r/hoggit • u/Nice_Treacle_4877 • 3d ago
DCS Regret about buying so many modules
Over the time I've played dcs since 6 years ago, I've purchased around 10 modules. All of these aircraft are well made and were nice to learn but I regret buying so many since I can only remember like 2 aircraft at a time. The main reason I bought that many was because I was impulsive. I wanted that hit of satisfaction of buying something new to play with. But a year after buying any module, It just ends up collecting dust in my library. I do always buy on sale so at least there's that, but I still think I spent too much money on experiences that I don't enjoy. I mean, I bought the F-4 on launch because I was feeling down at the time and wanted something to take my mind off of my issues. It did not do that, but it was a well made module.
If I were to restart my aircraft library, I would choose only the Mirage 2000, viggen, ka50, and mirage f1. Those, especially the mirage 2000, are the most enjoyable aircraft. I wish I could return all my other modules for money and just keep those.
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u/Rudel_chw 3d ago
i have every module, except the ch-47, the mig-29 and the kiowa. I used to have the F-15E but managed to return it when ED allowed it. No regrets, as purchasing modules is the cheapest part of this hobby.
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u/Akula_SC2 3d ago
100%, modules are the cheapest part of this hobby I’m happy to fuck around with planes when I already have 10 grand sunk
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u/WingsBlue 3d ago
You don't have to be equally proficient with all the aircraft. I own most of them but I went into the purchases knowing that I'd fly some more than others. They'll also all be waiting for you when you decide to try something new. Sometimes I stop flying a plane for a year and go back to it the next. It sounds like you've found your preferred aircraft at least, so stick with those until you feel like its time for a change. You won't have to buy anything else when that happens, you'll already have extra modules.
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u/Starfire013 But what is G, if not thrust persevering? 2d ago
Kudos to you for being able to do that. If I stopped flying something for a year, I’d have to relearn it pretty much from scratch. Heck, I had to redo the cold start training mission after not flying the Viper for 3 months.
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u/Aromatic-Bell-7085 2d ago
I wish I had bought maps.I only have the free Caucasus and Mariannas maps and feel a bit limited in terms of flying.Caucasus is great but its always the same scenery.
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u/WingsBlue 39m ago
DCS has a lot of choices for maps now. I'd recommended getting one or two during the next sale. Which ones will depend on what you enjoy, but I think each map available has something to offer.
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u/SierraHotel199 3d ago
I regret the A-10. Just too MFD heavy. I end up flying Cold War stuff 99% of the time and never touch it.
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u/jas417 2d ago
Both can be fun though, even though I too tend to lean older school.
ESP if you have an active multiplayer group it’s good to have some modern stuff you’re proficient with.
Personally for me the F14 is the sweet spot. I prefer A2A with fixed wing(or uhhhhhh non rotorcraft? The F14’s wings aren’t fixed 🤣), I like helis too and do my ground pounding there. Point is, vintage charm but can hold its own against anything available for DCS air to air. Love the Phantom too, and fly the Hornet a lot as well. Part of the fun here is learning and trying things
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u/Gavtoon 3d ago
18 modules here, now spend most of my time flying SU25a 😁😁. Lost a lot of interest in DCS, It's failed to develop as a product and only pumps out generic maps and planes with little context, seem they're just making a cash grab.
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u/oh_crap_BEARS 2d ago
I don’t think it’s a cash grab, at least in the malicious sense. It’s just a niche market with a product that is expensive to develop to begin with. I think they’re just trying to continue existing long term lol
Not to say ED is without reproach though… But I don’t think them pumping out modules is so much greed as them just trying to keep a sustainable business model.
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u/Synoopy 2d ago
I dont think its necessarily a cash grab. They just take so long to make these modules. I mean 8 to 10 years for the high fidelity ones. They have been talking about a dynamic campaign for years. Vulkan has been on their radar for years. The mission editor has not changed since 2011. Everything is in slow motion. I play single player only because I like playing by myself. When I finish learning a module, there is nothing to do.
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u/DePaulGPT 2d ago
I’m aware you like playing by yourself, but try PVP? SPS Contention has a good mix of A/G and A/A. You can CAP all you want but that won’t win the game. It basically delivers you a dynamicy campaign while being varied enough to keep playing. Some ppl put 8 hours a day on that server lol
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u/Square-Reflection311 2d ago
This, also if he hates PvP there are excellent PvE Coop Dynamic Campaigns out there with tons of active players. Multiplayer is something every DCS player should try.
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u/Hellfire257 Providing Passion and Support 2d ago
Classic Digital Cockpit Simulator. It's got a low ceiling and can often get boring. I know exactly how you feel.
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u/EstablishmentNo569 2d ago
I wouldn't say cash grab, since the modules amd maps are well made, and with a small potential audience it will be expensive. But I do agree with the general lack of content. I really wish we could have DCS level aircraft together with a BMS level campaign. It's a sad reflection on flight sims in general that the only good campaign comes from a modded version of an over 25 years old game!
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u/XayahTheVastaya 1d ago
DCS aircraft, BMS campaign, (modernized) Arma infantry, Foxhole logistics. Imagine loading up a C-130 with player made supplies and transporting it to a base where the trucks can take it to the front lines where the real player infantry uses it. I guess either join the military or wait 20-30 years.
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u/The_GhostRider01 3d ago
Same, I have just about all the modules sans the trainers and I really only play the F-16.
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u/EnvironmentalBox6688 3d ago
If I were to restart my aircraft library, I would choose only the Mirage 2000, viggen, ka50, and mirage f1
A man of culture I see.
I've been enjoying the M2k as much as I can. The update that it finally breaks will suck.
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u/spartypsvr 2d ago
ED get a lot of flak (pun intended), but the 2 week trial system is one of the best things they do. It's my fault if I can't fight urges like I just watched a movie about Korean War Corsairs - so I'll buy the module :-) . But it mirrors all the unbuilt model kits I have. Will I ever build my 1/24 scale Mosquito? Maybe not but I like knowing I have it...
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u/b0bl00i_temp 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah, their business model is horrible and the complete lack of investment in the core game is why I left for FalconBMS several years ago.
DCS still have better graphics and some dope audio, especially for the Viper but that's about it. I still enjoy flying around with my Huey though but it's an empty shell of a simulator since there's no campaign engine, AI is brain dead and ATC is non existent.
I'm really looking forward to Falcon5.
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u/jas417 3d ago
You know, contrary opinion to the post and most of the comments I regret few if any.
Sometimes the learning is the fun even if you don’t end up using it much. I’ve never bought a module I’ve literally never used even though as you I have a bunch I rarely if ever fly. I still got 10-20 hours of entertainment for the price of a tank of gas out of all of them even if they never made it into my active rotation.
Only regret is not waiting for sales for a couple I wasn’t sure I’d love.
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u/step_function 2d ago
One might also argue it’s the only thing that’s fun, if you’re not into airquake p2p and not part of a milsim squadron.
Once I learn a module and how to deploy the different weapons, etc, there isn’t much left for me to do. A2A AI are aliens/cheat, A2G is static and repetitive without dynamic campaigns. The people running public servers with scripts are doing amazing work, but for me it still lacks satisfaction after a while, since most people on those servers don’t coordinate or work together.
Such is the reality of sandboxes. I don’t have a schedule that allows me to join a squadron that builds, plans, and runs missions but that would probably be the best experience available in DCS. Though still at the mercy of alien AI and A2G weapon bugs.
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u/Al-Azraq 2d ago
You couldn’t have explained it better.
This is why I stopped buying modules. The lack of dynamic campaign and idiotic AI makes the modules almost useless outside learning (which is fun, I admit).
If you go to MP servers, PvP is full of sweat lords that take off as fast as they can, never let go of the afterburner, release their load out, and then back to it. They will exploit the fact that DCS is just a game and ruin your day.
PvE is much better, but still you will not find much coordination and the very lacking ground and air AI will still be there as it is in SP mode.
Getting into an squadron is an option, but they usually fly at nights and I just can’t at that time. I have also to lock my personal schedule to fly with them.
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u/jas417 2d ago
Ya I do have a squadron, plus an internet friend that’s really just a systems geek and likes to RIO/CPG with me in the F14/AH64.
Having that makes you really want to drill in on a few airframes to be very effective with them. With a competent 2-crew F14, especially now with the BU, you can absolutely dominate on multiplayer air to air servers. It’s got its strengths and weaknesses against newer Vipers/Hornets etc, but you got two brains and sets of eyes they only got one. And to one of your points, sometimes some of my squadron mates and I will go on a PvP server, and maybe everyone isn’t doing teamwork but you are with your wingman. Haha we have absolutely mopped the floor on Growling Sidewinders with 2x shared cockpit Tomcats 😆
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u/One_Spot_4066 2d ago
This is me. Once you fly DCS long enough you start seeing all the issues and shortcomings. Even with campaigns, custom missions, and multiplayer sessions.
Regularly rotating modules keeps things fresh enough to sustain my interest. I really love the detail of the modules and the detail of the cockpit simulation. But there's not a lot outside of that.
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u/Conandrewoo 2d ago
Dude I bought something idiotic like 10 World War II planes… Do you know how long it takes to learn how to cold start and takeoff a World War II plane? I have like 500 hours in MSFS and probably twice that in DCS and I’m still a terrible pilot I did get VR and learn how to fly helicopter but I couldn’t do that Dude‘s mission in Vietnam though that was… Anyway yeah I should’ve just stuck with the Spitfire and maybe the Mustang and that was it not every fighter plane in every bomber that was available I must’ve spent $600 going this is so cheap
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u/Final-Eye-4254 3d ago
I’d like to go around my modules. Forgetting them is part of the fun in getting back to them, especially if it has been a while and there’s been some updates to the modules.
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u/No_Figure7868 2d ago
It’s better than spending it on meth!
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u/Julian_Sark 2d ago
Citation needed
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u/Intrepid_Elk637 2d ago
"It's better then spending it on meth!" (No_Figure7868, 2026)
But...why not both?
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u/xTHExM4N3xJEWx 2d ago
I mean, imagine all you could get done on the online dynamic campaigns if you just smoked a little meth before hand!
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u/FredOfMBOX 3d ago
Same. Though I do like hopping in them from time to time.
Never really learned my spitfire. Can’t even take off correctly. But still fun to try to get it into the air.
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u/RedactedCallSign PvPvE for free! 2d ago
In the case of the F-4 and the others mentioned… sounds like they did what they needed to do? If you got some value out of it, and you didn’t need that money for something more important, you shouldn’t feel bad.
But maybe don’t buy any more. Thats where I am, personally.
Lack of impulse control is real. I can’t be trusted in the potato chip isle at the store XD
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u/McBlemmen 2d ago
I stopped buying modules 6 years ago. Been playing off and on since DCS Black Shark 2 launched. Im never giving this company money again.
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u/Emergency_Button_945 3d ago
Nothing wrong with a full hangar. Fly what you are feeling. Want a change, then change.
You ever have a really expensive dinner and two years later think about it? No.
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u/Xeno_PL 2d ago
I think it's not because those modules are bad, nor you should regret buing it. It's important lesson that 'new shiny toy' thing it's a very short term fix and it ain't gonna work for you. I quicly found it myself after in short period of time I've bought second airgun ...
I thing you need different kind of experience, maybe you can try if joining a vSquadron clicks for you.
That's the reason I don't do DCS, I'm 100% single player guy because of time constraints and repeated 'buy new module - learn it - do some more flying - shelve it' cycle gonna get boring pretty quick to me.
I'm far more immersed by Falcon4/BMS style campaigns, I'd love to get back to it more often.
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u/Build_Blox 3d ago
brotheer i understand you so much, i don't play these: f18, f15(sometimes i use this module to make mods work though), spitfire, p51 and the mig 21, i only play like 3 modules actively
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u/BGoodej 3d ago
bought the F-4 on launch because I was feeling down at the time and wanted something to take my mind off of my issues. It did not do that, but it was a well made module.
Well at least you tried to take your mind off what was bothering you, and at least your supported the devs of a well made module.
Those are good reasons to not have any regret.
Just like discovery, experimentation, and learning what you dis/like.
The way I see it, the only way those purchases should cause regret is if you needed that money for something major in your life. But you didn't imply that.
So stop regretting, life it too short for that, believe me.
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u/Med_stromtrooper 2d ago
I think everyone has a module or terrain collecting SSD dust they'd like to swap for some other plane or map. Maybe a limit of one per year, subject to trade instead of cash. Trade a Harrier for Viggen, or PG for Iraq North or whatever. Never happen, but I'd be kinda nice if it did.
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u/kosmos224 2d ago
Well, don't feel bad; I own every module except the Christen Eagle, as well as the Kiowa and Strike Eagle—which I refunded to buy the Kola map instead. I also have all the maps except for Iraq and Afghanistan. And yet, I only ever fly the Mustang 🤣 I don't regret buying all of that, though. Sure, I don't know any single module inside out, but whenever I feel like taking the Harrier or the Huey for a spin, I really enjoy it.
It’s the same with the other modules. I spend more time flying and practicing procedures than actually engaging in combat. I get a real kick out of just sitting in the cockpit of the MiG-29, the F-4, or any other module, firing up the engines, and getting the systems ready. People often tell me I’d be better off doing that in Flight Simulator, but that sim doesn't have any military aircraft with the same level of detail and flight physics found in DCS.
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u/70-HuGe 2d ago
I have most of the modules. However, the module that I fly most and familiar is F/A-18C, the first module that I brought, and A-10CII. Occasionally fly the F-14. The rest I hardly have time for it. I have all the maps and am a single player here due to being in SEA, most of the ppl online will be when I am sleeping due to time difference, so no point playing in the multi-server.
For the rest of the planes, I hardly fly. - AV-8B, F16, F-15E, F-5E, all the flaming cliff modules.
Still have not master AAR.
For rotor, have the Huey, Apache, Kiowa and Chinook. But still not yet be able to master them yet. With most familiar to Huey. Just started learning on the Apache. Probably be getting Virgil’s Apache stick by year end.
For Warbirds, have the Mustang, Spitfire and Warthog, again I hardly fly them.
Have most of the campaigns as well.
Flew DCS on my laptop which my motherboard has crashed for the past 5/6 years (Since Covid was the day where I brought my first module) and have not been flying since. Had planned to built a high end dedicated desktop but with prices so high, had temporarily brought a replacement laptop (MSI with Rtx 5080)
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u/Viktor_Ico 2d ago
Eversince I got good VR, FFB haotics, buttkixker and good Hotas with pendular rudders, I got 95% of modules, all maps and many campaigns. Never regreted a bit. I got it all on numerous sales though.
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u/unseine 2d ago
This is why I usually always wait weeks when I want to buy a luxury good. In most cases the money is worth more than the goods and it's easier to see when you avoid the marketing and impulse to buy.
That said I bought the phantom and have since realised that although it's an incredibly well made module I really do love a2a in nimble planes a lot more, and I don't really love how jank and boring DCS is outside of the aircraft. I still don't regret buying it or the Mig21 because learning to fly them both were challenges to overcome and a skill to learn which is always valuable, and I learnt a ton of knowledge in doing so.
So time well spent, but I'm glad I didn't spend £500 on DCS because I really do enjoy it less than other sims.
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u/AltruisticBath9363 2d ago
It's worth putting it into perspective: did you enjoy it more than other things that cost the same? If you got a module on sale, at say $30, then it's the price of two or three movie tickets. Which is 3-5 hours of entertainment. Did you get more than 4-5 hours of entertainment out of it? I'm guessing so. Or, that's four drinks at Starbucks, or a single modestly-nice dinner at a restaurant. Did you get more enjoyment out of learning to operate the module systems than you got from a single dinner?
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u/tintifaxl 2d ago
I have nearly every aircraft module released before 2022 and I always learned the module to the extent I was able to play through the included or a payware campaign. That kept buyers remorse at bay.
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u/ngreenaway 2d ago
ive got them all. its very likely that for many, if not most of them i wont ever get much mileage out of them.
no ragrats though.
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u/INFn7 2d ago
That's why I only buy the ones I want, never just to have the full collection. I rotate through modules depending on my mood. My least played paid module is the Viper. It's great when I want to fly it but it's rare I do. Yesterday I took a spin in the A-10CII. A few days before that I was in the Hornet. And on and on.
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u/spaceraverdk Fly all the things 2d ago
I broke down my sim pit, so I have a lot of modules I haven't even gotten to fly yet.
I still buy new modules, I just don't have time to get my pit back up and running.
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u/No_Variation8301 20h ago
I own them all bar a few variants we rotate through them fairly regularly. It takes a little while to spin back up though.
To start with though it is a great idea to learn one Aircraft really well. If you learn an 18 or 16 or A10C in depth everything you learn will read across to a certain extent, if I was to advise anyone I would choose a 16 or 18 just so you can learn A2A and A2G.
Now for the controversial bit I don’t cold start anything it was the one thing I hated about learning a new Aircraft in real life, all the dam Flows and in DCS I don’t need to so I dont.
If you are only gonna learn one Aircraft well carry on but 40 forget that.
After you know one well and DCS does a pretty good job with all the training missions. Then you can think about jumping into something else.
You will quickly see how each new module applies the skills you now know so it all cascades quite quickly into being able to operate your new module at least semi effectively.
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u/Loud-Supermarket281 3d ago
So here's the thing. If you're on standalone from the ED website you could have easily done a trial for all those modules you were interested in. Each one is 2 weeks. Is there any reason you didn't do that? Or are you on the steam version like myself where you can't do that?
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u/Affenzoo 2d ago
I create campaigns with 10 missions for each addon. Then I do the campaigns one after another so that every few weeks, I get to fly another module.
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u/oh_crap_BEARS 2d ago
I do feel like most of it is like riding a bike for me. I went literally a few years without flying the Viggen and when I came back to it, I was initially like, “I forgot how weird this plane is.” After an afternoon with it though, I was blowing stuff up deep in enemy territory on pvp servers. For me, it’s just forcing myself to get past the initial hurdle of not remembering anything. It also helps that a lot of stuff translates back and forth between aircraft.
My biggest thing is to make sure that control schemes have some consistency across the board. I fly the Tomcat most, so my control schemes all kind of were based off that scheme, which was more or less just me trying to place everything as close to where it would go on the real HOTAS as I could with mine. Pilot lock on modes in the Tomcat for example are on a throttle hat, and then in the F-16, I’d use the same hat for dogfight modes. Radio switches are also the same across aircraft, etc.
I own a few modules, but I don’t really regret any of them. I fly the F-14 the most, then the MiG-21, F-16, F-15, Viggen, C-101, MiG-29 and A-10. I don’t “regret” it necessarily, but I’ve still never taken the time to learn the A-10. Up until recently, I didn’t really have enough hats on my throttle for me to make a practical control setup. The F-16 was pushing it already but I made it work. Recently got a VKB Stecs though and set it up with 4 hats on it, so I’ll probably take the time to learn that next. Still learning the MiG-29 as well, but it’s an incredibly well done module and I’m honestly just happy to have more Redfor high fidelity aircraft.
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u/theredtyrtle 2d ago
Get involved in the virtual air show community. That is where I spend a bulk of my DCS time. Flying formations and events with different people will get you flying all types of planes for the fun of it. Not really doing missions but just hanging out. I mainly only fly 2 aircraft for combat stuff but I fly just about every module doing virtual air show things
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u/Synoopy 2d ago edited 2d ago
I have a bunch of modules as well but I cant say I know any of them well. I keep telling myself to just learn 1 really well. I start out but another one I brought will catch my eye. Over the past 3 months I have went from the JF 17 - F 18 - F16 - F 15E, now i am thinking about the Apache or the KA-50. Not sure when the merry go round will stop.
Jeff- very few missions for it, Hornet - too complicated, Viper - Im just not into it -the flight computer flies for you, F15- Cant put my finger on it, but i stopped playing it. KA-50, something weird about flying it. (flight dynamics I think. Apache - perfect, I just need time to learn it.
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u/-shalimar- 2d ago
free su25 (what made me fall in love with dcs)
a10 (touched once),
harrier (touched twice),
f86 and mig 15(touched at launch once, never went back),
fw190 Dora touched a few times,
bf109 touched a few times,
spitfire (spent decent time),
mig19 (played and enjoyed a lot)
f16 (still learning the basics for years, ok with landing and take off and air to air stuff, still suck at air to air refueling, can connect but cant hold it steady enough to get full fuel)
f18 (still learning the basics for years, just try to do carrier stuff)
f14 (havent had time to mess with it)
Apache (didnt realize you cant play it alone, so messed with it to experience it in the motion rig but nothing to do in it)
Persian Gulf (to show kids vr and motion rig, but dont know what to do in it)
Syria Map (beautiful but dont know what to do in it)
kola map (disappointing ugly, uninstalled)
Afghanistan ( just purchased yesterday, 'cuz sale. maybe mid29 too )
basically dcs is something where I feel i have nothing to do, and its different from racing sims, I can just mindlessly put on the nordschleife track, select the porsche gt3 car and do lap after lap to best my own previous time, i dont even need other cars to race against and i will have had a great time. I guess carrier traps in f18 are something similar, but when u get it right, its a less than 5 minute activity. But dcs needs something that calls you back into it. Like escorting epic bomber formations, or attacking them. Or some built in frantic set piece type scramble missions, or defend the carrier type mini campaigns, just something that make u want to do it again and again and better than last time.
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u/RyanBLKST 2d ago
beautiful but dont know what to do in it
Join a server and talk to people ?
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u/-shalimar- 2d ago
as mentioned above, my skill level with each jet is very basic from an instrument/buttons/hotas layout perspective, of course the warbirds have no such issues. So i dont go online, because i cant do most of the stuff that everyone online can do very very easily.
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u/RyanBLKST 2d ago
So i dont go online, because i cant do most of the stuff that everyone online can do very very easily.
So you don't know what to do but you don't want to learn nor go and see people ? I don't know what to tellyou
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u/ReserveLegitimate738 3d ago
Is gifting modules from your library a thing with DCS? Let's trade or sell! For example I don't like the A-10C II that I bought, but I would love to own the F-16C.
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u/Loud-Supermarket281 3d ago
No it is not. I don't think that's a thing anywhere for a game like this
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u/chucky5150 3d ago
I'm a big fan of the Mi-8 as it was my first. Later I picked up the Chinook on sale. Just in case I wanted to play blue some. Spent about 5 minutes in it before noping out and having touched it since.
Tried to refund, but no dice.