What is objectively the best plane to buy?

[Caiser]

This games pretty dope, but I dont want to go all in and buy a bunch of planes, especially when in il2 1946 you get 209 planes for 10 bucks. So if I just want to buy and master 1 fighter jet, what would it be?

[CommandDork]

The French Dassault M2000 gives you a little bit of everything. It was my first module and I don't regret that choice.

Easy to fly.

[ghashpl]

F-18 can do everything, just pure multirole
If you really need just one I would suggest that frame

fast, double engines
carrier landing
harm
jsow
mav
harpoon
jdam
gbu
amraam
aim-9x
jhmcs
data link
three mfd
fly-by-wire

still in WiP tho (better radar, a/g radar, some weapons)

[SSerponi76]

The one you like more.

[Huitzilopochtli]

f18 and f16 will give you the most bang for the buck when they are finished. They have the most modern weapons and the most capability to do a variety of mission types.

As of right now the f18 is the best in the does "does-it-all" category.

[Caiser]

Originally posted by Huitzilopochtli:

f18 and f16 will give you the most bang for the buck when they are finished. They have the most modern weapons and the most capability to do a variety of mission types.

As of right now the f18 is the best in the does "does-it-all" category.

I basically want the plane that is the most agile and fastest, would f16 be for me then?

[SteakOplomb]

Well.... It largely depends on you personnal preferences and what you intend to do with the aircraft.
I bought the M2000, the harrier and the huey.

The M2000 is a blast to fly, but not a very competitive aircraft in PVP since it does not have fox-3s. It can do some A/G combat but is pretty limited in the types of weapons it can carry (basically unguided bombs and rockets. LGBs require someone buddy-lasing targets)

The Harrier is also very enjoyable and capable A/G aircraft. It's quite modern, yet not overly complicated but you are limited to air to ground combat only (the sidewinders are here for self protection only).

If you want a potent multi-role fighter, take a look at the hornet or upcoming F-16.

If you're not too much into combat, take a look at the huey... It's a great helicopter, incredibly simple in its operation, yet very challenging to fly properly. It comes with a campaign and there is also an add-on campaign (Argo) which is pretty decent.

Ask yourself what type of flying you enjoy the most: very modern multi role aircrafts, or more a more dedicated aircraft, excelling at a specific job ? Also, keep in mind that mastering any of these planes will take probably tens of hours (but that's what makes DCS unique !).

[Ramsay]

Originally posted by Caiser:

I basically want the plane that is the most agile and fastest, would f16 be for me then?

I guess the fastest/most agile planes in DCS would be the FC3 F-15C/Su-27 but they have non-clickable cockpits and simplified avionics (they are a common choice in competitive MP matches).

The clickable F/A-18C (circa 2005) is multi-role, capable of self-defence / ground attack it's big strengths are it's data link and modern weapons/systems.

The F-16C is also multi-role, so likely inferior to dedicated fighters like the F-15C/Su-27. As the modelled F-16C is from 2007, it'll have more modern weapons/systems than the Mirage 2000C (1980's).

The F-16C isn't released yet and once in early access, it's likely to be 1-3 years before it gets all it's systems/weapons (the F-18C is 1 year into it's early access, so has more systems/weapons modelled).

Note: As ED add the F/A-18C and F-16C, they aren't just copy and pasting existing weapon FM/code, rather ED use the opportunity to improved the existing modelling i.e. the improved AIM-7 Sparrow flight model becomes part of the DCS core and effects the F-15C, etc. that use the same missile.

[Caiser]

Originally posted by Ramsay:

Originally posted by Caiser:

I basically want the plane that is the most agile and fastest, would f16 be for me then?

I guess the fastest/most agile planes in DCS would be the FC3 F-15C/Su-27 but they have non-clickable cockpits and simplified avionics (they are a common choice in competitive MP matches).

The clickable F/A-18C (circa 2005) is multi-role, capable of self-defence / ground attack it's big strengths are it's data link and modern weapons/systems.

The F-16C is also multi-role, so likely inferior to dedicated fighters like the F-15C/Su-27. As the modelled F-16C is from 2007, it'll have more modern weapons/systems than the Mirage 2000C (1980's).

The F-16C isn't released yet and once in early access, it's likely to be 1-3 years before it gets all it's systems/weapons (the F-18C is 1 year into it's early access, so has more systems/weapons modelled).

Note: As ED add the F/A-18C and F-16C, they aren't just copy and pasting existing weapon FM/code, rather ED use the opportunity to improved the existing modelling i.e. the improved AIM-7 Sparrow flight model becomes part of the DCS core and effects the F-15C, etc. that use the same missile.

cool, so will the people who bought the f16 previously automatically get the new one updated or will they have to buy it again?

[Maki Nishikino]

Originally posted by Caiser:

cool, so will the people who bought the f16 previously automatically get the new one updated or will they have to buy it again?

You don't have to buy it again. Might need to pay something years upon years from now if a major change happens to it like the expanded in function ABRIS on the Ka-50.

[Caiser]

Originally posted by Squid:

The Christen Eagle would be the most agile maybe technically.

Also maybe, just a hunch,the most difficult to land and fly. But obviously that's unlike most of the rest of the growing assortment of aircraft available.

I agree with multiple statements from people, either the ones saying "whichever one you like more" or also anyone saying the F-16 or F-18. Objectively those 2 will provide the most versatility as everyone has stated. And, well the question is subjective to an extent anyway, and as the other user pointed out a couple of the Flaming Cliffs (simplified cheaper type) jets are the fastest, the F-15.If you just want my purely subjective view on which to get to tell anyone, if someone can only get one, FA-18 or F-16.

Nice, yeah looking at the technical differences between the f18 and the f16, I think the f18 is better. dual engines, so if one fails you can still make it back.

F18 can land on carriers and land, where as f16's shocks can't handle the impact of carriers (maybe they can in the game? though that wouldn't be realistic, especially when you gotta pay 80 bucks for perfect simulation!)

So IMO f18 is the best, but not ready to drop 80 bucks on a game plane yet lol. You think the f15 is probably the best sub 80$ fighter jet?

[Maki Nishikino]

Originally posted by Caiser:

So IMO f18 is the best, but not ready to drop 80 bucks on a game plane yet lol. You think the f15 is probably the best sub 80$ fighter jet?

Game plane? Absolutely worth $80, flight simulation tends to be an expensive hobby. Yes, the F-15C is good, one of the most used FC3 planes in MP.

[Ramsay]

Originally posted by Caiser:

So IMO f18 is the best, but not ready to drop 80 bucks on a game plane yet lol. You think the f15 is probably the best sub 80$ fighter jet?

Note: the F-15C doesn't come with much in way of single player training, so you are better off buying it as part of FC3 pack and using the Su-27, etc. training missions to learn the basics.

If new to DCS, I'd suggest learning the free Su-25T as it has pretty good training missions and a SP campaign, you can then decide if FC3 level aircraft are detailed enough or if you want to spend the extra for the F/A-18C.

If cost is an issue, there *might* be a Halloween Sale in a couple of months.

[Panthros]

I think the question of what is the best plane is very subjective. Do you want air to air or air to ground? Do you want Redfor or Bluefor? Is there a time period you prefer? Do you prefer single player or multiplayer? Do you want to launch from an aircraft carrier?

For me, the F/A-18 and the F-5E are my favorite planes but for different reasons, mainly the ability to fly a jet without all of the technology has made me a better pilot with the F-5E. Launching the F/A-18 from an aircraft carrier is a whole new and amazing experience. I do not own the F-14 but that is on my list to have the RIO so I can focus more on flying. A buddy of mine is purchasing the F-14 because he want to focus on the RIO activities. Another buddy of mine flies the A-10C exclusively because loves the air to ground single player missions.

I recommend doing some research from Chuck's Guide's which will tell you a lot about the planes you may find yourself interested in.

[Panthros]

Originally posted by meh:

I just checked how much it would cost to buy this game in full. lol

I am sure most people don't as I mention above, only certain planes may match your play style.

[God?]

Originally posted by Huitzilopochtli:

f18 and f16 will give you the most bang for the buck when they are finished. They have the most modern weapons and the most capability to do a variety of mission types.

As of right now the f18 is the best in the does "does-it-all" category.

Is the F-18 still not complete?