Blood Red Skies: How to - High Altitude Performance

 

As the bonus doctrines for turning fighters are rather straightforward and easy to deal with, doctrines for energy fighters seem to be more complicated. Let's start with High Altitude Performance (HAP) doctrine which is coupled with Great Climb Trait.

HAP is a kind of offensive card that helps to Outmaneouvre opponent with a special bonus for this action. Using High Altitude Performance bonus, the player can Outmaneuvre automatically by the pilot with the skill 1PS lower than the opponent, i.e. Own regular pilot (PS3) using HAP gain (3+2=5) value and could automatically Outmaneouvre even Veteran opponent. 

It means that using HAP, player can expand his force by choosing more less skilled pilots and as a result Outnumber the opponent.

The doctrine sounds very reasonable but ... you need to remember that:

1. the bonus works ONLY in the offensive way (you are not immune for enemy outmaneuvering attempts)
2. you have to be Advantaged, so there is no way for the surprising attack (being Advantaged during Pilot Action segment means that you cannot use dive action during the movement) 
   

Which planes fit best to High Altitude Performance?

 As the HAP is a bonus card for the Great Climb it is considerable option for the German Bf109 (all versions), Me163 Komet, British: late war Spitfire Mk IX, Mk XIV, Mosquito, Soviet: Ła7, Japaneese: Ki44 Shoki, Ki61 Hien, Ki84 Hayate, Ki100 Goshikisen, J2M Raiden, US: P38E, Lighting, P47N Thunderbolt, Italian: Re.2005 Sagitario, G.55 Centauro.

How to play with High Altitude Performance?

• Speed is your friend. Being faster you could have an initiative (in terms of activation) and can approach fast to the enemy
• HAP don't like clouds, try to establish battlegrount as far as possible from the clouds.
• try to keep at least one of your element in the High Cover.  It would help to utilize the card
• spare Great Climb cards use during opponent activation while he is trying to Climb
  
• try to avoid being outmaneouvered using equipment (Malcolm Hood) or ace ability (Mother Hen)
  

In my opinion Great Climb fits best to Me163. As a rocket fighter it has a great opportunity to finish its move as an Advantaged, and as one of the fastest fighters it can approach quickly to the enemy and ulilize the HAP text.

How to deal against High Altitude Performance?

• Calculate interval from the enemy to achieve Outmaneuvering distance during YOUR activation (to pull opponent down).
  
• Pull opponent down to at least Neutral position it will prevent from HAP action
  
• Keep in mind that you CAN dive to gain Outmaneouvre attempt while your opponent CANNOT (if he is planning to use HAP)
  
• Clouds are your best friends. Use them to hide from the enemy or to gain the tailing position
  
• If you are aware the opponent will play HAP, use Vertical Separation doctrine which works the same as HAP but in the defending way.
• Use weather cards: Poor Visibility and BA Weather help you to deal against HAP.