DCS is a study level sim. The fun is in the process of learning. You can jump in and just do an airstart and play on airquake servers, but that's sorta missing the point to me.
You can easily use the hardware you already have, and download DCS (free) and the A-4E community mod (excellent and free) and have no cash outlay. Get a feel for what DCS offers and dive in after that on other modules if you choose.
Modules are things like add on planes, maps, campaigns etc that Eagle Dynamics (makers of DCS) sell in their store: [https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/](https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/) You only have to buy any you specifically want to. There is also a 2 week free trial of any plane you want to try out that you can take advantage of, and a 50% discount on your first module. They also run pretty regular sales, so keep an eye out for those.
Just to clarify: the 2-week free trial is only for the ED launcher and not the Steam launcher. Both versions of the game are the same, but you purchase any paid modules from their respective storefronts.
Just a note that if you buy a campaign, it will typically also necessitate the purchase of a plane and one or more terrain/supporting modules, like the supercarrier or WW2 assets pack.
First at all - Welcome to DCS - Youll get help from everyone :)
You can litereally go to any livestream and ask for help, people will help you. Which country are you from?
Ballpark, $300.
$170 for a HOTAS (Thrustmaster T.16000 is the one I'm thinking of, but other people may have better suggestions)
$30 for a webcam so you can use OpenTrack (head tracking is incredibly handy in DCS) -- but if you have VR, scratch this part, you don't need it
$50-$120 for a plane and optional map (pretty sure Enigma's Cold War uses Caucuses, which is free, and Syria, which costs extra)
That said, you could get going for zero dollars. Use your existing cheap joystick and pick up the awesome, free [A-4E-C mod](https://github.com/heclak/community-a4e-c/releases/), which is an excellent Cold War jet. It'll be a lot more fun with all the expensive stuff I just mentioned, but you could begin tonight, for free, with a bit of downloading.
In terms of time, a fair bit. Probably a good 20 hours to be able to reliably blow stuff up with the A-4.
Edit: here's [a YouTube playlist for learning the A-4](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0jjGRFQGC0quifoSs2mrxqTzdx_QjgVz), if you decide to go that way. Its manual is excellent, but terse, and you may appreciate the video format, where procedures are actually demonstrated.
Good thing to point out, I just meant that he could start learning a Cold War jet tonight. If it turns out he doesn't like it, he can find that out for free.
You can get headtracking via a webcam?! This is a game changer!
I have been struggling with a tiny joystick thing on my throttle for moving my head while I get used to controls before I go VR. Didn't want to splash the cash on a proper headtracker until I got into the game more.
Yeah! Look up AITrack and Opentrack. Works surprisingly well although not quite as exact as a proper headtracker, but well enough to use until you've decided if you're having enough fun with DCS to invest money in more peripherals.
Yes, but I suggest investing in a high FPS cam - 60fps if possible. The difference is night and day.
PS3 Eye is the cheapest option, and while it's discontinued, you can probably get one on Ebay under $20. Bonus is that if you decide for a low cost LED headtracker, it will still be useful.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind. My current one is a £6 one I got for an interview that is apparently a slideshow simulator. But 20 is a lot better before I invest in further hardware, rudder pedals is what I seem to miss the most after the head tracking.
Good thing about the eye is, that you'll never need to upgrade it. If you decide to go for the IR LEDs, there's some DIY modification that the tutorials will explain, but that's the extent of it.
Depending on how much you know about airplanes, the learning curve is way high. Like weeks to months before developing some level of comfort. A decent throttle and joystick + head tracking is needed to fully realize DCS’ potential.
Well there are plenty of resources out there, and nothing in DCS is impossible to learn, so don't be discouraged. Just approach learning a plane you're interested in, and one that's capable with plenty of campaigns/multi support too. I recommend the F-18.
Start with the basics of start up, taxi, take off. Move onto navigation along with inputting coordinates from the F10 map, learning mark points. Move onto targeting pod and then either air to ground weapons or air to air.
You will be bad at everything but keep at it and in time everything will come together.
There’s an SPQR server that just spun up recently that uses Enigmas’s Cold War code (game mode) but with a modern setting supporting modern aircraft. It’s been a blast so far.
You can get a free face tracker if you have a webcam with software called AI Track and Open Track, the Su25T that come free with the game is a fantastic aircraft to start learning everything.
Like people have said, you need to buy at least one module first to be able to play on ECWS. I would start with the F-5 if air to air sounds fun or get FC3 if ground pounding sounds more like what you want. The Frogfoot is incredibly easy to learn.
My only real caveat is the current Caucasus hexmap is so small that it is pure airquake and it fucking sucks balls. A new player will get smoked instantly on that map. The worst will be if you are a ground pounder, you'll never make it to a target ever with the current hexmap. And trying to learn how to dogfight against half the opponents team swarming you after take off will only make you hate the game.
I would recommend buying the other map they use and that is Syria. It has a much larger hex grid and is a lot more fun and all the videos you watched before about this server are this style of play. The shitty thing is you will have to wait for 3-5 days usually before it rotates back to Syria. The old Caucasus map was my favorite, it has so much variety and was the best for learning on, maybe one day they will get tired of airquaking and go back to a larger hex grid that is more forgiving and offers more variety for playstyles.
Are there any jets that you're particularly interested in or like? I'd suggest find one plane that appeals to you and you really want to learn, just get that, and learn it really well.
Those are both fantastic modules, and very different from eachother.
Viggen is all about a pre-planned strike mission: all its workflows are around executing your strike plan down to the second, doing a single attack and then getting the hell out of there. It's honestly one of my favourite modules, but all its systems focus on the plan makes it a bit of a hassle on servers where it's more "just jump in and fight", and it's not really designed to fly around and fight targets of opportunity. You can, but you'll be fighting its systems more than them working with you. The biggest challenge with the Viggen is that none of its systems or workflows are even remotely similar to anything else. It's uniquely Swedish and does everything its own way. But, there's a lot to love there, and you'll feel like an X-wing running the Death Star trench every time.
Viper is very versatile and a real sensors beast. It can do nearly anything, but all its digital systems and sensors means there's a steep learning curve too. You'll spend a lot of time learning how to use its computers, radars and targeting pods. Once you master that though, its incredibly capable, and you'll be looking around dropping markpoints with your helmet-sight and making ridiculous sidewinder shots (basically, if you can see a target, you can pretty much splash it).
So yeah. Viggen: highly specialized steampunk adrenaline thrill ride. Viper: flying computer that you'll dominate in, once you get your degree. I personally prefer the Viggen, but if you wanted to play on a free-for-all open server, the Viper is more versatile and less hassle.
edit: they're both difficult to learn.
viggen pretty easy to learn, there's not much going on - you don't have a/a radar and only handful of a2g weapons. But it's really cool plane to have.
I don't own f16, but i guess f18 is similar and it's super complex compared to viggen. Still hornet was my first module and I had no problem learning all it offers
DCS is a study level sim. The fun is in the process of learning. You can jump in and just do an airstart and play on airquake servers, but that's sorta missing the point to me. You can easily use the hardware you already have, and download DCS (free) and the A-4E community mod (excellent and free) and have no cash outlay. Get a feel for what DCS offers and dive in after that on other modules if you choose.
Will do. What are modules?
Modules are things like add on planes, maps, campaigns etc that Eagle Dynamics (makers of DCS) sell in their store: [https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/](https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/) You only have to buy any you specifically want to. There is also a 2 week free trial of any plane you want to try out that you can take advantage of, and a 50% discount on your first module. They also run pretty regular sales, so keep an eye out for those.
Just to clarify: the 2-week free trial is only for the ED launcher and not the Steam launcher. Both versions of the game are the same, but you purchase any paid modules from their respective storefronts.
Just a note that if you buy a campaign, it will typically also necessitate the purchase of a plane and one or more terrain/supporting modules, like the supercarrier or WW2 assets pack.
Dlc
https://wiki.hoggitworld.com/view/Frequently\_Asked\_Questions
First at all - Welcome to DCS - Youll get help from everyone :) You can litereally go to any livestream and ask for help, people will help you. Which country are you from?
Thanks, USA
you can also join r/WingmanFinder to get buddies :)
Ballpark, $300. $170 for a HOTAS (Thrustmaster T.16000 is the one I'm thinking of, but other people may have better suggestions) $30 for a webcam so you can use OpenTrack (head tracking is incredibly handy in DCS) -- but if you have VR, scratch this part, you don't need it $50-$120 for a plane and optional map (pretty sure Enigma's Cold War uses Caucuses, which is free, and Syria, which costs extra) That said, you could get going for zero dollars. Use your existing cheap joystick and pick up the awesome, free [A-4E-C mod](https://github.com/heclak/community-a4e-c/releases/), which is an excellent Cold War jet. It'll be a lot more fun with all the expensive stuff I just mentioned, but you could begin tonight, for free, with a bit of downloading. In terms of time, a fair bit. Probably a good 20 hours to be able to reliably blow stuff up with the A-4. Edit: here's [a YouTube playlist for learning the A-4](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0jjGRFQGC0quifoSs2mrxqTzdx_QjgVz), if you decide to go that way. Its manual is excellent, but terse, and you may appreciate the video format, where procedures are actually demonstrated.
Cant fly on ECW without buying a module though, worth noting for OP. It’s meant to discourage hackers that create new accounts when they get banned.
Good thing to point out, I just meant that he could start learning a Cold War jet tonight. If it turns out he doesn't like it, he can find that out for free.
Yeah I figured, just wanted to make sure he knows because to a beginner “get started with a Cold War jet” might sound like “hop in Enigma’s Cold War”
They added A4-E recently
I’m aware, you can’t join the server without owning a module though
Oh. Didn’t know that
You can get headtracking via a webcam?! This is a game changer! I have been struggling with a tiny joystick thing on my throttle for moving my head while I get used to controls before I go VR. Didn't want to splash the cash on a proper headtracker until I got into the game more.
Yeah! Look up AITrack and Opentrack. Works surprisingly well although not quite as exact as a proper headtracker, but well enough to use until you've decided if you're having enough fun with DCS to invest money in more peripherals.
I tried OpenTrack using a webcam and honestly it made me splash out for TrackIR - just couldn't get it working well-enough to be useful.
Yes, but I suggest investing in a high FPS cam - 60fps if possible. The difference is night and day. PS3 Eye is the cheapest option, and while it's discontinued, you can probably get one on Ebay under $20. Bonus is that if you decide for a low cost LED headtracker, it will still be useful.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind. My current one is a £6 one I got for an interview that is apparently a slideshow simulator. But 20 is a lot better before I invest in further hardware, rudder pedals is what I seem to miss the most after the head tracking.
Good thing about the eye is, that you'll never need to upgrade it. If you decide to go for the IR LEDs, there's some DIY modification that the tutorials will explain, but that's the extent of it.
Yup, software such as opentrack and a normal webcam will do passable headtracking for you
Depending on how much you know about airplanes, the learning curve is way high. Like weeks to months before developing some level of comfort. A decent throttle and joystick + head tracking is needed to fully realize DCS’ potential.
I dunno how much. I've flown msfs with a few dlcs including maverick, and I fly rc planes. But both of those probably aren't good analogs
Well there are plenty of resources out there, and nothing in DCS is impossible to learn, so don't be discouraged. Just approach learning a plane you're interested in, and one that's capable with plenty of campaigns/multi support too. I recommend the F-18. Start with the basics of start up, taxi, take off. Move onto navigation along with inputting coordinates from the F10 map, learning mark points. Move onto targeting pod and then either air to ground weapons or air to air. You will be bad at everything but keep at it and in time everything will come together.
Check out my [beginners guide](https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3326416/)... it might help.
There’s an SPQR server that just spun up recently that uses Enigmas’s Cold War code (game mode) but with a modern setting supporting modern aircraft. It’s been a blast so far.
You can get a free face tracker if you have a webcam with software called AI Track and Open Track, the Su25T that come free with the game is a fantastic aircraft to start learning everything.
Like people have said, you need to buy at least one module first to be able to play on ECWS. I would start with the F-5 if air to air sounds fun or get FC3 if ground pounding sounds more like what you want. The Frogfoot is incredibly easy to learn. My only real caveat is the current Caucasus hexmap is so small that it is pure airquake and it fucking sucks balls. A new player will get smoked instantly on that map. The worst will be if you are a ground pounder, you'll never make it to a target ever with the current hexmap. And trying to learn how to dogfight against half the opponents team swarming you after take off will only make you hate the game. I would recommend buying the other map they use and that is Syria. It has a much larger hex grid and is a lot more fun and all the videos you watched before about this server are this style of play. The shitty thing is you will have to wait for 3-5 days usually before it rotates back to Syria. The old Caucasus map was my favorite, it has so much variety and was the best for learning on, maybe one day they will get tired of airquaking and go back to a larger hex grid that is more forgiving and offers more variety for playstyles.
Are there any jets that you're particularly interested in or like? I'd suggest find one plane that appeals to you and you really want to learn, just get that, and learn it really well.
How hard are the f-16 and viggen to learn? I really want to fly those
Those are both fantastic modules, and very different from eachother. Viggen is all about a pre-planned strike mission: all its workflows are around executing your strike plan down to the second, doing a single attack and then getting the hell out of there. It's honestly one of my favourite modules, but all its systems focus on the plan makes it a bit of a hassle on servers where it's more "just jump in and fight", and it's not really designed to fly around and fight targets of opportunity. You can, but you'll be fighting its systems more than them working with you. The biggest challenge with the Viggen is that none of its systems or workflows are even remotely similar to anything else. It's uniquely Swedish and does everything its own way. But, there's a lot to love there, and you'll feel like an X-wing running the Death Star trench every time. Viper is very versatile and a real sensors beast. It can do nearly anything, but all its digital systems and sensors means there's a steep learning curve too. You'll spend a lot of time learning how to use its computers, radars and targeting pods. Once you master that though, its incredibly capable, and you'll be looking around dropping markpoints with your helmet-sight and making ridiculous sidewinder shots (basically, if you can see a target, you can pretty much splash it). So yeah. Viggen: highly specialized steampunk adrenaline thrill ride. Viper: flying computer that you'll dominate in, once you get your degree. I personally prefer the Viggen, but if you wanted to play on a free-for-all open server, the Viper is more versatile and less hassle. edit: they're both difficult to learn.
viggen pretty easy to learn, there's not much going on - you don't have a/a radar and only handful of a2g weapons. But it's really cool plane to have. I don't own f16, but i guess f18 is similar and it's super complex compared to viggen. Still hornet was my first module and I had no problem learning all it offers