DCS Beginners Guide | How To Get Started | Digital Combat Simulator | DCS |

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Processors: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core 3.4GHz (4.9GHz Max Boost)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 AORUS Elite WiFi
Memory: 128GB CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO 3200MHz (4x32GB)
System Cooling: CORSAIR H100i PRO XT RGB
Graphics Cards: NVIDIA 10GB GeForce RTX 3080
Operating System: MS Windows 10 Professional
Operating System Drive: 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus PCIe NVMe
Hard Drive: 2TB Samsung 980 PRO
Power Supply: CORSAIR AX1600i ATX Titanium

Virtual Reality: Pimax 8KX
HeadTracker: Trackir5
Thrustmaster F/A-18C Hornet stick and Warthog Throttle.
Thrustmaster TRP pedals.

On this channel we like to do a lot of dogfighting most videos are some sort of dogfight between 2 different aircraft as we explore their different capabilities. From time to time I like to dabble in Virtual Reality, I think VR is a great new technology and I love to show that stuff off for the channel from time to time.

If you prefer more up close and personal dogfights consider the IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battle series and experience intense WWII aerial combat over famous battlefields such as Stalingrad, Moscow, Rhineland and Normandy. Fight in and against Russian, American, German, British warbirds such as the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, Bf-109, FW-190, Spitfire, Hurricane and rugged IL-2 Sturmovik attack plane. You can also fly legendary SPADS, Fokkers and Camels in WWI dogfights over the trenches of WWI and discover your inner Red Baron! And all of this can be experienced in jaw dropping virtual reality!

If you enjoy war thunder or Microsoft flight simulator 2020 or even dogfighting in Battlefield 2042, consider getting yourself into Digital Combat Simulator by Eagle Dynamics, the Combat side of Aviation with the BVR and Dogfights really provides a different and interesting perspective on aviation. You can fly all kinds of combat aircraft including the F-16, F-15, F-14, JF-17, Su-27, Mig-29, Mirage and the F-18 Hornet along with many other aircraft and helicopters like the Ka-50 and Mi-8.

[GrowlingSidewinder]

Use Code "Growling" at checkout for 10% off ALL ED Modules (does not include preorder products)
Hope you guys enjoyed the video and found it helpful to get started on your journey into DCS, can't wait to see you guys flying over the virtual skies of DCS soon, if there were any questions I missed please comment them below I will attempt to answer them to the best of my ability, thank you watching.

[rhysgoodman]

Just a note:

When GS says “a few days” in regards to learning an aircraft, he means a few days in hours. An hour session for 4 days won’t get you anywhere. 2 days worth of *play time* (48 hours), is more of a realistic expectation.

[earthspace]

I recently got FC3, have around 50 hours in so far, great fun, I love the F-15C. Watching your videos has been the inspiration to get into DCS.

[JPROP-vbsv]

About 2 years ago this channel randomly came across my youtube feed.
2 years later, I think I've spent close to 5 grand between my computer, hotas, and aircraft.
I don't regret a single penny

[barrylucas]

Can't thank you enough for this content. As a beginner this is invaluable. Coming across your sight inspired me to give DCS a try. PS; you and Longshot throwing those python missiles around like the three stooges in a pie fight almost made me blow hot coffee through my nose. Keep up the good work.

[christopher]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS. I am a former aviator (commercial) who wants to try my hand at DCS but I didn't have a clue where to start.

[oilslick]

6:09 One thing I found very useful and one that is unique to DCS compared to IL-2 and others, is the ability to assign custom modifiers. This means you are not limited to the usual shift, ctrl, alt, etc. on your keyboard to make more bindings (e.g. 'G' to raise gear and 'SHIFT + G' to lower it, ) but you can use buttons on your (cheap) HOTAS as well. I have now assigned the trigger on my T.16000 joystick to be a modifier. This allows me to use ALL other buttons on my HOTAS a second time. You still need to develop muscle memory, but this way is so much more natural and easier than having to remember which 'ALT' key to push together with which letter. You can make more intuitive flows around button groupings for certain systems. This is especially true when you play birds without fully clickable cockpits like the FC3 modules.

[gaz_]

Growling has always been helpful, I asked him multiple times about the F-16 and he responded just in minutes, Great !

[harryjones]

Hey man, I have been loving the content recently. I used to play DCS but my PC is now not really good enough and my X 52 hotas broke. I loved flying the F15C and the SU25. Gonna be a while until I can afford to get back on the game so keep making awesome content to keep my itch well and truly scratched.

[chrismaverick]

As a long-time DCS guy (original KA-50 on DVD) I will say you have covered things very well. I would add that if you are asking TrackIR vs VR, also think about motion sickness. If you're prone to easy motion sickness like myself, VR might not be the best option in DCS. TrackIR is very much a legitimate option for keeping eyes-on the enemy when set up right. I've never had any trace of motion sickness from TrackIR due to the constant grounding in space provided by 2D. At worst, learning to keep your head stable long enough for fine clicks on buttons can cause a stiff-neck at first.
On the other hand, some of the guys I know like to get a new VR guy in the RIO seat and take them up for flat-spin recovery practice. No really, they're great guys. :D

[ryanh]

This answered A LOT thank you for this vid it’s short, to the point, and just what I needed

[SGTJackMorgan]

First off, you always have some of the most brilliant content to watch, hours and hours of entertainment to enjoy.
Secondly, thanks for putting this out, I myself am a space simmer but have wanted to dive into DCS for a very long time with the only thing currently holding me back being getting a throttle and rudder pedals since I run dual sticks for space games.
Keep up the fantastic work!

[ek]

For any beginners out there wondering on the broad ranges of HOTAs, I have a T Flight HOTAS 4 which is maybe $125 to $175 depending on where you get it. I've had it for nearly two years and my experience is great! Also got the rudder pedals that are made by Thrustmaster to connect directly with the HOTAS system. If you want reasonable prices but a true HOTAS and pedal combo, I say go for that one.

[ScottyMcYachty]

Great stuff, GS! Thank you.
The most frustrating part of DCS for me has been the in-game F-18 tutorial. But your videos make me want to put in the time.

[Benkidgamer]

This video was really helpful! It really answered all my questions before i jumped into DCS! I had purchased a HOTAS a while ago but really didn’t use it because i had no idea what to do and felt stuck. I recently got a VR headset and was debating coming back, and this video really brought me back into the community! Thanks so much!

[jfiery]

Trackir was the biggest game changer for me. It's invaluable. Then again I never tried it without at least a very cheap HOTAS (Thrustmaster 4). Now I just have a relatively cheap x52 for extra buttons to bind.

[JacobSCCHU]

Hey, good video, i agree on basically everything you stated. I would also add that you can test fly every module (individually) for 14 days every 6 months (if i am not mistaken). So before bying anything you can see for yourself what you can expect, and also gain some experience for free if buying a module is not feasable for you right now.

[Xeemix]

The thing about being passionate for the aircraft is absolutely true, I was on the fence between the MiG-21 and the Mirage being my first module. I really really loved the MiG, it was the jet aircraft that got me *into* jet aircraft, but I was convinced to get the Mirage over the MiG as a first timer and ended up not enjoying my time. The trial license system came out for DCS months later and as soon as I got a chance to get into the air with the MiG-21I was in love and having so much fun. Despite now owning and enjoying the JF-17 today I still fly the MiG-21 regularly and have gotten a passion for flying the JF-17 as well.

[chrisinstasis]

This is the first ever Growling Sidewinder video I've watched and Jesus that couple of seconds intro audio gave me the chills.

[gandalfhyperdrive]

Perfect timing. Il-2 player looking to start playing dcs seriously. Been following you for ages and the quality of you content is fantastic. Hope to see you on your server when I'm ready for pvp.