I'm pretty sure they are aware flares can sometimes be shot early - this should hopefully be fixed after the scoreboard update
I don't think the flares are that bad as a helo has to deal with ground and air locking on them at all times.
For AA, locking is inconsistent, sometimes doesn't work at all, and the range, especially on jets is lacking.
They made a change that slowed down reload in December 2nd's patch:
That might also be a contributing factor. If reload is as slow as flares+repairs, then aircraft have a huge advantage.
Another thing that might go unnoticed, I believe FXM-33 AA Mastery is tied to aircraft destroyed, not kills. So you could take out a Condor full of enemies and it counts as 1 for mastery.
I just think that flares don't work like they do in many other games, even compared to other BF titles if i remember correctly. when someone throws flares in this game it prevents locking onto the vehicle for a time after even if the vehicle has moved away from the flares or even if the flares have faded. which is confusing and annoying compared to games where flares disrupt or alter the tracking of an IR missile. so, like I said because you can't lock on for a time after even though the flares are gone this just leads to the same pattern that I have noticed for helos or jets.
1. the helo or jet enters an area to attack. 2. I attempt to lock or have a successful lock and fire. 3. the helo throws flares and hides away until its infinite supply of flares has recharged.
and this is most cases but not all of them, still like I said in the post get some kills.
and I know it was controversial, and even I didn't like it at first but the attrition system in BFV actually balanced the vehicles perfectly. they needed to move to recharge ammunition not just hide for 20 seconds. I would like to see something similar in some amount or intensity in this game after a few updates, or in future titles. and truly maybe I'm wrong here, maybe the issue is over saturation of vehicles in this game at least in the 128 player modes.
this is just how I feel
Rao can disable flares
Angel gives you infinite AA
Both are very effective against aircraft.
Still, I wish AP ammo did more damage to light armour like aircraft.
And unfortunately, I think that's exactly where the specialist system is mechanically flawed. certain specialists using the exact same weapon are extremely overpowered where a different one is practically useless. that's why we here at battlefield liked and still like class systems. this is a massive learning experience for dice. they are finally given the most extreme example of " if it isn't broken don't attempt to fix it".
