Hehe another Multiplayer Report this time with Weasel.
Ok first Weasel and I we set up Battlefield communicator (real time Voice Communication software), first it didn't work but after downloading the same version 1.3 we connected. Eventually after some fiddling with BC we got it working so we could understand each other.
Eventually we got into EECH me as server Weasel as client. Latest patch and command line switches. Weasel connected without a hitch and I choose Yemen Skirmish No1 (nice and small should be easy, huh).
Anyway we picked our first flight, I was Flight leader so I thought ok don't mess about lets do some real flying. Within seconds of takeoff I was knocked out of the sky, and Weasel joined me seconds later. What I failed to notice that the battle area for that skirmish is very small like some FARP's are within 5 km of the main action.
There's the 1st target, The Enemy Armour is near that power station, the thing is we have just taken off, our FARP is below us.
Basically the next couple of mission's where not much of a success it was take off let loose a missile get dropped to the dirt in seconds. Weasel faired much better he actually got to fly back to base sometimes, he also done some spectacular rocket attacks.
A common sight
Rocket man Weasel giving it some then more
As for most of the missions I become spectator quite early on in a mission so I would watch him from external view (ALT F7 goes straight to Human Pilots).
I used the map quite a bit and with Battlefield Communicator I would call out units, distance etc it worked quite well, you might have to ask Weasel if it worked as well for him it most probably confused him with the warnings, radio call's etc.
We both had to turn down the volume for the other sounds to properly use BC and hear each other. Anyway after one of the mission's the screen came up skirmish lost etc. What I thought we just started, I later realized that this skirmish has a total of 4 Comanche's and 4 Apaches (lucky we both have AH installed). So the lesson here is to come home with those whirly birds.
The cause of many problems for our Comanche's, if u don't get the chance to take off before they get you that is
Weasel is under that explosion somewhere, Call the Doctor
I think we don't need a Doctor now
We started a new Skirmish Yemen No1. The thing about this is Yemen as you know from flying is a very mountainous area, great for sneak attacks. Well the area in Skirmish No1 is the least hilly part of Yemen, so it is quite hard to stay hidden.
Yep we knew what it was like, SAM's , AA fire, we knew
In this part of Yemen towns are the only cover
You don't expect to see that in your FLIR everyday now do you, by the way that is Weasel's Apache, he didn't make it out either.
Anyway this time I did do a bit better, but on the whole we failed as miserably again. As I said earlier some of the FARP's are really close to the action and it wasn't unusual to be taking off with shells coming down around you.
Well poor old Weasel managed to get hit right on the head twice in a row before he even had a chance to takeoff.
The first thing you think when something like (exploding on the Tarmac) is a bug, but no the shells where real and the log verified our FARP was under attack. So word of advice if in same situation get of the ground as quick as possible. As those enemy Gunner's have been to school.
One of the Few peaceful moments that we weren't crashing, dying,or totally confused
On route to one target I saw our shells heading over the sky to some unknown target, hehe sweet revenge.
Due to the low number of flyable helicopters Weasel took off with just 1 Comanche in the flight, I saw an Apache 10 - 15km south of his position I thought I don't mind if you do, so I took it, I don't know where the original pilot went, maybe he got in the back seat with the Co-pilot.
Anyway before I had time to say " what's this button do " I was set upon by some angry T80 commanders with their Machine Guns.
They were traveling convey on a road not 50m ahead when I joined the flight.
Had I left the AI to fly by them he might off done better, I don't know but he couldn't off done any worse.
This Apache isn't getting me anywhere.
So it came down to it that the entire fate of the Skirmish was left in the capable hands of Weasel, I told him via BC, he felt confident, 1 Comanche against the whole Russian forces, pah easy.
His mission was simple to do a Recon of a primary target, a power plant.
This plant was outside the main action but defended by numerous SAM's and AA.
I went into AWACS mode (Voice Comms and the Campaign Map), calling out threats, we goanna do this right, we goanna win I said.
Thru a mix of external shots and map action I followed Weasel on his way to target, he took some ADA units south at the main airbase from a distance. He got slight damage but still at had a working Helicopter. I called out a transmitter as target, it was in the way, so he took it out.
An enemy transport was flying nearby so I gave him vectors to it, Weasel Fired 2 AA missiles at it, I followed using ALT f10 both where spoofed, 2 more missiles, spoofed again. Those heavy transports sure do knock out those Flares.
Grrr, how many flares do those things carry?
Anyway there wasn't any cover to be had near the target, he had to get within 1 km to perform a successful recon of the power station. The safest route wasn't safe by any means and I switched the external view to 2 Blackhawks that where flying over the target.
I managed to see them get blowned out of the sky within seconds. This was where Weasel was to be in 5 minutes.
Weasel has to take a Photo of this Power Station, you would think as the Blawkhawks are already there that they would do it, not a chance.
Anyway I saw Weasel do this earlier, hug these ditches that criss cross Yemen. As he was within visual distance I saw a ditch that come quite close to the power plant. They are deep enough to hide a Comanche. I pointed it out and he flew into it. Flying maybe 5, 10 ft he winded his way to the Power Station.
I looked in the direction of the SAM's no response, they didn't know he was there. I followed the ditch on the map and it came quite close maybe even to within 1km of the target. Then I saw the last of the brave, the last Comanche crash into the side of the ditch.
All our hopes of Victory where gone and the Russians had demolished are forces thru the use of tanks, my ability to crash into the ground, and their pounding of our FARPs. For all those who fear SAM's they are the least of your worries in Multiplayer EECH.
The last reports of Comanche Vulture 1-2, Communication's went dead soon after
So as the first report said, EECH Multiplayer was stable, worked like a charm, getting flights was seamless and Battlefield Communicator was no problem in CH. I used a key to transmit (Voice Comms) method and I have some clunky microphone you have to hold. Kind of a Tom Jones affair.
So think I have to fly, do my sensors, do my chaff, views, weapons, press to transmit, holding the microphone and still drink my coffee. I really do need to get a HOTAS system set-up.
I asked Weasel what his connection was like and he said he got a bit of lag on weapon's firing and the jittering wingmen thing, but it was not really a problem.
The most amazing thing about this though is that I had a server of Battlefield Communicator (quite high sound quality) and an EECH server on a 28.8k modem and Weasel with his 28.8 k. Who needs ISDN, ASDL?
Continue to War Story 6