Massive bomber swarms

[MegaDeathKill!]

I've seen swarms coming along wingtip to wingtip. How do you do that, rather than have them come out single-file. Even when I launch from several airfields at once, I never seem to get them into a huge gaggle like that.

Thanks for any help!

[Hyperion]

Launch them out of bases/carriers at a 90 degree angle to your target and when they're all in a straight line, change their direction by choosing the target.

[xander]

Two videos (I probably could have made them smaller by using a lower quality compression scheme, but I didn't think to do so until I started uploading. As I don't have any video editing software -- only screen capture -- I can't really edit them down, and I don't have the time right now to do it again, only smaller. If anyone wants to, please compress them more gooderer. I just can't be arsed right now. Sorry.):

http://yozh.org/sandbox/BomberWave01.mov (50 MB)
This shows a bomber wave launched from four airbases. The synchronization is not perfect, but I don't claim to be a great Defcon player. You can see the general method -- launch the bombers in a line, about 90° from the target, and direct them to the target, starting with the bombers that are farthest away. With a wave that size (20 bombers), you should be able to easily destroy two silos, and a RADAR or two. Say, 8 bombers per silo, with 4 bombers left to take other targets.

http://yozh.org/sandbox/BomberWave02.mov (77 MB)
This shows a bomber wave launched from 12 carriers. Again, the synchro is not perfect, but I think it gets the point across. Additionally, I have demonstrated how one could attack targets of opportunity on the way. This can be useful for several reasons: you can take out pesky RADAR installations; draw fire from silos (they will prioritize nukes over bombers); take out enemy naval vessels on the way; or hit random cities just for the hell of it. A wave like that can probably take out two or three silos, and still have a nuke or two left over for RADAR, airbases, or anything else.

xander

[Ace Rimmer]

One thing to remember about grouping bombers together...

A player that likes to micro fighters, uh like me, loves to see tightly grouped bombers coming in. Well, most of the time. *shakes fist at Weps*

Why? Well, I learned a long while ago that you don't need 50,000 fighters to take out 40 bombers. About 4 or 5 well microed (is that a word?) fighters with no/minimal interference will do the job. Ok, so that's an exaggeration, but the point stands. In short, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Even if every bomber hits it's mark, only having 3 return will greatly reduce your chances of winning, especially in 1v1. That is unless you do the Feud Euro-blitz ™.

[Feud]

Why? Well, I learned a long while ago that you don't need 50,000 fighters to take out 40 bombers. About 4 or 5 well microed (is that a word?) fighters with no/minimal interference will do the job.

Or two or three tactical nukes...

[Ace Rimmer]

Why? Well, I learned a long while ago that you don't need 50,000 fighters to take out 40 bombers. About 4 or 5 well microed (is that a word?) fighters with no/minimal interference will do the job.

Or two or three tactical nukes...

Well, that's a bit of an advanced technique better left for those that have effective bomber "swarms" well under their belt.

Two videos (I probably could have made them smaller by using a lower quality compression scheme, but I didn't think to do so until I started uploading. As I don't have any video editing software -- only screen capture -- I can't really edit them down, and I don't have the time right now to do it again, only smaller. If anyone wants to, please compress them more gooderer. I just can't be arsed right now. Sorry.):
xander

Edited down gooderer. YouTube version or Rapidshare

Also, one trick which some people may not know about (not in the video)...

If you launch your bombers from carriers, wait for the first set to come out, then move the carriers in the direction of the launch and the second set will be even closer to the first set as the carriers are following behind them.

Lastly, a couple of tips.

• Avoid crossing enemy land, cities have limited radar
• You can launch one direction with the first set then launch directly at a target with the second set (carriers)

[crystal_Palace]

I would like to get clarification on what exactly MICO means when uoi use it referencing this game.

I think I understand but please, just for ha ha's post up a reply

[Feud]

I would like to get clarification on what exactly MICO means when uoi use it referencing this game.

I think I understand but please, just for ha ha's post up a reply

Micro = Micromanagement. Basically, not relying on the computer to assign targets, but to manually designate targets for each of your units on the fly.

[crystal_Palace]

ok so how does one utilize this tactic (which is what I actually thought it meant) IE- if you have 4 fighters out does each one getits own target or do you pair them up? and against other fighters woul you use all 4 at once and take out one fighter at a time?
I seem to think that fighters take out bombers easyer than they take out a bomber (more shots for a fighter to hit a fighter)

[xander]

Because Defcon uses hit chances, rather than hit points, the way to maximize the damage that you do, you are going to want to spread out your shots. That being said, fighters should only target other fighters if there are no other targets around. Fighters are great for taking out bombers, but suck for just about anything else. If there are fighters attacking you, take them out with battleships, or get out of their range, and come back a few minutes later when their fuel is exhausted.

xander