Rather than artificial stacking limits, Air Combat is limited to 1v1 or 2v1 fights within larger battles. Overall numbers still matter, but only so many planes can effectively engage another at one time. We felt this reflected real historical battles much more closely.
No more Interceptors or Multirole Aircraft. Instead, we have Fighters and Heavy Fighters, the latter being twin engine planes which are faster and more heavily armed but less agile. Historically, not many planes perfectly fit a specific role, so it will be up to the player to decide in what direction to steer plane development. In general, Heavy Fighters are good at shooting down Bombers, but have trouble against more agile Fighters. Fighters can shoot down Bombers too, of course, but being less heavily armed they take longer to do so.
Speed now affects targeting order in combat. Faster planes get to pick their targets first. Because of this, speed and firepower will be the most important attributes for planes you intend to intercept bombers.
Agility is a new stat. When two planes meet in combat, the more agile plane will be able to use a greater percentage of its Air Attack value.
Coverage is more a concept than a stat, and is based on a plane's Range stat compared to the distance to the center of the Strategic Region it is operating in. Planes which can just barely reach the target have a poor Coverage value compared to a plane that can fly laps around the area.
While individual planes do not gain experience, combat/missions have the possibility of generating Aces. Aces can be assigned to Air wings and improve the efficiency the planes. We'll talk more about them in a later dev diary.
