Oswald Boelcke

[majpalmer]

What a surprise to see the great Boelcke (RIP, 28 October 1916) still flying in the 1918 scenario!

[Myrddraal]

Alternative history [;)]

Well spotted though. Do you think we should remove him from the later scenarios or keep him (on the basis that the in-game mechanics actually make it very difficult to lose an ace (he has to be surrounded))?

[adherbal]

It was deliberate though. We don't really allow death of commanders in the game because it would have too big an impact. In reality they'r just be replaced by someone else, but we have a limited number in game.

[majpalmer]

I see the problem.

You could rename Boelcke and use someone who was at least still around in 1918. Werner Voss?

If I am reading the file correctly, you should switch Voss into Richthofen's spot, and Richthofen into Boelcke's spot, so the latter appears before the former.

[lordzimoa]

We only have two aces for the bigger nations, so this is a consequence of the whole game design and it fits as we do offer alternative history. The discussion starts with Boelcke than we have to do it for all Commanders who died, were retired, wounded or transferred etc...

Boelcke is one of the early German aces you get.

We tried to get in the most important, iconic and interesting Commanders and at the same time find a good mix between different characters and combat bonuses as well, but we cannot have them all... and some will argue for this one, the other for that one. Von Richthofen also died the 21st of April 1918 but you will have him until the end of the game.... you see, the discussion gets spiral. Overall we try and follow the historical path, but it is a game where we offer to change history in all his aspects.

[KeldorKatarn]

Well the war can have a different outcome. Who says Richthofen had been shot down if he had flown totally different missions. Lets say the western front is won in 1915 and he never flies in France but in Italy or Russia instead? Also you can get the aces later, what if germany had neglected its Air force and only built it up half a year later, maybe Richthofen would have only gotten 50 kills but survived?

Keep it the way it is I say, I like it