Once again we’re back at decompression discussion. As usual, we’ll be looking at all top tier (Rank VIII) aircraft and their ARB BRs. This discussion seems more important than ever considering how many BR complaints there are in the forums, with the potential for disastrous results.
This time I’ll be further expanding top BR from 14.7 to 15.0 to allow for increased nuance at the topmost BRs.
For TL,DR: main decompression points at current 13.0, 13.7, 14.0
11.3
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Tornado IDS MFG
Tornado GR.1, Tornado IDS ASSTA.1, Tornado IDS 1995
Tornado MLU RET.8- unless it receives better missiles which has been stated as a possibility
11.7
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Su-25SM3
12.0
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Kurnass 2000
12.3
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Tornado ADV, Tornado F3
F-4EJ KAI
JA-37D
Harrier GR.7
JF-7A
MiG-21 Bison
Tornado GR.4
Mirage 2000D-R1
12.7
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F-16A
F-20A
Mirage 2000C-S4
F-14A
Netz, Netz
Mirage 2000D-RMV
13.0
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F-16A ADF, ADF, MLU, AJ
MiG-29 9.12A,B, 9.13
Yak-141
13.3
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AV-8B plus, AV-8B Plus, FA.2
MiG-29G
F/A-18A, C Early
F-14A IRAIF, F-14B
F-16A (FR)
JA-37DI, DI
Kfir C.10
13.7
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Tornado F.3 Late
F-4F ICE
J-8F
F-15A, J, Baz
Su-27, J-11, Su-33
Mirage 4000
JAS-39A
14.0
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JF-17
F-16D Barak II
MiG-29SMT
14.3
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Su-34
J-11A
JAS-39C, C, C, C HU
F-16AM, OCU, C, C Barak II
Mirage 2000-5F, 5Ei
F-18C
14.7
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J-10A
F-15C, J(M), Baz M
Su-27SM
J-11B
F/A-18C, MLU
15.0
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EF-2000, F-2000A, FGR.4
F-15E,I
Rafale
Su-30SM
Bonus: armament changes
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- Netz, Netz: remove ahistorical Python 3, to 12.7
More historical while maintaining balance
- F-16A: add AIM-9M, to 13.3
Netz, Netz: remove Python 3, add AIM-9M, to 13.3
F-16 ADF (US): add AIM-9M, to 14.3
F-16 ADF (IT), MLU: add AIM-9M, to 14.3
More historical particularly for the ADF and MLU, while maintaining balance. Moves 4th gen airframes away from 3rd gens while keeping performance via armament.
- MiG-29 9.12A,B,G, 9.13: add R-73, remove R-27ER/ET, to 13.3
Much needed historical change plus better balancing for 29G.
- Yak-141: add R-73, R-77, to 13.7
Historical change of intended weaponry
- MiG-21 Bison: add R-77, to 13.7
Historical change
- J-8F: add PL-8B, to 13.7
Historical change and slight buff but not huge
- F/A-18A add AIM-7P, AIM-9M, to 13.7
F/A-18C Early add AIM-9M, to 13.7
Historical additions and good buff
Closing notes
As usual, I will explain but not defend my decisions. That is, I’ll answer questions for why vehicles were placed where they were but will not engage further. I simply don’t have the time nor energy to argue around in circles with every single person who disagrees.
Yes, there are BR overlaps between rank VIII and VII, and Rank VII vehicles that need rebalancing. But I’ve decided to set a hard line at Rank VIII, because otherwise I’d end up rebalancing almost every vehicle in the game!
Aircraft don’t all fly the same. This has two really important effects to remember- not every aircraft can use the same playstyle and not every aircraft can be the best of the BR. Remember these two factors before asking for a lower BR because x plane can’t do y as good as z plane can. Look at the aircraft holistically and used in its best role when considering balance.
Remember, if you think there’s a balancing issue, aim upwards and not downwards. This is about decompression and not compression after all! So I’m hoping not to see “F-18 should be 12.0 because AIM-9L” or the like.