Mission Types for Registration
When you register for an event, pick your mission carefully. We prefer you to make the decision as the pilot vs the event leader. Sometimes when people say they will take any role, they are hoping for a certain role. If assigned a role outside their skill level or the one they didn’t really want, it ruins any fun you might have in the sortie. You can always change up until the last call by the event leader.
Your mission waypoints are also located in your in game kneeboard. There is a lot of valuable information in the kneeboards. Your waypoints will get your TPOD looking in the area, but you’ll have to make mark points or use sensors to drop take out targets with precision.
Time on Target (TOT) Rules: DCS Retribution will have kneeboards with your flight information. Your hold waypoint will have a departure time listed. You must wait until that time to pass before pushing to your target to make a kill. This keeps the flow of the mission as we wish for it to proceed. Read the mission types below for which tasks require adherence to TOT rules
Building Strike:
Must follow Time on Target (TOT) See #pilot-info on discord.
Difficulty: Easy - This is meant to be an entry level strike. Perfect for new players or learning pilots. Your targets are enemy infrastructure. The amount of targets vary depending on the target. They are all static objects and will have strike waypoints. They are usually in undefended areas and you’ll be in less danger.
Armor Strike:
Must follow Time on Target (TOT) See below for information.
Difficulty: Medium - A step up in difficulty from the building strike. This is the bread and butter of our events. The majority of targets fall under this strike. Your targets are armor groups and are static. The group will spread out if they are attacked. They can also have embedded AA/SAM/MANPAD threats. You’ll have one waypoint in the area of your target.
SAM Strike:
Must follow Time on Target (TOT) See below for information.
Difficulty: Hard - Only pick this sortie if you have a decent understanding of your aircraft, weapon systems, countermeasures, and enemy SAM capabilities. You may be paired with another pilot to take on larger SAM sites. You’ll have one waypoint in the area of your target. This is not an easy assignment and should not be selected if you’re new to the group or unsure where your skill level is. If you chose this mission type, you may get assigned an Armor Strike on an as needed basis. Most Armor groups have SAM sites embedded with them.
Ship Strike:
Must follow Time on Target (TOT) See below for information.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard - If there are enemy ships to attack, we need volunteers. Medium vessels are easy to get close to and bomb. Larger vessels require knowledge of standoff weapons. You’ll have anti-ship waypoints near your target.
Frontline CAS:
No TOT, fly in and take out the enemy
Difficulty: Medium - Your job is to go search and destroy on the frontlines. You’ll have access to an automated JTAC. It will fire laser (1688) and red smoke on targets. Expect AAA threats on the frontlines mixed with the enemy units. You need to have an understanding of how to find things not marked by waypoints. Situational awareness is key to survival.
Frontline CAP:
No TOT, patrol the front and clear the way for Strike aircraft
Difficulty: Hard - Your job is to provide cover to all units in the area. The enemy AI is usually set to a high difficulty. Their BVR capabilities can be top tier. Even lower tiered units with Fox 2s are difficult. They will hunt down and kill. Friendly AI BARCAP will be in the area for you to retreat to for help. Only select this if you have full knowledge of how to use your A2A weapons and how to go defensive when needed. Know when to stay and fight and know when to run for help.
Air Assault:
No TOT, fly in and land your troops
Difficulty: Hard - Your job is to use the Mi24, Mi8, or Huey to pick up troops with CTLD and take them to the enemy base. You will see blue smoke near the friendly airbase and use the f10 menu to pick up troops. You will see green smoke near the enemy base and use the f10 menu to disembark troops. You don’t have to be on the green smoke, just close, the infantry will run to the center of the base. All red ground units must be dead for capture. Does not count buildings.
GCI: LotAtc
Difficulty: Hard - Your job is to coordinate other players against the enemy. This role is reserved for those who coordinate with us ahead of time. Please message the event leader prior to the event start.
Time on Target Rules
Time on Target (TOT) is the name we used for this specific rule set. It may be misleading so please read.The strike flights listed above must not attack their target until after the departure from hold time. The hold waypoint, listed in your kneeboard, has a departure time. You can’t strike your target before this time. It is usually 20-30 minutes into the mission.
DCS retribution creates custom kneeboards for your flight. Default controls are usually RSHIFT + K to open the kneeboard. This window can be resized and dragged around with your mouse. The bracket keys [ & ] change through the kneeboards. Your name will be at the top of yours. You may see other pilot kneeboards as well. Just keep looking for yours.
Tips:
You can choose to hold at your hold waypoint (which is frequently behind friendly lines) or at your join waypoint (which is less distance than the hold).
Take-off time is optional. It is approximately 18 minutes from mission start. You can take-off early but you can't depart/push from holding early. Just remember to conserve fuel. You can choose to stay on the ground until close to the departure/push time if you need a break. Once the departure/push time has passed, you can strike your target.