Anyone wanting to get into DCS for the first time needs to think about the game's unavoidable hurdles in the form of personal cost. Not simply the monetary cost of a computer that meets the recommended requirements AND the accessories to go with it (also expensive), but also the time and perseverance you'll need to commit to attain proficiency in whatever module you want to buy. Make no mistake, Digital Combat Simulator is very rewarding once you get to a place where you can see yourself making progress, but it takes a good deal of time to get there. It's not referred to as a "study sim" for nothing. This isn't Ace Combat. Your XBox won't run it, and you won't have the feel of it mastered in a week.
Void304 i don’t even on a desktop and have little to no knowledge of gaming computers and all the hardware/software that’s required to run it and have a great experience,I have plenty of money so what would be your ideal hardware/software etc. to get to be completely set up?i may just go all out with it and start my experience
@@2988luke I don't want to overwhelm you with technobabble that you're unlikely to understand right now, so instead I'll just point you in the direction of some of the popular DCS content creators. These guys have great stuff on their channels all the way around, including detailed tutorials for beginners, AND have their PC specs listed with the videos they post. If you're looking to enjoy the sim to it's fullest potential, a clone of their rig will do that for you quite well. th-cam.com/channels/h2rDh7vXGeoh1LlzL3QEwg.htmlfeatured th-cam.com/channels/vXXUrGCF3wV3bbZ6pFQ00g.htmlfeatured th-cam.com/users/ralfidudefeatured th-cam.com/channels/rO8sHQ6LyYaXTikpLHjSmA.html Lastly, I'll simply say, "Welcome!". Digital Combat Simulator is unlike anything you've ever played. It will take patience, and I won't deny that it can be frustrating at times, but in my personal opinion, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. With all of the hardware we have available to us these days, it's a great time to be alive if you're into this genre of video games. Good luck to you!
The only cost I've had so far was track IR and the F-18 module that I bought on sale. I already have a computer and 15 year old joystick that gets the job done.
@@2988luke If money isn't a problem then build whatever pc you like with 32gb of ram and a 2080ti with a decent ssd of course. Vr is definitely worth it and some higher end joysticks would be beneficial also. The total cost for all these mentioned above would be around 5000 usd excluding cost of the modules.
VR motion sickness is foreal lol, ive had a VR for a year and if i am imerssed in it for too many hours i get very sick and have to lay down, its terrible lol
Its strange.. I've never had motion sickness in sim type games... only in fps games. I think its because the sim gives little cues about acceleration etc... but you don't get this wwith fps games.
@FacePwn64 I got sick in DCS not because of regular motion sickness, but because it was low framerate as hell and I was seeing double frames everywhere on my quest x_x... Yeah, didn't have a great experience on my rx 580 gpu.... .__.
I began in the F-5 (my favorite at the time), which is really great for teaching fundamentals, bought most the modules, but put in the huge bulk of my hours in the F/A-18C. I think if you're gonna begin in the hornet, you gotta be really committed. The Jeff though, omfg, I totally agree! When I casually fly, it's usually in the Jeff or Mirage. It's cozy, very easy to do anything, has color displays to sit and tinker with, very easy to fly and land, and the weapons are all fun. I will point out, it's best all around, not the best at anything. There are better fighters, better bombers. It also has a Chinese waifu voice, which is soothing when I'm about to die.
@@mauriceo1537 Nah, ended 7 December. But wait, do not buy until next sale! Most of this stuff is discounted 50%. To be honest most of this stuff is worth 50% or less. Looking at this product from a perspective of someone who develop other products i can say that this platform has got a lot of problems. Your experience with DCS wary based on what module you have purchased and what other purchases are available for you. They do not clearly show you dependencies and your options after buying specific plane or map. Buying planes you usually have no clue what missions or any you will get, will there be in game training ect. F18C is the safest choice for high fidelity. You can do almost everything with this plane. It has got training missions, a lot of normal missions, than you can buy additional campaign with actually story or whatever you will call it. It means you can enjoy it in single player experience. You bought Flaming Cliff 3(a lot of people advise this option!). Well that is great if you like to learn outside the product, because there is no what so ever any tutorial for F15C and most of this planes inside this package. It gives such a dry and boring experience when you have to leave the product, learn outside to justify your purchase and actually enjoy it. Community did a great job of providing tuts on the net, but this is not what you expect paying for a product. I mean, you know what you are signing for, you will have to learn, a lot! But nobody told you you will have to do it on your own, because this platform a lot(most!) of the time doesn't support you. It is like having 5 years old and you always wanted a fighter jet and here you go, your uncle gave it to you and went home....and you are alone, on the airfield, 5 years old, with a plane! Good luck! ;) Ps. Performance and optimization in this game is total garbage. Engine is dated technical wise. It looks extremely good but "price to performance" is huge! If you dream to play it in VR, well...you better check it before you buy anything.
Oh and DO NOT BUY ON STEAM! Go to their official website because you will find limitations and probably won't get newest releases in the same time window.
well yes, i just realized that i need a rtx 3080 ti to run dcs vr at good fps and res (rtx 3080ti = 1600-1800€) i freaking love GPU prices now ... [EDIT] that is after spending 2k for pc, 700 for VR and accessories, 500 for hotas, 150 for the router (for wireless vr, which is nice but power bank is needed) and don't forget about DLC's which cost a lot. took me 3 years to gather all of that stuff, now i only need rtx 3080ti xDDDD
@@koksem I'm running it on a RX 6800, and I still don't have great graphics on my Index. I've noticed a lot of framerate stutter and some weird visual distortions. Might be me, but it's kinda getting irritating.
Well, we do. If you have 5$ to spend, you have a budget of 5$, and if you have 1000$ to spend, you have a budget of 1000$. The word 'budget' means how much you can spend on something, not how cheap that something is.
Honestly I would recommend the F5 Tiger as a beginner aircraft. It's fully modeled and complete and isn't buggy. It's a bit harder to fly as it doesn't have fly by wire, but it's systems are really simple so you don't have to learn the massively complex maze of MFD menus. It's essentially a WW2 fighter but with radar, countermeasures, and jet engines.
This was a great guide. Thank you. My first simulator was "F119 Stealth Fighter" back in 1991 and I was hooked. I progressed on to Falcon 3.0, Hornet, 4.0 and don't understand the patience my wife had to stay married to me those first few years. I'm 50 yrs. old now, got a little bit of more money and time, I want to take the dive into DCS. Your guide provided me with a direction. Reading the comments I might take the F-5 out for a spin. I do love carrier landings though. Muchos saludos de El Paso, Tx. hermano.
I remember the Stealth Fighter; I played it a lot back in the 90s, then many of Jane's simulators, but the one I loved was Jane's F-18 super hornet from 1999. It's a shame I don't have the time to play anymore; my family, work, guitar, and books consume all of my time, nothing to complain. Maybe when I am retired, I'll go back to this hobby.
I just recently got into the world of 90s sims, I dabbled in DCS in the past. Those early sims are truly mind blowing, Falcon 3 is a masterpiece. Enjoy, old timer! Hopefully ill be successful enough to go all out on a setup like it sounds you're about to do some day haha.
@@clovenwizard Correcting a non-native speaker is how they improve. If I was mispronouncing something in a secondary language I would prefer to be corrected than mispronounce something my whole life.
I would say that for some of the high level systems in the 4th gen aircraft, charging to teach someone, and saving them reading a 400 page incomplete manual. Is worth it.
@@Qwonk just ask on the forums, the DCS Subreddits (r/hoggit especially, r/DCSWorld, r/wingmanfinder perhaps) and there's very likely gonna be someone helping you. Joining the Hoggit Discord server also isn't wrong.
This video has crushed all my hopes and dreams I'll just stick to getting a pc then arma then sulk over not getting DCS as it costs as much as a small naval fleet
well you could get a decent pc, a thrustmaster t flight x, and if you have a phone with facetracking download the head tracker app! it works with opentrack over network and it only costs 2€ for the full version! the t flight x comes with a rudder axis on the throttle and it has just enough buttons for entry level. this video obviously has the best for getting into dcs, but these specs will also be good for seeing if you actually like it and i have used this for alot of time now and have not yet run into any problems
@@RealPyro88 Well I wanted to sell my laptop (which would go for 800 AUD) (600 USD) But my mother decided that the laptop was needed for school which didn't require a laptop I should also mention how she didn't buy it And about the joystick that's the least of my concerns
@@EB_musik No, my "financial situation" hasn't allowed for it, my friend *might* give me a pc that he doesn't want, but then again that's quite far off
Hey X-CHECK, great video, I just wanted to add a few things on top of what you said for beginners since it's 2021 now _______________ Module Choice In terms of the Hornet, it's much, much closer to completion. ED did a lot for it in 2020 and supposedly it will be out of early access this year. Here are some reasons why you might want to get the Hornet or Jeff. Reasons to get the Hornet: -It has a lot more single player content that the Jeff. This is probably because most DCS players are from the west and have more interest in the Hornet than the Jeff. The Hornet has also been around for longer. -It can carry more. I don't remember who said this, but "the Jeff is multi-role, but not multi-mission" meaning it can do air to ground OR air to air, but it can't do both very well. The Hornet has more hardpoints and a higher take off weight. -It can land on a carrier. This is an easy to learn, hard to master thing, and very very fun in my opinion. -The gun isn't weird. If you like doing guns only kinds of fights with your friends, definitely do not get the Jeff. The gun is aimed down for air to ground purposes, which it's good at, but you'll need to pull more lead to get your gun on the enemy. It also doesn't help that the bullet velocity in the Jeff is quite slow. -Weapon choices. You can carry the majority of weapons in the US arsenal, from a long range JSOW to an anti-radiation AGM-88, this thing can carry them all. They're not necessarily better than the Jeff, you just get more options. -Overrated plane. This can be a good thing because there's no shortage of people that can answer questions about the plane, no shortage of TH-cam videos about it, no shortage of missions you can simulate, etc. -It has a helmet mounted display. HMD + AIM-9X is the ultimate combination for within visual range missile fights. Just aim your head at the target and shoot, it's that easy. The helmet mounted display helps a lot with other stuff too Reasons to get the Jeff: -Massive screens. Great because you can see everything you want on three large iPad-like displays. I don't use VR but I'm told that it's very nice for VR because there's no need to squint anymore -Cool effects. Deka Ironworks did really really well on this. When you break the sound barrier there's a shock cone. If you go to an overly hot place and don't cool yourself properly you'll get a heat stroke. Your canopy will fog up so you need to use the defog thing, etc -Other nice gimmicks. There's a built-in music player, some tv focusing effects, etc. -It's not just another one of those overrated US jets. It's a very unique plane, which, as X-CHECK said, has some very interesting history. It's a budget aircraft built by China and Pakistan to complement Pakistan's F-16's. -Easier to use. A lot of people I know say it was much easier for them to learn. -Cool and really useful weapons like laser-guided rockets. You can do more with less in the Jeff. -If you like anti-ship stuff, the Jeff is a great choice. -Data cartridge system. Saves tons of time and very easy to use. The Hornet will have it after early access but it will probably be a very long time. -It's still more complete than the Hornet. I don't think this should be that big of a deal anymore though. Notes on the Viper: -Still incomplete. Probably a while until it's done -Air to air is pretty good already though, it's generally considered to be one of if not THE best dogfighter in DCS. High thrust to weight ratio, helmet mounted display, good datalink, etc. ______________ Falcon BMS If you love the F-16 and want a complete version of it, give Falcon BMS a try. It's an absolutely massive mod to a game from 1998, so the graphics aren't great, but the latest update has DirectX 11 now so the developers are definitely laying the groundwork for better graphics. There's also no VR, but again, thanks to DirectX 11 we can expect it to come soon. So why BMS over DCS? Well, first of all the F-16 is more complete than the DCS one will ever be. It has a ton of weapons I've never even heard of such as the Israeli Python missile. It also has many different versions of the F-16 from different points in time. Although, this means that other aircraft are just F-16's pretending to be other aircraft. More importantly, BMS has an incredible dynamic campaign. So incredible that its development practically brought the company to bankruptcy. It simulates a full on war where you play a role as part of a larger battle. If you destroy a tank, it's gone. The enemy will have to make a new one fresh from the factory. If you shoot down a plane, it's gone. The enemy squadron will have one less plane to fly in the next encounter. Last reason is that its cheap. All you need to do is buy a license for the 1998 game from somewhere like Steam or GOG. The game itself can be downloaded from the benchmarksims website. ________________________ Head tracking solutions I thought that I might also add some of the free or cheaper alternatives to TrackIR. Free(ish): The solution I'm using right now is AITrack with opentrack. You'll need a webcam for this, but if you don't then you can use your phone using Droidcam, which turns your phone into a webcam. Basically how it works is it uses AI to track your head. It sends this data to opentrack, which gives this data to DCS. Works pretty well after a lot of tweaking. There may be some noticeable latency depending on the refresh rate of your phone/webcam. You can find it here: github.com/AIRLegend/aitrack/releases Smoothtrack is an app I've heard good things about. I think it costs a few bucks though. It also connects to opentrack, just like AITrack. There may be some noticeable latency depending on the refresh rate of your phone and the quality of the connection between your computer & phone. You can find it in your phone's app store Aruco tracks a QR code strapped to your head which makes you look ridiculous, but it sorta works. I'd only use this as a last resort because it's not great. Aruco works directly with opentrack. Paid: Grassmonkey and Delanclip are both good choices offering pretty much the same product. Both are cheaper than TrackIR but work in essentially the same way, by tracking three points on your headset with a camera. DIY solution. You can make your very own TrackIR/Grassmonkey/Delanclip head tracking for a few dollars if you're lucky. I found a pretty good tutorial here: th-cam.com/video/M_VN4mMA6Cw/w-d-xo.html _______ HOTAS Not gonna add to much detail here, you should probably do some more research elsewhere because different HOTASes are good for different people. I'm just going to list a few other options to look into: Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (stick only, pretty standard beginner stick) VKB Gladiator NXT (stick only, relatively cheap but very, very good stick) Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog (full A-10 replica HOTAS, expensive but good) WinWing F-18 set (full F-18 replica HOTAS, very expensive but very good) Virpil's stuff (stick and/or throttle, very expensive but very good) Beware of unfair HOTAS prices!!! Covid, Star Wars Squadrons, and MSFS have created a perfect storm where HOTASes are going out of stock and you might not be able to get one for a proper price price, just make sure to be careful. Ebay prices are insane as well. __________ Other info Regarding the first school of thought, I'd still go for it depending on *why* you love a certain plane so much. I bought the Flaming Cliffs 3 pack (flaming cliffs 3 aircraft = simple model aircraft, you can get them all in a cheap pack), simply to fly many planes in there. The Su-27 is just so sexy and you pull a cobras on the American scum trying to hunt you down. On the flip side, the F-15 is also really fun because of its massive engines. It's probably one of the fastest planes in DCS (the F-14 might be faster, I'm not sure), and because of that and its strong radar it's a beast in beyond visual range.If you like an aircraft because of its weapons and systems, don't get a Flaming Cliffs plane. If you want to learn more about a certain aircraft, don't get Flaming Cliffs. Sorry for the wall of text but I hope at least one person finds this useful, good luck with DCS! Edit: by the way regarding the garbage performance of DCS, it'll get better soon with Vulkan and multithreading. Until then, unfortunately you'll have to suck it up :( Also yeah X-CHECK is absolutely right about the Grim Reapers. Don't watch their videos because a lot of things they teach are just downright wrong.
Great video. I’m a noob - I found this video while waiting for DCS to download. It is just what I was looking for: a high level overview of the game and how to begin the process of learning to use it. Thanks!
I have DCS on my computer but because i don't have money (mostly because of my age) I now play on a decent pc with a ps4 controller. I hope that I can someday upgrade my pc a little with the work I do and that I can get a decent set up to play real missions (now I am just flying around with the training P 51) thanks for all the tips and i love your videos. Keep up the great work!
Don't forget the different eras of aircraft. WW2, Korea, modern, and helicopters. in the free initial download you get a P51 trainer along with (simple) jets.
I'm 11months late. (Better late than never).I been watching under 1 month. On my phone. Don't bother with TV much. Today OMG I have 65in 4K TV. I been watching DCS happily until today. My jaw drops when I see the stuff I've been missing. Phone is great TV light years ahead. Unbelievable details I've been. Missing. If I didn't have to start from the ground up I would get into playing. But my Babbage difference engine laptop is not up to spec' . Thanks for so much and varied and valuable instruction. Don't want to be a brown nose but your presentation style is very professional Brother I mean like proper TV levels congrats on that. Long may you keep on doing what you love 🖐🙂
I have owned a DelanClip (alternative to track IR) for the past 2 years, and can extremely recommend it. (cost: £20 ~ £40. (£40 will get you from owning nothing to track IR level (many even better) head tracking in DCS and plenty of other games/sims) I have also found the delanclip to be much much stronger (the delanclip is made of metal and have had friends waiting for track IR replacement after braking them.) the software provided free with delanclip also allows for much more control over the tracking camera than track IR does.
Have you starred dcs yet? If so please let me know. What steps you took, and what module or aircraft you started out with. Plus the one your currently working on. Much thanks
@LäskiMursu69 Can't read sarcasm from a text message. Especially when many actually believe the Tomcat had a fly-by-wire system IRL and would be easy to fly in DCS. And if you have it in DCS, then you know it's closer to a WWII warbird on crack in it's handling than the other modern jets like the Hornet.
I was about to download the game until I watched your video. So thank you for opening my eyes before getting into this mess. I found your video very informative and decisive on not getting into it. I can spend even couple of thousands for a game I like. But no one can get a single cent from me for something I don't even know if I will like it or not. And I can clearly see from your brilliant video that I will not get the experience and the joy from the game unless I have the detailed modules (like not having premium vehicles in war thunder) and all those accessories which sums up to a thousand already. Also, imagine how some one would be discouraged to start playing this game by being provided with an information which suggests how to configure your accessories (which should be bought along side the game - recommended but not required :) ). On the other hand, I can clearly see even without trying it that this game/developer/publisher is an another Russian success story (again! like war thunder) where they amazingly achieved milking money from Western World (Europe/US) and their images (JP, South Korea, Thailand, Australias) who are swimming in the pool of money which they don't even know where it comes from. Well, thank you again... But I will pass!
For equipment, what I did to save money: I already had a PC with a semi-decent graphics card and processor (I believe that if you are interested in DCS, you probably already have it too). Made a slight RAM upgrade (from 8 to 16gb) and bought FC3 (a bundle with all low fidelity aircraft) on a sale. For joystick, there are tutorials for setting up an Xbox or PS4 controller, but I bought an used cheap ass thrustmaster flight stick x for 40 bucks, and it works like a charm. For head tracking, I use my phone as a webcam to connect on my PC and use that free open source apps called Ai Track and Open track (Ai Track isn't as precise as a good TrackIR or VR, but do the job).
Appreciate how you explained things in this. I found other videos just made me feel more intimidated/overwhelmed being a new pc player but the second you explained about your friends being slower learners and feeling the same way and then enjoying the f16 was exactly what I needed to hear to start learning the game and feel confident I’m in good hands
"Get multirole" I always stepped away from BVR-type combat bc shooting thins that I can't even see didn't sound that right. I bought the F-16 and BVR Combat is hell of fun. Thank you for that Video
Thank you so much for this guide, decided to go down the DCS rabbit hole and decided for the F/A 18, because the carrier is a great plus for me. Ok, let's start the learning process... 😅
update for VR, the quest 2 is the best VR today to buy, its the cheapest and best VR, it delivers everything the other VR produce but at a MUCH cheaper price, also if you buy others theres no problem but id say theres no need to go better than a quest 2.
I recommend VR, I use a first gen HTC VIVE (Crappy old headset compared to the new ones) I use it all the time, I can mostly read everything near me as well. It’s the way to go for sure. Also X-Check, I hope I didn’t make you throw up that time in the L39, when I randomly pushed the nose down while we were near stall speeds, resulting in a really weird manoeuvre. Haha
I have the Vive & GTX 980Ti. I'd think my best next upgrade would be video card not HMD. Would you agree? I'm concerned my 980Ti won't have enough horsepower to drive an Index. Thanks!
This video was excellent!! You have a great speaking voice and are very well spoken. The in-depth nature of your video was absolutely perfect! Thanks for the great content!
Thank you Sir. I've been playing the free version for a while, and I'm enjoying it full time. VR, joystick, and pedals. And was looking for a good recommendation, something that showed me the best next thing to do. And let me tell you,this is a great great video. I have some friends that are on the fence ( even thinking on playing the free version), and I know that this video will help em out. Thanks (subbed).
Just one thing about the HOTAS- while it will make your life a lot, lot easier you can quite happily play this sim with a single stick. You use keyboard modifiers for the top hat switch to make up most of the controls and just a handful of keyboard shortcuts for most other things. The F-18 and F-16 will probably be pretty taxing with the number of modifiers for the hat switch though. Some modules are a lot simpler though. The Harrier (my personal favourite module in all of DCS) only needs two modifier keys even if you're using the hat to look around (alt for trim ad ctrl for slewing the target designator respectively). This sim will take a very long time to master and be wary of picking up too many aircraft. If you don't keep flying them (especially the more complicated ones) you'll find yourself having to re learn things over and over and over again, which can be a frustrating experience.
Well presented video. I watched this at 366 views. I think you will get many more! Great content! I personally think the JF-17 is a really good and great place to start. If someone was a beginner they would do well to look at this video. Liked the video!
I just downloaded DCS. It is, indeed, impressive. Lusciously so. I looked at the available aircraft and began counting on my fingers to see if I could afford this diversion. Then I got here and saw the recommendations: $250 for a Thrustmaster HOTAS system, another $300+ for a VR setup ... I think I'll tap out. I grew up with Dynamix's Red Baron, Lucasfilm's SWOTL, EA's Chuck Yeager's Air Combat and died and went to heaven with IL-2 Sturmovik. I can justify a couple of hundred dollars to throw away on a game, but this is outta my league. I've got actual bills to pay.
if you have VR but dont like playing in vr then the OpenTrack software can turn your vr into head tracking without using the vr over your eyes. DCS in vr makes me super sick so that's what I do.
About the "School of thoughts" , there is another one: Get DCS for free, and fully exploit the Su-25T and the TR-51 that come with it. Do all the training missions, then do all the single missions, then do the campaign that comes with it. The Su-25T is low fidelity, which means that you must have a good HOTAS to bind all keys. I Started with the Logitech X52, which is affordable and will do the job. The Su-25T has so much to offer, that you will probably go back to it once in a while, even after you bought the expensive HiFi-models. The T-51 on the other hand will give you the experience of a Full Fidelitiy-aircraft, in which you can just be amazed at the scenery. Just fly it like you have your own P-51 and take it out for a ride. No enemies, just fly. I recommend flying at sunset or Sunrise in VR. It is just amazing, and I still gasp upon the views. Oh and get a scenery-map as well. In fact get all maps. It's just beautifull. Remember that ED have a sale every few months, so just wait for another sale and take advantage. When you have fully exploited all things to do with the 2 given planes, I personally would stay away from the Low-fidelity planes. I got them all in Flaming Cliffs 3, but I regret that now. It's feels like not being taken seriously. For the Full Fidelity models I started with the Ka-50 (best chopper !) and now have the FA-18. I stay away from the F-16 until it is finnished. I would stay away from any "Early access" plane. You will pay for something that will take still years to complete. I might considder getting the pinackle of DCS-planes, the mother of complicated but efficient, the explosion of functions, buttons, systems and subsystems… the A-10C. I am trying it out now in the all-free-month.
Once you get your head around the A10C its an AWESOME aircraft to play with. I had drama trying to get bombs to work. Once I worked it out, well... Yes, DCS takes ALOT of time to master. I'm not a regular player (back into building models again), but, DCS is freaking incredible!
Another thing I want to touch on with vr, don't expect to be immune to the motion sickness because you've played games your whole life. I made that mistake and sorta denied i was getting motion sick and I ended up laying on the floor for over an hour. Pace yourself and never try to power through it, it gets better (also ordered a hotas today to get into dcs)
What a great video. Thank you. Funny because I just got into DCS couple of days ago. I bought the F18 C. Which was $87 with tax. Well worth it. Beautiful. And you can land on air craft carriers with them. And I bought Nevada. Boot bad. Should of bought Dubai. That is my next choice.
Hey family ! I just got into dcs recently and got it on steam and bought the f15. Then I went to the website and before this free trial saw that everything was half off! So even tho it’s rough I would switch over to the website version and download the game . I did and rebought the f15 and got the f16 and Nevada all half price . Screw steam lol .
this video summarized: you need hotas i personally like clickable cockpits so you HAVE to like them too and enjoy them more than non-clickable therefore you have to like them more too. clickable cockpit aircrafts read chucks guide
This is solid advice in my opinion, next time I'm asked "Where to start with DCS" I'm going to point them at this video. You nailed it, I agree with pretty much everything you've said. I don't have the "Jeff", but my friends have all shared a similar sentiment, a great module even if the plane itself can be limited. Everything else you've said would have been exactly what I would have said, except I wouldn't have said it as well.
Thanks for this detailed video. It saved lot of hours of download and installation of game just to get final conclusion that I can't play this game, just because I am not rich to buy all those gaming equipment.
Dusted off the old T16000M. Bought FC3 and the M2000c. I'm running a single stick setup and planning to buy a facetracker since money is tight for a TrackIr. I'm still figuring things out but today I managed to kick some ass at BVR and close range as well! I'm learning the basics of flying and combat on the low fidelity stuff and slowly learning to fly the Mirage. I'd never imagine that failing could be so much fun! Instead of getting mad when losing my wings, I can't help but burst out laughing. Great video!
About the Head tracking, I use my mouse and a basic flight stick. It's a basic gaming mouse, with 2 extra buttons on it's side and one on top for burst fire, but I don't use that one. I'm sure many people have this template cheap mouse. So what I did, is binding through an app called "X-mouse" my buttons to Alt+C, which toggles between the clickable cockpit and looking around, and the other for my left Ctrl, to use combinations of buttons of my flight stick Also, this flight stick is old, and has only 7 of 12 buttons working. Most of my controls are done through the Keyboard, which requires me to take my hands off the mouse, but I can manage it
DCS World is the best flight / combat simulator, by far I wish I could fly the F14B, F16C or the F18, on the X-Plane 11 scenery ( free flight ) DCS World needs more maps. They should " get " some ORBX maps
@@scarecrow108productions7 I agree with you I can't understand why ED doesn't want to have some ORBX maps. With some great overlays ( military stuff ) it would be a dream, and I guess, a lot of players would join DCS, if that would happen
Even with a full fidelity module like the F18 or A10C, you will be using keys on your keyboard (i.e. the canopy). If you're new and on the fence about spending too much, download and try the SU 25T that comes with an entire campaign, training and missions. Excellent module, especially if you like ground attack. If you really like it and are fairly new to sims, FC3 is an excellent start when on sale. Lots to learn, even with the low fidelity aircraft. If you want to buy one, yah the F16 is nice and they did the right thing this time with early access by offering it early at a 50% discount. I would say the F18 is still the best one, especially for a beginner as it's easy to start and fly, intuitive, has carrier ops, and is now 50% off. Lots to learn though, even though it isn't 100% complete. I was also impressed with the JF 17. Don't forget the Sabre/Migs, and also the helicopters are just stellar. For MP, don't forget to mention that open beta is pretty laggy and broken right now (during the free trial period unfortunately). Three 1440p monitors and you use VR? What a waste of cash...
ive been playing with an oculus quest since feb and its AMAZING even at the lower res over oculus link - i have to lean in to read some of the F-16 screens sometimes though
I started with the Su-33 about 5 months ago using and Xbox controller, bought a HOTAS right after. Loved it, then got the rest of the Flaming Cliffs pack, didn't get impressed with anything else on it. Decided to go back to the basics with the Su-25T that comes free with the game, pretty capable CAS plane with lots of options for armament, the ELINT pod combined with the anti-radiation missiles are excellent for SAM clearing. Then I decided to get my first full fidelity module, went for the Ka-50 since it's the oldest and most consolidated module on DCS (and it was 50% off along with the Mi-8), couldn't handle it without head tracking, bought a TrackIR and finally got the hang of it (at least enough to be able to go to enemy bases, wreck things up and get back safe, didn't dare to explore the Nav computer). Then I realized that I ain't got shit against ships (Su-25T can do it, but you gotta get danger close), so I got the Viggen about a month ago, finished reading the manual today, all the almost 400 pages of it. The Viggen is excellent against ships and as a overall strike aircraft, it's all or nothing, fly in low and fast, drop everything you have and get the hell out at insane speeds, recommended and surprisingly simple compared to the Ka-50, you just gotta get the hang of the nav system as everything relies on it. I'm trying to perfect the toss bombing right now, kinda complicated. One criticism is the fact that you can't use mixed ordnance, that sucks.
For anyone watching this months after release of this video, like me, I'd like to point out that there are a number of user made shader mods that really help improve the fps in Virtual Reality. Which really does help and made my game, even in multiplayer buttery smooth, and if like me, you're using an Oculus Rift CV1, which has fairly low resolution, enabled me to substantially increase Super-Sampling to make the image a lot sharper. Out of the box the game is not optimised for VR, but with these shaders, it really can be improved!
great introducing video into dcs! i watched this video 3 times about 1 month ago, and i started with a FA18 hornet, with the t16000m hotas and an oculus rift s. i dont know how much time i spent since then, but its a lot ... :) just love my little hornet!
Me(a 15y/o): just wants to have some amount of experience about the job I want to do in the future X-CHEK: so basically all you have to do is become broke
Thank you for a great guide, You have answered many questions I had, especially with respect to VR and getting around wanting to throw up when playing with VR
Great overview. A bit puzzled about your aircraft recommendations as in your 2020 roadmap video you said to never buy an ED early access plane. Now 2 of the 3 you recommend to buy first are exactly that.
VR sickness is very real! I didn't get it nearly as badly as you described, but I would feel sick for hours after just a few minutes of gaming. It only took a couple of weeks before it was mostly gone, and after probably a month I could play Boneworks (very intense for VR sickness) for hours on end without issue. Some people get it worse than others, but I think most people do experience it to some extent. It just takes time to get used to it, but I think just about everyone can. It's so worth it too, I love VR.
I recently started with DCS, i chose the F-5 as my first aircraft and i don't regret it. Of course the startup procedure could be simplier, but all in all it's a very nice aircraft, not boring, not too difficult, behaving well in the air, and not bugged like some others.
What do you play with? I want to buy a joystick and throttle, I installed the game today and I have a keyboard and mouse with a tv plus my pc. I want to get the joystick and throttle or do I have to buy a vr and stuff if I want to play dcs in a better way
@@chimie4933 Depends only how much money you have lol. To start it's perfectly ok to have only HOTAS, maybe even simple joystick with a throttle knob would be fine. But you will always be slow with looking around and clicking buttons inside the cockpit. For single player missions it's ok, but for competitive multiplayer you will need either TrackIR or VR, both of which are damn expensive things.
@@Youda00008 I want to do online dogfights but as you said I should have a head tracking device which sucks cuz I’m not made of money. Do u play without a head tracking device if so how hard is it in a online dogfight
@@chimie4933 I played without head-tracking for a long time, using mouse for looking around (now i have a VR). It is possible, but it's kinda painful, because you end up with one hand having to do 2 things and constantly switching between mouse and one of the two sticks. Second option is to use one of the joystick's hats to look around but that's kinda clumsy. It's definitely doable, you just have it much harder than others.
Quick question, how did you add the sections of your video into youtube. I know that you can add tinestanps but on the TH-cam timeline the different sections also came up. How do you do this?? Also great video thanks a lot!
Started the game not too long ago using only the first free Russian jet. The tutorials went well enough, though the lack of a pointer on the dashboard made them hard to follow. I picked up the F-15c afterwards, as it seemed the best option for the financially challenged. The lack of built-in tutorials wasn't motivating, but after I tried some instant action missions I found that I could do most simple things with some practice. I then found a mission pack online that serves as an excellent tutorial package for the F-15c, which I've been following since. I plan to save up for a harrier, which sounds like a ton of fun and worth the effort to learn. The high prices make it difficult to decide on, so I very much understand the suggestion to get a multi-role plane. The JF-17 sounds very interesting as well for that reason alone, but if I pick all the planes that sound good on paper, my wallet may not survive. I haven't tried any online play yet, but I do plan to once I've finished the F-15c training missions. While I worry that I won't be able to join in with more experienced players, I'll just need to keep in mind we all started from zero at some point :P
Awesome video. VR definitely has its downsides, mainly watching 12 B-17s open up and all the tracers zipping towards you, or watching a SAM the size of a telegraph pole lift off from the ground and start winging its way to you. Brown pants time.
having also spent a lot of time doing car racing sims in VR recently, it really is a game-changer for any sim aiming for full immersion in an activity. sense of scale, speed and depth is just so much better for getting lost within a virtual world. But yes, you do have to somewhat rethink things like control bindings, many a time i've ended up groping around for my keyboard and mouse and knocking things over on the desk
IMPORTANT UPDATE! You can now try any module for free for a period of 2 weeks. And when you are finished, you can activate another module to try out. This is only available in the standalone version of the game, NO STEAM! Download the standalone version here: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/ Activate you trial licenses here: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/licensing/trial/
Hey can I ask you something? I tried out the Hornet during this free month and I'm also really interested in the Supercarrier DLC. I'm thingking about buying both now, but to be quite honest: As a full time engineering student I don't have enough time to really play it...YET. Idk should i buy it now even if i'll really begin playing in like a year or so? Cause now it's like 65 instead of 130 bucks. What do you think how fast are things gonna change there? Thanks :)
@@arrrgonot7801 The quest is a better VR headset, but for specifically DCS it's worse than the rift s, by a lot. You can just play via link, but you will need a beefy pc (at least ~rtx 2070-70 super) to compensate for the compression, the clarity is worse at the same Multisampling (resolution), but you can compensate by insreasing the multisampling up to 2.0 (double the resolution). That will 1/4 or more your fps though, so keep that in mind. If you will play ANYTHING else other than simulators though, oculus quest 100% of the time, it's the better headset.
680 hrs in Elite dangerous, it took me months to get to be able to drop out in my or my friend's fighters. Today I have broken 2 chairs from hrs of crazy dog fights on ice rings against very capable AI enemies. I want to try is one. I have the same HOTAS I love it.
Great video! - up to the point where you slate The Grim Reaper Channel. this is very bad form. I do not fly with the grim reapers nor interact with them very often so my opinion of them is not bias. They may not be everyone's cup of tea, they may not be 100% true to life. but they are a bunch of guys having fun with DCS. If I am unsure how to do something in DCS It can almost be guaranteed Grim reapers have at least covered it.
Thanks for the tips! As mentioned, it is just my opinion and recommendation to look for better information sources when learning. To me, they are a good source of entertainment, not education. If you find their material useful and effective, by all means do ignore me and carry on! They do cover pretty much everything, and I do agree, it is better than nothing. But most of the time, when there is another option for that information, the GRs version tends to be sub-par.
i hurt. i laughed to hard. dont own the game but looking into it and doing my research. when you go to explain simple vs full use and the wallet heart attack. i died inside laughing so hard. that is the best possible way to tell sombody "in a funny way" that this game WILL hurt your wallet. XD amazing!
I just found out about this game after playing war thunder trying to get a jet for months. I am buying an external hard drive tomorrow to install this game
This is such a great video. I'm new to flight sims but I've been doing racing sims in VR for a while now and I just really enjoyed your approach to this video. Subbed.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
![[ ออกกอง ] วัยหนุ่ม 2544 โลกหลังลูกกรง..ทัวร์กองถ่ายหนังใน "คุกของจริง" | JUSTดูIT.](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vB--aOkZCpw/mqdefault.jpg)
Anyone wanting to get into DCS for the first time needs to think about the game's unavoidable hurdles in the form of personal cost. Not simply the monetary cost of a computer that meets the recommended requirements AND the accessories to go with it (also expensive), but also the time and perseverance you'll need to commit to attain proficiency in whatever module you want to buy.
Make no mistake, Digital Combat Simulator is very rewarding once you get to a place where you can see yourself making progress, but it takes a good deal of time to get there. It's not referred to as a "study sim" for nothing. This isn't Ace Combat. Your XBox won't run it, and you won't have the feel of it mastered in a week.
Void304 i don’t even on a desktop and have little to no knowledge of gaming computers and all the hardware/software that’s required to run it and have a great experience,I have plenty of money so what would be your ideal hardware/software etc. to get to be completely set up?i may just go all out with it and start my experience
@@2988luke I don't want to overwhelm you with technobabble that you're unlikely to understand right now, so instead I'll just point you in the direction of some of the popular DCS content creators. These guys have great stuff on their channels all the way around, including detailed tutorials for beginners, AND have their PC specs listed with the videos they post. If you're looking to enjoy the sim to it's fullest potential, a clone of their rig will do that for you quite well.
th-cam.com/channels/h2rDh7vXGeoh1LlzL3QEwg.htmlfeatured
th-cam.com/channels/vXXUrGCF3wV3bbZ6pFQ00g.htmlfeatured
th-cam.com/users/ralfidudefeatured
th-cam.com/channels/rO8sHQ6LyYaXTikpLHjSmA.html
Lastly, I'll simply say, "Welcome!". Digital Combat Simulator is unlike anything you've ever played. It will take patience, and I won't deny that it can be frustrating at times, but in my personal opinion, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. With all of the hardware we have available to us these days, it's a great time to be alive if you're into this genre of video games.
Good luck to you!
Void304 thank you
The only cost I've had so far was track IR and the F-18 module that I bought on sale. I already have a computer and 15 year old joystick that gets the job done.
@@2988luke If money isn't a problem then build whatever pc you like with 32gb of ram and a 2080ti with a decent ssd of course. Vr is definitely worth it and some higher end joysticks would be beneficial also. The total cost for all these mentioned above would be around 5000 usd excluding cost of the modules.
Basicly VR motion sickness = G tolerance for sim pilot
Lâm Đặng hahah this is good
VR motion sickness is foreal lol, ive had a VR for a year and if i am imerssed in it for too many hours i get very sick and have to lay down, its terrible lol
Its strange.. I've never had motion sickness in sim type games... only in fps games. I think its because the sim gives little cues about acceleration etc... but you don't get this wwith fps games.
I never experience vr motion sickness. I sold my Oculus cv and can't wait to upgrade to the S
@FacePwn64 I got sick in DCS not because of regular motion sickness, but because it was low framerate as hell and I was seeing double frames everywhere on my quest x_x... Yeah, didn't have a great experience on my rx 580 gpu.... .__.
This free month claimed all my spare harddrive space, and when it's over it will claim all the money left in my wallet.
Cheers on that! Fly safe.
That was by design lol
@ja nee F-5 and Flaming Cliffs for me. In all likelihood, I'll end up getting F-16 and UH-1H before the free month is over.
@LäskiMursu69 suomi perkele
Not to mention claiming all your free time...
"DCS is free for a month".
Like when I was a kid and they warned me about free drugs...
Right now f-16 and f-18 modules are 39.99usd. Jump on those.
And we never get free drugs, they fooled us!
@@craigharris41 man you were right. I'm new now and the f-18 is $80!!!
@@Qwonk Ikkkrrrrrrrr.
not the steam one i think
I began in the F-5 (my favorite at the time), which is really great for teaching fundamentals, bought most the modules, but put in the huge bulk of my hours in the F/A-18C. I think if you're gonna begin in the hornet, you gotta be really committed. The Jeff though, omfg, I totally agree! When I casually fly, it's usually in the Jeff or Mirage. It's cozy, very easy to do anything, has color displays to sit and tinker with, very easy to fly and land, and the weapons are all fun. I will point out, it's best all around, not the best at anything. There are better fighters, better bombers. It also has a Chinese waifu voice, which is soothing when I'm about to die.
Now OF COURSE I find this video, the day after it ends. That's my luck.
Steam
The sale is running now!
@@danielkaaska54still running / in steam?
@@mauriceo1537 Nah, ended 7 December. But wait, do not buy until next sale! Most of this stuff is discounted 50%. To be honest most of this stuff is worth 50% or less.
Looking at this product from a perspective of someone who develop other products i can say that this platform has got a lot of problems. Your experience with DCS wary based on what module you have purchased and what other purchases are available for you. They do not clearly show you dependencies and your options after buying specific plane or map. Buying planes you usually have no clue what missions or any you will get, will there be in game training ect.
F18C is the safest choice for high fidelity. You can do almost everything with this plane. It has got training missions, a lot of normal missions, than you can buy additional campaign with actually story or whatever you will call it. It means you can enjoy it in single player experience.
You bought Flaming Cliff 3(a lot of people advise this option!). Well that is great if you like to learn outside the product, because there is no what so ever any tutorial for F15C and most of this planes inside this package. It gives such a dry and boring experience when you have to leave the product, learn outside to justify your purchase and actually enjoy it. Community did a great job of providing tuts on the net, but this is not what you expect paying for a product.
I mean, you know what you are signing for, you will have to learn, a lot! But nobody told you you will have to do it on your own, because this platform a lot(most!) of the time doesn't support you. It is like having 5 years old and you always wanted a fighter jet and here you go, your uncle gave it to you and went home....and you are alone, on the airfield, 5 years old, with a plane!
Good luck! ;)
Ps. Performance and optimization in this game is total garbage. Engine is dated technical wise. It looks extremely good but "price to performance" is huge! If you dream to play it in VR, well...you better check it before you buy anything.
Oh and DO NOT BUY ON STEAM! Go to their official website because you will find limitations and probably won't get newest releases in the same time window.
Sim gamers really don't know the meaning of 'budget'.
my 5 dollar budget is nothing to them. yet thousands of dollars is SOMETHING to me for sure
well yes, i just realized that i need a rtx 3080 ti to run dcs vr at good fps and res (rtx 3080ti = 1600-1800€)
i freaking love GPU prices now ...
[EDIT] that is after spending 2k for pc, 700 for VR and accessories, 500 for hotas, 150 for the router (for wireless vr, which is nice but power bank is needed) and don't forget about DLC's which cost a lot. took me 3 years to gather all of that stuff, now i only need rtx 3080ti xDDDD
@@koksem ah yes, quite affordable!
@@koksem I'm running it on a RX 6800, and I still don't have great graphics on my Index. I've noticed a lot of framerate stutter and some weird visual distortions. Might be me, but it's kinda getting irritating.
Well, we do.
If you have 5$ to spend, you have a budget of 5$, and if you have 1000$ to spend, you have a budget of 1000$.
The word 'budget' means how much you can spend on something, not how cheap that something is.
Honestly I would recommend the F5 Tiger as a beginner aircraft. It's fully modeled and complete and isn't buggy. It's a bit harder to fly as it doesn't have fly by wire, but it's systems are really simple so you don't have to learn the massively complex maze of MFD menus. It's essentially a WW2 fighter but with radar, countermeasures, and jet engines.
Ty good advice
MFDS are pretty intuitive. It’s easier to grab a more modern aircraft
This was a great guide. Thank you. My first simulator was "F119 Stealth Fighter" back in 1991 and I was hooked. I progressed on to Falcon 3.0, Hornet, 4.0 and don't understand the patience my wife had to stay married to me those first few years. I'm 50 yrs. old now, got a little bit of more money and time, I want to take the dive into DCS. Your guide provided me with a direction. Reading the comments I might take the F-5 out for a spin. I do love carrier landings though. Muchos saludos de El Paso, Tx. hermano.
I remember the Stealth Fighter; I played it a lot back in the 90s, then many of Jane's simulators, but the one I loved was Jane's F-18 super hornet from 1999. It's a shame I don't have the time to play anymore; my family, work, guitar, and books consume all of my time, nothing to complain.
Maybe when I am retired, I'll go back to this hobby.
Try YSFlight for a taste of nostalgia
el paso is a great place. especially chicos'
I just recently got into the world of 90s sims, I dabbled in DCS in the past. Those early sims are truly mind blowing, Falcon 3 is a masterpiece.
Enjoy, old timer! Hopefully ill be successful enough to go all out on a setup like it sounds you're about to do some day haha.
@@matthewchido8450 Just had chicos 4 hrs. ago.
This is an *_amazing_* intro to DCS. Great job - I was totally not expecting to watch it all. Oh, just a tiny grammar note: "an" aircraft. :-)
Thank you! Happy to hear you sat through it all lol! And thank you for the correction!
Not speaking his native language and you come up with that statement?. . Really?
@@clovenwizard With that mindset, no one would ever improve. X-Check "gets" it, you don't seem to. All good.
@@clovenwizard holy shit ur an asshole lol
@@clovenwizard Correcting a non-native speaker is how they improve. If I was mispronouncing something in a secondary language I would prefer to be corrected than mispronounce something my whole life.
FYI there are people you will offer you FREE lessons unlike Grim Reapers who charge money for pretty incomplete lessons.
How do you find these people?
I would say that for some of the high level systems in the 4th gen aircraft, charging to teach someone, and saving them reading a 400 page incomplete manual. Is worth it.
@@Qwonk just ask on the forums, the DCS Subreddits (r/hoggit especially, r/DCSWorld, r/wingmanfinder perhaps) and there's very likely gonna be someone helping you. Joining the Hoggit Discord server also isn't wrong.
lol, I love the explanation for how to tell the difference between full fidelity versus simple model. Perfect.
This video has crushed all my hopes and dreams
I'll just stick to getting a pc then arma then sulk over not getting DCS as it costs as much as a small naval fleet
well you could get a decent pc, a thrustmaster t flight x, and if you have a phone with facetracking download the head tracker app! it works with opentrack over network and it only costs 2€ for the full version! the t flight x comes with a rudder axis on the throttle and it has just enough buttons for entry level. this video obviously has the best for getting into dcs, but these specs will also be good for seeing if you actually like it and i have used this for alot of time now and have not yet run into any problems
@@RealPyro88
Well I wanted to sell my laptop (which would go for 800 AUD) (600 USD) But my mother decided that the laptop was needed for school which didn't require a laptop
I should also mention how she didn't buy it
And about the joystick that's the least of my concerns
@@sam8742 Did you buy it? If so wtf :(
@@EB_musik
No, my "financial situation" hasn't allowed for it, my friend *might* give me a pc that he doesn't want, but then again that's quite far off
@@sam8742 I meant did you buy the laptop she doesn’t want you to sell?
Hey X-CHECK, great video, I just wanted to add a few things on top of what you said for beginners since it's 2021 now
_______________
Module Choice
In terms of the Hornet, it's much, much closer to completion. ED did a lot for it in 2020 and supposedly it will be out of early access this year. Here are some reasons why you might want to get the Hornet or Jeff.
Reasons to get the Hornet:
-It has a lot more single player content that the Jeff. This is probably because most DCS players are from the west and have more interest in the Hornet than the Jeff. The Hornet has also been around for longer.
-It can carry more. I don't remember who said this, but "the Jeff is multi-role, but not multi-mission" meaning it can do air to ground OR air to air, but it can't do both very well. The Hornet has more hardpoints and a higher take off weight.
-It can land on a carrier. This is an easy to learn, hard to master thing, and very very fun in my opinion.
-The gun isn't weird. If you like doing guns only kinds of fights with your friends, definitely do not get the Jeff. The gun is aimed down for air to ground purposes, which it's good at, but you'll need to pull more lead to get your gun on the enemy. It also doesn't help that the bullet velocity in the Jeff is quite slow.
-Weapon choices. You can carry the majority of weapons in the US arsenal, from a long range JSOW to an anti-radiation AGM-88, this thing can carry them all. They're not necessarily better than the Jeff, you just get more options.
-Overrated plane. This can be a good thing because there's no shortage of people that can answer questions about the plane, no shortage of TH-cam videos about it, no shortage of missions you can simulate, etc.
-It has a helmet mounted display. HMD + AIM-9X is the ultimate combination for within visual range missile fights. Just aim your head at the target and shoot, it's that easy. The helmet mounted display helps a lot with other stuff too
Reasons to get the Jeff:
-Massive screens. Great because you can see everything you want on three large iPad-like displays. I don't use VR but I'm told that it's very nice for VR because there's no need to squint anymore
-Cool effects. Deka Ironworks did really really well on this. When you break the sound barrier there's a shock cone. If you go to an overly hot place and don't cool yourself properly you'll get a heat stroke. Your canopy will fog up so you need to use the defog thing, etc
-Other nice gimmicks. There's a built-in music player, some tv focusing effects, etc.
-It's not just another one of those overrated US jets. It's a very unique plane, which, as X-CHECK said, has some very interesting history. It's a budget aircraft built by China and Pakistan to complement Pakistan's F-16's.
-Easier to use. A lot of people I know say it was much easier for them to learn.
-Cool and really useful weapons like laser-guided rockets. You can do more with less in the Jeff.
-If you like anti-ship stuff, the Jeff is a great choice.
-Data cartridge system. Saves tons of time and
very easy to use. The Hornet will have it after early access but it will probably be a very long time.
-It's still more complete than the Hornet. I don't think this should be that big of a deal anymore though.
Notes on the Viper:
-Still incomplete. Probably a while until it's done
-Air to air is pretty good already though, it's generally considered to be one of if not THE best dogfighter in DCS. High thrust to weight ratio, helmet mounted display, good datalink, etc.
______________
Falcon BMS
If you love the F-16 and want a complete version of it, give Falcon BMS a try. It's an absolutely massive mod to a game from 1998, so the graphics aren't great, but the latest update has DirectX 11 now so the developers are definitely laying the groundwork for better graphics. There's also no VR, but again, thanks to DirectX 11 we can expect it to come soon.
So why BMS over DCS? Well, first of all the F-16 is more complete than the DCS one will ever be. It has a ton of weapons I've never even heard of such as the Israeli Python missile. It also has many different versions of the F-16 from different points in time. Although, this means that other aircraft are just F-16's pretending to be other aircraft.
More importantly, BMS has an incredible dynamic campaign. So incredible that its development practically brought the company to bankruptcy. It simulates a full on war where you play a role as part of a larger battle. If you destroy a tank, it's gone. The enemy will have to make a new one fresh from the factory. If you shoot down a plane, it's gone. The enemy squadron will have one less plane to fly in the next encounter.
Last reason is that its cheap. All you need to do is buy a license for the 1998 game from somewhere like Steam or GOG. The game itself can be downloaded from the benchmarksims website.
________________________
Head tracking solutions
I thought that I might also add some of the free or cheaper alternatives to TrackIR.
Free(ish):
The solution I'm using right now is AITrack with opentrack. You'll need a webcam for this, but if you don't then you can use your phone using Droidcam, which turns your phone into a webcam. Basically how it works is it uses AI to track your head. It sends this data to opentrack, which gives this data to DCS. Works pretty well after a lot of tweaking. There may be some noticeable latency depending on the refresh rate of your phone/webcam. You can find it here: github.com/AIRLegend/aitrack/releases
Smoothtrack is an app I've heard good things about. I think it costs a few bucks though. It also connects to opentrack, just like AITrack. There may be some noticeable latency depending on the refresh rate of your phone and the quality of the connection between your computer & phone. You can find it in your phone's app store
Aruco tracks a QR code strapped to your head which makes you look ridiculous, but it sorta works. I'd only use this as a last resort because it's not great. Aruco works directly with opentrack.
Paid:
Grassmonkey and Delanclip are both good choices offering pretty much the same product. Both are cheaper than TrackIR but work in essentially the same way, by tracking three points on your headset with a camera.
DIY solution. You can make your very own TrackIR/Grassmonkey/Delanclip head tracking for a few dollars if you're lucky. I found a pretty good tutorial here: th-cam.com/video/M_VN4mMA6Cw/w-d-xo.html
_______
HOTAS
Not gonna add to much detail here, you should probably do some more research elsewhere because different HOTASes are good for different people. I'm just going to list a few other options to look into:
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (stick only, pretty standard beginner stick)
VKB Gladiator NXT (stick only, relatively cheap but very, very good stick)
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog (full A-10 replica HOTAS, expensive but good)
WinWing F-18 set (full F-18 replica HOTAS, very expensive but very good)
Virpil's stuff (stick and/or throttle, very expensive but very good)
Beware of unfair HOTAS prices!!! Covid, Star Wars Squadrons, and MSFS have created a perfect storm where HOTASes are going out of stock and you might not be able to get one for a proper price price, just make sure to be careful. Ebay prices are insane as well.
__________
Other info
Regarding the first school of thought, I'd still go for it depending on *why* you love a certain plane so much. I bought the Flaming Cliffs 3 pack (flaming cliffs 3 aircraft = simple model aircraft, you can get them all in a cheap pack), simply to fly many planes in there. The Su-27 is just so sexy and you pull a cobras on the American scum trying to hunt you down. On the flip side, the F-15 is also really fun because of its massive engines. It's probably one of the fastest planes in DCS (the F-14 might be faster, I'm not sure), and because of that and its strong radar it's a beast in beyond visual range.If you like an aircraft because of its weapons and systems, don't get a Flaming Cliffs plane. If you want to learn more about a certain aircraft, don't get Flaming Cliffs.
Sorry for the wall of text but I hope at least one person finds this useful, good luck with DCS!
Edit: by the way regarding the garbage performance of DCS, it'll get better soon with Vulkan and multithreading. Until then, unfortunately you'll have to suck it up :(
Also yeah X-CHECK is absolutely right about the Grim Reapers. Don't watch their videos because a lot of things they teach are just downright wrong.
This needs to be pinned. Thank you for taking all that time writing this! As a beginner it's really helpful. Thanks mate.
@@siesaw1 no problem man, happy to help
Same here. Thank you!! I wish HOTASes were not so dang expensive. I have some $60 thrustmaster and I can already tell I don't have enough buttons lol
Great video. I’m a noob - I found this video while waiting for DCS to download. It is just what I was looking for: a high level overview of the game and how to begin the process of learning to use it. Thanks!
I have DCS on my computer but because i don't have money (mostly because of my age) I now play on a decent pc with a ps4 controller. I hope that I can someday upgrade my pc a little with the work I do and that I can get a decent set up to play real missions (now I am just flying around with the training P 51) thanks for all the tips and i love your videos. Keep up the great work!
Don't forget the different eras of aircraft. WW2, Korea, modern, and helicopters. in the free initial download you get a P51 trainer along with (simple) jets.
That is true! But IMHO going into helis or warbirds would be good after getting a feel for the basics in DCS.
“You are in a fighter aircraft”
*laughs in attacker aircraft*
*Laughs in attack helicopter*
*Laughs in tanker*
*Laughs in strategic bomber*
Laughs in M1A2 Abrams
*Laughs in S400*
whoa shots fired at the grim reapers
yeah he seems over rated
lol what timestamp was this
I'm 11months late. (Better late than never).I been watching under 1 month. On my phone.
Don't bother with TV much. Today OMG I have 65in 4K TV.
I been watching DCS happily until today.
My jaw drops when I see the stuff I've been missing. Phone is great TV light years ahead. Unbelievable details I've been. Missing.
If I didn't have to start from the ground up I would get into playing. But my Babbage difference engine laptop is not up to spec' .
Thanks for so much and varied and valuable instruction.
Don't want to be a brown nose but your presentation style is very professional Brother I mean like proper TV levels congrats on that. Long may you keep on doing what you love 🖐🙂
I have owned a DelanClip (alternative to track IR) for the past 2 years, and can extremely recommend it. (cost: £20 ~ £40. (£40 will get you from owning nothing to track IR level (many even better) head tracking in DCS and plenty of other games/sims) I have also found the delanclip to be much much stronger (the delanclip is made of metal and have had friends waiting for track IR replacement after braking them.) the software provided free with delanclip also allows for much more control over the tracking camera than track IR does.
VR tip: always hydrated and not on empty stomach also put a little desk fan on the table. Air will help.
Brilliant video, I was worrying about how to start and this has made me much more confident in starting my DCS journey!!!!
good luck and enjoy! :)
My thoughts too!
How is it going?
How’s your setup?..
Have you starred dcs yet? If so please let me know. What steps you took, and what module or aircraft you started out with. Plus the one your currently working on. Much thanks
I went from the Flanker straight into the Tomcat when it launched. It’s a superb module!
The F-14 is absolutely amazing! Not my first recommendation for a beginner, but truly amazing aircraft no doubt!
@LäskiMursu69 The Tomcat has a mixed analog and digital flight control system and is not fly-by-wire.
@LäskiMursu69 Can't read sarcasm from a text message. Especially when many actually believe the Tomcat had a fly-by-wire system IRL and would be easy to fly in DCS. And if you have it in DCS, then you know it's closer to a WWII warbird on crack in it's handling than the other modern jets like the Hornet.
I was about to download the game until I watched your video. So thank you for opening my eyes before getting into this mess. I found your video very informative and decisive on not getting into it. I can spend even couple of thousands for a game I like. But no one can get a single cent from me for something I don't even know if I will like it or not. And I can clearly see from your brilliant video that I will not get the experience and the joy from the game unless I have the detailed modules (like not having premium vehicles in war thunder) and all those accessories which sums up to a thousand already. Also, imagine how some one would be discouraged to start playing this game by being provided with an information which suggests how to configure your accessories (which should be bought along side the game - recommended but not required :) ). On the other hand, I can clearly see even without trying it that this game/developer/publisher is an another Russian success story (again! like war thunder) where they amazingly achieved milking money from Western World (Europe/US) and their images (JP, South Korea, Thailand, Australias) who are swimming in the pool of money which they don't even know where it comes from. Well, thank you again... But I will pass!
For equipment, what I did to save money: I already had a PC with a semi-decent graphics card and processor (I believe that if you are interested in DCS, you probably already have it too). Made a slight RAM upgrade (from 8 to 16gb) and bought FC3 (a bundle with all low fidelity aircraft) on a sale. For joystick, there are tutorials for setting up an Xbox or PS4 controller, but I bought an used cheap ass thrustmaster flight stick x for 40 bucks, and it works like a charm. For head tracking, I use my phone as a webcam to connect on my PC and use that free open source apps called Ai Track and Open track (Ai Track isn't as precise as a good TrackIR or VR, but do the job).
I liked the Video during the "How to tell if it is full fidelity" Part ;) Great part :D
Glad you liked it! Don't think your wallet was that amused. lol!
Appreciate how you explained things in this. I found other videos just made me feel more intimidated/overwhelmed being a new pc player but the second you explained about your friends being slower learners and feeling the same way and then enjoying the f16 was exactly what I needed to hear to start learning the game and feel confident I’m in good hands
"Get multirole" I always stepped away from BVR-type combat bc shooting thins that I can't even see didn't sound that right. I bought the F-16 and BVR Combat is hell of fun. Thank you for that Video
For years I've been extremely interesting of this game every time I see a video, but this one is so informative, thanks Bro.✔👍👍
Thank you so much for this guide, decided to go down the DCS rabbit hole and decided for the F/A 18, because the carrier is a great plus for me. Ok, let's start the learning process... 😅
Timing could literally not have been better!
:D
I got it 2day👍
Amazing video, concise and to the point and answers a lot of the questions I have as a starter. Thank you!
I'll just say I have never seen your videos but this, this one was made beautifully
update for VR, the quest 2 is the best VR today to buy, its the cheapest and best VR, it delivers everything the other VR produce but at a MUCH cheaper price, also if you buy others theres no problem but id say theres no need to go better than a quest 2.
I recommend VR, I use a first gen HTC VIVE (Crappy old headset compared to the new ones) I use it all the time, I can mostly read everything near me as well. It’s the way to go for sure. Also X-Check, I hope I didn’t make you throw up that time in the L39, when I randomly pushed the nose down while we were near stall speeds, resulting in a really weird manoeuvre. Haha
smh
I have the Vive & GTX 980Ti. I'd think my best next upgrade would be video card not HMD. Would you agree? I'm concerned my 980Ti won't have enough horsepower to drive an Index. Thanks!
Nathan Robertson I’ve since gone with a 2070 Super and the index is on order 😁
This video was excellent!! You have a great speaking voice and are very well spoken. The in-depth nature of your video was absolutely perfect! Thanks for the great content!
Thank you Sir. I've been playing the free version for a while, and I'm enjoying it full time. VR, joystick, and pedals. And was looking for a good recommendation, something that showed me the best next thing to do. And let me tell you,this is a great great video. I have some friends that are on the fence ( even thinking on playing the free version), and I know that this video will help em out. Thanks (subbed).
I m not really a beginner, but your feedback about VR types and motion sickness was precious. Thanks!
It is a brilliant guide. Every bit is really good. Thank you for your efforts
Thank you! Do hope it proves useful.
i know this is an old video but it is by far the most useful DCS video i have seen
".... That means your wallet is having a heart attack..."
You just killed me with that line.... I can't breath I'm laughing SO hard :-D
Just one thing about the HOTAS- while it will make your life a lot, lot easier you can quite happily play this sim with a single stick. You use keyboard modifiers for the top hat switch to make up most of the controls and just a handful of keyboard shortcuts for most other things. The F-18 and F-16 will probably be pretty taxing with the number of modifiers for the hat switch though. Some modules are a lot simpler though. The Harrier (my personal favourite module in all of DCS) only needs two modifier keys even if you're using the hat to look around (alt for trim ad ctrl for slewing the target designator respectively).
This sim will take a very long time to master and be wary of picking up too many aircraft. If you don't keep flying them (especially the more complicated ones) you'll find yourself having to re learn things over and over and over again, which can be a frustrating experience.
Well presented video. I watched this at 366 views. I think you will get many more! Great content! I personally think the JF-17 is a really good and great place to start. If someone was a beginner they would do well to look at this video. Liked the video!
Thank you! Happy to hear you agree on the Jeff! Love it! Hopefully beginners will find this video helpful.
528,000 views now lol
I just downloaded DCS. It is, indeed, impressive. Lusciously so. I looked at the available aircraft and began counting on my fingers to see if I could afford this diversion. Then I got here and saw the recommendations: $250 for a Thrustmaster HOTAS system, another $300+ for a VR setup ...
I think I'll tap out. I grew up with Dynamix's Red Baron, Lucasfilm's SWOTL, EA's Chuck Yeager's Air Combat and died and went to heaven with IL-2 Sturmovik. I can justify a couple of hundred dollars to throw away on a game, but this is outta my league. I've got actual bills to pay.
if you have VR but dont like playing in vr then the OpenTrack software can turn your vr into head tracking without using the vr over your eyes. DCS in vr makes me super sick so that's what I do.
I just opened Chuck's Guide fot the F/A-18 and this gotta be the biggest PDF I opened in my life, holy sheit
About the "School of thoughts" , there is another one: Get DCS for free, and fully exploit the Su-25T and the TR-51 that come with it. Do all the training missions, then do all the single missions, then do the campaign that comes with it. The Su-25T is low fidelity, which means that you must have a good HOTAS to bind all keys. I Started with the Logitech X52, which is affordable and will do the job.
The Su-25T has so much to offer, that you will probably go back to it once in a while, even after you bought the expensive HiFi-models. The T-51 on the other hand will give you the experience of a Full Fidelitiy-aircraft, in which you can just be amazed at the scenery. Just fly it like you have your own P-51 and take it out for a ride. No enemies, just fly. I recommend flying at sunset or Sunrise in VR. It is just amazing, and I still gasp upon the views. Oh and get a scenery-map as well. In fact get all maps. It's just beautifull. Remember that ED have a sale every few months, so just wait for another sale and take advantage.
When you have fully exploited all things to do with the 2 given planes, I personally would stay away from the Low-fidelity planes. I got them all in Flaming Cliffs 3, but I regret that now. It's feels like not being taken seriously. For the Full Fidelity models I started with the Ka-50 (best chopper !) and now have the FA-18. I stay away from the F-16 until it is finnished. I would stay away from any "Early access" plane. You will pay for something that will take still years to complete. I might considder getting the pinackle of DCS-planes, the mother of complicated but efficient, the explosion of functions, buttons, systems and subsystems… the A-10C. I am trying it out now in the all-free-month.
Once you get your head around the A10C its an AWESOME aircraft to play with. I had drama trying to get bombs to work. Once I worked it out, well...
Yes, DCS takes ALOT of time to master. I'm not a regular player (back into building models again), but, DCS is freaking incredible!
When do you think its the next sale now that the free month ended?Next month or in 2 months?
Another thing I want to touch on with vr, don't expect to be immune to the motion sickness because you've played games your whole life. I made that mistake and sorta denied i was getting motion sick and I ended up laying on the floor for over an hour. Pace yourself and never try to power through it, it gets better (also ordered a hotas today to get into dcs)
Great video. Thank you. And I've been flying DCS since the beginning and still learned something.
Vr tip number 2 is the best advice ever. Its what I tell everyone. Do not try play through vr sickness lol.
What a great video. Thank you. Funny because I just got into DCS couple of days ago. I bought the F18 C. Which was $87 with tax. Well worth it. Beautiful. And you can land on air craft carriers with them. And I bought Nevada. Boot bad. Should of bought Dubai. That is my next choice.
Thank you! That F/A-18C is some serious fun! Welcome to DCS c:
Hey family ! I just got into dcs recently and got it on steam and bought the f15. Then I went to the website and before this free trial saw that everything was half off! So even tho it’s rough I would switch over to the website version and download the game . I did and rebought the f15 and got the f16 and Nevada all half price . Screw steam lol .
this video summarized:
you need hotas
i personally like clickable cockpits so you HAVE to like them too and enjoy them more than non-clickable therefore you have to like them more too.
clickable cockpit aircrafts
read chucks guide
This is solid advice in my opinion, next time I'm asked "Where to start with DCS" I'm going to point them at this video. You nailed it, I agree with pretty much everything you've said.
I don't have the "Jeff", but my friends have all shared a similar sentiment, a great module even if the plane itself can be limited. Everything else you've said would have been exactly what I would have said, except I wouldn't have said it as well.
Glad you enjoyed! There is so much more but I do hope I captured the essentials.
Thanks for this detailed video. It saved lot of hours of download and installation of game just to get final conclusion that I can't play this game, just because I am not rich to buy all those gaming equipment.
Dusted off the old T16000M. Bought FC3 and the M2000c. I'm running a single stick setup and planning to buy a facetracker since money is tight for a TrackIr. I'm still figuring things out but today I managed to kick some ass at BVR and close range as well! I'm learning the basics of flying and combat on the low fidelity stuff and slowly learning to fly the Mirage. I'd never imagine that failing could be so much fun! Instead of getting mad when losing my wings, I can't help but burst out laughing. Great video!
Thank you! And it is really amazing how failing so much can be so entertaining!
Get a Delan clip or a generic 3d printed track ir and a ps eye camera, that's what i use and its like 95% like the real deal, cant complain.
So you don't use any tracking? I really want to know if I need it to start
About the Head tracking, I use my mouse and a basic flight stick. It's a basic gaming mouse, with 2 extra buttons on it's side and one on top for burst fire, but I don't use that one. I'm sure many people have this template cheap mouse.
So what I did, is binding through an app called "X-mouse" my buttons to Alt+C, which toggles between the clickable cockpit and looking around, and the other for my left Ctrl, to use combinations of buttons of my flight stick
Also, this flight stick is old, and has only 7 of 12 buttons working. Most of my controls are done through the Keyboard, which requires me to take my hands off the mouse, but I can manage it
DCS World is the best flight / combat simulator, by far
I wish I could fly the F14B, F16C or the F18, on the X-Plane 11 scenery ( free flight )
DCS World needs more maps. They should " get " some ORBX maps
More like. They should hire ORBX to make some good maps for DCS. For as ORBX is highly known for making HD sceneries for FSX, P3D, and Xplane.
@@scarecrow108productions7 I agree with you
I can't understand why ED doesn't want to have some ORBX maps. With some great overlays ( military stuff ) it would be a dream, and I guess, a lot of players would join DCS, if that would happen
Excellent DCS tutorial! Especially the VR sections hints and tips RE: motion sickness. Thank You!! Subscribed.
5:56 im playing dcs Now for 1200H+ without headtracking. For me its ok cause I juse my joystick to look around
Any more detail on that, I dont wanna invest in tracking
@@MammothDzn on Top of Joysticks there is a Knop wich you can use to Look around
Take a look at delanclip, its way cheaper than trackir and gets you almost same performance of the Trackir
I've had the Trackhat + camera, for years. A cheap solid setup. www.trackhat.org/
It works with the trackir drivers.
@@MammothDzn if you have an iphone 10 11 or 12 there is a free app called “facetrack” works fine
Even with a full fidelity module like the F18 or A10C, you will be using keys on your keyboard (i.e. the canopy). If you're new and on the fence about spending too much, download and try the SU 25T that comes with an entire campaign, training and missions. Excellent module, especially if you like ground attack. If you really like it and are fairly new to sims, FC3 is an excellent start when on sale. Lots to learn, even with the low fidelity aircraft.
If you want to buy one, yah the F16 is nice and they did the right thing this time with early access by offering it early at a 50% discount.
I would say the F18 is still the best one, especially for a beginner as it's easy to start and fly, intuitive, has carrier ops, and is now 50% off. Lots to learn though, even though it isn't 100% complete. I was also impressed with the JF 17. Don't forget the Sabre/Migs, and also the helicopters are just stellar.
For MP, don't forget to mention that open beta is pretty laggy and broken right now (during the free trial period unfortunately).
Three 1440p monitors and you use VR? What a waste of cash...
Imagine. DCS Merges with FS2020 🤤
No
@@trijetz3562 yes
Eagle Dynamics would have to buy Microsoft.
Soon.
@@FauxKun then dcs will get shitty optimisation and only god systems would be able to run it comfortably
I thought of F-16 and Jeff too. 😍🙌
Amazing intro to DCS mate. now this was a informative video. Cheers
ive been playing with an oculus quest since feb and its AMAZING even at the lower res over oculus link - i have to lean in to read some of the F-16 screens sometimes though
Will play DCS for the first time this weekend - can't wait. Loved this video-- very informative
Thank you I really really needed this great work!
Happy to hear it was helpful!
I started with the Su-33 about 5 months ago using and Xbox controller, bought a HOTAS right after. Loved it, then got the rest of the Flaming Cliffs pack, didn't get impressed with anything else on it. Decided to go back to the basics with the Su-25T that comes free with the game, pretty capable CAS plane with lots of options for armament, the ELINT pod combined with the anti-radiation missiles are excellent for SAM clearing. Then I decided to get my first full fidelity module, went for the Ka-50 since it's the oldest and most consolidated module on DCS (and it was 50% off along with the Mi-8), couldn't handle it without head tracking, bought a TrackIR and finally got the hang of it (at least enough to be able to go to enemy bases, wreck things up and get back safe, didn't dare to explore the Nav computer). Then I realized that I ain't got shit against ships (Su-25T can do it, but you gotta get danger close), so I got the Viggen about a month ago, finished reading the manual today, all the almost 400 pages of it. The Viggen is excellent against ships and as a overall strike aircraft, it's all or nothing, fly in low and fast, drop everything you have and get the hell out at insane speeds, recommended and surprisingly simple compared to the Ka-50, you just gotta get the hang of the nav system as everything relies on it. I'm trying to perfect the toss bombing right now, kinda complicated. One criticism is the fact that you can't use mixed ordnance, that sucks.
For anyone watching this months after release of this video, like me, I'd like to point out that there are a number of user made shader mods that really help improve the fps in Virtual Reality. Which really does help and made my game, even in multiplayer buttery smooth, and if like me, you're using an Oculus Rift CV1, which has fairly low resolution, enabled me to substantially increase Super-Sampling to make the image a lot sharper. Out of the box the game is not optimised for VR, but with these shaders, it really can be improved!
Brilliant job in explaining DCS. Well done. Thumbs up.
Thank you Tricky Rat! c:
it runs suprisingly smooth on my i3 probaly combined with the fact that im the owner of an gtx1050ti
great introducing video into dcs!
i watched this video 3 times about 1 month ago, and i started with a FA18 hornet, with the t16000m hotas and an oculus rift s.
i dont know how much time i spent since then, but its a lot ... :) just love my little hornet!
Me(a 15y/o): just wants to have some amount of experience about the job I want to do in the future
X-CHEK: so basically all you have to do is become broke
Yea it’s costly sadly
Thank you for a great guide, You have answered many questions I had, especially with respect to VR and getting around wanting to throw up when playing with VR
Great overview. A bit puzzled about your aircraft recommendations as in your 2020 roadmap video you said to never buy an ED early access plane. Now 2 of the 3 you recommend to buy first are exactly that.
I believe I recommended against pre-purchasing :D
Couldn’t have timed this better. My first gaming laptop arrives tomorrow morning. Specs are good enough too!
Amazing lag and glitches so far. Still a damn good simulator.
Yeah sorry about that, there was a recent huge update that brought alot of glitches to the table. Dcs has always had its glitches, but not like this.
VR sickness is very real! I didn't get it nearly as badly as you described, but I would feel sick for hours after just a few minutes of gaming. It only took a couple of weeks before it was mostly gone, and after probably a month I could play Boneworks (very intense for VR sickness) for hours on end without issue. Some people get it worse than others, but I think most people do experience it to some extent. It just takes time to get used to it, but I think just about everyone can. It's so worth it too, I love VR.
pretty sure their hq is in Switzerland. And it's partially owned by TFC in the UK. it's confusing lmao
I recently started with DCS, i chose the F-5 as my first aircraft and i don't regret it. Of course the startup procedure could be simplier, but all in all it's a very nice aircraft, not boring, not too difficult, behaving well in the air, and not bugged like some others.
What do you play with? I want to buy a joystick and throttle, I installed the game today and I have a keyboard and mouse with a tv plus my pc. I want to get the joystick and throttle or do I have to buy a vr and stuff if I want to play dcs in a better way
@@chimie4933 Depends only how much money you have lol. To start it's perfectly ok to have only HOTAS, maybe even simple joystick with a throttle knob would be fine. But you will always be slow with looking around and clicking buttons inside the cockpit. For single player missions it's ok, but for competitive multiplayer you will need either TrackIR or VR, both of which are damn expensive things.
@@Youda00008 I want to do online dogfights but as you said I should have a head tracking device which sucks cuz I’m not made of money. Do u play without a head tracking device if so how hard is it in a online dogfight
@@chimie4933 I played without head-tracking for a long time, using mouse for looking around (now i have a VR). It is possible, but it's kinda painful, because you end up with one hand having to do 2 things and constantly switching between mouse and one of the two sticks. Second option is to use one of the joystick's hats to look around but that's kinda clumsy. It's definitely doable, you just have it much harder than others.
Quick question, how did you add the sections of your video into youtube. I know that you can add tinestanps but on the TH-cam timeline the different sections also came up. How do you do this??
Also great video thanks a lot!
I think it is a new feature! I just added the time stamps on the description, TH-cam did the rest.
@@XCHECK ahh ok thank you. That's a great help!!
Started the game not too long ago using only the first free Russian jet. The tutorials went well enough, though the lack of a pointer on the dashboard made them hard to follow. I picked up the F-15c afterwards, as it seemed the best option for the financially challenged. The lack of built-in tutorials wasn't motivating, but after I tried some instant action missions I found that I could do most simple things with some practice. I then found a mission pack online that serves as an excellent tutorial package for the F-15c, which I've been following since. I plan to save up for a harrier, which sounds like a ton of fun and worth the effort to learn. The high prices make it difficult to decide on, so I very much understand the suggestion to get a multi-role plane. The JF-17 sounds very interesting as well for that reason alone, but if I pick all the planes that sound good on paper, my wallet may not survive.
I haven't tried any online play yet, but I do plan to once I've finished the F-15c training missions. While I worry that I won't be able to join in with more experienced players, I'll just need to keep in mind we all started from zero at some point :P
@Wanye Smith thanks for sharing
@Wanye Smith I appreciate your concern
Can't believe I sold my HP Reverb without trying this out
Oh no! I've heard the Reverb is very impressive in DCS! A performance hog none the less...
@@XCHECK Yeah Man ! 2k resolution, you won't notice any pixel unless you really look for it hardly .
Excellent! Really well done. Thank-You for taking the time to produce a great informative video.
I just want the new modern air combat to release, I’ll never have the time and patience for this 😅
Awesome video. VR definitely has its downsides, mainly watching 12 B-17s open up and all the tracers zipping towards you, or watching a SAM the size of a telegraph pole lift off from the ground and start winging its way to you. Brown pants time.
lol, never thought I would be flinching so much in DCS.
Yea guys, don't rely on Grim Reapers for an education.
They ramble and read from Chuck's Guide and Wikipedia.
They give good simple advice to quickly learn how to do something though.
having also spent a lot of time doing car racing sims in VR recently, it really is a game-changer for any sim aiming for full immersion in an activity. sense of scale, speed and depth is just so much better for getting lost within a virtual world. But yes, you do have to somewhat rethink things like control bindings, many a time i've ended up groping around for my keyboard and mouse and knocking things over on the desk
First world problems...
IMPORTANT UPDATE! You can now try any module for free for a period of 2 weeks. And when you are finished, you can activate another module to try out. This is only available in the standalone version of the game, NO STEAM! Download the standalone version here: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/ Activate you trial licenses here: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/licensing/trial/
Hey can I ask you something? I tried out the Hornet during this free month and I'm also really interested in the Supercarrier DLC. I'm thingking about buying both now, but to be quite honest: As a full time engineering student I don't have enough time to really play it...YET. Idk should i buy it now even if i'll really begin playing in like a year or so? Cause now it's like 65 instead of 130 bucks. What do you think how fast are things gonna change there? Thanks :)
@@felixbaum2180 , it will probably be on sale again around Christmas. They usually do big sales then. Hope that helps
@@carinhall4508 Oh, great, thanks for letting me know! ^^
Question, would the oculus quest work just as well as the S version? Just thinking the quest would give me more options.
@@arrrgonot7801 The quest is a better VR headset, but for specifically DCS it's worse than the rift s, by a lot. You can just play via link, but you will need a beefy pc (at least ~rtx 2070-70 super) to compensate for the compression, the clarity is worse at the same Multisampling (resolution), but you can compensate by insreasing the multisampling up to 2.0 (double the resolution). That will 1/4 or more your fps though, so keep that in mind. If you will play ANYTHING else other than simulators though, oculus quest 100% of the time, it's the better headset.
680 hrs in Elite dangerous, it took me months to get to be able to drop out in my or my friend's fighters. Today I have broken 2 chairs from hrs of crazy dog fights on ice rings against very capable AI enemies. I want to try is one. I have the same HOTAS I love it.
If the getting started video is 35 minutes long then it probably explains why I crashed in my first 12 minutes of playing the game
Thanks for your work XC, very informative video and IMHO the best one out there.
Great video! - up to the point where you slate The Grim Reaper Channel. this is very bad form. I do not fly with the grim reapers nor interact with them very often so my opinion of them is not bias. They may not be everyone's cup of tea, they may not be 100% true to life. but they are a bunch of guys having fun with DCS. If I am unsure how to do something in DCS It can almost be guaranteed Grim reapers have at least covered it.
Thanks for the tips! As mentioned, it is just my opinion and recommendation to look for better information sources when learning. To me, they are a good source of entertainment, not education. If you find their material useful and effective, by all means do ignore me and carry on!
They do cover pretty much everything, and I do agree, it is better than nothing. But most of the time, when there is another option for that information, the GRs version tends to be sub-par.
i hurt. i laughed to hard. dont own the game but looking into it and doing my research. when you go to explain simple vs full use and the wallet heart attack. i died inside laughing so hard. that is the best possible way to tell sombody "in a funny way" that this game WILL hurt your wallet. XD amazing!
“Based on Russia “ me: must be a lot of bias then
I just found out about this game after playing war thunder trying to get a jet for months.
I am buying an external hard drive tomorrow to install this game
Enjoy and have fun! Please note that dcs has a lot of learning and isn’t just a game
@@RW-zn8vy yeah I can’t play this game because my computer isn’t near good enough to run it..:(
@@Gucci_Membrane Ripp, time for an upgrade! I built my pc to be able to run dcs. Put 32 gigs of ram and all.
Understandable, have a great day
Thank you for the fantastic video. Looking forward to applying what you’ve discussed here.
Hope it proves to be helpful!
Thanks for the great, detailed breakdown of how to get started 👍
My pleasure!
Thank you for this. So many new tips. I’m really happy about your effort on this.
Glad you found it helpful!
This is such a great video. I'm new to flight sims but I've been doing racing sims in VR for a while now and I just really enjoyed your approach to this video. Subbed.