Harsh? Yea.
So is having others judge me as an “unfair” player when I have always made good efforts to make the game more enjoyable to all.

Hear me out and feel free to respond to any points where you think I’m off-base.

I have always had occasional complaints from other pilots calling me out for dropping my bomb even when I am still carrying. I maneuver a lot, with or without a bomb. I know this also happens to other players who fly with a similar style.

I recently left the 121st Misfits and went somewhat “incognito” so I could get a different point of view of DogFight. Once I shed the squad tag and changed my name, the complaints increased dramatically. (I’ve also seen many players seeming to act differently than they would in my previous experiences with them. Hmm….?) Some of the complainers have been pilots who I previously had respect for. (including some fellow Misfits) I want to use this opportunity to tell all that, as far as I’m concerned, complaining and whining detracts more from the game than the players who use the most despicable tactics. (Team-killers not withstanding.)



Many players don’t like it when others drop their bombs in bomb-the-base or in bomb-the-carrier missions. I completely understand, although the introduction of the German d8 has me reconsidering this somewhat. Many players and squads feel there should be a game-wide rule which says:


"Always carry a bomb in bombing missions! (Only drop under extreme circumstances) "
( this is the wording of the 121st Misfits’ rule # 12)

I actually chose the wording of this rule and prepared the description of how it should be applied. Below it has been modified slightly to remove anything specific to the squad and to add a few additional thoughts)


The case can be made where sound tactics, with which a team consisting of bombers and dropper/chasers/escorts, can be very effective at destroying the target. I sincerely believe that when “squad wars” finally comes many of these issues will be re-evaluated. When teams can be arranged and sides can be chosen the game will take on a very different dynamic. Having the option for “Team Chat” would be a big development toward tactical game play. Unfortunately, the way the game currently works with all of it’s random team selection, the constantly unbalanced games and the inability to choose your match, makes it so this rule helps promote game play that is more enjoyable in general.

If you see other players, red or blue, needlessly dropping you may feel free to remind them that bombs are necessary to win. Aside from the fact you would be wrong, (many bombing games are won with tanks, especially bomb-the-carrier missions), its bad form and does little but create bad relations between players. Don’t make a scene out of complaining. Remember that everyone has the option to play the game as they see fit and no one owes anyone a nice head to head stroll for the comfort of those who don’t like to turn fight. If you don’t like the way someone is flying you should try to show them why it is a bad idea. Some of the players you disagree with will have advanced skills but most of the “stat padding” players will soon leave to seek easier prey. If they don’t, feel free to leave the game. I suggest avoiding this as much as possible because it rewards the jerks, but then, why should you have to put up with it? If the dropper is blue you can leave (let them know why?) or choose to stay and bomb.

The recent addition of the superior German d8 is game changing issue too. I don’t see any reason why someone with the decency to play as allied should be hassled for dropping against highly ranked/skilled d8 pilots. I haven't adopted this strategy....yet. Does anyone really still argue that the d8 is not a superior plane? If you don’t think it is I encourage you not to fly it.



So, when are circumstances “extreme” enough to justify dropping bombs on anything other than a hangar or carrier? Judge for yourself how your actions will further the game objective. I’m going to outline some of what I consider to be justifications for dropping in addition to some other tactical suggestions.



1. Taking out a tank. This is the only reason that doesn’t “waste” the bomb. It’s probably best to try to shoot a tank and save your bomb incase you miss. (There are some pilots who can take you air-to-air with a bomb but it’s definitely the rare exception.)

2. To take out Sneakers. Having a red suddenly appear directly overhead or behind you from the East or West is definitely an “extreme” circumstance and an immanent threat. You need to do everything you can to take these guys out ASAP.

3. To evict a camper. If red has set up “camp” by flying bombless over your base you need every advantage you can get to take them out! When you spawn, set your brake and rev up your throttle. You can touch and drag the screen to see where they are if you think they are preparing to spawnkill you. If you time it right, you can release the brakes, pop into the air and drop before they can get you. A turning fight is always better than being a sitting duck. Try to lead them away from the base so spawning blues can have a better chance to get airborne. Also; if a red has just bombed a hangar (whether they are trying to leave or planning to camp) You may assume they are going to try to shoot you down. You are perfectly justified in dropping until they have been shot down or chased off.

4. Confronting a red dropper/chaser. There are going to be reds that drop. There is no good reason for you to be their punching bag. If they insist on playing the game that way, change your tactics. If you face an impassable red chaser you may want to take the opportunity to do some sneaks. It can be tough to coordinate with your team but it can win the game. (Team chat please, zup!) If you’re flying the German d8 you may want to consider that you already have a significant advantage over the allies and try to continue on without dropping. If the dropper is flying a German d8…? Well, there will always be those who just don’t give a rat’s ass about “fair” play.

5. Confronting a wave of reds when they are on final approach. Sometimes they all come over the last hill at the same time. Does it really make sense to not do everything you can to defend your hangars or carrier under imminent threat?

6. If you have 2 bombs but only want to carry 1, drop away! Some players don’t even consider this to be okay! I’ve had blues tell me to stop dropping because of this!

.

Once you’ve dropped and taken care of the reds you have some options. . Should you immediately land and reload just to keep your opponent from getting upset? I think there are more important things to consider. It can take a while to land and reload. It takes even longer to reload if some of your hangars have been destroyed. If you are at the blue base, no reds in sight and your teammates are already far afield, sure, why not land and reload. If reds are in sight, forget it. By the time you’re ready to get back in the air the reds could be shooting you before you get airborne. If you are in red territory and there are other blues who have bombs you can chase or “escort”. Do everything you can to protect or draw fire away from the blue bombers. You can be a very effective protector/distraction without camping directly over the enemy base. Chances are someone will complain. Just don’t hang over the red base camping or spawnkilling while there are no inbound bombers.

(and then of course):
6. When heavily outnumbered, when you’re down to 2 vs 5 or worse. If you want to puff up with pride and take it straight, good for you. Put a medal on your banner. Otherwise, feel free to drop and hang in there as best you can until help arrives. Some 2 vs 6 can be incredible! It can really get your adrenaline pumping!


This is really all a matter of etiquette. It’s a case of doing unto others as you would have done onto yourself. The problem is that people get all offended when they think someone is not being “fair”. Compounding the issue is that many complainers only consider what they actually see with their own eyes. How do you know that someone didn’t have a good reason for dropping earlier in their run?

So, STFU! Give people the benefit of the doubt. Unless you know for certain that someone is being “abusive” QUIT COMPLAINING! As far as I’m concerned, if someone starts complaining about the way I play when I’m following the guidelines above they can KMA. Nothing gets me more fired up than some idiot calling out the Wambulance and trying to get other players riled up when they don’t think that I’ve got good reason for what I’m doing. Depending on my mood, if you call me out for playing dirty I may give you reason to feel that way.

To be fair, if someone simply asking if you have dropped, you should not necessarily take it as a complaint. Same is true with comments about sneakers. It is tough to accurately interpret what someone’s true attitude is when you only read their in-game chat. It’s also true that some consider it “fair” to try to mess with your head. I’ll mess back but it really is pathetic. I admit that I often have “thin skin” about such comments and I have seen many of my own comments taken as insults when they were intended only to warn my teammates. (again, zup, “Team Chat” please!)


Revenge? I also reserve the right to be vindictive against other players whose tactics I don’t appreciate. It feels much better than complaining. I don’t do this based on one incident. This is a game, why not act it out in the game? I really don’t mind if they want to try to return the favor, I like the challenge. If you see me camping/spawnkilling a particular player you can bet there is history behind the situation and yes, sometimes it’s against a chronic dropper. If it’s against you, feel free to send me a PM. Odds are I’m not mad, just returning what you’ve dished out to others.

*sigh* if only all droppers were as honorable and logical as you, McFate, this game would be a better place.

Very well said! I also drop if outnumbered by alot or when i have to turn fight a very good pilot, but often i find myself about to drop one to get past 2 or 3 reds but i just try my luck with keeping them and once i make it through and drop them i am quite pleased i talked myself out of dropping one. But yes if i see certain pilots that are just lighting ppl up, i'll drop one without hesitating and the other if need be.

On the camping issue, you make very good points, i always stay and draw fire after hitting my hangers if i know there are blues behind me with bombs, I always let the reds take off first and i usually wont fire until they do just to be sure and then just keep them chasing me or shoot them down so my blues get there bombs in, but i always worry somebody is going to say i'm "camping", even though i am very careful not to and to escort my blues in the right way. And once the blues have dropped i head back to reload and dont turn around unless fired upon, in which case i'll turn, take them out and try and head back again until i make it back. Too many times i see blues bomb and run leaving me to fend for myself, or reds waiting for me when i spawn, i hope all of those that dont have the common sense you have reads this thread.

let me tell you that you're right amiga.estoy totally agree. the other day in a game that certainly hulk ganamos.estaba and other moraf seems they did not like tactics caer.emplee all I could. (Droper droppers snaker hehe) the guys I played Supee glad that we had won has hulk. (Green is a program that puts us a friend but not a pilot just like cry, you can see your screenshot metete and you'll know why I say this. (Without bomb attack tactics while my smashed the base. (As you will write a hulk) I play to win the mission as I think always with respect, do that one thing is quite another silly do.The. (team chat and zuper) although I have to admit that bothers you play in a certain way , that G.Temgo I play, as they want a few? qe can not drop bomb? or attack dede up? hidden or why would I have to go straight? shall give front'm fucked, almost undefeated modestly persecution, but if I fly without pump that can not? when I'm at my airport, to defend lost me.van pump if pump lost to massacre, if I can help bombers so they can come loose pump. (must instill people who are free, choose qe valley gliding bomb, flight a.escondidas es.justo ect.no you want to impose a way of playing a lot pocos.que give those on a DF are dead before takeoff. (Great what you wrote fate, I'll be looking out for you lol) I hope you understand the idea is a greeting (I use google translator)

if you where not aloud to drop then how come you can drop

Yea, thanks,Joe.

Camping is another big issue. It's such a sore point that many "honorable" players would rather fly away after bombing than help their own teammates make it in to bomb!

Come on everyone! THINK! What is wrong with this picture?

Unfortunately some who do see the logic of staying to help their incoming bombers will camp heavily on the enemy runway! This guarantees that the reds will have planes at the hangars actively defending. If this is at south base, the incoming reds will usually be coming in directly at the runway, spawnkilling the entire way in. (Feels good? To who?)

At north base it isn't quite so bad, but the spawning reds have a better chance of taking out the bombers just as they get to the last hill.

It would be far better for the blues who have already bombed to bait the reds and draw them away. Of if they don't take the bait, turn and escort.

Remember, the mission is "bomb-the -base". It's a team effort so you should act like a team. No?

Hell yeah!!! Thats what im talking about!!!!!
Just yesterdayi was in a match 5vs2 there were moments I HAD to drop and just cause I did the d bags on the other side camped me and spawn killed me. Thats some bs right there and one of the members camping was a t.a.s.k. officer wtf??? I changed my alies to Subhuman but it just goes to show how ppl really r when they dont know who u r. I eventually just 'accidentally' bombed my last hanger to get it over with, so I didnt have to listen to idunno troll causing me to loose. But its whatever idc. So what if I dont prefer to do head ons ALL THE TIME. its a game....enjoy yourselves and have fun even if its stepping out the box every now and then.

Pm the task guy ax....unless blues are comin..i autidestroy,or oin sub down that time,he was good enuf without bomb .we just wanted to see how good he was with one..he refused.

idunno wrote: Pm the task guy ax....unless blues are comin..i autidestroy,or oin sub down that time,he was good enuf without bomb .we just wanted to see how good he was with one..he refused.

again I say "I was Subhuman" and to clarify since hmm well....that was me... heI never refused to carry. I didnt drop throughout that whole game...just on a few runs to keep yall on ur toes.... im good with or without a bomb AND I was in a se5a vs 3 D8s

A7X[*] wrote:

idunno wrote: Pm the task guy ax....unless blues are comin..i autidestroy,or oin sub down that time,he was good enuf without bomb .we just wanted to see how good he was with one..he refused.

again I say "I was Subhuman" and to clarify since hmm well....that was me... heI never refused to carry. I didnt drop throughout that whole game...just on a few runs to keep yall on ur toes.... im good with or without a bomb AND I was in a se5a vs 3 D8s

boo hoo I've been a 7 verses 1,me the 1.. and a few runs? even sergeant MO asked if you were carrying you gave him no answer. and that shows me your character so what do you mean I'm no good for task...when I first joined I was out classed bY morafs, generals and everything else then I made it,if the mission called for a bomb you can guarantee I carried one..if I had a bad connection I dropped out because it wasn't fair to everyone else,the reds.i lagged and i killed liked crazy if i wanted.

and just remember when you got sk,its because you asked for it you antagonized the other team and they got tired of it.

Dittos to what Mac said Mr McFate......thank you for your input with integrity.

Good post McFate (albeit a little long winded ). In regards to the "after I drop my bomb on a hangar" subject I almost feel obligated to support any incoming blues with suppression fire. Note that I am not talking about outright spawnkilling but I do engage airborne reds if a carrying blue is near. I expect to receive the same from reds in that situation as well. If there are no carrying blues near I will retreat using every maneuver in my repitoir. Even if reds are shooting at me I still retreat. Usually I have the advantage because I have no payload and make it home in one piece.
Sorry about the long post

I personally keep game chat off, it makes the match more peaceful instead of flying with a bunch of words popping up constantly on my screen of pilots crying about whos doing what. Great post Mcfate I agree 100%.

Matthewstuart1 wrote: if you where not aloud to drop then how come you can drop

?
I'm not quite sure what you mean.

I lined out several situations in which I feel dropping is justified. I never drop just for the sake of dropping. I will do what I can to deliver a bomb to the target but I will drop to deal with any of the several situations I listed above.

From the "Rankings of different servers" thread.

A perfect example of complainers not considering someone else's poit of view.

pheonix22 wrote: Just got back from a bomb the base mission,I looked at the ranks,lots of morafs,and me in an airco. I climbed to 1500 and bombed the base,was shot down(via d8)and was accused of being a coward for sneaking,I tried again,and at 1300 I was spotted,2mins later I died via d8. Something needs to be done,as I have already been back to the noob server several times,and as soon as I leave I'm destroyed,I only need 1k points for a new plane,but I can't get it.

This crap happens all the time. Just to be clear I am advocating for the low-ranked sneaker in this case. The complainers in their d8s should STFU!

Great post, McFate! I agree with ya all the way.
I especially get tired of the droppers who only want to rack up points--I'm sure you've encountered the type: they drop right after takeoff and hang out halfway across the map. They never escort their bombers to the red base and wouldn't dream of bombing, they simply circle at the halfway point and try to pick off oncoming reds. Ugh. That's definitely the time some guys will decide to SK the dropper until the game's over. You'd never catch me doing that though...

Yeah phoenix let them cry, I dont sneak but have no problem with it because it is a strategy and I enjoy flying up there and shooting them down. This idiots want every pilot to just fly head on and dogfight thats it. Any other strategy that is used they will consider that strategy cheating lol.

Well said Mc. I myself love a good twisting turning fight I maneuver A Lot I'll come right at you and never fire a shot till I've spun around on your 6 and this is WITH A BOMB..., If you'll play around with it you'll see the bomb will help you out turn most other planes it adds weight that gives you a pivot that you don't have without it. And I'm always being called a dropper when in fact I'm packing. I've been in this game a long time as Dr Dave and my feelings are well documented on many threads about dropping.

Im with ya Rat.....I dont really find sneaking to be cheating. C'mon, its strategy.....the idea of everyone constantly flying head on into a gunfight seems dull to me. Whats wrong with a little cat and mouse? Lol

CurtisShoe wrote: Im with ya Rat.....I dont really find sneaking to be cheating. C'mon, its strategy.....the idea of everyone constantly flying head on into a gunfight seems dull to me. Whats wrong with a little cat and mouse? Lol

what's wrong with it is when it's a game of 2 vs 6 or more why would you sneak are your abilities that bad if you're side out numbers the other divide your forces from two different directions in groups not single not sneaking in plain sight you divide their forces into smaller groups giving you better fair opportunity to deliver a bomb without sneaking

To be clear, I'm not necessarily advocating dropping, sneaking or camping.

I'm saying that the complaining is worse than the deed!

I don't like the game play in a bombing game when everyone ends up dropping and the bombing game becomes just dogfighting, but a well planned attack with bombers and escorts is pretty impressive.

I don't like when sneaks make it in to bomb my hangars but I have fun patrolling for them. I do, however, remember the thrill of sneaking in a bomb against MORAFs when I was a level 10. Still didn't get in more than 50% of the time. I loved patrolling when I knew it was about "MAGIC TIME"

I don't like it when campers hang on my base and make it so I can't defend against incoming bombers, but I love taking out campers. Especially the spawnkilling variety.

I don't like it when I go 1 vs 7 and get my butt handed to me, but I love it when I make it cost the reds dearly.

Basically, I guess I like the challenge of this game and all the knuckleheads with all their different styles. There are a few that can ruin a game but for the most part I like a good fight. I even like an "unfair" fight as long as I'm on the receiving end and can give them some bloody noses as they throw me out the door head first. I don't like sticking around on the heavy side of a mismatch and usually only do when I've already been in the game for a while.

What I don't like is the complaining. I've complained about some other pilots in the past but I find that I get excited when they spawn in as red. I have found that I like the thrill of the entanglement and seek those who give me trouble (tactically speaking). Having kids who also play this game, I can't stand the abusive players picking on lower ranks but even that isn't as bad as having my 11 year old go in for a successful sneak and have high ranks call him a coward. Or dropping his bomb so he can actually fly against camels and d8s and a blue admonishes him like he is doing something to somehow ruin the game for everyone else. It's Bull Sht.

What the hell are people so upset about that they want to berate other players for? STFU and play the game. Complain to your pet, wife, or whoever. If you don't like the freedom that the game has provided to match skills and tactics against skills and tactics then be on your way, please. If you want to scrap, I'll see you in the skies.

My response to complainers:

"STFU"

Maybe some pilots do have low skill abilities and like sneaking. If your outnumbered and tired of someone sneaking leave the match. If your outnumbered does that mean a red has to change his or her style of play to your comfort level. Lol

I'm not gonna say anything that others who haven't commenting aren't thinking... I myself have been heavily outnumbered and switched to help and still been heavily outnumbered... Regardless I don't drop... Unless on a tank, camper or sneaker... I go head to head, nose to nose d8 or sopwith... I have shot down a ton of d8s, it's a matter of adjusting to the cross section of the plane... Either aim a bit higher or get above or below it to have a larger area to hit... Regardless. I still don't drop... Any of my MISFIT BROTHERS, I SAY AGAIN, MISFIT BROTHERS CAN ATTEST... IM GONNA SAY IT LOUD AND PROUD!!!! Not to mention some devices maneuver turns better than others. I don't care what people say. Even if my service is perfect there are devices that have better reaction for the planes. I'm gonna continue to go Jose to nose. I can hit a d8, & it may be more of a challenge but that's all it is. Ido if there are 10 d8 vs me. I'm not gonna Bit up, if u catch my drift because dropping on an outnumbered game is the same as padding stats because the slower planes w bombs are sitting ducks. Go play a dog fight mission or zep mission if u don't want a bomb... That's my take. Don't take it the wrong way but I have played with Bubi, Dragon Rojo and a few others who only drop and it makes for a completely miserable game. So McFate I have no probs w u but can't say I agree w all u say... However a lot of what u sd has validity. One other thing. How could u turn your back on the MISFITS!?

I admire your resolve Bullet,


You mention the occasions you do drop; tank, camper, sneaker. Hmm, why then but not in order to counter the chronic chaser dropper? Are you saying you shall walk through the valley of death and fear no evil? Lol.

I have found that fighting fire with fire has a tendency to drive these guys off or to at least negate their effectiveness. Also, it does not sound like you're claiming that you have equal success German or Allied. So, how do you feel about the game dynamics of having a real advantage for one side and what that means to the dynamics of the game as a whole? Do you think /feel that games remain balanced and "fair" and that jerks are discouraged by the results of their unfair game play? I don't.

If and when squad wars comes to be real, would a match between two different squads be influenced by the better performance of the German planes, or by the position of the runways? Do you think that the final stats of a match will be seen through the lens of not who won or lost, but instead on a point spread based on who was on which side?

Hmm. I Think there are ways for tactics to come in and be every bit as important as skill. As it is, two equally skilled teams facing each other in a head on bombing mission is not an even match. DOES ANYONE DISPUTE THIS?

It is a loss of potential to insist that bombing games must always be handled exclusively head on. The advantage only goes to those with high skill for head-on shooting and little interest in creative flying.

I dropped in a recent game, and a couple of players commented. Umm, I dropped *one* of my two bombs. I can still bomb the enemy hangars, and in fact, I wish I had never bought the stupid option for two bombs, except maybe I do like having that second bomb to nail a tank if I can't get enough bullets in him in a single pass.

But c'mon, giving me grief for essentially keeping only one bomb, lol!

I did try once to drop one bomb, but my thumb hit the button twice and I lost both bombs. Yeah, I felt bad about that, and dog-fought at 80% throttle to make it even. I got blasted out of the sky in seconds.

Manfred

This thread makes me miss Pedrinho.

Thanks Manfred,

Yea, that's the kind of complaints that I'm disgusted with. That's what I get, and what I've seen done to others. I was in a 4 vs 4 game where a blue mid level player of a mid sized squad decided to go for a sneak. The leader of the mid level squad was red and had been shreading lots of us as we kept making it just over the last hill. While the blue was out on his sneak a red left and was replaced with a 5th blue. He continued his (successful) sneak and the red squad leader ripped him a new one! Threatened to kick him from the squad, etc,etc,etc... "Sneaking on an outnumbered team!"


Why? Because the leader was upset about a move in a game.

It's amazing what I've seen while incognito. In a later game that same squad leader was one of 5 reds in a btc which was 3/5 for quite a while. I was desperately bombing and shooting red planes and tanks while turnfighting while managing to keep them from getting any hits on my carrier even though they came over the hills at the North end of the West lake at the same time! When I finally got the last tank the next red plane was already on my map. I turned into the new wave of reds and figured I'd drive them back and maybe get lucky and get off a tank shot before it would start all over again. GREAT GAME!

The red squad leader from earlier said something like "quit dropping P.T" (or whoever I was a the time) I responded "quit sending tanks" ,.
It went back and forth a bit until he said "You won't like it if I drop" ...then at one point he made some comment about "Task?" I snapped. They shot me down as I flew in a straight line. I disengaged and sat on the carrier as they came and bombed me on the deck. I let him know who I was and asked if he really wanted to have the game fall into vindictive spawnkilling then left before he responded.

Whatever, the good time was dead.

Jackass! edit: water under the bridge now.

I had considered him a good guy and a friend until that day.

So, he knows who he is and as far as I'm concerned he makes the game a little worse than it could be.
Next time I won't go there. I'll just let him spew his crap and play my game. Maybe I'll just turn off chat when I see him. It really made me sick. That was the straw that broke the camels back that prompted me to post this thread.

CurtisShoe wrote: Im with ya Rat.....I dont really find sneaking to be cheating. C'mon, its strategy.....the idea of everyone constantly flying head on into a gunfight seems dull to me. Whats wrong with a little cat and mouse? Lol

thats what im saying!!!! Head ons is cool n all BUT.... it gets old......I like the game and im gonna test myself in every aspect....I dont run from challenges, I go for them! So what if I decide to drop my bombs and dance with a few pilots big deal? But u can bet im not gonna do it if its 1 vs 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 at that matter. Im conciderent enough to give them a chance and not put alot of pressure on them or be a complete d bag! But if the odds r against me or even then yeah....I might dance a few runs. HEAD ONS is kinda like shooting fish in a barrow....im gonna try to throw yall off and make yall wonder when yall see me coming down field "hmmm I wonder what hes gonna do this time?"

Thats just the way I see it, if all u know how to do is head ons....than u a BABY! and if u complain how im playing and sounding like a complete IDIOT than yeah....u can expect im gonna fovor u a few runs....thats just me though, thats just what I like to do. I like to have fun and do what I want to do. Because theres no justifying rules saying I can have fun, and if there ever was GUESS WHAT???? Ur not gonna see me here often.

Some people here like to try a dictate the game and tell u what u can and cannot do (apart from camping, sking and team killing) but they wanna say "ur a coward, u dropped ur bomb" well so what?!? U dont know why I dropped could it be 1. I wanted to? 2. I needed too? 3. Im having a crap day and cant do head ons atm? 4. I just feel like dancing a few runs? 5. Someone got behind me so I had to? 6. I dropped it on a tank? See u have all the cases that requires u to drop and the one most sore losers favor is "ur a coward and u have no head on skills" so I say to all u complainers please STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a view from both sides of this argument.
I used to be on of te deadliest head on fighter in the game, and I couldn't turnfight for my life...I would try...but I would rarely succeed...so I would drop to give my self a better chance, now I have better planes, and I found the new sensitivity adjustment. I play on a laptop using the arrow keys....which is why I was so good at head on, now with the increases sensitivity I cannot fight head on at all....I cant even get one shot on a tri wing plane.....even when im in my d8, so I have to trnfight, and to maneuver pastthe bullets of 3 oncoming reds in d8s....you NEED to drop to survive long enough to get on their 6 and outmaneuver them. people get mad at me because I 'drop' all the time now...granted I do drop a lot...but only when I need to....and I don't drop when I take off...I drop if I engage a red in a turnfight. I also don't hang around in the middle looking for fights...I take the fight to the reds, I will escort/chase, or I will proceed solo, clearing a path for my blues to come through with bombs. if I drop in the middle of the field...I refuse to camp, if I am escorting or covering/clearing the way, I will wait just over te hill from the red base ans engage there. And meanwhile....I am trying to get back to my previous level of head on skill, because frankly....I don't enjoy dropping all the time...I do it because it is necessary.
I used to hate people like Ziza, who would drop and then spin circles around you and kill you in a turnfight they knew they could win everytime....I stll hate that...but now, I can counter it...because I turned up my sensitivity....but now I cant fight head on....its a vicious circle guys.....climb on out while you still can!!!