Blood Red Skies, How to - Vertical Separation

 

Strong climbing aircraft abilities give an additional advantage to avoid Outmaneuvre attempt. Vertical separation is an interesting option for the fighters with Great Climb trait.  

Vertical Separation is a defensive doctrine preventing Outmaneuvre attempts due to raise Pilot Skill by 2. As the doctrine is coupled with Great Climb trait the player can use the trait card to utilize text from doctrine card. 

This doctrine is a great option for the squadrons consist of less advantaged pilots to prevent them from being outmaneouvered too easily. Dedicated for this doctrine are fighters with a Great Climb trait as German Bf109, British late war Spitfires, Mosquitos, American P38E, Japaneese J2M, Ki44, Ki84, Ki100, Italian Re.2005, G.55, Soviet Ła7.

 

As the doctrine remain available after successful Maneouvre test it can be also used by the squadron consist of more expensive planes as P51D, Tempest, Whirlwind, Thinderbolt, Fw190D, or even Me262.

How to play with Vertical Separation?

As the card preventing from outmaneuvering attempts by enemy, the player can focus on his main objective: inflicting the boom chits to the opponent. Even if the doctrine is chosen for the aircraft without Great Climb trait the player can try to remain the card by making maneouvre tests. To raise his chances it is useful to have at hand a Mother Hen as an ace skill (+2 modifier for the Maneouvre tests).

I would say that Vertical Separation is a deadly option for the squadrons of Agile multiengine fighters (Mosquito, Bf110, P38J, Ki45) especially while optional Heavy Fighter rule is chosen. As the shooting at these very expensive fighters are possible only from above, the preventing from Outmaneuvering is a great advantage.

How to deal against Vertical Separation squadrons?

• as the outmaneuvering is become difficult you need to focus on pulling down the enemies by tailing them so ...
• try to find the way to the enemy's rear by using High cover or repositioning (i.e. Control Room).
  
• choose the least skilled enemy plane and focus your fire on it 
• choose opposite working doctrine (High Altiture Performance) is also a good option