I believe the Mitsubishi F-2A should be at 12.7 in the current meta of War Thunder. At 13.0 the environment is a 16v16 where almost everyone is using active radar missiles, and BVR combat decides most matches. Although the F-2A has great dogfight potential, the reality is that you can rarely take advantage of it because there are constantly threats around, and you often have to play defensively to avoid being intercepted or third-partied. In this type of match, having an advantage in close combat does not compensate if the beginning of the engagement is usually decided before reaching that stage.
Another issue is the reliability of the AIM-7M. In the current environment they feel less consistent compared to more modern options available on aircraft at very similar BRs. For example, some F-18s at 12.7 use the AIM-7P, which, despite radar limitations, allows better reacquisition in certain situations. Additionally, there are aircraft at very similar BRs that already have much more complete loadouts, with multiple Fox 3 missiles and even stronger combinations, such as the JA37DI, the Kfir C.10, or certain Su-30 premiums, which with only a 0.3 BR difference have clearly superior BVR capability, carrying a total of 12 missiles, including 4 R-73E and 6 RVV-AE.
An alternative could be to add the AAM-4. I understand that this would make it similar to the tech tree version, but that already happens in other nations with different variants that share armament, such as the Su-30MKK and the J-11A, the JA37DI and the JA37DI F21, or the MiG-29 Sniper and the MiG-29. Therefore, I do not find the explanation that it would be identical to the tech tree version to be a valid argument.
The vaguest response I’ve heard is: “The ADTW is one of the best 13.0s in the game.” It’s partly true, but also misleading. Yes, it is probably the best in a dogfight and it has strong AAM-3s, but what is the point of being the best at close range if your opponent has superior equipment at long range? Having an AESA radar is not enough reason to keep it at 13.0, especially when other 13.0 aircraft like the MiG-29 or the Su-27 have HMS and missiles with IOG + datalink that can reacquire targets after a notch. On top of that, other 13.0 aircraft such as the JA37DI or the Tornado F.3 Late already carry Fox 3 (active radar missiles).
What I’m trying to say is this: what’s the point of having the best katana if your opponent has a rifle?
And to clarify, this is not a skill issue. It’s about how the aircraft is forced to be played. You basically have to play like a rat, extremely defensively, looking for small opportunities to use the AAM-3s or trying to catch someone unaware with the AIM-7Ms, assuming they actually go where they’re supposed to, because sometimes they behave in very questionable ways. And regarding the argument that it would be identical to the tech tree version, I already gave several examples where this exact situation exists in other nations.
The F-15A has more engine power and carries the AIM-9M, which uses a seeker comparable to the AAM-3. On top of that, it has strong high-AoA performance, which in a dogfight can make a significant difference depending on how it’s used.
And as I’ve already mentioned, there are several premium vehicles that are practically identical to their tech tree counterparts, so that argument is not valid.
Following your line of reasoning, then the F-18C should also be at BR 13.0 because of the AIM-7P. Or should the JA37DI F21 have its RB99 removed and be limited to RB71s just so it isn’t identical to the tech tree version? There are many inconsistencies in that logic.
The F-2A does not have a good dogfight potential in public lobbies. In 1v1 tournaments, these planes can win but the F-2A has an awful airframe that limits the high speed missile meta. It’s also one of reasons why Su-30 is seen as OP despite it’s a literal bus (su 27 already turns like a bomber, su30 even more so) it’s because the speed is fast and doesn’t compress that hard.
I would like to know if you actually own any of the vehicles mentioned or if you’re just basing your opinion on YouTube videos where they show their best match and what you test in flight test.
And why does it seem like, to you, anything without Fox 3 has to be 13.0?
What did i just read.
Its not just the second best dogfighter in the game. It also has the second best flight performance so your statement is really contradicting itself.
The high speed missile meta also involves quickly getting into the notch in a joust, which the F2 excels at.
The su30 is meta because it has great missiles and a goofy button.
Maybe your flankers turn like bombers because YOU use them as bombers. After the buff they received, they are quite agile
I don’t have the tech tree version, but even with the F-16 ADF, which is worse, you can clearly see the difference in quality. The same applies to the image you shared with me.
I know Fox 3 missiles are better than Fox 1. What I’m saying is that if you give almost any aircraft Fox 3, it automatically becomes at least moderately competitive.
The only way F-2A moves down is if another 15 13.0s move to 12.3.
F-2A is one of the best 13.0s in the game, if anything it and many other things need to be move up by 0.3 with the introduction of 15.0.
The vaguest response I’ve heard is: “The ADTW is one of the best 13.0s in the game.” It’s partly true, but also misleading. Yes, it is probably the best in a dogfight and it has strong AAM-3s, but what is the point of being the best at close range if your opponent has superior equipment at long range? Having an AESA radar is not enough reason to keep it at 13.0, especially when other 13.0 aircraft like the MiG-29 or the Su-27 have HMS and missiles with IOG + datalink that can reacquire targets after a notch. On top of that, other 13.0 aircraft such as the JA37DI or the Tornado F.3 Late already carry Fox 3 (active radar missiles).
