[2022] Battle Rating update and important changes to the top-tier air battles

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Airfield respawn for late jet bombers and strike aircraft in air RB

Historically, many gaming mechanics in War Thunder were originally created for WWII and early Cold War vehicles, for example - air respawn for bombers and strike aircraft. However, many late period jet bombers and strike aircraft feature flight characteristics close to, or even similar to those of jet fighters. In this case, we consider air respawn closer to ground targets as an unreasonable advantage for such aircraft, since their efficiency is obvious both for players, and for gaming statistics. If later strike aviation is taking off and approaching targets together with fighters, their value for the team remains. That’s why we decided to revoke the air respawns for bombers and strike aircraft of ranks VI-VII in air Realistic Battles mode.

Currently, we see no need to adjust the Battle Ratings of these aircraft, but we will monitor your feedback and game statistics to quickly update the BRs of the top-tier aircraft, if they need it.

Advanced missiles right out of the box

Air combat at rank VII in Realistic Battles intensively employs air-to-air missiles, rather than guns, as it is in the lower ranks.

Now, the majority of rank VII fighters will come equipped with more advanced air-to-air missiles right after purchase. This will allow pilots to fight more confidently and be more valuable to the team, even if their aircraft are not yet mastered. It is worth noticing however, that the weapon presets that include the advanced air-to-air missiles (if they are available from ‘stock’) still require the related modifications to be researched.

Here is the list of planned changes for rank VII jet fighters that currently lack the advanced missiles out of the box:

USA:

F-5E Tiger II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by a setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.


F-4E Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced with a setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or setups with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.


F-8E Crusader - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.

Germany:

F-4F Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.


F-4F Phantom II (Early) - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.


MiG-21MF - The setup with 2х R-3R without the need to research R-3R modification has been added. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-3R still require this modification to be unlocked (R-3R missile has been also added to the armament nomenclature).


MiG-21bis-SAU - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.


MiG-23MF - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.

USSR:

MiG-21SMT - The setup with 2х R-3R without the need to research R-3R modification has been added. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-3R still require this modification to be unlocked.


MiG-21bis - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.


MiG-23M - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.


MiG-23MLD - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.

Britain:

Jaguar Gr.1A - The setup with 2xAIM-9G without the need to research AIM-9G modification has been added: Mixed setups with AIM-9G still require the research of this modification.

Japan:

F-4EJ Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require the research of this modification.

China:

F-104G Starfighter - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9J without the need to research AIM-9J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9J still require this modification to be unlocked.


F-5A Freedom Fighter - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require the research of this modification.


J-7E - The setup with 2xPL-2 has been replaced by setup with 2х PL-5B without the need to research PL-5B modification. Mixed setups with PL-5B still require the research of this modification.

France:

Mirage IIIC - The setup with 2xAIM-9B + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with Matra R530 still require the research of these modifications.


Mirage IIIE - The setup with 2xAIM-9B + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with AIM-9B or Matra R530 still require the research of these modifications.


Mirage 5F - The setup with 2xMatra R550 Magic 1 without the need to research Matra R550 Magic 1 has been added. Mixed setups with Matra R550 Magic 1 still require the research of these modifications. AIM-9B missiles will be removed from the weapons nomenclature.

Sweden:

J35D Draken - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.


JA37C Jacktviggen - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.


AJ37 Viggen - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.

Israel:

Mirage IIICJ - The setup with 2xShafrir 2 + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with Shafrir 2 or Matra R530 still require the research of this modification.


Nesher - 2xAIM-9D is now available without the research of the AIM-9D modification. Mixed with AIM-9D setups still requires this modification to be unlocked.


Kfir C.7 - 2xAIM-9D is now available without the research of the AIM-9D modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9Ds still require this modification to be unlocked.

Open the BR update table

They are not rank VII.

Well, looks like majority of its users are not the best Pz IV operators.

Pilots, Tankers and captains!

Thank you for your feedback on the recently proposed BR changes. We have reviewed many of your suggestions and have an updated table of changes to share with you as well as some points relating to some specific suggested changes.

In response to the changes of strike aircraft and the removal of their air spawn, we saw your feedback concerning the perceived drop in performance some aircraft may experience. At this stage, we do not think it's necessary to make any BR changes for these aircraft until we can review the effects of the changes. However we will closely monitor these aircraft and make any necessary changes in a future BR review.

Regarding your feedback on the German F-104G on its move up to Rank VII, its BR will be increased to 10.3 in RB and a preset of 2 x AIM-9J missiles will be added, as it is possible for the aircraft to carry these weapons. This will now be more fitting for the aircrafts rank and position. On top of this, we heard your thoughts about the Italian Starfighters not receiving better stock missiles and whilst our initial plans were to focus on Rank VII this update, we have also included the two F-104s in the Italian aviation tree as they are planned to be moved to Rank VII at a later date when Rank VI is expanded further.

For fans of British heavy bombers who noted that the Stirling bombers were somewhat out of their element compared to the preceding Halifax, both the Mk I and Mk III variants will both receive a reduction.

On the matter of concern on the Chi-Nu II, this vehicle saw a similar number of battles as the Panzer IV J, but with twice the efficiency of the Panzer IV. As such, this increase is planned to go ahead. On a similar note, the Panzer IV variants, both the H and J models specifically, are some of the lowest performing medium tanks within their current BR range. So a reduction in BR is a logical step to counter this.

Concerning the Swedish top MBTs, Strv 122A and 122B, they remain two of the most effective vehicles for the 10.7 - 11.0 BR range, so for the time being, we do not consider the addition of any more advanced shell choices for these two tanks as necessary, but we will continue to monitor them.

Lastly, just as an important note for Simulator pilots, we noted some of your feedback points and have planned changes for several vehicles you discussed such as the Corsair F Mk II, Me 264, Yak-38, AV-8A and F-3H. Thank you for your feedback!

Thank you again for your ideas, suggestions and opinions!