gorion83 said:
Hi all, I've got a simple question..
How many planes do you build usually? And which models??
Usually i try to build medium bombers, basic interceptors and naval bombers with the same percentage. Late in the game I build only planes and tanks and an inf division to garrison the beaches..
In your opinion, what's the best CORE fighter? Interceptor? Multirole? Air Superiority?
Tell me
Sorry, there are no simple answers here. It all depends on your country, your situation, and how you play the game. OK, there are a few trends...
As Germany, I prefer Interceptors and Dive Bombers. I know that the Air Superiority fighters have slightly higher stats, but I believe they only raise air defense by 1 while raising IC costs by 3; they also take more time to build and require more supplies and fuel. That isn't worth it to me. Tactical Bombers are typically superior to Dive Bombers due to their longer range, but they tend to cost at least twice as much, if you factor in the additional time to contruct. Longer-ranged fighters are very useful, especially in cross-Channel warfare and in Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, but since destoying the enemy airforce prior to the landings is only optional so long as you destroy enough of their navy, it isn't essential. Besides, if you're playing as Germany and you can wait until 1941 to plan Sealion (and I usually do), the Drop Tanks tech will turn your short-range fighters into long-range, with only a -1 to air attack (making them roughly commensurate with long-range models) and a brief upgrading period. It's much faster and cheaper than upgrading them to a longer-ranged model.
As the Soviets, I also tend to build mostly Interceptors and Dive Bombers, though I keep a few longer-ranged models available for long-ranged missions if my research hasn't gone as quickly as I would have like and the Drop Tanks are still a year or two away. Usually though, I'm good with the shorter-ranged cheap stuff. As the Americans, British, or Japanese, I tend to build a short- and a long-ranged model, though for convenience, I think I'll stick with the longer-ranged ones next time. If you build a large enough stack (9 should be plenty) for air-sweeping, it can compensate for the slightly lower battle stats. As France, Italy, or anyone who is primarily concerned with survival, Interceptors are the clear choice. It's all about the reduced cost.
And, of course, if you are engaging in any anti-naval warfare, you need Naval Bombers. Unless you're dealing with a huge naval stack, they will go through opposing navies like a hot knife through butter.
Most of the time, I like fighter stacks of 6 for aggressive air-sweeping raids, or 3 for fending off Stategic Bombers or tactical raids on my front lines. If I encounter problems with a particularly tough opposing air force, I'll increase the stacks by 3 each (I always prefer dealing in multiples of 3). For bombers, 9 is usually a better number, since being outnumbered by the troops you're bombing tend to take a lot out of your air force.
As for the balance of my air force, I usually have at least 50% fighters early on (more as a smaller power), and I steadily increase my bombers after that, capping at about 66%. I also tend to build more Tactical Bombers later on, and cease producing any Interceptors or Dive Bombers once I feel that the war is going my way. Once I'm comfortable, I take the convenience of range over cost-effectiveness.
