I’ll start with the simplist first, Different game modes;
Look lets be real here, the only fresh content we get is more vehicles. which… cool in its own right, ive been playing this game for years, we have always had this big team battle game mode… we tried different game modes that were successful but it was only for events.
We need to add different game modes to provide variety to the player. stuff like KOTH, FFA, idk anything really, even if you don’t agree with my spit balled game modes, I’m sure you can think of stuff that you would want in the game instead.
I’ve always been fond of some sort of like… 1 team is all bombers, the other team is all fighters kind of deal. the bombers get some sort of AI fighters for protection and the enemy tries to keep the bombers from reaching their target. THAT sounds like fun, AND gives bombers another objective besides being a free kill in those big team battles.
-------- SUPPORT VEHICLES ------- ECM ------
Look okay im not the first to bring this up but i think there could really be a place for support units inside warthunder.
ive always been a massive advocate for ECM, but ive always been countered with “ITLL BREAK THE GAME REEEEEE” instead of an actual argument. ECM could add an interesting dynamic to both air and ground modes.
ECM for air: Can help aircraft that dont have self defense armament (Like support aircraft) avoid being hit by ground based systems and early cold war missiles. HOWEVER, it is true that modern missiles use ECM as a homing beacon and can be more of a detremit than a savior on the battlefield. it all depends on the type of ECM and the mission of said aircraft.
Example: f-16’s ECM pod would be a beacon for r-27’s when the b-52 ECM sweep would prevent missiles from tracking or being able to lock on in general.
ECM for ground: ECM’s could add an interesting dynamic not only for ground based sam pads but also the map. it would not only deny the enemy their SAM power but also jam tanks Datalink I.E. not being bale to see player names, not being able to see units on the map, maybe interfering with some self defense systems on the tank like IR warnings.
a counter for this would be other jets in the air or helicopters, as said earlier most ECM aircraft are very good at knocking out ground systems but are more susceptible for air to air missiles and cannot easily defend or notch.
-------- SUPPORT VEHICLES ------- AWACS ------
okay ill be honest this is only because i love doing it in DCS. but think about it, imagine being an AWACS, hanging out in the back and gaining XP for spotting enemy aircraft and helping your team take out hostiles and avoid incoming missiles instead of being blind. yeah that would be complicated to make but hey, i think it would be a super freaking fun support vehicle to add with an interesting dynamic.
Like for example in top tier if your AWACS gets destroyed you don’t get a mini map you’ll be stuck using your visual in game identifier. enemy plane names could disappear from you and you’d be blind, only relying on your radar.
-------- SUPPORT VEHICLES ------- AIR TO AIR REFULING ------
OOOOkay yeah this is a stretch, i dont see this happening, and would only work in sim. BUTTTTTT, i mean cmon that would be pretty cool. imagine this; your in tomcat, you just merged with a mig, your fighting super hard, theres no one to help you but you, your in burner and doing some of that “Pilot Sh$t” and you come out ontop but alas, your out of fuel. you cant make it back to base, but hey look at that theres a KC-135 (with a drogue adapter) hanging around town just waiting to save your butt.
-------- SUPPORT VEHICLES ------- RADAR ------
okay so we have alot of manpad vehicles but its about time we start adding in land base defense systems like the patriot system. even if it is just single player, its clear that the building mechanic already exists (the ammo box for air to air missiles). just find a spot, plop down your massive radar, and there ya have it. the caviot tho? your stuck. cant move.
this would bring in the dynamic for AGM-88 HARM’s, or seed aircraft in general and would make a very fun wild weasel gameplay in warthunder.
all this to say, I think there’s a lot more the snail can do with warthunder than just two big team battles and big plane go brrr.
i think this could allow… granted selfishly… my favorite aircrafts to come to the game like the B-1 bomber, the EA-6G growler, E/A-18 (whenever they add the f-18), the C-130 variants (AC-KC), Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS), AEW SEA KING (Helicopter AWACS), and so so so so so much more… god i want the YF-12 more than anything xD
anyway that’s my two cents, i hope this sparks some sort of conversation of thinking rather than insults lol.