HQ TOW + Phalanx Meta is Breaking Air Vehicle Gameplay
After many hours of play, there is a very clear balance issue affecting air gameplay.
The Core Problem:
- Maps are relatively small.
- Air vehicles spawn from ground level inside HQ
- HQ is protected by Phalanx (CIWS-style defense).
- TOW system is very easy to explode any air vehicle. so it is OP.
- TOWS are everywhere.
This creates a situation where armored vehicles can sit inside HQ, safely protected and farm helicopters and jets with TOW - with almost zero counterplay.
Why this is a problem?
1. Air vehicles are vulnerable during take off.
Because aircraft spawn on the ground and need time to gain speed and altitude, they are visible and exposed.
On small maps, they are immediately in line of sight from HQ TOW users.
This means pilots can get hit before even leaving HQ airspace.
2. Phalanx removes counterplay.
When armored vehicles stay inside HQ:
- Incoming rockets are destroyed by Phalanx
- Enemy infantry cannot push (10-sec auto death zone).
- Air vehicles cannot retaliate
This is effectively a risk-free high-impact position.
3. Small map scale amplifies the issue
On larger maps, aircraft can reposition and play angles. On current map sizes, there is literally nowhere to escape or flank. And at this points, Flares are useless. If you try to fly low to get not locked, so you are a easy target for RPG7 players. You are always exposed.
4. Too many TOW systems
When "everyone has TOW" air dominance doesn't feel earned.
It becomes spam-heavy instead of skill-based.
The Result.
- HQ camping armored vehicles dominate airspace.
- Pilots are punished before having any chance to maneveur. At this point, there is another big problem. other air vehicles just waiting you to spawn at the HQ ground with air vehicles, and killed you instantly. Air vehicles must spawn at the air!!!!
- Air gameplay feels unrewarding and frustrating.
- Risk vs. reward balance is broken.
Right now, the safest place on the map is also one of the strongest offensive positions. That design contradiction is the main issue.
Solutions
- Disable TOW usage inside HQ protection zone.
- Or remove Phalanx protection from vehicles firing offensive weapons.
- Or for ground vehicles waiting at HQ, provide Phalanx protection for just 15 sec.
- Debuff TOW (maybe damage, maybe speed, maybe range, maybe maneuverability)
- Increase map sizes.
