Complete IL2 Great Battles Quickstart Guide

This tutorial guides you through the different IL2 Sturmovik Great Battes by @il2_sturmovik editions, which one to buy, what the differences are, hardware requirements and settings, gear you need or rather: you don't need, basic control configuration, graphics settings and how planes function generally. No prior knowledge necessary.

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Controller bindings:
Left thumbstick: elevator + ailerons
Right thumbstick: camera controls
Triggers: rudder
RB / LB: throttle Up/Down
A: fire guns
B: release bombs
Y: fire rockets
X: map
Start: pause
Select: gear up/down
D-Pad Up: flaps up
D-Pad Down: flaps down
D-Pad Right: right wheel brake
D-Pad Left: left wheel brake

You may have to turn on "rudder assist" and/or "simplified physics"

00:00 Why IL2 is awesome
01:01 Editions overview / what to buy
03:03 Which edition to start with?
03:45 Required gear
05:00 Quick mission builder
05:12 Pilot career
06:51 Campaigns and missions
07:10 Main game settings
08:01 Graphics settings
08:24 Camera settings
08:45 Aviation basics
09:52 Axes to bind
10:05 Engine management
10:32 Best plane to start with

[eimlostkaput]

You nailed it my friend. For a person who loves WWII aircraft and wants to get into flying them in a really nice sim this is about the best one to start of in.

[gregorion]

dear author - we really need updated Hotas Buyers Guide - for 2024.
Old one is from autumn 2023, and a lot has changed since then.
This guide is most popular series on Your channel, it would be reasonable to make updated version of this guide more often (every 6 months).

[Wolfhound]

Some great info there bud, I'v been playing IL2 for some years now but having some issues with Tobii I can't get it to work with IL2 :/

[gregorion]

what do You think about new winwing Ursa Minor HOTAS set (joystick+throttle) ?
Is it worth to buy only for General Aviation (MSFS) ?
Im asking bcs. this Hotas set cost 220eur, it is just like VKB Gladiator joystick only, and 1/3 of VKB full Hotas set. I know that vkb is more advanced, but price difference is huuuuge.

I own Thrustmaster 16k Hotas set without rudder pedals. It is maybe not superb but works ok, especially TWCS throttle with built in rudder function is nice.
Ursa Minor joystick is for sure better than Thrustmaster, no doubt about it.
But....I wonder IF Ursa minor Throttle would be real upgrade instead of Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle?

Or maybe best value set in Your oppinion would be mixed combo: TWCS throttle + Ursa Minor joystick ?

[nicholigetz]

Well now I can take off and fly. All I need to do is learn how to dogfight.

[Ruger]

Yo what pc do you recommend me for il2 sturmworks