CAS players are often better tankers than tank mains, because they have to earn their way into aircraft.
To get enough points for CAS, they already have to dominate on the ground first. That means they understand armor, positioning, and combined-arms play better than most.
They’re also usually the strongest AA players. To hunt aircraft effectively, you have to think like a pilot
— know flight paths, attack angles, and escape routes.
CAS mains live inside that mindset.
The result is a feedback loop: the players who master air power also end up controlling the ground and the counter-air.
And that reflects modern warfare: air dominance decides everything. Whether it’s jets, helicopters, or drones, whoever controls the sky controls the battlefield.
Ground forces don’t disappear — but they become support for air power, not the other way around.
I’m playing Black Hawk helicopter at 12.3 that doesn’t have FnF because its easy to get kills now because there is to much AA instead of Air Patrol.
CAP is only impractical, because its still way too expensive compared to the new SPAAs and the rewards for playing CAP suck certified ass.
If Gaijin reduced the SP to spawn CAP by just a tiny bit more and made playing it actually worthwhile compared to air rb youd get a healthy amount of good pilots that enjoy RB air combat without spotting
I actually kind of wish to learn how to do all of these cool things, but it’s really hard and I haven’t found any good guides on it, also really frustrating because all my guided munitions usually immediately lose track and just explode in the air instead of just following an IOG path
I have actually done that before against a KA-52 xD
but no, I meant CAS piloting, feels like I always get destroyed immediately no matter how much I try to hug the terrain, just pop up to quickly fire a missile or two and duck back into cover, I think out of over 500 mavericks less than 5% actually ever hit a target
Your observations highlight the evolutionary nature of gameplay in response to increasing challenges, a concept akin to biological adaptations. The adjustments in Close Air Support (CAS) strategies, as you mentioned, showcase a fascinating dynamic where players develop more sophisticated tactics to counteract the growing anti-aircraft threats presented in War Thunder. This natural progression towards more nuanced gameplay is evident in the various approaches you outlined, such as terrain-based tactics, decoy saturation, and improved ordnance knowledge.
These strategies underscore the essence of adaptability, driving players to hone their skills further and embrace complex maneuvers that reflect real-world combat tactics. The high-level tactics and coordination you described, from helicopter counter-AA tactics to late-game systematic AA removal strategies, indicate a shift towards more strategic and calculated play.
This progression not only highlights player innovation but also pushes the boundaries of competitive play within the game’s ecosystem, suggesting a more profound and rewarding experience for those willing to adapt.
If you’re interested, I can compile more insights or trends from the community or provide data on how these strategies are influencing gameplay across different levels. Would you like to explore further developments or gather a deeper understanding of community responses to CAS evolution?