Please DICE, go over the telemetry and statistics that you have access to, you will see why the Nightbird needs to be nerfed.There's already been numerous complaints about this aircraft in this forum and on the debut of 2042's definitive patch, this aircraft remains unchanged which is just a slap to the face.Stop ridiculously buffing anti-air and anti-vehicle capabilities and start bringing vehicles in line to what they're meant to be, such as what you're going to do for the light infantry vehicles in 5.0.0.Edit: People who say it's a skill focused vehicle are clearly ignoring the numerous bugs associated with it which give it an unfair advantage, particularly how it can dodge missiles without flares and the fact that after using flares, without any flares being present in the air, you still can't lock on to it above radar. These bugs just further exacerbate how strong it is. If you can't fix these bugs, then have its flare cooldown doubled or even tripled because it feels like it always has evasion with the addition of below radar.The Nightbird is simply too strong coupled with the bugs it has and needs to be fixed. It's a all in one, anti-vehicle, anti-infantry and anti-aircraft vehicle for all the reasons mentioned in previous posts.

@S3SSioN_SoL Nothing on the nightbird needs changing. Seriously, what do you want changed? Its 20mm cannons have been nerfed more than once already. AGMs are no different than they are for any other vehicle. Even the nightbird's mobility was technically nerfed when they added more weight to all flying. Her hull is weak and easily killed by any other armored vehicle, including jets, attack heli, and a railgun tank from across the map.

😕Did you even read my post?Minigun useless? Your hyperbole is nauseating. Do you get paid for each instance of the word "useless"? To recap: The Nightbird should return to its original purpose which is scout/transport and it should be orientated towards light infantry support and against vehicles as a contributor or finisher of vehicles. It should not be running around 1v1'ing heavy armor. It should be used in a combined arms role to tilt the outcome in your group's favor.You're saying they removed the helicopter sensitivity in this video or that it has no effect in console? https://youtu.be/K-EL-nPAjmE?t=600Just because you don't have a partner that works with you in the passenger seats doesn't mean that others don't.And this "fragile" glass you keep referring to is actually powerful enough to stop 20mm and higher rounds from penetrating through to the pilot as well as their blast damage.You've been repeating your mantra so long that you probably believe it, but once you arise from your bias coma you'll see that the Nightbird is caricature and mockery of the game in its current iteration.

@S3SSioN_SoL These kids saying Twitchbird doesn't need a nerf are living in a fantasy world lol. It's been abused for so long that the devs would have unlimited data by now that prove it needs a nerf badly.Since other vehicles are getting attachments removed, Twitchbird needs to have:- Auto repair removed. It's a highly agile heli that can easily fly away behind cover and out of bounds, and can have 2 players on repair.- Rockets removed. Twitchbird is more of an attack heli than actual attack helis, even though it's supposed to be a light transport vehicle. Leave rockets for attack helis.- Flare duration reduced, flare cooldown increased. Once again, highly agile craft that and fly away behind cover and out of bounds too easily.- Bug fixed where it can evade rockets simply by flying away in a certain angle, if not already fixed in upcoming update. Flares and cover should be the only counter to avoiding rockets.No wonder it's abused by sad fiends.

@S3SSioN_SoL grow up and get better! or, try piloting the thing yourself and see how weak it already is.

Problem with the NB is that it has a ridiculously large skill window.By comparison the NB counters have a much smaller skill window. Once the NB pilot passes that skill ceiling of its counters then it's God mode time.At what NB pilot skill level do you balance the counters around? If you balance around ace pilots then the other 99% of pilots won't stand a chance. If you balance around just good pilots then the ace pilots are unkillable.I'd support NB nerfs, but those nerfs would have to be targeted only against the ace pilots.

It seems like the Nightbird will remain unchanged in 5.0.0

56 Replies

Anarchiesx
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
@S3SSioN_SoL Nothing on the nightbird needs changing. Seriously, what do you want changed? Its 20mm cannons have been nerfed more than once already. AGMs are no different than they are for any other vehicle. Even the nightbird's mobility was technically nerfed when they added more weight to all flying. Her hull is weak and easily killed by any other armored vehicle, including jets, attack heli, and a railgun tank from across the map.
turtlebeached
3 years ago
@S3SSioN_SoL grow up and get better! or, try piloting the thing yourself and see how weak it already is.
AngrySquid270
3 years ago
Problem with the NB is that it has a ridiculously large skill window.
By comparison the NB counters have a much smaller skill window.
Once the NB pilot passes that skill ceiling of its counters then it's God mode time.
At what NB pilot skill level do you balance the counters around? If you balance around ace pilots then the other 99% of pilots won't stand a chance. If you balance around just good pilots then the ace pilots are unkillable.
I'd support NB nerfs, but those nerfs would have to be targeted only against the ace pilots.
Wargame_Enj0yer
3 years ago
@AngrySquid270For example make Liz more agile? Ace pilots can farm and ruin the server. Sad that DICE doesnt do anything to the vehicle-ground meta when it comes to the NB.

Except defacto slightly passively buffing the NB, since they're also taking away sundance anti-armor grenade.
I dont see how adding the FLAK cannon to the transports will deal with Ace pilots, as they usually stay out of FLAK and RAO range while attacking.
Anarchiesx
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
@Wargame_Enj0yer Literally just spawn in as Lis and take it out with one TGM. If you refuse to learn how to use the game's tools, then it's a skill issue.
TTZ_Dipsy
Hero+
3 years ago
T1 Whirly Bird guy here - Yes, it can be super powerful and the feeling of slapping the bottom right out from under a tank with a backhand chop from God is unlike anything else... HOWEVER, I think it's balanced by the fact the hull is essentially made out of paper, basically the entire front of made out of glass you can shoot through (unlike the new Bolte), and it's parts can get damaged fairly easy.

Next patch will bring in stationary AA so there is an added layer of defense for ground troops as well
rainkloud
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
@TTZ_Dipsy
It's hardly paper armor. It shares the same damage profile as the jets, but with a far smaller hitbox. And it doesn't matter what the armor is if the shots miss. Adding zeros indefinitely still results in a sum of zero. Which brings us to the comical maneuverability. Crank the sens to max and you can easily dodge many of the vehicle based lock missiles not to mention make yourself an extraordinarily difficult target for your enemies all without compromising your aim. And even if you do get hit you can have two players repairing you and then aren't doing they they can augment your offensive capabilities with rockets and laser designation.
The Nightbird should be returned to its original intended role of being a scrappy low profile insertion transport/scout that can perform hit and run and light air support. Right now it's got the best of all worlds. Fast, highly agile, small hitbox, infantry support, spotting, potent offensive weaponry. Something's gotta give. I suggest:
Minigun Starting Damage Dropoff distance shortened
Rocket Pod ammo from 10 > 8
AGM ammo from 2 > 1
Maneuverability reduced to decrease missile dodging capability
That still leaves it with plenty of power to make an impact but the focus will go back to stealthy infantry insertions and ground support.
Kona_uk
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
@TTZ_Dipsy Well how can you fire over the shoulder weapon at a blackbird front on and it fly's away to magically heal. I know why you fly them gives you the buzz of thinking your good but your not there just over powered.
TTZ_Dipsy
Hero+
3 years ago
@rainkloud

AGM going from 2 to 1 would make it useless for any vehicle. If an enemy tank was at full health you'd still also have to hit it with at least an entire 20mm or whatever it is cache (and they already have the worst overheat and recovery).

Minigun is useless lol, sure you can just remove it entirely once you get the next upgrade, I don't think anyone would mind.

It'a near impossible for anyone to manually designate anything in any air vehicle let alone something that naturally has to whip around like the Night Bird - I'd love if a pilot would just hold still for 2 seconds so I could help em out other than repairs.

I play on console so I cant just crank sensitivity up - I firmly believe PC and consoles should be separate with unique control adjustments.

Nightbird is literally open on both aides with a giant window lol - it has the worst opportunity for recieved damage next to the tuktuk.

@Kona_uk

Other than civilian vehicles, I'm pretty sure every vehicle has a maintenence upgrade. A single Stigla is capable of Crippling a Nightbird with like 80% damage and the front which is all glass is vulnerable to regular gunfire.
rainkloud
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
😕
Did you even read my post?
Minigun useless? Your hyperbole is nauseating. Do you get paid for each instance of the word "useless"? To recap: The Nightbird should return to its original purpose which is scout/transport and it should be orientated towards light infantry support and against vehicles as a contributor or finisher of vehicles. It should not be running around 1v1'ing heavy armor. It should be used in a combined arms role to tilt the outcome in your group's favor.
You're saying they removed the helicopter sensitivity in this video or that it has no effect in console? https://youtu.be/K-EL-nPAjmE?t=600
Just because you don't have a partner that works with you in the passenger seats doesn't mean that others don't.
And this "fragile" glass you keep referring to is actually powerful enough to stop 20mm and higher rounds from penetrating through to the pilot as well as their blast damage.
You've been repeating your mantra so long that you probably believe it, but once you arise from your bias coma you'll see that the Nightbird is caricature and mockery of the game in its current iteration.