I bought this aircraft in March last year to grind the USSR tech tree, and my God… it was amazing to play. The R-24R missiles would hit their targets 90% of the time when locked using the radar’s SDC mode. But then came the “historical” update, where the developers supposedly found “secret” documents proving that the SDC mode was completely useless…
Let’s Start with the Radar
The radar in SDC mode used to work like this: at altitudes up to 3 km above the ground, it wouldn’t be fooled by countermeasures (chaff). It was more or less balanced because as soon as you climbed above 3 km, the radar turned into a pumpkin—falling for chaff, losing locks, and becoming completely unplayable. But after the update, the radar started working historically, meaning it barely works at all.
Technically, it still functions, but only when your aircraft’s nose is pointed below the horizon. And even then, it now gets fooled by chaff in SDC mode as well, and even loses locks in a completely clear sky. The R-24R missiles are now useless without a working radar, and in the current matchmaker, the MiG-23ML has to fight against German MiG-29s, F-18s, and other top-tier aircraft.
So, why is facing stronger enemies considered a gameplay balance decision, but having a working (even if not completely historical) radar isn’t? Essentially, a year ago, I paid $55.64 for garbage. Fair? I don’t think so. If you’re going to nerf an aircraft this hard, at least lower its BR accordingly.
And I haven’t even mentioned the reduced engine thrust—now the MiG-23ML bleeds speed like crazy in maneuvers and takes forever to accelerate. But the radar? I won’t forgive you for that.
This has been a cautionary tale about why giving money to the snails is like playing Russian roulette—be ready for your purchase to turn into nothing.
Only took them 3 years to nerf it down to IRL levels.
It still has Large CMs where most have regular CMs.
It still has all-aspect IRs at a BR where most superosnic fighters have rear-aspect IRs
and it still has the best SARH at that BR.
Its still probably the strongest 11.7 in game right now and the fact it struggles in full uptiers is to be expected. If it didnt. Then it would be a higher BR (arguments can be made that it should be 12.0, not 11.7 quite easily)
I’m almost afraid to ask, but when was the last time you played the MiG? What all-aspect missiles? R-60M? R-24T? They get fooled by any flares, they’re just ineffective. No wonder every other MiG now isn’t even playing PvP but just flying off to bomb bases (even before the patch).
And yeah, I get that this is just like the F-18 and Viggen situation—they just scammed the buyers. But still, it feels pretty bad.
Well, listen, I can launch them, sure, but the thing is, I’m firing at real players, not bots. And they just pop flares, and the missile happily goes for them. They’re about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
Learn to launch missiles better. R-60Ms excel in close range headons, and R-24Ts are some of the longest range IR missiles in the game. If the enemy doesn’t see you launch one, they will die to it.
The Mig-23 is also one of the fastest planes in it’s Br range too, so use that to your advantage.
I apologize, but I’m a complete newbie when it comes to simulator battles, so I can’t really say anything about that. I just don’t know how the MiG performs there.
Well, listen, people aren’t stupid—90% of the time, they’re not just looking straight ahead. Right now, my only kills are those rare 10% who don’t bother looking anywhere else.
Then pick your targets better. I have over 450 kills between the MiG-23s. Getting all aspect IRs at its BR is insanely useful if you aren’t braindead .