There really is no point in the AIM-9L/M modifications. You get 9M stock on the two outer pilons, the only two you are likely to use them for.
On top of that AIM-7M is a rank two mod so there is even less need for extra Sidewinders.
I can maybe see the AIM-9M modification staying but the AIM-9L mod is just completely unnecessary.
(But no AIM-4A/Ds for the F-102A because they are “inferior missiles” :/ )
I’m pretty sure you can’t use the stock 9Ms with BOL pods until you get the 9M modification. I maybe incorect tho.
But they do serve some purpose. The RP cost of each modificaiton in a tier is determined by the number of mods in that tier.
Less mods in a tier = More Expensive mods in that tier.
That’s the the engine on the old F-16A was like 110,000 RP.
The two mods are a bit of a blessing in disguise as they reduce the RP cost for the other mods.
Without AIM-9L mod → Aim-54 would be 14400 RP
Without AIM-9M mod → AIM-54C would be 23750 RP
You need the Flares/Chaff BOL mod for the pods.
Its the same amount of rp for the whole tier either way.
I’d rather have 4 9Ms stock than AIM-54s be cheaper.
Yes, but you can progress onto the next tier easier. Which, in turn, makes spading the plane easier.
Huh. I could’ve sworn you also needed to get the Sidewinder mods to Equip the BOL + Sidewinders on one pylon.
Even on the modification screen it says so.
However you would get full access to those missiles which would also make it easier. Really full 9Ls should be stock and 9Ms should be a rank 3 mod.
Well you’ve seen my progression and this is my loadout
It says it on the default preset because there are four of the 9Ms. To have four 9Ms with BOL pods you would need both mods.
I see, Well in my defense I haven’t spaded a Tomcat with BOL pods since, well, the F-14B came out.
Unfortunately Gaijin only gives x2 Fox-3/1s and x2 Fox-2s stock.
Even though having more missiles would be nice, I don’t forsee them adding more missiles stock. Especially not to something at 13.0.
As it stands, you can entirely skip the 9L and 9M modifications and grind the plane with the Optimal loadout you’re using. While benefiting from the fact that tier 3 and 4 mods cost less because of them.
Wrong image you didn’t see anything.
I understand what you mean, however if they got rid of the 9L mod and made 9Ms rank 3 I’d gladly take the more expensive rank 4 mods.
Really they need to update this for rank 8-9 aircraft. There is a really no reason we should need to grind fox-1s and non-irccm fox-2s if we get 2 irccm and fox-3s stock.
For sure, Most Fox-1s are useless past 13.0 anyway. And grinding Non-IRCCM missiles when you get IRCCM missiles stock is dumb.
Needing to get 9Ls before 9Ms is def annoying, but the best Tomcat loadout has always been x6 Sparrows and x2 Sidewinders. Which you currently have.
With how it’s currently set up players can get the Performance mods faster, along with the AIM-54A/C if they so choose.
But I definitely understand where you’re coming from.
