Dogfight Mode

Dog Fight Mode (abbreviated as DFM) is one of the two branches of the Close Range Assault mechanic in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon.

Overview
When the distance between a player and a targeted enemy aircraft is low enough (less than 2,500 feet), a blinking circle will surround the target. Simultaneously pressing the trigger buttons will automatically engage DFM. In Dogfight Mode, the aircraft pursues the enemy in a short-range chase sequence. The camera re-positions itself behind the plane's machine gun, and most control is overriden by the game. During DFM gameplay, a green circle (named the Assault Circle) appears in the screen, and expands as as the player gets closer to the enemy. If the distance is low enough, the circle will be fully expanded and glowing red, indicating that all normal missiles fired will have increased accuracy. If an enemy aircraft is destroyed in Dogfight Mode, a short scene will be displayed, showing the target's torn apart wreckage. As a result of the new game engine employed in Assault Horizon, the target's airframe will suffer diverse types of damage, such as the tailfins being torn apart, parts such as the engines and cockpit detaching from the target, or even the pilot himself getting thrown of the aircraft. If the player is behind an enemy target when an aircraft is shot down in DFM, they will instantly chase said target, thus starting an "assault chain". The chain can go on indefinitely, and will end in an aircraft is taken out with no other targets in front of them. Furthermore, Dogfight Mode allows one to perform a "direct shot": if a missile is fired when the enemy is in the dead center of the assault circle, it will instantly destroy the enemy. A direct shot can be confirmed by paying attention to a high-pitched beep when a missile is launched. Machine guns, despite their low power, have the added bonus of slowing down targets, leaving them wide open for missile fire. Enemy pilots will often try to escape the player by accelerating and performing tight maneuvers, reducing the assault circle's size to about that of their aircraft. To keep such enemies within eyesight, slow down In certain moments, the target will perform a counter-maneuver to escape from Dogfight Mode, or position themselves behind oneself to attack. Presing the trigger buttons while a red arrow flickers on-screen will initiate a brief, slow-motion moment wherein one use open fire at the enemy with their machine gun. A successful counter-counter-maneuver will either deal heavy damage to the enemy or outright destroy them. Helicopters are the only aircraft class to be unable to either engage or be engaged in DFM. As well, bombers are the only planes to be unable to perform any counter-maneuvers. In multiplayer, Dogfight Mode can be affected either positively or negatively by skillsets. Increased DFM+ will upgrade DFM capabilities, at the expense of lower Air Strike Mode power.