The F-104s should be adjusted to lower BRs

Game Discussion Realistic Battle
,
1

Currently, almost all F-104s equipped with high-overload missiles in the game require BR adjustments. Here are my specific proposals:

  • Italian F-104G: Adjust from 11.0 down to 10.3
  • German F-104G: Adjust from 11.0 down to 10.7
  • Chinese F-104G: Adjust from 10.7 down to 10.3
  • F-104S: Adjust from 11.3 down to 11.0
  • F-104S-ASA: Adjust from 11.7 down to 11.3

Additionally, some aircraft with clearly inflated BRs, such as the early model F-4F, also need to be lowered.

The reasons for these changes are obvious:

  1. F-104S vs. F-4EJ: Except for top speed, the F-104S is inferior to the F-4EJ in every other performance metric, yet it sits at a higher BR. These two aircraft should at least share the same BR.

  2. F-104S-ASA: The lack of a directional RWR makes playing this aircraft at 11.7 completely unviable.

  3. F-104G Series: The performance of the F-104G variants is significantly lagging behind at their current BRs.These F-104Gs not only lack the firepower configuration suitable for this battle rating, but their maneuverability is also notoriously poor.

    • The German F-104G at 11.0 carries only four AIM-9J missiles.
    • The Italian F-104G is even worse, carrying only two AIM-9Js at 11.0.
    • The Chinese F-104G , although currently at 10.7, lacks flares entirely.

All of these aircraft deserve a BR reduction.

As for the Japanese F-104J, while it lacks flares, it possesses six AIM-9Js at 10.3; therefore, a BR adjustment may not be necessary for this specific variant.

8 Likes
2

This is easily the most reasonable and accurate take on the F-104s I have seen, and I completely agree.

Additionally, I don’t see how it is meaningfully better than the J-8B or F-4E for example. Sure its fast and has Aim-9Ls, but that’s about it.

3 Likes
3

They’re the only 11.0s that have never ever threatened my 10.0s, that really means something in the current state of compression. They surely gotta go down

5 Likes
4

I agree the F-104’s should be lowered in BR
Their nature makes them hard to balance, but feel like they’re not very threatening atm

2 Likes
5

Nothing more, nothing less. Many 10.7-11.0 aircraft are a much more dangerous opponent than the F-104S/TAF pencil. I’ve made a suggestion for the dev’s to reconsider his BR. If anyone agrees, they can add a reaction to the post; it will have a greater chance of being noticed among the ~2,800 other posts.

Here: