Notching is too powerful as it currently is in the game. Notching mechanics haven’t been reworked since the addition of Fox 3s. Players have already adapted to the new missiles a long time ago and notching is simply too easy. You can consistently notch Fox 3s from extremely close distances using very little amount of chaff, as long as you can pull into the notch angle in time.
The gameplay loop comes down to acquiring lock with HMS and firing a Fox 3 HOBS. Long range missiles are rendered completely obsolete, as long range shots are (not) necessary only to keep the enemy busy, which any Fox 3 can do. The only things that matter are how hard your Fox 3 pulls, how violently it accelerates, the gimbal limits of your radar for HMS lock, and the flight model of your plane in case you merge.
Planes like Rafale or Mirage 2000 with MICAs are basically invincible. An experienced player in an F-16, F-15 or other AIM-120 carrier stands no chance against an experienced player in a Rafale or Mirage 2000.
The issue becomes especially pronounced with over-the-shoulder radars. Su-30SM2 can launch Fox 3s without ever putting itself in any danger.
All modern Fox 3 missiles are moving towards greater range with less maneuverability. With current notching mechanics, all of them will be DOA.
I think it’s about time to start increasing notching resistance of Fox 3s in small steps, until making it any stronger would make planes with longer range missiles too powerful.
Features like data link reconnect and third-party data link could be added to alleviate this problem; however, they won’t fix the balance without addressing the root cause, especially with mechanical radars.
Fox 3 gameplay will never be balanced, if the current notching mechanics don’t change.
- Yes
- No