VTOL VR (VR Game)

This game is updated regularly which could render this page outdated.

The purpose of this page is to provide guidance on things specific to VTOLVR. In Multiplayer I've seen many players who clearly have a basic understanding of Aircraft in general, but not of things specific to VTOLVR.

VTOL VR is often described as a "Sim-lite" combat flight game which features realistic flight physics and a detailed damage model, fairly high fedelity weapons systems, and simplified Aircraft operations.

Despite what some would say, I'd argue VTOL VR is closer to a sim than not. Aircraft setup proceedures are simplified - there's no advanced controls for fuel flow, IFF, light modes, or the radio, with most of that being fully automated. However weapons systems operate largely like the real thing with only some setup processes being skipped, like time out delays or missile boresighting.

Controls

The main selling point of VTOL VR is the controls - unlike most flight sims the controls are motion based via standard VR controllers. The lack of physical HOTAS can seem very strange at first but you get used to it suprisingly quickly, thanks largely to the impressive accuracy of modern VR setups, especially those with outside in tracking.

There are no keybinds. You use the controllers to grab the various controls and move them around, or to press buttons. The only traditional keybinds are for buttons on the stick/throttle - things like countermeasures and cursor slew. Since the game has to be compatible with the vive, you do lack HOTAS controls since the vive controllers only have a touchpad, a trigger and a button. You end up with SOI swap (and VTOL if applicable), countermeasures and brakes on the throttle, and SOI slew, weapon select and weapons release/trigger on the stick.

Mission types

There are various types of missions/objectives that different Aircraft are suited for. For most mission types there are multiple appropriate choices and the best one depends on specific circumstances.

Escort

Most A-A combat occurs near an objective. As such, most outfit their Aircraft with some A-A weapons even if they're doing A-G. In an ideal world they'd carry the bare minimum and allow someone else to protect them - that is an Escort's job. You will generally want to fly ahead so you encounter enemy Aircraft first.

Recommendations:
  • F/A-26 with 6 AIRS-Ts, a central drop tank, and AIM-120s on every other hardpoint
  • F-45 with AIM-120s and AIM-9s - minimize external weapons if stealth is required

Sweep

If there are a large number of enemy Aircraft where you don't want them to be you perform a sweep of the area which is basically a fancy term for going to said area and killing them.

Recommendations:
  • F/A-26 with 6 AIRS-Ts, a central drop tank, and AIM-120s on every other hardpoint
  • F-45 with internal AIM-9s and maximum AIM-120s
  • EW-24 with 2 EW pods, 4 AIM-54s, and 4 AIM-120s - can engage at longer range than any other Aircraft with AIM-54s. Can support with EW

Strike

Most objectives involve blowing up many stationary targets in an area - that's a Strike. Recommendations:

  • F/A-26 with 6 AGM-65s - good for high risk targets, 2-6 GBU-38s - good for armoured targets, central drop tank, TGP, 4 AIRS-Ts, AIM-120s on other hardpoints
  • F-45 with 12 AGM-145s, and internal A-A. Excellent for large numbers of unarmoured targets.
  • F/A-26 with 6 AGM-65s,

    Notes

    • 06/11/2024 - Page populated.
    • 04/12/2024 - Strategy section added.

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