Hi,
I’d appreciate if one of the Devs would take the time to address a couple of Balance questions on what the gameplay is to be envisioned after the update.
We’re seeing the introduction of long range stand off weapons that can be launched from far outside the reach of any Missile SPAA (except the Pantsir - maybe).
Some nations don’t even have a Top Tier Missile SPAA. Theoretical and effective combat range are also very different since the introduction of the realistic missile control. This limits the VT-1 missile to 8-9km effective combat range if the enemy isn’t maniuvering.
The new CAS long range options give the players a 20km lock and fire range, which leaves plenty of time to disengage and stay the whole time outside SPAA range while picking off individual targets.
Yes, the new weapons are pinpoint location and not all are tracking, yet, the capability exist and if movement options for a SPAA like the FlaRakRad and Pantsir are…limited and the map design does not encourage good SPAA cover.
Furthermore, the CAS balance at 10.7+ is already shifting heavily towards airborne units, especially since spawn costs for CAS are relatively easy to get.
The best SPAA is probably the Type 81 right now (except the Pantsir) because the missiles pull enough G’s to effectively counter CAS manouvers. However, the IR missiles are not effective at distance of course.
So how do the Devs envision gameplay for Top Tier after the update?
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I would assume more APS and trophy systems on tanks. Maybe some laser and radio disturbance systems but those are relatively new irl.
I would also assume highly sensitive IR missiles will be eventually added. They would be able to lock onto the small heat signature on AGM’s. Something like the Aim-9x on the back of a hummve. We can also see some ARH weapons like the SLAMRAAM that could be launched pitbull to counter larger incoming weapons.
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The 5 Israel mains with their ground launched AIM-9D slinger trying to destroy the F-15E in low earth orbit:
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The second best SPAA actually is the ItO 90M. Type 81 (C) is far behind.
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Yeah that sucks all nations besides russia need a new top teir SPAA, every nation has a proper equivalent or something better than it that needs to be added.
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What do
USA
Germany
Italy
France
Japan
Sweden
have that’s not just an AAM slinger with wheels?
Sky Sabre and equivalents might be options. Depends on implementation.
Let’s play a game! Is it a:
A: GBU-39
B: AGM-65D
C: An idiot about to get a ground kill with an AMRAAM
D: Another GBU-39
What’s the problem with AAM missiles being used for SPAA duties? A missile is a missile, lol. Anyways, the list of non-AAM SPAA:
USA - SLAMRAAM-ER (a specific surface-to-air variant, 40km range), FMTV MML (Tamir Interceptor, 15km range),
Germany - IRIS-T SLM/SLS (20km/12km)
Italy - Grifo (CAMM-ER, 40km), SAMP/T (trailer needed though, >30km with Aster 15)
France - VL MICA (20km), SAMP/T (trailer needed though, >30km with Aster 15)
Japan - Chu-SAM (at least one trailer, >50km range)
Sweden - NASAMS (SLAMRAAM-ER, 40km)
UK - Land Ceptor (CAMM-ER, 40km)
They should be lowering spawn cost for CAP.
There should be a loadout of premade A2A options. Say an f16 with 2 120’s and 2 9m’s. Which should be much cheaper and not negatively affect the purchase of next aircraft if you earn enough to rearm at the field and change to a full a2a or mixed a2a and a2g if you survive your CAP mission.
Planes are now the best AA, it needs to start being reflected as much.
Sir, this is 2024, not 2022.
These weapons were introduced in 2022 and Pantsir hasn’t dealt with them ever.
No tech tree in War Thunder has SPAA capable of fragging meta CAS introduced from 2022 to present.
Probably does not help that most of the long range cas is on the same team as the pantsir
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Try using your “missile” to shoot down the incoming AGM-65s, GBU-39s, Kh-29Ts and Kh-38s :)
That’d imply that Japan is on the opposite team every single match with USA and France on Soviet’s side very match.
Not likely.
Being able to shoot down the CAS that shoots them is still better than not being able to do either, though (although I doubt missiles that weren’t specifically designed to be surface-to-air lack the capability to take out AGMs).