The MiG-23ML has received a number of nerfs through out the years, from the engine, to radar. Uptiers were always a problem because of the vast number of US players with the premium F-20A and the British / Indian MiG-21 Bison. But with the new addition of the F/A-18C early and Netz at 12.7 every game is an uptier. Part of the problem is 12.7 cant play in 14.0 games, which means everyone playing from 13.0+ gets uptierd, while the people playing 12.7 get downtired because of all the 11.7-12.0 premiums. There also isnt much at 10.7. So all this combined means the MiG-23ML gets uptired almost every game.
Im not sure what the solution is? lower the MiG-23ML to 11.3 or give it better weapons. But right now its pure suffering.
Mig-23ML remains one of the strongest premiums at that BR range (good missiles, good CMs, excellent speed, good handling and even has Napalm) and it cannot move down. To do so would inflict misery on anyone trying to fight it in an uptier. Many 10.7s already struggle, 10.3s would never stand any chance.
I do not believe there are any buffs available for it and those “nerfs” were Loooooong overdue, that thing was absolutely insane for the 3 years prior
Yes, there are a few 12.3s that really should be 12.7, but that wont change a huge amount, you’ll still get uptiered to face them.
Just remember, the Mig-23ML in more than a few ways, is actually stronger than several 12.0s, such as the F-4J(UK) or F-104ASA.
Still surprised there is no new premium for the USSR at 12.0-12.7 but no reason to make the Mig-23ML anymore OP than it already is.
All-aspect IRs where most still have rear-aspects (on supersonic fighters)
Best SARH of the BR (or some of the best all-aspect IRs on anything supersonic at that BR)
Has Napalm (which is insane for grinding with it from what i’ve heard)
Only real issues with it is the clunkyness of the MTI mode auto swapping and the RWR from what i’ve heard. Like I said, compared to several 12.0s, it completely destroys them in almost all respects, like for example the F-104ASA. Mig-23MLD should be 12.0, and the only thing that is just about keeping the Mig-23ML at 11.7 is SPO-10.
The radar also isn’t that good in general (no narrow scan modes, clunky ACM mode, and it’s not PD), and R-60Ms are quite mediocre. MTI is also mostly useless since it only works below 1400m, while pitching down. It’s mostly the RWR holding it back, because Spo-10 is outdated by 11.0, and it’s quite painful at 11.7.
The only thing holding the MLD back is that it can’t detect other Mig-23s. Overall they are fine at 11.7, but the MLD could be 12.0, we just need BR decompression (it’s almost like most BR issues lead to compression).
Edit: It’s also quite bad if you play low and lawnmow, it’s much more well suited for high alt, which is impossible when facing 12.3+.
Decompression. But looking at the forums and reddit, most players just want the next new shiny and don’t care as much about balancing at high to top tiers. So don’t expect anything to change in the near future.
