Would you like to compete against other squads on historic maps with objectives on a level playing field rather than battling AI in co-ops? Would you like to be challenged for tactics in all kinds of types and theatres?

The United Squadrons League has completed the 'Fall 2007' season. This exciting way of open competition has been successfully run in Open Pit format with 9 of the foremost Open Pit squads in the IL2 community. It was always the intention to run a parallel league for the Closed Pit community starting February 2008 once the competition proved successful.

Now the time has come for the USL to canvass the IL2 community asking for Closed Pit squads that would like to fly against other squads on historic maps to put themselves forward and join, and commit, the more squads we get the more fun we will have!! We ask for you to register your squad on the USL website, www.IL2League.com and confirm your commitment to this growing event

All squads that join will be asked to provide a Liason for their team. Liasons will initially be invited to attend a meeting in Teamspeak in order to discuss and agree format for the league ~ Do not be concerned, the Open Pit squads have already drawn up coverage for league rules and these will apply for the Closed Pit league, the only major agenda item will be agreeing on server settings which every squad will fly under, and the likely schedule for matches.

So you are not in the dark, within the Open Pit league we have flown every week in matches on an 8 week season, with the matches pre-defined in fixtures as they would be in any sports season ~ it is the responsibility of the squads to set up matches within the week allowed and so far not one has missed a match!

Some question that you may have:

What is the battle format?
Maps have been custom built for the league, they may be submitted by any squad. Because we do not have a scripted server they are presently Dogfight maps with ground targets but this may change. So far they have run through the major battles through WW2 which vary in objective and planeset but each comes with a briefing document to explain everything – usually there is a target to bomb for big points and one side has to defend it. So depending on the map you could be altitude bombing, escorting, jabo, but you’ll always be dogfighting somewhere!

What battles are fought?
The league runs through pre-agreed war years 1940 to 1945 through the season, typically historic attacks such as “Sink the Marat”, “Midway”, “The Battle for Anzio” and "The Battle of Seelow Heights"

Isn’t it an advantage for the mapmakers’ squadron?
Crucially, in order that mapmakers themselves do not gain advantage, each map is uploaded to the website for open download by each squad 2 weeks in advance ~ this allows squads to disect, practice and plan – there are no surprises for anybody!

How many pilots compete?
For this season we allowed between 4-8 pilots per team, although the maximum is under consideration for increase

How does the scoring work?
Each match has two halfs of 45 minutes using the Ghost Skies timer, if your squad flies Allied first then you will fly the same mission as Axis in the second half – although you fly both missions although you may change pilots for different sets in order to encourage participation. Points are counted at the end of the timer to decide who wins the half, 1 point awarded to the winner per half and then a bonus point awarded to the squad with the highest combined points. Finally, 1 point for turning up at match start with the number of pilots that you told the other squad would make it – this number requires agreement when arranging the meet.

How does the squad roster work?
Once the squads entered we asked each pilot to register with his squad at the home of the USL, www.il2League.com, and allowed new pilots to register up to a half way point in the season where the squad rosters are locked. This allowed smaller squads to recruit and stops ringers from being recruited for playoff matches for the USL title.

What if our squad is not English speaking?
Although the USL is English speaking we accept squads from any nationality and native tongue as long as the liason for that squad speaks English to a conversational level and is capable of communicating with liaisons from other squads and can translate rules clearly back to his squadron.

Do you have any sponsors?
Both CH Products and Natural Point are supporters of the league. They each have donated their products as prizes and you may receive discount from buying their products through the USL website. For the Spring 2008 season a deal for additional sponsorship from a major PC manufacturer is under discussion.

How has everyone got on?
The IL2 Community our squads have never been so close and had so much fun – we all agree that this combat has brought us closer together – where there were rivals there are now friends – we love it!!!!! Thanks this season to 334th Tactical, Fighting 69th, Squadron Of Brothers, GF, RightToRebel, 353rd FS, Mercenaries, RCAF_FB, The Flying Circus, WW and Rogue Saints.

If you would like to know more you may e-mail me at 334th_Osprey@hindshaw.demon.co.uk or post here, or post in the forums of www.il2league.com

We look forward to hearing from you,

~S~ Osprey 334th Eagle Squadron

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Osprey_334th,

News Update:

We presently have 10 squadrons either entered or have registered their interest in the Locked Pit division so far - If you would like to get involved or enquire for your squadron them please post\ask\mail or do what you need to do - myself or WWBard will be eager to help.

We have a sample of maps that were flown in the Open Pit league which was completed with 334th Eagle Squadron running out winners over 10 matches ~ 334th won CH flight stick and Track IR headset for the efforts for this round - more are up for grabs in future seasons.

The maps are dogfight based and on a rotation on A+A_Locked Pit in Hyperlobby - this basically has Warclouds_WF settings but these will be decided by competitors before the season starts.
For locked pit we are researching the possibilty of a scripted server, it may not be a dogfight map.

~S~

Test your tactics and leadership in the USL - sign up for the new season!

www.il2league.com

*bump*

We're getting close to fulfilling our quota for the season and we'll be holding our Liason meeting shortly.

If your squad hasn't signed up then and you think that you are up to the task of some proper competition then........you know what to do!

~S~

There, advertising on your own thread doesn't hurt now does it?

This has very little effect, it's the posting all over these forums that actually did it.

Thanks for your help though in making the community a friendlier place...

Locked Pit liason meeting on Teamspeak

64.34.180.71:8000 pw eagle

Saturday 26th January 1900GMT (1400EST)

If you wish to consider the USL and have not yet signed up then you must make this meet.

All other squad liasons I look forward to meeting you

~S~

quote:

Originally posted by Osprey_334th:


All other squad liasons I look forward to meeting you

~S~

You might regret that statement