Folks, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but while we grapple with the absurdity of bombers acting like the Nebuchadnezzar hovercraft from The Matrix—picking us fighter pilots off one by one like Sentinels—and the fact that the 30mm MK 108 cannons are utterly useless, I want to revisit some issues I’ve long been aware of and have discussed before.
To be honest, I’m a player who sticks to the German tech tree; air simulation is my preferred mode.
For instance, I fly the Fw 190 A-1, which entered service in August 1941. Yet, at the same Battle Rating (BR), I face the Yak-1b (introduced October 1942) and the American P-51C-10 or the Ki-61-Ib Hien (introduced February 1943).
I want to fly the Bf 109 F-4 (introduced June 1941), but I’m up against the P-51C-10 (early 1944) and the Yak-9T (early 1943). Spitfire models could use some rebalancing; the Mk IX, for example, could be a 4.2 BR. In that regard, the British have actually been treated unfairly—though, to be honest, I never see anyone flying Spitfire models other than that “LF” monster.
I want to fly the Bf 109 G-2, but I’m facing the C-10 again, along with that monstrosity known as the Yak-3 (introduced June 1944).
I want to fly the G-6; it’s a late-model aircraft that entered service in November–December 1943. Yet, I find myself facing the Yak-3 and the P-38L-5-LO (introduced in June 1944)—not to mention the MB.5, a plane on par with the Do 335.
I want to fly the G-14; at least it’s chronologically appropriate for its tier, but then I run into the Spitfire LF—a monster akin to the Soviet IS-3. Frankly, in this BR range, if I try to dogfight a P-51, it smartly escapes using its high speed; if I engage in a vertical energy or turn fight, the P-51’s energy reserves seem bottomless, and I lose even to pilots with only moderate experience. I won’t even touch the LF series—neither energy fighting nor turn fighting works; bailing out is the best option. However, against the Soviets, there is a fighting chance—provided there’s no Yak-3 around. I might add more thoughts as they come to me.
I want to fly the Bf 109 G-10 (introduced October–November 1944), but I face the P-51D-30 (an April 1945 model). Frankly, since the G-10 is a bit more sluggish than the K-4, the Spitfire LF and Yak-3 take me out at low altitude, while American models in skilled hands—with their incredible high-speed turn capability—push me out of the game at medium-to-high altitudes. Furthermore, the Spitfire F Mk. VIII and E models were tested in July 1945 and sit at a 5.3 BR. It’s a joke; while some models are balanced or even outdated, the LF variant is far more capable.
I ask myself, “Can I play the K-4?”—which received its final upgrade in March 1945—only to find myself facing the Corsair F4U-4B model, equipped with the R-2800-42W engine that entered service in 1946. Thank God, at least they haven’t placed the P-51H model—with its 5.7 BR—against us this time.
As you can see. And I haven’t even touched upon the farces in tank simulation mode yet; I might add those later if they come to mind. Frankly, you could apply these same imbalances to tank simulation as well.
That’s the situation.
I want to emphasize—specifically—that in some cases, despite there being counterparts to the aircraft in question, more advanced models produced at a later date stubbornly remain at a lower BR.
In other words, the game developers are telling us, “You’re fools; you have to fight against aircraft that vastly outperform your own.”
Friends, speaking for myself: I am no fool. I protest these injustices.
The solution is to voice these problems on every platform.
In the early days of the game, the Panzer IV used to be pitted against the T-34-85 in ground sim battles—even though the Panther D was available. That issue was resolved after players spoke up about it. If this problem is voiced loudly enough, a solution might emerge here, too.
Honestly, I’m staying away from air sim battles these days. I’m staying away because I encounter the problems I listed above in every single match, without exception. Of course, you can’t tell the players on the other side, “You shouldn’t be playing this”; after all, they are simply entering battle at the designated BR. For that matter, those “Death Star” bombers have completely ruined aerial combat; it’s gotten completely out of hand.
Finally, folks, don’t engage in these battles. But if you do, make sure to point out the unfairness I mentioned earlier—no matter which battle it is. And please, support me on this. Nothing will change as long as you stay silent.