ACE Features

General ACE Features

Air FCS

Currently available for AH1 Cobra and AH64 Apache (v1.04). Future integration for Russian counterparts

Differences vs vanilla system:

• When you are in gunner position in one of the specified rotary aircraft specified above, you will no longer be able to control your weapons selection with the “F” key.
• Instead, use your action menu to select your weapons. Select “Overlay On” to activate the MFD overlay.
• Select “Laser On” to activate your targeting laser. When in the AGM-114 mode, you will be able to select what targeting mode the missile uses.
• Target lock via "next target" bind key doesn't work anymore

Usage:

• Select weapon you want to fire via action menu (M197 Main Cannon, AGM-114 Hellfire, AGM-220 TOW)
• Select weapon mode for AGM-114 Hellfire (if this weapon has been selected). The available modes are LOBL(default) LOAL-DIR, LOAL-LOW, LOAL-HI
• Select overlay on (action menu) - more information will be given on top of your display
• Select laser on (action menu) - mandatory for firing AGM-114 missiles in all the modes available
• In case you have selected AGM-220 TOW missiles, all you'll need to do is guide the missile on target via crosshair just like you can in BMPs/Bradleys.

Notes:

• For certain weapon modes (AGM-114 HF), such as LOAL-LOW/HI certain range and angle to target needs to be met for target impact.
• All weapon selection will be available no matter what kind of loadout the chopper has.
• FFAR rocket control has been moved to pilot seat. All other weapons cannot be used by anyone but the gunner.
• Getting an AI gunner to switch weapon can be done via SPACE+F (default) key combination.
• AGM-114 can lock on ground laser markers, or other aircraft markers, but the on board laser will take priority if it is on

Auto Rotation

Improved auto rotation over vanilla system for all rotary aircraft.

In the case of engine failure, cutting down power, bringing down speed while aligning your chopper to a 5 degrees nose up, will allow you to successfully make an emergency landing. Air Flow speed will be shown on the screen if the system notice a problem with the engine (failure, etc)

Back Blast

Most of the AT weapons available creates a large "back blast" area behind the weapon on fire, which can cause severe burning and overpressure injuries to friendly personnel in the vicinity.

Whenever you are preparing to fire an AT shot, ensure that the backblast area of your AT weapon is clear. This typically is a 60° cone extending from the rear of the AT weapon for 30-60 meters behind the weapon.

C.Q.B. Sights

user

config

Certain optics have a CQB sight on top to give the soldier the ability to quickly target enemies at close range. ACE has this modeled in per Real Life specs

The default key combination for bringing up the CQB sight is SHIFT + F (key combination is configurable).

Crew Damage

Being in a vehicle does NOT protect you anymore from everything going around you.

You will not only suffer from bullets being shot directly at you, but also from explosive devices detonating under or next to the vehicle you are in, e.g roadside bombs or direct fire with grenades or shells.

This also includes shellshock effects for tank crews and armored vehicles.

This will allow killing/injuring crew members of certain low protected vehicles without needing to destroy the vehicle

Crew Protection

This feature simulates the protective gear of crewman and pilots (SoldierXCrew, SoldierXPilot).

The corresponding class can stand the following effects better:

• Concussion caused by AT launcher fired
• Concussion caused by Anti Tank Missile systems fired
• Concussion caused by Tanks firing

This just means the effect is not that much experienced as a normal soldier would experience it. In other words the effects are weakened.

• It doesn't protect you against all other effects like, backblast, overpressure or kicked off debris.

Usage

You can query if a unit has protective gear with this line of code: _protectiveGear=(configFile>>"CfgVehicles">>typeOf _unit>>"ACE_CrewProtection");

Returns 1 (protected) or 0 (not protected).

Crew Served Weapons

Overview

The crew served weapons system gives players the ability to operate as a fully functioning member of a crew served weapon team. Player carry machine guns, tripods, and ammunition which they are able to deploy, mount, and load respectively anywhere on the battlefield. Most of the functions of the weapon is accessed through a unique interaction menu. At this time only machine guns are available in the crew served weapon system but others types of weapons will also come on line.

Deploying Tripods

If you have a tripod you will see a "Deploy Tripod" option in your action menu. When selected you will see a phantom tripod directly in front of you that moves and turns as you do. When you have the exact position to place your tripod select 'Confirm Deployment" to deploy the actual tripod. If you wish to cancel select "Cancel Deployment".

After deploying a tripod as long as there is no machine gun mounted on it you will see a "Pickup Tripod" option when close to the tripod. When selected you will pick the tripod up and add it to your inventory.

Mounting Machine Guns

If you have a machine gun you will see a "Mount Machine Gun" option in your action menu. When selected if you are close enough to a compatible tripod for the machine gun (less than 2m) the machine gun will be mounted to the tripod. If you are not close enough you will receive a message telling you so.

The interact menu removes the need to use the action menu for many of the common functions involving player interaction with objects. The menu is opened with a single action menu selection that gives access to the other available options.

Loading Machine Guns

Once a machine gun is assembled ammo can be loaded/linked. If you do not already have an appropriate magazines then go to the ammo box marked ammo and take one or two. Magazines (ammo cans or drums) for crew served machine guns are large and will take up from four to six of your magazine slots each. You can usually fit two in your rucksack (except MK19 magazines which will not fit at all). To load or link a new ammo belt when near the machine gun select "Interact With Machine Gun". This will open the Machine Gun Crew Menu. Now click "Load/Link" and if you have a correct magazine (must be unpacked and out of the ruck) then a new belt will be loaded or linked to the existing belt. You cannot link ammo to a belt that is more than 100% full. Drum fed machine guns can only have one belt/drum loaded at a time. You cannot load the machine gun if you are in it as the gunner. Another player must load it or you must exit first.

Unloading Machine Guns

Once a machine gun is assembled and loaded ammo can be unloaded/delinked. To unload or delink ammo belt when near the machine gun select "Interact With Machine Gun". This will open the Machine Gun Crew Menu. Now click "Unload". If there is more than one full belt loaded you will unload a 100% full belt and drop it to the ground. If there is anything left (minus some that cannot be unloaded while the gun is in service) then if you select "Unload" again either another 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25% full belt will be unloaded until no more ammo can be removed. You cannot unload the machine gun if you are in it as the gunner. Another player must unload it or you must exit first.

Rotating Machine Guns

Once a machine gun is assembled it can be rotated left and right in 10 degree increments. To rotate the machine gun left or right when near the machine gun select "Interact With Machine Gun". Now click "Rotate Left" or Rotate Right". You will go to your knees to gain leverage and rotate the whole machine gun assembly in the appropriate direction. You can repeat this process, rotating 10 degrees at a time, until you reach the desired direction. You cannot rotate the machine gun if you or someone else is in it as gunner.

Unmounting Machine Guns

Once a machine gun is assembled the machine gun can be unmounted. To unmount the machine gun when near it select "Interact With Machine Gun". No click "Unmount" The machine gun will be unmounted and added to your inventory leaving behind the assembled tripod to be picked up or awaiting a new mount. All ammo loaded in the machine gun will be automatically dropped to the ground. You cannot unmount the machine gun if you or someone else is in it as gunner.

Destruction Effects

Vehicles behave differently when they are destroyed:

• In some cases, there's a explosion with a big fireball and lots of smoke.
• In other cases, when no vital part of the vehicle has been hit, but enough damage has been done to render it disabled, there could be no visible effect such as explosions visible, but only the texture turning darker - black.
• In some other instances, like when the ammo dump is hit, the explosion is much more devastating, and different visual effect have been used.
• Additionally, vehicles don't burn in water anymore.
• A burning vehicle can cause injuries such as burnings to bystanders

Digital Compass

Some of the newer and more modern armored vehicles in the BLUFOR and REDFOR armor class have a digital compass drawn over the normal compass.
This digital compass will give the correct bearing for all vehicle turrets, which speeds up target locating and in-vehicle communications.

Dogtags

Allows you to see the names of your fallen comrades.

Simply walk up a corpse and choose "Check dogtag".

This is the first resource in A.C.E that successfully bypasses the animation system. Instead of forcing you into a "search" animation you are only forced to be in a kneeling position to search for the dogtag.

For Missionmakers:
The Missionmaker also has the option to enable physical dogtags. That means that whenever you check a buddy for his dogtag a real dogtag is created directly at the body, which is collectible. The dogtags could be used as a mission goal for example ("Bring back the bodies and the dogtags").
The feature of creating physical dogtags can be enabled by adding a Gamelogic on the map and setting its init line to: ACE_DogTagOn=true;

If you check a body, a dogtag is only created once. A second check, does not create a second physical dogtag.

Notes:
Dogtags are not created for civilian units, since they normally don't have dogtags. So you won't be able to check for dogtags on a dead civilian.

Eject System

(optional)

eject

Eject Option

The "Eject" action menu option and shortcut key has been disabled for all vehicles (air, land, and sea) except the KA-50, AV8B, A10, and SU34 (these are the only default ArmA vehicles that have real-life ejection seats). Additionally, ejection seats now operate more realistically. When you eject you are propelled out of the cockpit while still in your "seat" and then the parachute deploys. All ejection seats are also now zero, zero capable (zero altitude, zero airspeed) so you can now eject while on the ground and without moving and still safely land.

Jump Out Option

All other vehicles now have a "Jump Out" action menu option (uses the "eject" action key). The option simulates opening the vehicle door, hatch, or canopy and jumping out. Once you jump out you begin to free fall if you are not on the ground.

Parachute Packs

Parachute packs have been added with A.C.E. Player's can store a parachute pack in one of their binocular/goggle inventory slots. If a player has a parachute pack in his inventory after "jumping out" of an aircraft the player will see a "Pull Rip Cord" option in the action menu. Once selected the player's parachute will deploy. All parachute packs are single use. If you are too low to the ground when you pull the rip cord your parachute may not deploy properly which could lead to injury or death.

Engine Start

Vehicles now have a delay to start the engine, mimicking the ignition process and/or engine heating up. During the delay you can hear the engine starting.

Delays used

• Car: 1.25 seconds
• Motorcycle: 0.365 seconds
• Truck or Tank: 2.25 seconds
• M1 Abrams family of vehicles: 14 seconds

Environment FX

ACE Environment FX consists of several changes and additions to the stock environment effects in ArmA. All effects are designed to be displayed locally around the camera. All effects compensate for wind and fast movement.

Rain

The standard rain texture has been removed and replaced by particle based drops. Future version will also include long distance visibility reduction.

Fog

The standard distance based fog has been supplemented with particle based volumetric fog that is visible around the player. To disable the volumetric fog use

ACE_FX_Environment_NoFog = true;

By default it is false.

Snow

Snow can be activated setting the variable ACE_environment_snow to a value between 0,1 and 1. Values above 1 are currently possible but not recommended due to increased particle density.ACE_environment_snow = 0,1 - 1

Wind effects

(TODO) Wind effects include dust and snow being blown up due to heavy wind, creating dust-, sand or snowstorms if the wind is strong enough.

Sound effects

Replacement and enhancement of ambient sounds, including dynamic sound effects in towns, forests and other places.

Explosion Effects

Exploding ordonance have an impact on the gameplay experience.

Depending on the used ammunition and the distance between player/AI and the impact, explosions cause stun effects like ear ringing, fuzzy optics or knock outs.

Fast Switching

A.C.E speeds up some animations like:

• Taking out/putting back the binoculars or laserdesignator
• Switching from rifle to pistol, and vice versa, is now much faster - as in real life
• The transition after you have thrown a grenade and switch back to rifle/pistol
• Switching from AT launcher to rifle is faster. Also you can drop on the ground very quickly with launcher in hands in case of emergency.

Fixed-Wing Reverse

Creates an action to allow an fixed winged aircraft to move in reverse to maneuver around obstacles while stopped on the ground. There needs to be a range of condition met before action will appear:

• airplane needs to be stopped
• engine needs to be on
• airplane needs to be on a plane surface (certain inclinations are still allowed)

Flashbangs

Diversionary devices — also called stun grenades or flashbangs — are a less-than-lethal device used in a wide variety of law enforcement and military operations.

Like a grenade, the device is activated by pulling a pin. When thrown, the flash-bang creates a loud sound and bright flash of light to temporarily distract or disorient an adversary.

Flash-bangs are used in law enforcement and military operations such as hostage rescue, room-clearing, crowd control and other specialized operations.

Military or law enforcement personnel will typically break down a door or smash a window of a building and toss in the diversionary device during a forced entry.

This behaviour is similar in the A.C.E MOD.

You can use flashbangs to stun and disorientate AI as well as human players.

In general the fusing time is VERY short, ~ 1.5 seconds. Make sure the flashbang is well aimed to avoid stunning yourself and your teammates.

Grenade Simulation

Grenades shot with under barrel grenade launchers, like the M203 or GP-25 behave realistically in A.C.E.

West:

Western 40mm grenades (like the M433 HEDP) have an arming delay of ~0.5 seconds, which equals a distance of ~30 meters. When the grenade has been armed after the arming delay, it will detonate on impact (true for all rounds except the Star Parachute rounds), so it is advised to engage targets that are at least 50 meters away.

Western 40mm grenades have no self-destruct, and have the possibility of becoming a dud.

East:

The Eastern 40mm VOG-25 and VOG-25P grenade for the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher also have an arming delay similar to the Western M433 HEDP grenade, but they also possess a self-destruct device which detonates the round after 14 seconds. The VOG-25 grenade detonates its charge on impact, while the VOG-25P (bouncing) grenade first detonates a small charge (located on the nose of the round) on impact to raise the grenade ~1 meter in the air, at which point it detonates its main charge.

Of course the Eastern grenades also have a possibility of becoming a dud.

Grenade Throw Modes

User

config

Allows you to select between 5 modes of throwing a grenade:

• Normal throw - default speed and direction.
• Slow throw - very useful if the enemy is just behind this 1.8 m wall or behind a corner.
• Normal roll - grenade goes low and parallel to the ground, fast enough to bounce ('roll') 10 or so meters.
• Slow roll - slow roll.
• Precise throw - grenade flies directly where you're pointing at (and not ~30 degrees higher as in default amplitude throw). Allows you to throw grenades into windows etc with high precision (after some practice).

How to use: Key combination (SHIFT + H default) switches between modes. Double check what mode you're in before throwing :

HuntIR

High-altitude Unit Navigated Tactical Imaging Round

After firing the HuntIR, it propels to an average height of 500 meters (for gameplay reasons) and ejects an IR CMOS camera which is attached to a parachute. The camera provides 7 minutes of live video for reconnaissance which is transmitted to a handheld device (HuntIR Monitor).

You can control the camera of the HuntIR with your keyboard keys:

ARROW KEYS - Control camera movement
W,S - Switch available HuntIR cameras
A,D - Change zoom (0x, 2x, 4x, 8x)
N - Toggle NVG
M - Toggle TI
R - Reset HuntIR camera

The HuntIR round has an average flight time of 5-10 seconds after firing before the camera is ejected and another 3 seconds before the HuntIR device is ready to transmit data.

The HuntIR round can only be fired from M203 type grenade launchers.

Mission Editors

To include the HuntIR system in your mission, the following classnames are available:

The box: ACE_HuntIRBox

The monitor: ACE_HuntIR_monitor

The round: ACE_HuntIR_M203

Examples to add to a weapons crate:

       _vehicle addmagazinecargo ["ACE_HuntIR_monitor",10];
       _vehicle addmagazinecargo ["ACE_HuntIR_M203",3];

IRStrobes

The IR Strobe allows for easy recognition and location status of friendly forces while maintaining covert operation in the field.

This is a must have accessory to assist avoiding friendly fire accidents and to support the overall safety of field personnel during night time missions.

The IR Strobe is only visible to allied personnel using night vision devices.

It permits operators using night vision goggles, scopes, binoculars and other night vision tactical devices to maintain the exact location of their team members, search dogs, vehicles and pre-positioned equipment.

Use with : Person: Object addMagazine "ACE_IRStrobe";

Jump

User

config

Simply jump over any obstacles, like sandbags and small fences or walls. Default Key is J for jump.

Magazines System

ACE Magazines System

This system is made to address some limitations in the way weapon/ammo characteristics are setup in ArmA:

• Because muzzle velocity is specified in magazine config, weapons of the same family (using the same types of magazines) will have the same muzzle velocity/ballistics/'punch' even though 1 is a 10" barrel CQC carbine and another is a 20" barrel marksman rifle.

• As the "loudness" and "visibility" of firing (for AI) is specified in ammo config, if you put a standard supersonic mag into a weapon equipped with suppressor, the AI will hear and see you just as well. It defeats the purpose of a suppressor in missions against AI and the only way to be silent to AI is to use subsonic ammo.

These two problems could be solved by specifying a custom mag for each kind of weapon, but it would either make it impossible to take a mag from a buddy with another modification of the same weapon family or, if it were decided to make all mags compatible, the whole thing would be useless as you'd still be able to use the most powerful and silent mags in whatever weapon you have. It would also create a mess in ammoboxes and soldier configs with all the different mag variants.

ace_sys_magazines is a scripted solution that automatically changes player's magazines to the ones appropriate to his weapon whenever he picks up a new mag or changes the weapon. This way, for example, AKS-74U has lower muzzle velocity than AK-74 and RPK-74 while using the same mag picked up from ammocrate. Also, if the weapon is suppressed, the standard mags are automatically changed to variants with 'suppressed' ammo. There is no need for additional magazine types in ammocrates and soldier configs as everything is converted automatically.

For Addon makers: how to set up a new weapon in a weapon family

Let's say we have a basic G36 and now want to add G36C which has a much shorter barrel and therefore lower muzzle velocity.

1. First of all, create a new mag. In ACE it looks like this:

class ACE_30Rnd_556x45_B_G36C: ACE_30Rnd_556x45_B_G36
{
initSpeed = 780;
};

2. Now you have to define some things in weapon config. First of all, add the new mag to mag arrays of all weapons that can use mags of this type (in our case it includes G36 and G36K).

3. Add ammoconfigname_mv=yourinitspeed. In our case it will look like this:

ACE_Bullet_556x45_B_mv = 780;

this entry is used by the script to find the right magazine, so initspeed here must be exactly the same as in the mag config.

4. If you're defining a new weapon family which is not currently in ACE, don't forget to add magazine type to the magazine config:

ace_mag_type = "G36";

And a list of compatible mag types to weapon config:

ACE_magazines_compat[] ={"G36"};

5. Add the new mag to the magazines array of ACE_MagChecker.

Map (Inventory Object)

To Use:

First place the game logic titled Enable: Require Map Object in your mission. This will enable the feature as it is disabled by default.

The map is defined by its config as a weapon and will be stored in Bino/NVG slots. The weapon name for the object is ACE_Map

Features: When enabled this feature will require a user to have a map in their possession in order to view the map screen. Speed restraints are placed on the player and their ability to view the map screen.

Notes:

If a player does not have a map, but they are in proximity to a person who does they will find an action on the map holder. On executing this action they will be able to view the map screen as long as they stay within a few meters of the map holder.

If the player is moving at faster than a walk speed (Jogging or Sprinting) they will not be able to view the map even if they have one in their inventory. If the player is inside a vehicle the speed restraint is disabled.