WT - Beginner's Guide Part 3 - Attacking Energy Maneuvers

The previous video introduced energy fighting, and in this one I take it further showing you the most efficient way to climb, then some basic energy maneuvers, and finally a range of energy-based tactics to use in attacking enemy planes including Boom and Zoom, Rope a Dope and a few others of my own devising.
In retrospect I should have spent more time discussing high & low yoyos, plus the benefits of avoiding head-ons especially when you have an altitude advantage.
If you'd like to support me in my creative endeavors, you can do so at / long5hot

[@rampant_reptile1125]

1. You're very professional in your videos. 2. You give very clear descriptions and provide good examples. 3. Now that I've watched all of these videos, I don't have any more excuses. Thanks. lol

[@alanhuskey2404]

I am seeing improvement, but I still haven't watched all the videos. I enjoy Lon5hot's videos for the same reasons you listed above. No silliness or vulgarity, just good professional presentation. (I am not a prude, vulgarity doesn't bother me, but I will often watch on breaks at work, and the vulgarity is a no-no at work)

[@mauui_]

laggggg ;)

[@shooterrick1]

"Not only is it safer fighting this way..." Misses a burning plane wreck by few inches.

[@long5hot]

:)

[@janchovanec8624]

What do you mean, that was calculated!

[@user-cum2421]

That's what war thunder of about!

[@user-jb9jl7yo2e]

2:05 インメルマンターン、スプリットS 2:31 ハンマーヘッド 3:33 一撃離脱(ブームアンドズーム)と、回避法 9:39 rope a dope (吊り上げの一つ) 13:55 FAKEヘッドオン 18:37 クライミング・スパイラル (吊り上げの一つ)コックピットは常に上に向けろ 23:14 その失敗例 23:58 climbing pursuit　目的：自分より敵に急な上昇角でついてこさせる 27:13 おさらい

[@chrismcguinness9147]

The Best tutorials for this by a clear mile! Thanks:)

[@Psycholoninja1]

I've watched most of your tutorial videos, longshot, and I have to say that my game would be nothing near what it is without having watched them. I'm nowhere as good as you are, but I had no idea what to do with my 109s before I came across your channel. Now most of my plane slots are taken up by 109s, but I usually only need the first one or two slots anyways :) Thanks again for all the work you put into these!

[@andrewx3436]

Great videos! I really was playing blindly before I saw these and grew a better understanding of boom and zoom. Here I was trying to be a turn fighter with 2nd-3rd tier American fighters and getting my ass handed to me and not understanding why.

[@johntowner1893]

Excellent videos from a fellow Aussie. Thanks for showing me how to energy fight with some finesse. Big respect, and to remind me that to die in arcade is to realise there is more to learn, and try. Cheers friend.

[@schlock568]

Seven years later, these videos are still very informative and helpful. Many thanks for this series

[@TheWaywardOrnithopter]

Without doubt, the most comprehensive, professional and accessible tutorials by far. (And not just for War Thunder). Thanks so much for these!

[@HMS-sw3ub]

After watching this video I went to try the tips out. My first match I instantly performed better, and the second match I accomplished a Rope a dope and my god was it satisfying

[@Thetepkai]

Very good video, pulling off a Rope a Drop and getting a kill is very satisfying. I went from 3 - 4 kills a match and losing all my planes, to 6 sometimes 10 and not even losing one plane.

[@istardan33]

I have been watching your tutorials and I have really improved, I used to have never get kills but sometimes I get enemy kill assist and 1 kill, and when watched your tutorials I improved by getting 1-7 kills each match. THANK YOU so much!

[@long5hot]

Glad to hear it, and you're most welcome :)

[@istardan33]

long5hot By the way..................... I subscribed l, keep making this awesome videos!

[@LavaLampBlob]

Also 9:07 and generally the section on BnZ (ok, I haven't watched past 9:07 yet) - in AB the pure BnZ attack can be very dangerous, especially if you are attacking someone in a swarm, because your target (if they survive) or his friends can pull their nose up sharply and start firing at you while you are still in range. More effective is the 'boom and extend' attack, where you dive, fire, and fly away with minimal turning and with all that speed from your dive in level flight or a shallow dive - only when you are far enough away do you start to slow down and climb again. It takes longer to repeat than pure BnZ since your climbs are made with less starting speed, etc., but its also safer.

[@long5hot]

Yes I often boom and extend in AB as well. Getting fast separation from enemies is more important than getting height quickly, unless you're trolling for Rope a Dope opportunities - I should have pointed that out.

[@pmurphy5948]

your videos are so good. I honestly can't adequately describe just how good these videos are. I wish I had them 20 years ago lol, back when I started flight sims. I would have been a fighter pilot much sooner.

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

I did some successful rope a dope's last night, but I couldn't get an effective firing solution, seems like I was too late often to get guns on. But the fact I was stalling out people really was gratifying!

[@Plato76...]

Longshot is superb. Silky tones with a calming effect. Its like having Clive James instructing you and he's a legend

[@long5hot]

Heh, except Clive was shorter, balder, and much funnier :)

[@andrewtataj497]

wow, this was really helpful. Most other war thunder vids I've seen have had too much dead time through gameplay. Thanks for editting your examples down to the important bits, and giving great breakdowns. The quality truly comes through, thanks a lot, m8.

[@aerohydra3849]

Wow, these guides helped me a lot! I'm actually able to use my planes now and its just really satisfying using these attacks against enemies/evading enemy attacks or even getting killed after a long battle of energy fighting.

[@MrRem7600]

Thank you for your excellent videos, they have made an immediate improvement to my strategy and game play, not to mention further enjoyment of the engagements now. Great to see quality instructional videos and you kicking ass in WT from a fellow Aussie!

[@Totontlis]

I am searching and watching war thunder youtubes now for months. Yours are the best explained and very well structured. Thanks a lot. And cheers from Munich!

[@solventob]

Very good video about these maneuvers. Another thing to keep in mind when performing these maneuvers is the armament of your enemy. In most of the examples, you received some damage from the chasing enemy. However, when this enemy is a p-39 or yak 9 with oversized guns, any damage means death.

[@jeremiahlambert2732]

Long5hot...yes I do have stuff I want answerd from replays..no I have never gone 15-0 let alone 4-0 yet. I did figure out my problem by watching my own replays over n over...but I really appreciate the time u took to answer me long5hot. Thanks again! And i cant wait to see u in the skies! Giod hunting to u!

[@BlameMeForTheNoise]

I just came to war thunder and found your tutorial videos. They really explain a lot in not even just an easy understandable but also entertaining way. Good work mate and greetings from germany.

Simply the best content to date of War Thunder... given that the video is already a few years old... but it is still by far the best to learn how to play this great game. It is very pleasant to assist thanks to the clarity, tranquility and seriousness that denotes excellence and quality of your videos. Thank you very much for your work, it is a shame to see that you haven't do more recently, because surely we would be many who would enjoy them, thank you again and greetings!!

[@antiks7389]

These tips are excellent. Even though I knew most of them I picked up a few pointers. For ppl in the comments, remember just because you are doing this doesn't mean it will always be effective. What is shown in the video is selected clips of the maneuvers. You won't pull everything off perfectly all of the time no matter how good you get.

[@davidedgerly]

I'm 3 episodes in.. and I became a subscriber... simply because of your strait forward no nonsense explanations that are spot on and clearly understandable... Thanks a bunch! War thunder nic GeneralSmedleyButler

[@stephanlourens]

Thanks to this video, I was able to perform my first successful fake head-ons. 3 in row... 3 kills. Thanks.

[@_MrTrue]

Im currently watching your series, too bad I just now found it. Very, very well done. I'd almost guess you are/were a teacher at some point. Detailed descriptions with numerous examples, clearly explained with professional quality. Great work.

[@TophatOrange]

Seen a lot tutorials, this is a nice easy understanding and explaining series. Thx keep them coming. (love that easy listening music on the background, vintage.)

[@adanaleman3804]

Subscribed, I appreciate the time you put forth on these videos. It really helps beginning pilots out there

[@thefredkalis]

after 5 years this video very usefull

[@miguelgomes4300]

Thank you very much for your guides! Your wisdom and professionalism are great! I can't stop watching your stuff. Really friendly and respectful. :)

[@leandroadrianpaz]

Great work! It is the best warplane maneuver video I ever see, the deepest indeed. Please make more of this. By the way, I love the classical music in the background.

[@tovarishchmartins4999]

Excellent video Long5hot! Far more helpful than the tutorials in gaijin's channel. The spiral climb maneuver (I usually do it with the rudder, because I fly mostly Lavochkins), which I only started using after seeing your videos, has increased a lot my k/d. It's still difficult for me to do the climb and keep visual contact with the target, but your sharing of expertise has been the biggest benefit I've had playing this game.

[@long5hot]

Glad to hear it, thanks :)

[@trentsaunders3351]

best guide to WT ive seen to date. keep em coming

[@AhmedGamal-rv5il]

This is by far the most useful video i have seen for war thunder, since im new to the game i had terrible time playing turn fights and getting a kill or two max every game but the first game after i watched your video i got 5 kills using Energy maneuvers with a hurricane (that's only beacuse my aiming is terrible so i need to turn fight at some point after a failed maneuver)...anyway thanks a lot man for your effort and i hope you make more of these videos.

[@long5hot]

You're most welcome, am glad my vids are helping :)

[@travistaylor3186]

Another excellent video, I've learned so many tips from your videos to improve my abilities.

[@barringtonraffington7070]

These videos are perfect! clean and clear cut! well done!

[@jetfrostgaming]

I love my 109 and I intend to get to a 262 eventually. I have always hated fighting spitfires because they turn really well. Thank you for showing me how to take them out!

[@eathstrke4016]

Hahaha same story

[@GabrielMorero]

Great video Longshot, I am always learning from your videos, going to practice the Climbing pursuit, seems a great way to re-engage an opponent faster instead of gain a lot more separation as i usually do after a bnz.

[@BentHestad]

This is super stuff for everyone seriously trying to improve their gameplay in War Thunder! Highly recommended ! You and tx141 are the guys to learn from in my opinion. Thanks! I hope for more of this ! By the way; you are really far to modest; your skills are way above the average, not even to talk about your knowledge of aviation. Thanks again! .

[@baktru]

Excellent videos. I finally understand how rope-a-dope works now.

[@gilcanales]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your videos have really helped me. I'm new to the game. In World of Warplanes I'm used to being the killer. How little I knew. Thanks for your videos.

[@Disastre]

got addicted to warthunder recently. I fly mostly the bf109s and this video really helps a lot. Thanks :)

[@shooterrick1]

Rope a dope is the most satisfying manouver in the game. I love doing it.

[@dr.karelis2198]

long5hot always the best video in the best way.

[@long5hot]

Thanks that's very kind.

[@TomShort]

good stuff, i often forget about using rudder to turn when im trying to rope-a-dope. looking forward to the next video.

[@ZoggyWoggyII]

Wow you are a really good pilot. Best tutorial I've seen. Subbed.

[@equ170]

i love your videos! keep up the great work. I hope this video will spread and encourage more pilots to learn and apply energy tactics instead of low altitude furballin. i feel the key to success is how well you can judge energystates of enemyplanes relative to yours and how disciplined you are not to go "all in" after you missed a pass I would love to see a video similar to what yaro suggested in his comment on how to reverse defensive positions. for example how to fight a bnzing plane in a turnfighter and end up on his 6 best regards

[@wanted556]

This series is very helpful! Thanks for making this video. I've just been trying your tips and though i have not scored a fighter-kill yet, my survivability has improved. Even for a bit, I have been able to stay alive longer against these dreaded LaGGs, Migs and Yaks. But I must admit that it is still going to take a lot of practice to get used to these maneuvers. And it doesn't help that, after I got my first Corsair, I think the game is matching me against very experienced pilots.

[@ashishdeharia9137]

TimeStamps: 3:30 BnZ 9:34 Rope'a dope 13:52 Dodging Head'on (using Rope'a dope here) 18:33 Climbing Spiral 21:25 To err is human 23:54 Climbing Pursuit

[@thefredkalis]

thank you

[@xavantg]

thanks!

[@Antifaith29]

Hi mate, weve had a couple of interactions recently and just wanted to thank you for taking the time with these videos, not to mention taking the extra time to answer questions. I have found many of them extremely helpful , even if I have a bit of trouble implementing some of the maneuvers and tactics ( still having trouble with camera control) I now at least KNOW what I need to do and can now work on effective implementation. Practice practice just like anything else. You've made the game all the more enjoyable. Even IF I still feel a bit old while playing them, often feeling like the 40 ( odd) year old getting " pwned" by some laughing 16 yr old. I'll get there with time. I've caught myself yelling " I build these things for a living, why am I so terrible!!" at the screen once or twice ;) ( No, not WW2 era aircraft, just aircraft in general lol) Anyway Mate, Again, just wanted to say thank you. Cheers!

[@long5hot]

Antifaith29 You're most welcome, and with practice you will get there. Btw I'm 47 you know, with poor eyesight, lousy depth perception and an old bloke's reflexes - and I have no fear of 16 year olds in this game ;)

[@aidenbrokar262]

just getting started these really help for my confusion and things I need to learn

[@eltdnam]

I started playing this game back in 2013 and started again this week. I realized I had no idea what I was doing until I watched this lol

[@hollowkos]

Absolutely amazing video! Thank you for this! The explanations are easy to follow and the examples with commentaries help a lot! liked and subscibed

[@hailitalia86]

Great video, just started playing again from last playing years ago. Doing American line and I was not doing energy fighting correctly. Thank you sir!

[@LasseThomsen]

Great Videos, watched 1-3 in a row, now on to the battle field for some practice.

[@Molybdan42]

Excellent video! Keep them coming.

[@schmottoblotto]

Great Vid mate! I enjoyed the examples and will help me master a couple of things better. Have struggled with a few since 1.47, maybe a little rusty and some changed dynamics. Now I just got to get some of my friends to watch this video one, or a hundred times more preferrably!!!

[@jlrounds2008]

again another VERY GOOD tutorial, you appreciated my friend!

[@wexting]

Hi... this is the best video i see of this theme. Thank you very useful

[@RitchieMatos]

This tutorial has been very informative. Thanks

[@drm857]

Excellent as always! Thanks for sharing!

[@Kim-uu8fc]

Seriously good tips! Thank you so much for the video.

[@opannefrank1986]

Good videos, man. Excellent presentation. Excellent content. And no inane bullshit that wastes the viewers' time. You are a legend. I salute you. See you in the skies.

[@noneedluck8718]

Mate you are awesome ! I was looking for videos to show my buddy basics for the game and i learned so much : ) it's insane how i own ppl without knowing those maneuvers , preaps cause of my sick aim but when i got to high tire planes i got a bit in a stragle maybe next time i will be more effective cause of you : ) : )

[@mar61182]

great tutorial longshot !!

[@jack88536]

Thanks !!!! This helps. I only know Boom n Zoom \lol/. Table of Content 0:16 Introduction 1:25 Immelmann 1:43 Split S 2:29 Hammerhead 2:54 Wingover 3:29 Boom and Zoom 5:50 High YoYo Example 1 6:31 High YoYo Example 2 9:35 Rope a Dope 13:52 Fake Head-on 18:32 Climbing Spiral 23:54 Climbing Pursuit 26:59 Conclusion 27:20 Two More Examples 30:10 More Tips

[@wadebradley7388]

Excellent piloting skills sir!

[@HUGGIESroxFace]

Amazing tutorial, as usual. This one is going in the bookmarks for future use, though!

[@vangoth74]

Loving your guide vids^^ I hope there will be more, something like "Getting rid of enemies behind you" or "Evading energy manoeuvers" would be just great. Keep it up :)

[@long5hot]

Defensive maneuvers will indeed be the next vid I produce, hopefully within a week or two :)

[@long5hot]

@ Rui Moreira, sorry but youtube isn't letting me reply directly to your question. I don't currently own any jets, I'll get to them one day...

[@dannyboy5775]

Very informative tutorial. Cheers.

[@willmerdavid618]

Thanks Brother, you really helping me and the comunity of Pilots, no matter kind of WWII simulator.

[@grizzlydaddy472]

Very good video. Thx for the great tips. 👍

[@adityagiri4466]

I hopped in a battle after watching this.. 10 kills and Well... was it not awesome! Thanks mate! Liked and subscribed.

[@watchintunes4now]

Just as a observation, I fly RL planes, the hammerhead maneuver was/is still used today, previous it was called a box canyon turn. Often executed with VFR pilots travelling back country in the mountains.

[@LosDaniellosB]

great tutorial. will try this today

[@Johnnyfandango1]

Great video, I hope he still plays

[@syedm9654]

I don't know if you still read comments but I hope you do. I've started playing WT around 2016 then stopped for a long time because I was focusing on school. Skip forward to 2021 and everyone's in quarantine so I decided to see if I still got it. Much to my dismay, it seems that I was playing like a noob just starting to play the game and I have no idea what I'm doing and I keep losing every game in arcade. That all stopped when I stumbled upon your video series and especially the aiming guide and this one. I can't remember if I've actually got 1st place during my earlier days but I definitely got that few hours ago and I was starstruck. I couldn't believe what was happening. Throughout that game I was constantly in the heat of battle diving and pulling up after every kill and assist and there I was in the sky asserting my dominance upon everybody including my team ;P I also had an epic moment reaching the end of the battle where I was being chased by an enemy fighter who was constantly on my six even after dodging every bit of lead he was sending to my plane. He chased me to the point that he lost his energy right beside me literally 5metres away from my cockpit and I clinched victory as I unleashed my power while uttering "pffft.... amateurs". Truth be said that was one of my biggest moments in my gaming career and for that I thank you a lot. I don't know how to pay my gratitude to you but I hope this might make a smile on your face. From Malaysia, syedM02 sending you salutes from the sky✈️

[@long5hot]

That is epic! Glad you're doing so well :)

[@ibrahimalkan_]

Great videos, great stuffs. Thank you

[@qazserNOS]

Very well done guide!

[@taroxan]

A great video! Many new tricks to tryout ;)

[@jonathonmorin9305]

Great video!!

[@chrisjrobbins4234]

Awesome tutorial thanks so much!

[@sparki20081]

Another excellent Video.

[@EvilSam75]

Holy shit! Great tutorial, mate!

[@thefaz4805]

Huge improvement allready thankyou :)

[@hossesarse]

These suggestions are VERY insightful and helpful, and the Starsky-&-Hutch theme music playing in the background MAKES it. Subscribed. One question though: what type of mouse, trackball, or settings do you use to maintain such perfect situational awareness? Whenever I fumble with my mouse to keep an eye on the other guy, my plane ends up stalling or lawn-darting into a mountain.

[@sccojake]

First, as always: superb video. Very clear and easy to follow. Second: I love the skin on the Bf 110, looks great. Third: "Mother of all kill trains." +1 internet! Other: This morning I think I performed something that I would describe as a reverse Rope-a-dope, I was climbing near an enemy plane that was hovering over our spawn; he turned towards me and I turned away; when he started to get close I dove away and he broke off (I admit if he had not broke off things could have been very different); once he did that I flipped back over and zoom climbed right up to him. I think he intended to rope-a-dope me but underestimated my speed. He was flying an F4U and I was in a Bf 109 F-4. Of course I forgot to record this...

[@long5hot]

I should have mentioned that many of the skins I use are my own work, and are available - live.warthunder.com/user/long5hot/ - at the low price of a click of the like buttons. Nothing wrong with a little shameless self-promotion :) What you did sounds like a low yoyo, gathering speed in the dive and using it to helicopter up at an unwary opponent. Except your sounds a little steeper than the average yoyo,

[@sccojake]

novocas7rian It probably was something that simple, though it felt more impressive when I was trying to drag him down from altitude and when he didn't go for it I got the jump on him. It seemed like he didn't want to give up his height advantage, and assumed I wouldn't be able to follow him so quickly. I think have nose mounted guns helped, as I could have easily stalled out and fallen for his rope-a-dope if I had waited until I was inside my usual 500m convergence range.

[@Hennessy198]

Although I've already learned about most of these tactics and tips through my time playing the game (I mainly play RB so it's even more critical to know them), this video will still prove most useful. It's great that you took the time out to compile all these maneuvers together into one video since it's extremely helpful for those new to aircraft physics and tactics.

[@robosergTV]

wow, very good guide, too bad so few views :(

[@tihomirrusev9998]

You just open the gates of the game for me

[@spoonlamp]

Years gone by, came back to this video just for the Corsair! I love my F4U, dressed out in Pappy Boyington's skin. Just wish it had better guns

[@mx22a]

thank you very much! Amazing video.

[@XavierShuman]

thank you I will definitely be using these tactics though I don't how well theyll work in rb

[@austinliuyilun]

Hey mate, thanks for your helpful videos. I've been playing this game for 3 years since closed-beta( but I'm still a noob:)) and I didn't know anything about boom-zoom or energy until I had watched your videos. I used to dogfight a lot, which got my KD ratio terribly low. Now, it's getting better duo to the implementation of some maneuvers and tactics I've learned in your videos. Thanks again. BTW, if the game feels laggy, you maybe consider changing your ISP. I live in Melbourne and the ping is about 100-200 without package losses( US and Asia Servers)

[@long5hot]

Austin Liu I'm really glad the vids are helping, makes it all worthwhile to hear that :) My ping had improved recently since connecting to the NBN (94 Mb/s down and 35 up) but still not quite as good as yours. No bad packets though.

[@Pain1666]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@KartiacKID]

Thank you for the great tutorial video for new players such as myself. Now I just need to learn how to stabilize my plane well aiming with a joystick 🕹 but practice should help with that.

[@KartiacKID]

Nope, big nope, just finished getting destroyed by other players...I’m not sure practice will help my aim 😖

[@long5hot]

Yep with joystick, especially in arcade but in RB as well, you are playing at a massive disadvantage. Unfortunately that's just how the game is :\

[@arjentromp12]

even though there isn't a really great pattern in these video's, you are still well able to get your point across very clear and to the point. Nice series!

[@long5hot]

Yes I didn't really plan these videos at all, I'm just adding to them here & there as I think of new aspects of gameplay that I haven't yet addressed.

[@arjentromp12]

your voice is really clear though, i can understand what you are saying and what you mean very well, even though my mother tongue is not english. its a shame though that i can't really start playing another game competitively, as i already play World of tanks and CS:GO on a competitive level. i would love to learn how to play realistic battles some day though. being a massive air force fan, both old-school and new-school

[@long5hot]

Yes there are only so many hours in the day, and it takes time to master WT the same as it does any game. Interesting you should mention RB, as I'm just turning my attention to it again & will probably be making most (not all) of my videos in that mode.

[@arjentromp12]

shame you are living in australia, would've loved to have teamed up with you. ping must be a nightmare there :)

[@long5hot]

I usually get a stable ping in the mid 200s to the US server, which isn't bad - the game handles latency very well in fact. About the only real difference I see is a drop in hit detection. People on low pings can far more reliably drop targets with shorter bursts & fewer sparkles, but that's about it.