friend left a note in the chat area that he felt as though I was 'better than that'- (that is, being a 'dropper').

This INFURIATED me. Not because it reflects poorly on my 'squad'... I'm not in one. Because it reflects poorly upon ME!

So I inquired around and learned that a 'dropper' is supposedly NOT someone who exits a game when they are losing or when the odds aren't in their favor, but rather a 'dropper' is defined as someone who strategically drops their bombs in order to lighten their load to better enable themselves to to turn-fight and strategically survive situations that aren't necessarily in their favor.

What kind of bullcrap is THAT? What business is that of my enemy combatant as to what payload I'm carrying or how I decide to utilize it? If I'm 1 vs 3 and am being continually straffed coming off my own runway, what business is it of anyone's that I decide to lighten my load and try and turn-fight to survive?

Why should my enemy care that I'm deciding to forego the opportunity to bomb their carrier or hangar, in order to strategically take out certain pilots in certain positions in order to free up a path for my own pilots to make their own bombing runs?

They shouldn't! It's none of their damn business! Are we a community of whiners? Am I required to fly heavy to lose 99% of my head to head shoot-outs with BStrahan, or can I use my free will to lighten my load, make a pass, and execute some actual piloting skills to engage in a turn-fight (to increase my chances to dying 92% of the time;)).

If THIS is the definition of a 'dropper', than you can call me that to your hearts desire. I will, however, be sticking around when the odds are against me and my team, instead of 'dropping' my connection and leaving the game in favor of one with better odds. I'll be turn-fighting using all the skills I can muster rather that just dying in repeated zombie-like head to head mindless shootouts. I'll be having fun AND playing fair AND I certainly won't be worried about a community of whiners telling me how to fly or execute my payload.

Are you with me?

You speak.of good form ? And.playing the hand your dealt ? I've said this before I'll say it again .

Suck it up butter cup

Now if your alone against 3 or 4 guys then it's good .if you have to catch a sneak it's good .if there's a dropper and you need to hold them so your team can go bomb it's good .but to drop just for the sole.purpose of having a speed and maneuvering advantage in a bombing mission in a fair game it's is and always will be considered bad form .if you have 2 bombs it's ok to.lose 1 when needed.but most of the people here have taken many more deaths than kills on the road to becoming top pilots .the fact of the matter is if you drop you will never learn how to defend yourself while carrying .

Now don't forget once the pc and phone and tablet guys get split up the playing field will become more even and the game will return to a game of skill.it's up to you as how you want to be know in the game .

That's a lot of "ifs"... And that's my point. I have way more success in head to head combat when I'm heavy. I think anyone would agree with that. There are as many cons as there are pros when it comes to releasing your payload, not the least of which is that you don't even give yourself the opportunity to contribute towards being victorious in that scenario. I suppose there are people out there just trying to beef up their kill ratio, but you can't account for people being idiots. My point is, this whole notion of labeling people as 'droppers' is just group-think. It doesn't make sense. I'm a 'dropper' IF it's not a 3 on 1, IF I have to catch a sneak, or IF there's another 'dropper'? Suck it up, butter-cup!? It's just name-calling, or better said- whining.

Yeah, I don't find it advantageous in the least to release my payload UNLESS I'm being pummeled in a 3 on 1 or I'm racing to a carrier before its captured... Why would I? I won't judge you for doing it either. I want to be known in the game exactly as I play it... As an ethical, strategic pilot who's always trying to improve his skills while trying to help his team win the battle. Not as a name-calling complainer who whines about being shot down by someone who may or may not have fulfilled one of the many "if's" that made it okay for them to do so in the first place.

Oh, and sorry BStrachen for misspelling your name.

-X

(p.s. Props to Mean. I WILL miss witnessing your 10 kill runs. I WONT miss you in my six;) )

I wouldn't expect a lot of support for your style of play xprose, at least not in df. That may have worked okay from the game you played, did well at, and was far better than df, but it is an unpopular style of play in this arena. There have been many debates reference this topic in my 2+ years around here, and while the tactics you describe would be suitable for a real-world scenario, or possibly a game featuring both bombers and fighter escort, they don't lend themselves very well to a 4v4 ww1 video game.

You can defend your dropping till the cows come home but at the end of the day, around here at least, you will be most likely regarded as a dishonorable player.

It appears, by your post, you have already decided how you will play. More power to you. Just be aware that you will be labeled a dropper, and folks will complain when the face you.

Personally, I dislike facing droppers and will likely drop to match your speed and performance, then hunt only you. But that's my style.

Its very simple, there are "NO" rules against dropping. There is really nothing else to say.

Do as you wish, don't worry about what people say. Some choose to fly with two bombs, or just one. Others drop as soon as they take off. If you payed to play this game, no one has the right to tell you how you should fly. Tell them they can submit a Private Message to me in triplicate, at least 2 of them must be notarized and signed by a devout Muslim and a Rabi with one leg. Then I will look over their complaint.

#1 it is great to finally find someone else on here that played Air Warrior! That was an amazing game and way ahead of it's time, there were literally over a hundred people in each game with lots of different planes you could jump into at any time. Manning a B-17 crew was one of my favorites, especially if the plane had a full crew.

On the dropping, if upon takeoff you drop your bombs as you leave the base before engaging the enemy(during a bombing type game) then my friend right or wrong you are a dropper. If you do drop then fly back and forth just outside of enemy territory or close by the enemy carrier in hopes of getting shot down so as to tank, well you won't make too many friends among the regular players that you will see every day on here.

Being accused of cheating or bad form when you don't deserve it is frustrating, I have been accused of dropping before when in truth I was just having a really good night but it sowed the seeds of doubt in the other players and it's pretty hard to prove you've got bombs unless you make it all the way to the enemy base.

You are a good pilot and I hope to see you in the skies soon

It's true. Lots of players here feel there are "unspoken" rules that everyone should follow and they will try to shame others into playing their way. Many have tried to make rules or get the developer to do things like make it impossible to drop your bombs unless you are over a target, etc.

On one hand it can get frustrating to those who want to play straight, head-on bombing games... it can be tough for slower bombers to face a "chaser" who has dropped their bombs. On the other hand, there are many legitimate tactical reasons to drop and there are no actual rules against it. The performance difference between planes with or without bombs is coded into the game and provides a strategic variable which can make the game more complex. Many veteran players do not like this even if it is a noob in the lowest tier plane vs a team of players all in the top 100 world rank.

It's your game as much as it is theirs. There are ways of dealing with the dropping situation regardless of who is doing it but some will always choose to whine. I love it when a game gets "dirty" as long as no "actual" rules are broken. Once the whining becomes futile some will step it up and play as a team to distract the dropper and or coordinate with teammates so others can sneak. All it takes is some imagination and cooperation.

This issue is like the "politics or religion" of dogfight... there will never be a consensus on the "right way" to play. Play as you see fit. Your money is as good as anyone else's.

You may want to check out this collection of threads. Some go back several years. Don't let anyone try to convince you that their way is the only right way to play.

[NLR] McFate wrote: On Tactics, strategy and game philosophy

(A collection of posts from:)
The Unofficial Dogfight Law Library

SB467 DF MAXIM's & MORE -Strategic advice and more from a combat flight instructor.

The Dogfight Meta -On strategic gaming possibilities.

Complaining about droppers? STFU!

There are no Rules: An Article on DF Ethics

Tips for the lopsided game from MäX

What makes a 'GG' a good game

Outnumbered? =Survival Mode=!!!

Get a tissue!

Head on only? Why?

Bombing game tactics ?

Transcend Your Game -By Luna, how to coordinate an effective sneak.

Could be another Bubi in the making.

{GI} E*A*G*L*E wrote: Could be another Bubi in the making.

Really Eagle?

Did he say anything about spawnkilling or self destroying after a couple of hits? Or did he say anything about leaving games once the opposition got tough? That would be "Bubi style".

Viper10{WP} wrote: It appears, by your post, you have already decided how you will play.

Exactly my thoughts. No matter what, who posts here,it wont change your style. Play as you wish! More posts on this thread will only bring more drama.

Why yes Comet and myself have been known to be 2 of the biggest dropper's in the game today so we've been told anyways because of our high kill to low hangar count. so don't take it personally if someone calls you a dropper play as you wish they didn't buy the game you paid for it yourself.

mmm what misfits...na never..... I been told I big dropper lol ( chuckle) I faced 3 ur misfits last week....comet..hulk... gaw ..think he left an that darn wabbit joined .... I .had to defend base ..an carried 2 bombs .... but awesum fun...posted stats on ur squad thread

What hulk.and mcfate is true there are no rules against dropping.but for me personally I took it as a challenge to become good enough to carry and fight .and trust me I have faced many legends some are gone some are still around .but one thing I never wanted to to labeled a dropper .I fought every mission with my bomb and now bombs .I defend with at least one but only when I'm.severely outnumbered.true there is a tactical advantage to dropping in a bombing game .but ask yourself this would you really want to say to someone.I'm top of the game because I shoot down guys with bombs .bombing games are not all just head on fights if you use your brain .two guys carrying can still dog fight and actually it's harder than you think .yes I make my bread and butter in the valley of death .but don't think for one second I'm.not thinking of how to find an advantage .and a plane with a bombing is more nimble than you think one you start to figure out some.maneuvers.

yup.....I always carry as choice....but u say face many legends.....face blue max...an u from hulk...comet...pesky wabbit ...mean...jasta ...pink ..dog ..u no what I mean...list go on...but I also no u play in fair way..just faced a misfit

darraxx wrote: two guys carrying can still dog fight and actually it's harder than you think .yes I make my bread and butter in the valley of death .but don't think for one second I'm.not thinking of how to find an advantage .and a plane with a bombing is more nimble than you think one you start to figure out some.maneuvers.

Yeah and then in Elite while trying to get in that last hit for the kill, you run into a stupid tree or the ground. ughhhh I noticed when carrying in Elite and you start turn fighting, gravity is increased.

i'd like to sincerely and publicly apologise to you xProse. i was the one who made the post in world chat (though you were considerate in not mentioning me). i had no idea it would carry such weight and offend you. i am sorry.

the tactics you employed during the game in question were not suspect in any way, save for dropping the bomb. i've seen this under several circumstances, most of which would be considered heinous, and it seems i have developed a knee-jerk reaction that was not at all warranted by your behavior.

in future i clearly need to give more consideration to my comments. as a pilot i have seen nothing but exemplary behavior from you in the games we have shared, red or blue. i hope to engage you again soon either way.

Thanks for your comments Airwolf, and thanks for all those who commented on my post. I guess my goal was simply to add an alternate perspective. No hard feelings. We come here for fun, and those who arrive here at the forums, who bother to read through them and share their opinions clearly care about the game and the community at large. Rock n' roll!!! Go blue!

[*M]VonHuLK wrote: Its very simple, there are "NO" rules against dropping. There is really nothing else to say.

Do as you wish, don't worry about what people say. Some choose to fly with two bombs, or just one. Others drop as soon as they take off. If you payed to play this game, no one has the right to tell you how you should fly. Tell them they can submit a Private Message to me in triplicate, at least 2 of them must be notarized and signed by a devout Muslim and a Rabi with one leg. Then I will look over their complaint.

Well said Sr. Hulk I've been called a bomber many times and I just let it slide I don't care what other people say about me as long as I follow the game rules and my squadron's rules. XProse don't worry at all and tell these people to pm me or Sr. Hulk and as Hulk said we might look at what they have to say.

I'm not a dropper, but I am a dumper. After a successful bomb run, I always swing around and fly upside down to dump out my ashtray and empty beer cans... if the enemy is resourceful enough they can collect enough cans to get some money and rebuild the hangars I just bombed...hope that's not too dishonorable eh!

I kind of like it when, every now and then, someone calls me a dropper, and then I proceed to bomb their hangars.

I guess that how much plane you buy doesn't always earn you a win.

.

XProse wrote: Thanks for your comments Airwolf, and thanks for all those who commented on my post. I guess my goal was simply to add an alternate perspective. No hard feelings. We come here for fun, and those who arrive here at the forums, who bother to read through them and share their opinions clearly care about the game and the community at large. Rock n' roll!!! Go blue!

Go Blue?

Uh oh, I think we've got another player from Ann Arbor in here!

Who left the gate open?

We've gotta get that drawbridge fixed!

.


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YES! YES I AM! Also a sneaker and its nothing wrong with that. Many players will try to put u down with words and cursing. They say u are not honorable or it’s not a good form of play. But if u see the little book I am holding in my hand about “THE RULES” ? weeeeeeell most pages are blank.

The game provides you with options to do strategies so use them. Again they will call u dropper that = defender, they will call u sneaker that = dive bomber. Because you play different they say you use bad form, NOPE. Everyone here has his own particular way of playing that gives them an edge or advantage.

Yes they are great straight shooters but if those straight up the middle shooters want me they will have to go HI UP to get me. That changes their advantage of game play so some get mad and call you out. Do not mind them just have FUN!!!

I do not drop all the time usually carry one bomb because my objective is to bomb and u can see my bombing count. They will say yes many bombs sneaking, hummmm well BOMBS COME FROM ABOVE! That is from where I drop them. I like to mix it up in a game always depending on how game goes. I play to have FUN just go with that and do not worry about what others say.




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That not a rule book, it looks like a top secret play book. Lol

Bigger question are you a dropper and a crasher

Crashers are just funny to me. I would much rather have a death by being hit rather than crashing, at least deaths mean you went down fighting. A low KCR looks worse than a low KDR, IMHO.

[NLR]Jacob10000 wrote: Crashers are just funny to me. I would much rather have a death by being hit rather than crashing, at least deaths mean you went down fighting. A low KCR looks worse than a low KDR, IMHO.

I'm fine with my crash count, as big as it is. Stunt flying is one of my favorite parts of this game. Going through the trees sideways or looping through and around the bridge... making chasers crash trying to follow you..."barnstorming"

If you aren't dying you aren't trying.☠

I too enjoy barnstorming, but I haven't got to do as much of it in Elite. Everyone is in it to learn shooting still so I usually have to fight. A free fly server with no kills/deaths/crashes would be a blast for practicing.

Anyone can drop not everyone can carry !
Anyone can drop their bombs not everyone can carry them and still out turn or out gun the reds with one i rarely drop my bombs in any type of game flag/bombing/dogfight. ill hold my bombs as long as i can it give you great stability as well to shoot

Dognamitt wrote: Anyone can drop not everyone can carry !
Anyone can drop their bombs not everyone can carry them and still out turn or out gun the reds with one i rarely drop my bombs in any type of game flag/bombing/dogfight. ill hold my bombs as long as i can it give you great stability as well to shoot

I only drop when I get into a turn fight, defending my base, or when I don't need bombs, but other than that I usually don't drop. Like dog I sometimes keep for stability but no that often.