Why use a plane with less than three slots?

[Foolski]

Just wondering if I'm missing something. Are they preferable in some way?

[Chibbity]

Not every slot is equal, some slots on some planes hold more than just 2 racks for missiles.

Also, in certain cases; just because the plane itself is good. The F16 is a good example, it's got fantastic maneuverability, and is an excellent fighter. It's only got 2 slots, but you're getting one of the best duelists in that "tier" for it.

If you're comparing everything to the prototype planes, well yeah; they are just over powered. The F22 handles like the F16 but with flat out more slots. The more expensive planes are just "better" in most ways. If you compare things by "tier" it's all pretty well balanced though in my opinion.

[Foolski]

I'm actually comparing everything to the MiG-29. It can do everything. I see your point about some slots having more hardpoints, like the F-18 has two slots, but each slot has four hardpoints. However the MiG-29 just seems to be a bit OP in it's tier. It has three slots, each with two hardpoints, can carry SAA in one, MLAA in two AND gets MLGAx2 or whatever it's called (the ground targeting missiles, which is essentially TWO of the normal one.

So you can have the MiG-29 with twice the ammo for the MLAA on four racks vs the F-18's normal ammo count on four racks, AND MLGAx2 which has slightly less ammo but fires four, or the F-18 with MLGA on four hardpoints.

Yeah the F-18 is slightly faster, but the MiG-29 has better agility and is still pretty fast. I'm just hoping something comes along which is better than the MiG-29 because I'm using it for everything lol.

[Kappatalism]

Originally posted by Foolski:

I'm just hoping something comes along which is better than the MiG-29 because I'm using it for everything lol.

Don't worry, late game plane meta (if you're not in the mood for the super planes) boils down to one plane with the best stats, a 6 slot MGP/MLAA, 4 MLAA, 4 MLAG loadout that you'll also use for everything. Can also trade either MLAA slot for SAAs but the weapon is always capped at 2 hardpoints

I guess the only upside on F-18 vs MiG-29 loadouts is that volley missiles like the MLAG2 take longer to reload each shot than their standard counterparts.