I think this, while probably the best way to introduce a change for newer players, is backwards in terms of mechanics. At top tier almost all planes would have some sort of datalink that shares radar spotted targets with other planes. Any plane with a HMD also gets the targets highlighted in the HMD.
I honestly think this should be an actual mechanic, as soon as a plane is pinged by any teammates radar it should be spotted for the whole team. On the map for any plane without HMD and in normal HUD for all planes with HMD. if the plane is not pinged by a radar the spot should disappear after 5-10 seconds. Or something like that.
Though in general i do agree that a change to how spotting in air RB works would do the game good and that just over night blanket change might be to drastic of a change for many players to adapt to.
And the only bad point of this, Its really hard to see a plane nowadays without mark. Gaijin always changed it, and sometime when it was easy to find targets without markers it was really good.
Funnily enough I actually turn my radar’s off on anything thats not got SARH - ARH missiles. Like the Tornado, I don’t want them knowning the kind of plane I’m in until I get spotted via the ingame spotting mech’s.
Generally it helps as a player who may see the type of aircraft i’m flying might know at what altitude to expect me at. e.g Tornado low flying, where as some of my other’s I will stay around 5-10k ft in alt.
Also when you have a decent RWR, you know whats flying at you but they don’t know whats come at them hahaha.
Oh it definally helps, Since you know whats coming at you but they have no idea what your flying. Also not a bad idea to run some IR missiles ( if you have them ) and sling 1 at them for good luck. Be suprised how many people are so hungry for bases they don’t even try to dodge or flair
One of the biggest problems ARB has, and ever had, is the third party spotting, in my opinion.
A 5km ish marker range for every player without sharing markers with the team outside this 5km bubble could solve many problems ARB has.
I think it would be a good first step, to remove this sharing system. Could be done over all BRs at the same time without major disadvantages.
5km is range where most IR missiles can’t be shot, and in prop battles you have a decent amount of time to prepare.
Without ANY markers you give an active squad too much might, because of their communication ability.
2 alternative suggestions, replace the full name and plane type with just a general location marker like GRB spotting, or (and this is my personal preference) use the “air alert” spot also from GRB, where you get a bearing marker on your compass and an altitude but they don’t get highlighted, in ARB that could either be automatic when you engage them (they have to be in your FOV) or could require manual tagging like in ground.
While I like no markers, in the SEAD event I found having no way to ping an enemy but to guess their location on the map a bit frustrating. I think the GRB “air alert” is a good middle ground.
the problem is even if you surprise someone and kill them without them ever realizing you where there… they still spot you for the rest of their team