War Thunder's F-15 Problem

As much as I love the Eagle, inherent balance problems like this are unacceptable and need to be addressed. Leaving the Eagle at 12.3 doesn't help it all that much and massively hurts both the competitiveness of 11.3s, and hurts the matchmaker as a whole.
00:00 Intro
00:28 How did we get here
04:08 Current State
05:50 Past History of This
07:38 Q&A Info
Outro Music: • Fights On - Summer Ski...
Discord link: / discord

[@_ace_defective_]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one having issues with the Sparrows... they're so mid right now, it's very annoying how many easy shots they miss.

[@blessthismessss]

its like some switch flipped a few weeks ago when the major update dropped, i rlly think its the servers being stressed bc of the 200k players and its causing tickrates to go up or something and the SARH missile locks must be rlly fragile and easy to disrupt. bc from what i can tell the reason radar missiles are going off into space so much for no reason even though they have solid lock is because the game is experiencing this global weird laggy tickrate rn. like, im pretty sure in the time between the missile launching off your jet, and it actually locking/guiding towards the bandit, your radar lock lagged and "slid" a few phantom meters due to the poor tickrate, and during that time the missile gets confused when it finds no target is actually there, and for some reason it doesnt reacquire or find the target again at all sorry for the rant😅😅i have been analyzing this angrily for weeks bc its happening to me in every nations jets lol so frustrating

[@dti1312]

@@blessthismessss It happens with R-27ERs too (much less, but still happens) and the AIM-7E-2 feels perfectly fine as well. Really weird

[@blessthismessss]

@@dti1312 ERs have had coding specifically implemented for them to have a better chance at reacquiring targets than sparrows, so that would explain it and i can confirm experiencing about the same with my ERs too. what you speak of with E-2s is weird though- perhaps it's to do with pulse doppler locks in particular?? most AIM-7E-2 platforms are non PD or early PD radars, so perhaps the netcode that handles PD and the netcode for non-PD locks differs somewhat? interesting!

[@Takamiya_Mio]

@@blessthismessssEven R-27ER goes wrong for first 3~5 seconds, but It re-acquire with its DL, meanwhile sparrows can't. If we can't fix this guidance issue, we need to move on... AMRAAMs.

[@texasthib2029]

The sparrow has never been a good fucking missile

[@jdreyes3745]

Reminds me of the Starfighter release back when the 9.7 BR cap was still a thing; they saw the F-104As and C clubbing 8.7s so they moved them up to 10.0 and therefore out of their reach...and moved the English Electric Lightning down in their place. Gotta love how things never change.

[@Panocek]

You don't change what works. And if something triggers people into spending to get new shiny clubbing stick, then it served its purpose.

[@dixievfd55]

They can go back up to 10.0. Make them 10.3 and let them experience what they are doing to 8.3 and 9.0 jets without afterburners.

[@conmanmedia1739]

It would be great if when Gaijin added an EC mode, there was multiple air spawn points and there could only be a max of two players per spawn point so it’s like a squad against an enemy squad

[@mavor101]

There are a million things Gaijin can do to improve the game, but they won't, and if they do, they will do it *SLOWLY* (like.. wait another few years slowly), because they are making INSANE amounts of $$ right now, and have no competitor in this niche.

[@G4MERM4D09]

ECs are already boring, 5 minutes of flying for any action is so dead. Splitting it up, having more distance to travel to get any action is just more boring. God forbid if you have a series of matches where you die first each time after flying for 5-10 minutes, it’s enough to make anyone quit playing. Watch when they release different modes like 8v8, 12v12 and 16v16 on random everyone will be so happy to play 12v12 or 16v16 and will dread the 8v8. People want action, hence why the majority of players favourite map is City.

[@arcticiceberg9945]

It's a good thing the F-15 was never added, and we got the F-14D. it would have been weird seeing a fighter this competitive in the game, being a lower-aircraft, it stomps. Glad we avoided this situation altogether!

[@bentonstaffel2471]

What do you mean? The f-15 is in the game.

[@arcticiceberg9945]

@@bentonstaffel2471 nah, got the F-14D instead, everyone’s been making really good what if videos about if we got the f-15 tho

[@Childburner1]

@@bentonstaffel2471 r/whoosh

[@djungelskog2654]

@@Childburner1 r/iusereddit

[@DaddySlayer_]

@@bentonstaffel2471 reading for meaning not everything is serious

[@Squood]

I don’t know said it, but whoever it was hit the nail on the head: “The F-15 is a 12.7 jet at 12.3 because the players flying it belong in 2.0.”

[@stephenallen4635]

12.7? power creep is so bad right now it should be at 14.0 along with half the 12.7s

[@theoriginalcornisgood2.0]

Aim-7Ms piss me off. That's my only issue with the F-15

[@phlemtaco6623]

Besides the aim 54s, we've had the same bvr missile since the f4j phantom

[@Kunighit]

It’s very simple. The F15A only has 4 useful missile while it’s counterparts have a minimum of 6. Also the 15’s radar drops lock more than the 14’s in my experience, which doesn’t help matters at all.

[@mjohnsimon1337]

That's the thing. When the radar works, I can easily get 4+ kills. When it doesn't, it's a nightmare. I've had 7Ms completely fly off to Neptune despite not breaking the radar lock. I just have to rely on the 9Ms, but at most I'll likely only get 2 kills.

[@dutchdragon2472]

This makes sense because the F-14's radar is just way stronger. But that's not properly modelled either so it stops making sense again

[@garrettobrien5197]

@@mjohnsimon1337exactly. It’s either the best radar ever or the worst. And there’s nothing you can do to change that. It’s complete 50/50.

[@theperson5185]

@@garrettobrien5197I mean war thunder is essentially knife fighting range in term of air combat the f15 should be better than it is

[@honzavasicek]

@@dutchdragon2472 It really doesnt. Already base model of APG63 had WAAAAAY better processing and filtering than AWG-9, APG63 was impossible to notch at closer ranges (sub 10-15nm) due to processing and employing different ways to keep track. Now we have 15A with flare/chaff so it should have PSP upgrade.... no radar should be better than F15s currently in WT but its in fact one of the worst at top tier as of now.

[@cl3matis]

They're planning to give all the 12.7s ARH missiles (AIM-120, R77 etc) in the next update, without realising that the ARH missiles in question should not by any means be at 12.7. They should be imo at least 14.0, or 13.7. Separate ground and air BRs and literally 95% of the problem vanishes

[@Dexors123]

the su27 and j11 cant take fox3. and the jas39a for sweden wont be getting the imo because the c version is getting added next update and that will have fox3.

[@ser43_OLDC]

@@Dexors123 The su27 and j11 can

[@cl3matis]

the jas i reckon is just gonna go up anyways because. it's a gripen. it shouldn't be fighting phantoms, i feel @@ser43_OLDC

[@bluiewastaken7013]

the su27 cannot carry fox 3s, neither can the j11, (su27sk) the only soviet era flanker that could carry fox 3s was the SU27PU (su30 flanker-c) and the chinese was the J11B, the J10 would make more sense tho

[@Dexors123]

@@bluiewastaken7013 the j-11a could also carry fox3 (r77), the j11b would carry pl-12, pl-15 and pl-8

[@Hunter-Grossmann]

Congrats on 15k! Do you feel like “modern” bombers have a place in WT? Like the B52 or B58 or even a f117 if stealth aircraft ever come to the game.

[@snottytoe6957]

personally I think they don't belong in the game CURRENTLY, but with some changes to the gamemodes they would absolutely have a place. If game modes were expanded at top tier to have RB EC instead, and on much larger maps to make up for the speed difference, I think they would have a good place in the game.

[@mrsteel250]

@@snottytoe6957yeah as it sits it’d be cool to have em as an event vehicle or something to take in custom battles but agreed

[@BufferThunder]

i think the f-117, definately could be in the game, as the sea vixen is in the game, and like the f-117, not guns, just missiles.

[@cheemsburmger8588]

I agree with the other dude I’d love to see some different game modes and maybe have intercept missions

[@cheemsburmger8588]

I agree with the other dude I’d love to see some different game modes and maybe have intercept missions

[@Loudward__]

It may be a problem but AMRAAM is the solution.

[@verzache-]

Nah f 15 just needs it radar fixed and the aim7’s fixed and it will probably be top dog. AMRAAMs would absolutely break the game rn.

[@DeadSkyWT]

@@verzache- AMRAAM will be added next patch. Gripen C for Sweden was confirmed for the March update in 2024.

[@Optimusprime56241]

@@verzache- no, it needs amraams

[@icantsleepman]

They'll likely add the F-15C at 12.7 with the amraams in the next few updates. Doesn't solve the 11.3 clubbing tho

[@lafosh7234]

@@verzache-early AMRAAMs will not break the game ..you would die just the same from a R27ER than a early AMRAAM. Why because you put yourself in a shitty position is why. Stay low . Simple. And let’s be clear here the F15 is the ultimate dog with balls teeth and claws removed without its fox 3. Utility speaking it needs a tech upgrade and br increase

[@goldenbao3510]

Q. A lot of people say 8v8 will fix top teir but people like tims variety war thunder has highlighted how not everything will be fixed with just 8v8, how do you think topteir can be fixed?

[@theperson5185]

Sim maps and spawning

[@fate3071]

I think keeping 16 v 16 but adding respawns would make it significantly better. Also make every map an EC map in that specific instance

[@Ryan-go6id]

I think removing about half of the maps from rotation is a good first step lol. Imagine a map in the Himalayas with multiple spawn locations, and you could fly back to a certain point to refuel lol

[@lippytheoneguy8968]

I just want a 1v1, 4v4, and 8v8 mode added

[@Pastel_Iridescence]

2 airfields to spawn at and a decrease to 12v12.

[@fireraid2336]

It's a sin the F-15J didn't get a SINGLE GE skin. Even the AJ a plane that didn't even exist got multiple at launch....

[@ligma-balls9252]

You hopefully get some when we get the f-15c and akef

[@JPAU401]

DMM players got f-ed regarding F-15J camos too. I'd kill for the marketplace camo.

[@InsaneHexe]

as an Israel, German and Sweden player: first time? there is like 2 non-esport plane skins above 10.0 in Israel

[@ligma-balls9252]

@@InsaneHexe Wish they made more skins for aircraft that are also used by different nations. F.eks. Brazil gripen, some f16d skins and the UAF su27.

[@vincea1830]

There are really nice ones on the community page. Who gives a fuck if others can see your skin...

[@NotoriousSkillIssue-dm7hg]

i absolutly love you content and ive already subd keep up your good work!

[@btoiscool]

This wouldn't be an issue if they fixed sparrows

[@user-jd1zj3bh2g]

Congrats on 15k

[@exhausting_thoughts]

I deeply appreciate your honesty at 2:30, everyone that does not have the F-15 claims that FM is absurdly important at top tier, while most of them conveniently have Su-27s and Gripens which are basically some maneuverable, heavy loaded missile printers in the first place. I might agree to a 12.7 raise but the small things about the plane MUST BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. They have to get the plane as the best it can ever be in terms of bug fixes, if they still give me random wing rips because of the instructor, a radar that loses track even at altitude, and inconsistent 7Ms -at this time im even testing the F-15 without them-, there's no deal and the plane sits at 12.3.

[@102ndsmirnov7]

tbh top tier and its planes have an endless amount of issues rn.

[@teetasse4012]

Congratulations on the 15k. Do You think The F4EJ Kai will recive the AAM3 if i read corectlly it carried them so?

[@justaguy1186]

Let’s clear some things up here the f15a will stay at 12.3 there going to make you grind the f15a (with no Amraam witch will be 12.3) and the f15c will be 13.0 with araam that’s why the f15a get to stay at 12.3 and the f15j will move up 13.0 bc it’s actually a f15c so it will be receiving araams right off the bat

[@zawadlttv]

you left out the best thing about the matchmaking. your team could consist out of 11.7-12.3 planes only (except maybe a "funny" bv 238) and the enemy team WILL 100% be a schroedingers cat if its 11.3-12.3 or if its 11.7-12.7. And in the second option they could have 4 12.7 planes while your team has (for whatever reason) 0 12.7s (not that i ever had something like that happen)😂

[@ifoundmemallet3394]

I’m happy to know that i’m not the only one having major issues with Sparrow missiles. They’re so ass rn

[@csii6478]

Love the camouflage I just got one in an air superiority box. I will hold onto it. The Japan tree isn’t to complex like the us tree.

[@pintsizedrain217]

Hi Lee got a question here, so how could you fix missile thunder in top tier air to increase more player skill to effect matches or are we too technologically advanced when it comes to armaments? ( also huge congrats on the 15k well deserved❤)

[@Ryan-go6id]

Q: Although it’s being said AMRAAMs are coming March, do you think we will get an F/A-18A with better sparrows and 9M’s? I only dislike the jump to ARH because there’s a ton of aircraft to fill the gaps, but they crossed that bridge w the F-16C

[@gamerrzs_]

idk if you’ve looked at a sparrow when you fire it longer ranges but it decided to wiggle while guiding and it really reduces the range of it, the 27ER and R doesn’t wiggle whatsoever which is why they hit long ranges so well, the ER also actually pulls its G’s while the 7m in a close range headon pulls about 3-8 G’s

[@miss_bec]

I bought an F-5C last year and started grinding for top tier in anticipation of the F-15 coming. In that time, I've learned a lot about how the game works. I learned about the woes at top tier, I knew that the F-15's strengths weren't as suited for current air RB as the F-16. I grinded for it anyway and I finally spaded it last week. Whatever state the F-15 is in, I'll play it. It's my favourite fighter jet, the feeling of flying it overpowers the feeling of inadequacy against the competition. ...or maybe I'm just coping while I wait for AMRAAMs and TWS.

[@killme4569]

I know you’ve been looking forward to the f15 for a while, so how do you feel now that it’s actually here. did it meet your expectations or are you disappointed

[@BadrockZProductions]

for me the biggest problem on the f15 is the ripping issue making it really annoying to fly..... if they ever fix that i might give it another chance but until then i rather play anything else

[@GeneralLee2000]

I didn't rip at all making thr vid lol

[@fate3071]

I've only ripped my wings in the F-15 like twice in dozens of games

[@politicalmonkeyfan]

i dont think ive ripped since the first dev server

[@commander843]

its 2 drop tanks + min fuel. It will rip at 6g @@GeneralLee2000

[@Ambush_yt]

@@commander843 The F-15 isnt meant to do 6-9G turns while having 2 drop tanks on the wings

[@norinco8724]

worst 12.7 is fairer than best 12.3 every single time

[@MrPanzerCatYT]

Ive noticed a lot of jets have issues with radars again. First of all that radar bug where it get stuck trying to lock is back again sometimes and secondly, radars sometimes just shit themselves and loose lock. Ive lost locks at 8km in a headon in the su27 for literally no reason

[@rgaeaben8043]

Q. What is your favorite jet asides the F-15?

[@Hunting_Party]

Su27, gripen and stuff to 13.0, F15 to 12.7. Done.

[@-Hari-03]

that literally doesn’t fix the quantitative matchmaking issue at all, but i agree that there still needs to be more decompression

[@aleski6506]

​@@-Hari-03yes, yes it does bud

[@FullThrottleRacing535]

lol the gripen has skyflashes.

[@DaisiesTC]

@@FullThrottleRacing535 The Skyflash is just an Aim 7E-2 lol

[@FullThrottleRacing535]

@@DaisiesTC no it isnt, its different, and i wasnt saying its good i was saying the opposite. why on earth should a jet with a skyflash go to 13.0.

[@kjm015]

What technology or weapon do you think needs to be implemented before we see Rank IX aircraft, and what do you think the first aircraft of Rank IX will be?

[@mlc9928]

If someone buys an F4S, by the time they unlock top tier, they would be an absolute veteran. That theory makes absolutely no sense.

[@historybuff222]

Do you think a full decimal BR (.0,.1.2, etc) is a good idea? I'm kinda curious on how it would affect things from your perspective.

[@piechy]

I stopped playing my f15 when the wings would rip off when just trying to pull a 4g turn.

[@omerciftci4404]

I have a question what is your favorite out of the su 27, f 15, and Gripen, and why.

[@IndianaJay97]

I just played a game at 11.3-12.3. Our team had a single F15 and no other 12.3 aircraft. Their team had 3 F15s maybe the max of 4 but I can’t be sure. This type of thing has been happening since the change and it’s really fucking annoying

[@Thebaconmurderer]

I don't think I've had a single full downtier in my F-15J yet. Partial where it has been me and 4 gripens vs an entire enemy team of Su-27's and MiG-29's. Also can't forget the 2 F104 ASA's on our team that J'd out as soon as they saw the 5 ER's flying their way from 10km up.

[@siphige4048]

good vide, how many hours do you have on WT

[@ImmortalGamingyt192]

Q: What Plane would you add into the game and what br would you put it at?

[@rikop6806]

I see you finally cave in to the specimens.

[@GeneralLee2000]

Huh? Did you watch the vid lol

[@np9872]

Im 2 jets away from the f15 and i think im starting to regret grinding 😔

[@elitely6748]

I got the F-15 as my first top tier jet recently and am still spading and got 9M's its a great aicraft and fun to fly but it's definitely not like Gripens or Su27's with how quickly they can kill other players. Also 16v16 is absolute chaos so we could really use at least better playercounts that switch through matches like 12v12 and 16v16, etc. *I'll just enjoy the 12.3 F-15's while its still there for a while but congrats on 15k subs btw!*

[@derritter3873]

Completely unrelated to this issue, but where are all the F-15J liverys? Why does a plane that doesn’t exist (F-16AJ) get more skins than the F-15J? I have so many pictures of the F-15J with all these cool paint jobs, and yet non of them are in game. Where’s my 305th Squadron 50th Anniversary skin F-15J skin? Please Gaijin I beg you.

[@tristandaries1129]

I’ve actually beaten more F15s than F14s in MiG-23ML, just because of the Phenix

[@saika4043]

imo we should have gotten a much later variant of the F-15 that has atleast some extra pylons on the wings for extra missiles, doesnt need to get broken modern weapons, just the ability to carry more of already existing missiles.

[@illegalaryan823]

hell its low speed maneuverability on the deck is nearly on par with the grippen anyway. Would kill for something better than an E2 sparrow for the grippens radar to use though.

[@EB-Ghost6]

I’m one bomber away from being able to get USA f15, but I can’t stop launching up red dead redemption 2, honestly a soothing break from war Thunder

[@namelessoverman]

This game looks fun, but jets seem to be endgame only--I would be interested in playing but only for the jets part; for a beginner, how long would you say it would take to get to the F15? And is there a cooldown on using the same jet over and over, game after game?

[@ZozoRage]

From brand new, playing on and off again. Probably a year or so. Or just pay 70 dollars lol.

[@lippytheoneguy8968]

Give the US F-15A AIM-7MHs if you want it to move to 12.7 to compensate for the Japanese one having better IR missiles, theres no reason it should be bumped also no the F-16C is the best in the US tree. I don't know how you think the F-15 is better than the F-16 but that opinion is just flat wrong. Im sick of seeing people say this. Also why did everyone go from "F-15 sucks" even though it was 12.3 before and stayed such to "F-15 OP". The matchmaking potential for the F-15 is the EXACT SAME. It faced 11.3 before and so did better aircraft. If anything 11.3 (AND ALL OF 12.7 BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MORE PREMIUM WARRIORS IN THERE) is in the best place it has been in a long while right now. Theres no reason people should be complaining. This is one of the best changes gaijin has made and I'll die on that hill

[@exhausting_thoughts]

I would die with you on that hill, anonymous player. 🫡

[@lippytheoneguy8968]

@@exhausting_thoughts hell yeah homie

[@dutchdragon2472]

1:17 Something I feel with missiles (I only play US so idk about others) is that that they pull significantly less than promised, just like you can roll 9L and AIM-7s. Same with US top speeds but whatever, I'll just keep going mach 2.1 max in my F-14

[@Shadoweye12]

I have both the Su-27 and F-15J. And the Aim-7s are much more 'dodgable' than the R-27s. I don't have anything that uses Skyflashes, and I don't face them that often so it's hard for me to tell. But the biggest problem for the Aim-7 from what I can see is the overall poor speed and acceleration. It pulls less than an R-27 so it's no surprise that it's not as agile, but it's hard to tell if its proportional. And given it's slow speed and acceleration it gives your targets a better chance to defend against it. If Gaijin were to at least up the overall speed and acceleration it would make the Aim-7 better. Would it be enough? I don't know, did the Aim-7M have a better seeker head in IRL than in game? Again I don't know, but improvement on one or both those things, even if it's somewhat unrealistic would make the Aim-7Ms less frustrating to use.

[@spacekraken666]

@@Shadoweye12 AIM-7M is a 100% copy of AIM-7F in the game right now 7M should have a much better seeker and 30G pull, but Gaijin will stay Gaijin

[@stormjet814]

@@Shadoweye12skyflashes just stop in midair once the motor burns out, it’s honestly depressing to watch when you fire it at like 7 km in a headon and they barely have to move to dodge it

[@nymeric5833]

@@Shadoweye12 irl the 7m is one of the most reliable sarhs, significantly more so than the r27

[@dixievfd55]

That is why my F-4E only goes out for Air Assault.

[@killadotz3546]

at 11.3 in my FG and Fgr2 phantoms , the only things that killed me for 50+ games in a row where f14s f15s f16s and mig 29s (not a single kill from another 11.3 aircraft im not sure what stats they are looking at but its not what i see when playing

[@enzotog.1676]

I think the only problem with the F-15 are the AIM 7 being so nerfed. Bring them back like when the F-14A was introduced and they were so good

[@SophieMuldoon]

I can confirm the F15 is far less intuitive then any other aircraft in warthunder, my first 4th gen was the JAS39C Gripen which was simple to fly and you can dominate with little a little skill, the Su 27 from everything I've seen is in a similar boat, the 15 however (stock) has a very awkward flight model that requires constant attention, more so than other aircraft that can completely out do an Su27 or even a gripen in certain flight regimes but getting to that point takes patience which a lot of players simply don't have

[@lizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

I cant imagine the Sparrows are actually all that bad because I have been flying the Tornado F.3 and consistently doing well with the skyflash which is worse in every way

[@jz4tigerblue]

It happens the same with the MiG-29, the R-27R/ER has a huge rate of failure. I think the radar of the top tier jets MiG-29, F-16, F-15, F-14, SU-27, YaK-141 are kind of faulty, I made a test with MiG-23M/MLD and the accurate is higher with the 23's radar missiles than with any other jets. So it really needs to be fixed, how a radar of newer jets are more terrible than radars of older jets...

[@Ceva13]

Guys i have a problem when i try and play the f15 i wont put me in a mach and will tell me that the selected game mode (air realistic battels) its unavaible. DO you have any idea of how to fix this? with any other plane its ok only the f15 has this problem

[@MrX-zp5tt]

How does the missile know, where it is?

[@user-Xx0xxxxx]

check out the AJ rn, it's matchmaker is currently insane, like even more so then the F-15, like the F-15 sure you can butcher people in a downtier, but you don't always get a down tier, but the AJ gets a downtier literally every single match

[@FredFake]

I'm against moving the F-15 up to 12.7, the 11.3 premium spammers deserve to be bullied a little bit. I'm also getting constant downtiers in my F-14B, which is a welcome reprieve, I think I've seen maybe 1 Gripen in 50 matches

[@benbased7740]

I mean, there is the F-16A and its variants that also arguably have a 12.7 flight model, though with much more pronounced drawbacks that the F-15 has. I can tell from experience that it can absolutely dominate a game in which it doesn't face Su-27s, Gripens, F-15s or top tier Mirages.

[@sparklyacorn0900]

I agree its good but the f16c is better you get hmd and 6 9ms i think the smt and m29g should have stayed at 12.3 aswell

[@AZ-dj1ni]

​@@sparklyacorn0900to to have to fight against F-14 with 9M and Mig-29 with R-73 in my 11.3 kfir c7? Hell no

[@bradentucker4854]

@@AZ-dj1nias If the kfir isn’t a hand held vehicle

[@tomasradnic8874]

as a noob player I must say that the skill cap is insanely high right now. It is so high it almost allows no learning. Hence, i gave up on top tier and fly props and early jets where i can be decent. Died once too many times to Mig 23. And that boils down to the stats. I don't know how to solve this problem, MMR prolly isnt it. But from a perspective of a noob, even though i have watched tutorials, i have tried to learn (i can do maybe 2 or 3 games a day, as an adult I have other things that need doing) there is just no way to enjoy the game.

[@cheemsburmger8588]

I’m currently grinding the f4e and the f5e and at least with the meta at 11.0 the f4e struggled so bad for me as it’s radar feels almost useless and I feel like American radar missiles are straight up worse then the Russian ones

[@MeltedMozzy]

How long have you been playing War Thunder?? and how often(if at all) do you play simulator battles??

[@GeneralLee2000]

Q&A is up already! And I actually answered both of those questions!

[@captainMony]

I knew something like this was gonna happen

[@dontask3681]

I play sim exclusively now and for me the f15 almost always wins the energy fight against the su27 but not the bvr fight, you have to keep low or ambush those flying high

[@madfoxlabs3436]

Eow, F-15A is a 1976 aircraft, poor radar, poor BVR AIM-7s vs late 90s R-27ER and 90s Radar on the Mig-29SMT and the SU-27 doesn't seem to lose lock either. Even the premium Mig-23 R-24s outperform both the AIM-7 and AIM-54 in terms of reliable killing. This problem extends all the way back to the premium Mig-21 vs F3H-2, the AIM-7C is so garbage, it takes a miracle to hit, Slower than soviet missiles, turns much slower off the rail, Going even further back, the P-80A Shooting Star, US first active combat jet from the end of WW2 gets to face Sidewinders from Premium Swedish strike craft. So the entire historical US lineup has odds stacks against it through the entire jet age. So having the F-15A at 12.3 isn't even going to help US much, since it still often faces SU-27s most matches anyway....with hordes of premium F-4S which have little to no chance of opposing a Communist team full of J-11s, SU-27s and 2004 era Mig-29SMT. (the F-22A had it's first flight before the Mig-29SMT and was in full production by 2005) The Russian bias is clear, in Ground RB, Russian players will even enjoy the SAM cover umbrella of 24km. So, having other Nation players, Communist or otherwise suffer a minor inconvenience of the possibly of facing a 1976 tech F-15A near 12.3 without any Su-27 or R-27ER support 1 out of 10 times is acceptable in the overall picture. R-27ER is such an issue, I can only use the F-14B in an attempt to put some of the enemy team on the defensive in an attempt to help my team secure a win without half of us dying to faster and better Soviet BVR and IR missiles before even reaching effective range of US missiles.

[@-Hari-03]

lee do you think the ViggenD will get AMRAAM? seeing as that was basically the main reason it was made anyways (i’m not sure myself, i think it MIGHT and get moved back to at least 12.0, probably 12.3)

[@bradentucker4854]

No they won’t because that would make to much sense you see

[@geerdi5222]

Does Gajin make a difference between stock and fully reserched vehicle statistics? Because I had my worst stock grind experience in the F15, but now when I researched most of the parts it´s actually quite good. The thing is in the statistics my F15 statistics are very bad because of the very hard stock grind. So thats could be a reason why gaijin thinks this Jet is still 12.3 because of the very hard stock grind you have in this thing

[@stormjet814]

Nope

[@UchihaMadaraGr]

Better take the AIM-9M from F-15A for the moment and give it to F-14B uptiering it to 12,7. The reasons are simple. Whatever you do, AIM-7M can't compare to R-27ER. Also, other planes have the option of 6x 9M which is more lethal and more reliable than ...having useless AIM-7Ms. AIM-7M isn't ...useless, it's just useless comparing with R-27ER because you literally get out-BVRed anyway and it's not optimum to keep them on track while on the defensive anyway and in comparison with 6x9M combos , it's simple they can fly low , straight at you and then they got 2 more shots than you, this way the AIM-7M is useless anyway and it is a valid tactic in those BRs. On the other hand, F-14B with AIM-9M , can keep enemy busy on range.... as long as the AIM-54 goes active it can insert and /or a second one and /or a Sparrow as well... They won't be as much difficult to defend against , as more of diversion to get in for AIM-9M. The whole situation is royally shafted without the 9M , the 9L isn't as reliable when they can push flares since they are aware of you and know how to defend against it. 9M needs special treatment, and they already have played things to defend from previous launches. That doesn't mean it's guaranteed or "better than R-27ER" ... no... but it is a useful option to have while with F-15A you don't have currently...and any other combo is stronger than yours, anyway. On the other hand, even if the FM of F-15 is very good, practically the only reason you need it at 12,7 is 9M. If it was 9L , for a Phantom for example, either you are F-14B or F-16 or F-15...it's the same... not much it can do. Its only chance is to win the BVR, if it tangles it's down anyways and against a Tomcat the BVR is worse for a Phantom anyway... 9L/F-15/12,3 and 9M/ F-14B/12,7 are better combos in my eyes... It keeps F-15 very playable, still, without it being that extensively OP because of the missiles against 11.3s , and practically the only thing missing from 14B to get it 12,7 is 9M. And as i told all of this, the cap should be 13 at least , or even 13,3 (to create space in ranks bellow , especially in between 9,3-10,3-11,3 ...10,3s are too good against 9,3s and too bad against 11,3s....it needs spacing around that area, that will result in cap 13,3 or something.).

[@Nico_o7]

viable airframe trying to roll just to evade a radar missile and boom wing brakes every time with little to no negative or instant g, this plane atm is 12.3 max believe it or not !

[@exhausting_thoughts]

based take

[@neillenhart6838]

i want to like the F-15, its an iconic plane def one of my favs. But, they really dropped the ball on this. I can deal with the sparrows, sometimes lmao, but i can't deal with doing a simple like 6 degree roll and having my wing rip off. that to me is criminal.

[@grrr111222111]

The F-15 is absolutely not better than the F-16C, it just isn't. Yeah, if you are a very above average player then I'm sure you can use it's flight model to your advantage but most players can't and the meta overwhelmingly favors WVR combat. The idea that somehow it's the players, across three separate nations no less, is asinine. Flight performance does not determine top tier performance beyond a fairly generous minimum requirement, missile quantity and quality does. With the AIM-7 as bad as it is right now trading HMD+2 extra Sidewinders for 4 Sparrows is an objectively bad trade (and it's not like the F-16 has poor flight characteristics). That changes if they ever let Sparrows perform well but until it does the Eagle is simply not up to 12.7 standards as defined by the other 12.7s. I mean, the real answer is that Gaijin should have jumped straight to 13.0 but that was never going to happen (that and they probably should have released 16A->15->16C).

[@gemstonepotato]

the F-15 lacks HMD, thats why its 12.3

[@anxietygamingactual6554]

I've just straight up stopped playing since the latest update. Sparrows are so entirely broken that they're next to worthless, unless you're within 5-7KM, and by that point, just use a fucking AIM-9M. Not subjecting myself to match after match of missiles that, in game, out-range mine by 40-50KM, and just the dog-pile mechanic of the furball after that. Gaijin has finally made the game so ass at top tier, that it's pushed me into starting to learn DCS.

[@elenaeverett4481]

Odds they kept the 15s at 12.3 to intro the F15C and F15J Kai at 12.7?

[@AbrahamLincolnOfficial1]

What’s your least favorite plane

[@Bentlygaming254]

I understand that planes need to be given a higher tier but when I play anything I exclusively get full up tiers so i think instead of just moving a few planes up we should just make top tier 15.0 and decompress everything so it’s actually possible to have fun instead of playing one game where you do decent then get 17 games in a row where you get destroyed because when that happens I get of the game for a few days or stop grinding. I believe we should only get a few more top tier planes that aren’t 5th gen I honestly hope 5th gen never is added into the game and instead they focus on older planes and do things to make the game better.

[@T95man]

It’s still missing thrust. So until it gets it’s real thrust, and stop capping its max speed no. It should stay at 12.3

[@gregc9344]

To be fair I don't know why but the F15 is also my worst rank 8 plane by stats and it's not even remotely close. I have rank 8 in all except for 3 nations (germany, italy, sweden) and every plane has a K/D that falls between 2.1 (F4 EJ-Kai) to 6.3 (Gripen C ofc) and then my f15 J is sat down there at barely 1.2 The only reason I can think of is I'm scared to push it due to how easy it is/was to rip the wings.

[@chasesaviation84]

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of War Thunder? Q: What other aircraft would you want to see come to War Thunder?

[@spamtong.senpai3444]

It also does not have HMD

[@GeneralArmchair]

neither does the mirage 4000

[@spamtong.senpai3444]

@@GeneralArmchairbut the mirage 4000 can carry 8 magic 2

[@newguyiswinning]

The f15 is not 12.7 material. If they get amraams then yes. But definitely not 12.7 currently

[@-..----.--.-...]

You're just funny

[@ILLESTGS]

The F15 went from 105-0 to 12.3-Crutch

[@sharzlarz2299]

how do you have different missile smoke color?

[@Hadgerz]

Frustration monetisation comes to mind, alongside all the other points you make here. They can't just give all the 11.3 premiums an easy ride. Gotta artificially add suffering, slow down that grind by continuing to pit them against 4th gens, to maximise return premium time purchases.

[@TheConnorM]

I don't want to get into too much history and development but for a quick run down here is how and why gijn decision on BR hurts from my point of view. To start off the first airframe for the Su-27 flew just one year after the F-15A had already entered service. Many of the parts, such as the radar and engines on the Su-27 would not be what was originally tested on the first few test models. What I am trying to say is that by the time the USSR had put the Su-27 into service the F-15A was already closing in on 10 years of service. Not to mention that once the Su-27 entered service the United States had already upgraded to the F-15C an D models as well as developed the E variant as well, Strike Eagle. The same is said with the F-16 and MiG-29 SMT. My final thoughts are that Gijn go based off of statistics and nothing else. This leads to what we have been dealing with for a few years now and having BR ratings that do not match anything historical wise yet just numbers and statistics. Personally if you want to see real balance throughout the game decompression of BR is needed but something we truly wont see.

[@eb3yr]

7:00 this used to be REALLY pronounced at 8.3-9.3. Warsaw teams would absolutely demolish NATO teams because they'd have a ton of MiG-17s and a few shenyangs and yak 38s with R-60s while NATO teams would be almost entirely 8.7s with I don't think *any* 9.3 jets at that time.

[@ArmaBulgarian]

Figure this is a good example of there being thought behind something, but it's not always sound thought. In an 11.3-12.3 game with this thing, I can afford to turn my brain off with the Baz (the Israeli F-15), and depending on how I feel, either sling 9Ms or ram Python 3s in the headon, and this manueverable 4th gen fighter isn't something MiG-23s and F-4s really can compete with, because almost every part of their kit and flight characteristics are inferior.... Much as it may have hurt to make the F-15A slightly underpowered again, it would probably have been more healthy to make it join all the other recent additions in 12.7 BR... On the other hand, with the absolute state of the matchmaker following the BR increases, might be worthwhile to do a Yak-141 video relating to how it is impacted by these very BR increases.

[@KaguyasBeat]

It's funny that technically the Sparrow is the 2nd best radar missile... but it's literally freaking terrible compared to the ER. I've taken two shots with them at a target 9km away far above the ground and.... they both decided the ground was the true enemy

[@MrBucket9158]

What is your favorite rat tank?

[@DaddySlayer_]

love seeing people in game saying the f15 should stay at 12.3

[@exhausting_thoughts]

Its not a matter of the playerbase's taste, its up to Gaijin to put it on whichever rank they think it'll work the best. It will stay at 12.3 for the longest time, as the F-15C will imminently use the 12.7-13.0 slot in the US tree, you can start your dose of copium :)

[@Tjecktjeck]

Imo recent adition of newer 4th gen was a mistake in general. I would rather see more jets at 10.0-11.0 range like SU-15, MiG-25, F-106 etc ...

[@AirsoftFaction]

Does not help that the Aim7s seem gimped almost with how terrible they are. They used to be great and then the R27ER came in and it seems Gaijin nerfed them to let the ER shine even more.

[@vesical7952]

is the mig21bis playable again after update?

[@precisemike]

Calling the F15 better than the f16C is freaking wild.

[@exhausting_thoughts]

Yeah, content creators took an excessively long shot on glorifying the F-15A. If this plane is alledgely better than the F-16C, then i guess they'll call the F-15C basically a braindead easy plane, and spoiler: it won't be like that.

[@just_n_NY]

Anyone on ps that has experience that could teach me the ways I just started getting into war thunder an I could use a mentor?

[@buschacha]

TL; DR: the BR system is like a decade old, and was made when there were no plans for modern anything. Gaijin should add more sub steps. And the obsession over the F-15 is weird when there’s other, arguably worse, offenders whose BRs haven’t changed since they were added. Bit of a no-win situation for the snail tbh. Compared to its peers I do think the F-15 is *marginally* worse given the air RB meta. It should (in theory) be able to be represented with a BR that is slightly lower than the best planes (Gripen/F-16/and Flanker pre-merge) but unfortunately there’s no 12.6 BR for the snail to use. The other problem I have is that while the difference between an 11.3 and 12.3 is pretty huge in some cases, there are arguably a handful of 11.3 aircraft that skew the spread and have the capability to seriously lessen the impact of 12.0 or 12.3 planes. Looking at you MLD and ML. 12.3 is still more likely to be in a 12.7 game than 11.3, so while I don’t know exactly how much of a change that this will have on the F-15’s effectiveness in the long term, I do think it’s being overblown. The F-14B (my beloved) stayed at 12.0 when the new aircraft were added at 12.3, and it plus the F-16A/ADF/MLU/Netz and MiG-29 9.12/9.13 are all still 12.0- but I don’t see anywhere near the level of eyebrow raising for these airframes that I do for the F-15, despite the fact that they see even less capable aircraft in a full down tier.

[@rixyl7475]

Been saying it for years, they need to do realistic brackets and not BR. Early WW2, Late WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Early Cold War (I know its all Cold War but what else do you call it, red scare?), Late Cold War. That way if something feels weak, its just the real life situation and not some makeshift "Balance" Gaijin has somehow messed up for the 100000th time. Also maybe I'm wrong but War Thunder isn't some dead game like it used to be years ago. They can definitely afford to make it faction specific again so in WW2 Its Axis vs Allies and in Cold War its Nato vs Warsaw. Put the neutrals as a flex pick to fill slots. Games would be a lot more "balanced" this way because people cant complain about BR and just learn the strengths of their vehicle at that time period. World War mode works like that, you can use a 2.0 into a 5.0 and it didnt feel wrong because its historically accurate.

[@2N00BY1]

like for real the cant tell me that they are actually trying there best when all i see is things like the Tornado ADV and the F4-UK premium are on the same BR xD