Blood Red Skies: How to - Opening shot

 

The aircrafts with the great firepower especially those with the guns concentrated in the nose could be very deadly for the opponent as most of the lead land exactly in the target. The Heavy Hitters are most efficient at point blank but can also try their luck at long distances.

The Opening shot is interesting doctrine which is combined with Heavy Hitter trait. It helps to grab your opponent farer (from 12") that he can, so it works well during head on fighting. As the doctrine is coupled with Heavy Hitter it could work well with British: Tempest, Typhoon, Meteor, Mosquito, Whirlwind, Hurricane IIc, Beaufighter, Firefly, US: Lighting, Aircobra, Black Widow, German Bf109K, Bf110, Me410, Me 163, Me 262, Ju88c, Japaneese: Raiden, Shiden Kai, Toryu, Soviet, Łagg3, JAk7b.

How to play with Opening Shot?

Opening shot gives great opportunity for the ... opening the game. That's why it will works well if you will have an initiative (speed and altitude advantage) to decide where and when the battle begins. So you can consider:

• Choose high speed fighter to aproach fast to your opponent
• Let your aircraft will be best armed one with FP at least 2, optimal 3 (i.e. Rocket equipment card double your firepower during 1st attack, Gun packs increase your FP by +1 permanently)
  
• Raise your chances of being Advantaged (i.e. Radar Support theatre card)
• Grab your opponent with outmaneuvering from a far (i.e. Eagle Eyes ace skill)
• Be able to run after the hit (Great diving aircraft will give you advantage)
• You need Clear Skies :)

 

In my opinion one of the best candidates for Opening Shot executors would be Hawker Tempest as it combines all features: high speed (9), good firepower (2) that could be risen, Heavy Hitter (bonus trait) and Grat Dive (for escaping) trait.

 

How to deal against Opening Shot? 

• The clouds are your best friend try to hide behind them 
• Try to keep initiative (with faster aircrafts)
• Keep Advantage! 
  
• Do not let you down. Support your pilots with Mother Hen or choose Vertical Separation doctrine to avoid being outmaneuvred, the Poor visibility will protect you from Eagle Eyed ace
  
• Try to engage your opponent into turning fight
• If he using Rockets try to use Interdicted Theatre card