๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ
This post is a summary of the changes I believe should be made to the Phantoms in War Thunder. Over time, many Phantom variants have been left behind due to missing equipment and outdated loadouts. As newer aircraft have been introduced, these issues have only become more noticeable, leaving several Phantoms less enjoyable and less competitive than they should be.
The changes proposed here focus on improving gameplay and overall balance. They would make these aircraft enjoyable to play again without making them overpowered.
Once proper battle rating decompression is implemented, the more advanced Phantom variants at 12.0 can be moved up to 12.3, (the F-4EJ Kai). That would allow these improvements to be introduced without creating long-term balancing issues. It benefits both players and Gaijin by improving the current gameplay experience while leaving room for healthier matchmaking environment in the future.
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Kurnass 2000
- Reduce Battle Rating from 12.3 โ 12.0.
- Remove the pointless AIM-9G modification.
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F-4EJ Kai Phantom II
- Reduce Battle Rating from 12.3 โ 12.0.
- Or keep the aircraft at 12.3 and add the AAM-3 missiles.
If Gaijin intends to keep the F-4EJ Kai at 12.3, then it should receive the AAM-3 missiles to help justify its Battle Rating from a balance perspective. As other Phantoms are proposed to receive additional capabilities, the F-4EJ Kai risks falling behind while remaining at the same Battle Rating of 12.3. Giving it the AAM-3 would provide a meaningful advantage, reinforce its position as the strongest Fox-1 Phantom in the game, and help ensure it remains competitive against other aircraft at 12.3 and above. Remove the AIM-9P missiles and make the AIM-9L the aircraftโs new stock missile. The AIM-7E missiles should also be removed, as they are effectively useless at 12.3 and serve no purpose other than making the stock grind more frustrating.
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/qygYwgbjLPBO
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/Qh4FgVvnk8Xg
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Phantom FGR.2
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinders.
- Add Skyflash SuperTEMP missiles.
- Remove the AIM-9D modification. The aircraft should instead receive two AIM-9L missiles with its stock air-to-air armament.
F-4J(UK) Phantom II
- Add ALE-40 countermeasures.
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinders.
- Add Skyflash SuperTEMP missiles.
- Remove the AIM-9D modification.
- Add its unique tiger camouflage.
Phantom FG.1
- Reduce Battle Rating from 12.0 โ 11.7.
Community Bug Reporting System
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F-4F Early
- Add countermeasures to make the aircraft viable again.
- Increase Battle Rating from 10.7 โ 11.3.
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinder and AGM-65 compatibility to the F-4F Early after the Peace Rhine modernization
- Remove the AIM-9E modification. The aircraft should instead receive two AIM-9J missiles as its stock air-to-air armament.
F-4F
- Increase Battle Rating from 11.0 โ 11.3.
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinder compatibility to the F-4F after the Peace Rhine modernization
- Remove the AIM-9E modification. The aircraft should instead receive two AIM-9J missiles as its stock air-to-air armament.
The tech tree F-4F was denied AIM-9Ls for balance reasons back in the day, and the F-4F Early appears to have been treated the same way despite representing the early Peace Rhine upgrade. If thatโs the case, both aircraft should receive AIM-9Ls, while the F-4F Early should also receive the rest of the historically accurate Peace Rhine modifications instead of remaining in this incomplete state. It would be no different from the AJS 37 and AJS 37 Early already in the game.
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F-4S Phantom II
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinders.
- Add one AN/ALE-37 countermeasure pod to maintain balance.
- Remove the AIM-9D modification.
F-4J Phantom II
- Add AIM-9L Sidewinders.
- Add one AN/ALE-37 countermeasure pod to maintain balance.
- Remove the AIM-9D modification. The aircraft should instead receive two AIM-9L missiles with its stock air-to-air armament.
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/fmGk5uYj45M2
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๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐!
We need outer wing drop tanks for every phantom variant! This has been requested by the community for years, and it is long overdue. These drop tanks already exist on many other aircraft in-game, and these tanks were a standard part of many Phantom loadouts. Adding them would greatly improve gameplay, especially for Phantom variants without an internal gun.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ
Hereโs the unfortunate reality: proper battle rating decompression may still be a long way off. With the continued introduction and popularity of high-tier premium aircraft such as the Su-30MK2, Su-30MKK, and others, there is no clear indication of when decompression will finally be addressed. In the meantime, many Phantom variants will continue to struggle if smaller changes are not considered as a temporary solution.
This is why I have focused on practical changes that can be made to the Phantom family now. These adjustments would improve their gameplay experience and competitiveness without requiring a complete overhaul of the matchmaking system.
It is also frustrating to see historically accurate suggestions, supported by proper documentation and evidence, often go unnoticed despite having the potential to improve vehicles. Many War Thunder content creators and members of the community have raised similar concerns about neglected aircraft and questionable implementation choices, yet progress has often been slow or none at all.
The RDF/LT is a good example. After two years, the only improvement it has received is the addition of smoke grenade launchers.
Iโll also add another poll at the end because some people have been making these discussions unnecessarily difficult across all posts that Iโve made. Please keep the discussion respectful and constructive, and avoid harassing others over differing opinions. Weโre all here because we want to see these aircraft improved.
Iโm also aware that many other aircraft around these battle ratings have been overlooked, and I donโt want to leave them out.
Thatโs why Iโve created this discussion: to give players a place to talk about other aircraft between 11.3 and 12.3 and discuss possible changes that could help improve balance across these battle ratings.
@Smin1080p_WT The Phantoms really need some attention.
