Prima Guide:

Blazing Angels Multiplayer Tips

Take your Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, game further with these exclusive tips from Prima Strategy Guides.

Choosing the Right Plane
In every multiplayer game, you'll find yourself fighting against enemy pilots trying to shoot you down. Picking the right plane for the job is key. Because there are over 40 planes to choose from, and each has individual strengths and weaknesses, the type of plane you want will depend on your role. If you are going on a bombing missions, high speed and a lot of hit points will get you to your target quickly and intact. The Beaufighter, SBD Dauntless, and TBM-3 Avenger are great choices for the Allies; the B5N2 Kate is the best choice for the Axis, even though it is sadly inferior to most of the Ally bombers. When choosing a plane for a dogfighting mission, however, you'll want to look at agility and firepower first, and then hit points. The higher your agility rating, the tighter your turns will be. Higher firepower will make your shots count for more damage, and if you're not staying on top of your opponent, the more hit points you have, the longer you'll stay alive. The best Allied fighters in these combined categories are the Meteor, Seafire, Spitfire V, and Spitfire IX. When flying as the Axis, go for the Fw 190 A or Fw 190 D.

Dogfighting
During a dogfight, you must maintain situational awareness, whether you're in a duel against a single enemy or in a fur ball with lots of planes on each side. In addition to watching your target, you also have to watch your altitude. Nothing is more embarrassing during a multiplayer game than auguring into the ground. When there are multiple enemies in the air, keep track of where they are all located. It is very easy to get tunnel vision as you concentrate on a specific target. While holding down the target camera view, press the next target button to cycle through the enemies to check if any are on your tail. If one is, make that enemy your target and maneuver away so you don't get shot down. Failing to check your six is a common mistake made by green pilots.

Rockets
Some planes are armed with rockets in addition to their machine guns and cannons. These rockets are dumb and only fly straight ahead. However, a hit will almost always bring down another plane, even if it's undamaged. Rockets also have a longer range than guns, but the trick is to hit your target. If you have rockets, fire them in volleys rather than individually. When flying directly at an enemy who is flying straight at you, let loose while aiming at the target. When chasing a maneuvering enemy, aim ahead of where you think the enemy plane is heading, trying to get your rockets there to meet it. This takes practice, and your chances will dramatically improve by firing volleys. If you are up against an enemy armed with rockets, do not go head-to-head with him, and never fly straight. You must keep maneuvering to make yourself harder to hit. Stay to the side or behind the enemy so the pilot can't bring his rockets to bear.

Controlling the Base Games
These games require teamwork. While you get points for shooting down enemy planes, to win you must control the bases. Neutral bases only require a single landed plane to take control. Controlled bases require one plane to land to turn it neutral, then another plane to convert it to your control. In games where there are carriers, go for the land bases first because they are easier to land on and take off from. Make neutral bases your priority targets because they are easier to capture. While one player lands and takes control of a base, a wingman should be flying cover. If taking control of an enemy base, follow the neutral strategy, then have the planes switch places, so the wingman converts the now neutral base to controlled, while the other pilot flies cover. Once you have more bases than your opponent, don't get greedy, simply defend the ones you have from your enemies.

Kamikaze and Bombing Runs
The best way to win these type of matches is teamwork. When playing as a kamikaze attacker, keep your team together and approach the enemy target at high enough altitude to avoid AA fire. Dive as a group to hit the target, spreading apart enough so that some pilots are assured of getting through. In defending against a kamikaze run, stay communicating with your teammates and pick individual target, forming a kind of man-to-man defense. Bombing missions should be approached in a similar way, except that both teams have a target to attack and to defend. If you have a gutsy team, try all taking bombers and flying in a group to attack the enemy target. The target you are to defend will be left wide open, but you'll be carrying a lot more firepower to your target, putting your team far ahead of your opponent.

For tons more tips on all the other aspects of Blazing Angels, from single player campaigns to individual plane statistics, pick up the Angels Prima Strategy Guide.