Best Module.

[Lee1]

Hi.

Looking to buy my next module. Which is the most complete functionally please, the Bug or the Viper?

 

Thanks and regards

 

Lee

[razo+r]

The more "complete" of these two would be the F-18 I guess.

 

Can't really call it complete though.

[BuzzU]

No decision between those two. The Hornet has a 2 year head start on the Viper.

[Northstar98]

F/A-18 is much more complete currently (though it's kinda weird, seeing as the F-16C has a better implemented HARM), but the Hornet has more of it's planned features complete/closer to completion.

[sublime]

f14 rules

brought to you by the Tomcat! gang

[Viking 1-1]

Hornet is way ahead regarding implementation of systems.

 

Viper is far ahead regarding style and fun.

[wowbagger]

Hornet is way ahead regarding implementation of systems.

 

Viper is far ahead regarding style and fun.

 

Quoted for truth.

 

Plus, the bug has one my least favourite cockpits, whereas the viper pit is a glorious place to spend virtual airtime in.

[Baco]

It is very personal and Subjective. But as more complete would be the Hornet, 2 yeas advantage AND incredible depth...

Of course by the time you learn it all, the viper will be there also jajaja

 

BTW.. best module.. As much as "evil step mother ED" hates it... (Oh mirror, mirror, witch is the fairest Modules of them all...)

 

yeah Baby its the TOMCAT ;) LOL

[Oceandar]

Hi.

Looking to buy my next module. Which is the most complete functionally please, the Bug or the Viper?

 

Thanks and regards

 

Lee

Wait for the sale and buy both hehehehe

[Lee1]

Thanks folks, some food for thought there.

 

[jmarso]

I'll let you know after the A-model Tomcat hits the streets. Until then, the best module is- wait for it-

The Tomcat

[Dragon1-1]

Pity that it's the one module that never seems to go on a decent sale... Not even on the pandemic sale, which had all other modules except for SC at 50% discounts, which we likely won't see again for quite a while for Hornet and Viper.

[Beirut]

I'm just going to chirp in and say the Harrier should not be forgotten. It's a lot of fun! :thumbup:

[Dragon1-1]

Yeah, but that's because of its unique properties, not because it's particularly well modeled or complete. There's been some work on addressing that recently, but it has a long way to go.

[Furiz]

Just buy both, hornet is much more complete than the viper, but buying the viper as well wont hurt cause you are gonna have tons of fun in both planes.

[Shadak]

Hi.

Looking to buy my next module. Which is the most complete functionally please, the Bug or the Viper?

 

Thanks and regards

 

Lee

 

I was recently in the same situation, but it was the halloween sale so I ended up buying both and im glad I did :) so my vote also goes to both. But in terms of completeness, the Hornet of course.

[Beirut]

Yeah, but that's because of its unique properties, not because it's particularly well modeled or complete. There's been some work on addressing that recently, but it has a long way to go.

 

 

Maybe, but I'm not a perfectionist and I'm able to have a lot of fun in the Harrier; carrier takeoffs and then some A2G runs with the night vision and back for a VTOL carrier landing. That chit is fun. And it's the fun that counts. I haven't come remotely close to mastering the Hornet or the A-10C II, much less than the Harrier, but again, I'm having a lot of fun.

 

Looking forward to the F-16 on sale one day. I tried it during the "We all have the plague so fly for free!" trial and it was good fun. :smilewink:

[DimSim]

Consider the Harrier AV-8B and Mirage 2000C if you don't own them.

Both are feature complete and fun to fly. Mirage has two excellent campaigns, one included with the aircraft.

[Southernbear]

It is a very subjective but I'll try to answer it as best I can using my opinions and what I've seen.

 

It really depends on what your looking for too. I would say if your looking for the "most realistic", bug free, mostly complete and best value for money while still being useful in a multiplayer environment as well as something you've heard of possibly as a child? its gotta be the F-14. Yes it is a full priced Module but its mostly all there compared to other modules and for that full price your actually getting 4 different planes rather then 1 plane or a Frankenstein module of several different versions of the plane in 1. For the same price as the F/A-18 or F-16 you get the F-14A 95-GE (Iranian plane) 135-GE early and late as well as the F-14B and it is my personal opinion that the F-14 is one of those planes that is easy to fly but hard to master. Meaning its relatively easy to take off, land and get kills with but you have plenty of room to learn more about being a pilot as well as the WHOLE RIO pit if you so choose which is why I would say its ok for people first getting into DCS.

 

However even it has its issues. The main being its a true fighter aircraft and until we get Jester LANTIRN the best you can do for SEAD/Ground attack would be CCIP/CCRP...otherwise you either got dumb bombs and rockets or need someone else who knows the LANTIRN system to do true GBU attacks and again that doesn't answer the SEAD issue. As well as this it doesn't have a digital fight computer so it's dogfighting is a lot closer to a warbird then it would be say a F-18 or F-16. That isn't to say you can't match or out perform them but it takes a lot more effort to do so and it also doesn't teach you skills that can be useful in the other planes.

 

There's the F/A-18 which used to be ED's poster child. Its jack of all trades but master of none in my opinion. It can DO everything but more specialized planes will certainly do things better and imo once the F-16 is actually near 100% Finished I feel the Viper will take it's place, F-14B and F-16 will give the F-18 a run for its money in a dogfight and AGAIN in my opinion they are better in BVR due either the AIM-54 having much more range or the F-16's interface being much nicer and clearer. Of course the F-18 can also load more missiles then both so that should also be thought about.

 

Theres also the F-16, on paper it has the possibility of being the best, relatively easy to learn, can do most things well aside from anti ship warfare but thats because its missing the weapons to do and is in part because it is the youngest module from ED and all the issues with said fact kind of weigh it down. You also don't get Naval ops as an option unlike the last 2. There has also been funky stuff happening to its weapons. so for example while it *has* HARMs...they don't do what they can do on the F/A-18 as of right now so in regards to SEAD the F/A-18 is still better then it FOR NOW. So I would say the F-16 is very much up there on paper but is atm very much a WIP.

 

Then there is the JF-17. I suppose the only issue I would say about it is that its a JF-17. While I know there would be a few people that would, generally it isn't a plane people would say "I'm going to get into DCS because it has the JF-17" But in terms of what it can do within the sim and to what quality it does them. I would say its better then all 3 depending on the situation....but again it doesn't really have that hype around it. The Jeff is defiantly a sleeper module.

 

Then there's RAZBAM...the Harrier is fun for harrier things as well as the M2000 but it can be said RB ain't the greatest when it comes to releasing a complete and stable product either. The Harrier being more ground attack focused but more dynamic then say a A-10 or Su-25 and the M2000 being even MORE of a dedicated fighter then even the F-14 so don't expect to be dropping warheads on foreheads in the baguette either.

 

There is also legacy planes like the Mig 21 or F-5 and others which can work in a modern environment you just need to.

 

TL : DR - If your looking for a realistic experience with really good value for money and bug free the F-14 is the way to go.

- If your looking for a "do everything" plane that is mostly feature complete but a little rougher to learn the F-18 is the way to go. But if you don't mind not being a "US plane" or something you've heard of before then the JF-17 is also a good buy and is a little easier to learn.

- If you want a "do everything" plane but don't mind waiting for fixes and features and have some patience? the F-16 is a good choice and is in general easier to learn then the F-18.

- if you want anything other then that? then get the plane that suits what you want...be it a ground attacker, A-10, Su-25, AV-8B ect or something specific like a Mig 21, M2000 or F-5

[sublime]

It is very personal and Subjective. But as more complete would be the Hornet, 2 yeas advantage AND incredible depth...

Of course by the time you learn it all, the viper will be there also jajaja

 

BTW.. best module.. As much as "evil step mother ED" hates it... (Oh mirror, mirror, witch is the fairest Modules of them all...)

 

yeah Baby its the TOMCAT ;) LOL

 

preach it brother!

[sublime]

It is a very subjective but I'll try to answer it as best I can using my opinions and what I've seen.

 

It really depends on what your looking for too. I would say if your looking for the "most realistic", bug free, mostly complete and best value for money while still being useful in a multiplayer environment as well as something you've heard of possibly as a child? its gotta be the F-14. Yes it is a full priced Module but its mostly all there compared to other modules and for that full price your actually getting 4 different planes rather then 1 plane or a Frankenstein module of several different versions of the plane in 1. For the same price as the F/A-18 or F-16 you get the F-14A 95-GE (Iranian plane) 135-GE early and late as well as the F-14B and it is my personal opinion that the F-14 is one of those planes that is easy to fly but hard to master. Meaning its relatively easy to take off, land and get kills with but you have plenty of room to learn more about being a pilot as well as the WHOLE RIO pit if you so choose which is why I would say its ok for people first getting into DCS.

 

However even it has its issues. The main being its a true fighter aircraft and until we get Jester LANTIRN the best you can do for SEAD/Ground attack would be CCIP/CCRP...otherwise you either got dumb bombs and rockets or need someone else who knows the LANTIRN system to do true GBU attacks and again that doesn't answer the SEAD issue. As well as this it doesn't have a digital fight computer so it's dogfighting is a lot closer to a warbird then it would be say a F-18 or F-16. That isn't to say you can't match or out perform them but it takes a lot more effort to do so and it also doesn't teach you skills that can be useful in the other planes.

 

There's the F/A-18 which used to be ED's poster child. Its jack of all trades but master of none in my opinion. It can DO everything but more specialized planes will certainly do things better and imo once the F-16 is actually near 100% Finished I feel the Viper will take it's place, F-14B and F-16 will give the F-18 a run for its money in a dogfight and AGAIN in my opinion they are better in BVR due either the AIM-54 having much more range or the F-16's interface being much nicer and clearer. Of course the F-18 can also load more missiles then both so that should also be thought about.

 

Theres also the F-16, on paper it has the possibility of being the best, relatively easy to learn, can do most things well aside from anti ship warfare but thats because its missing the weapons to do and is in part because it is the youngest module from ED and all the issues with said fact kind of weigh it down. You also don't get Naval ops as an option unlike the last 2. There has also been funky stuff happening to its weapons. so for example while it *has* HARMs...they don't do what they can do on the F/A-18 as of right now so in regards to SEAD the F/A-18 is still better then it FOR NOW. So I would say the F-16 is very much up there on paper but is atm very much a WIP.

 

Then there is the JF-17. I suppose the only issue I would say about it is that its a JF-17. While I know there would be a few people that would, generally it isn't a plane people would say "I'm going to get into DCS because it has the JF-17" But in terms of what it can do within the sim and to what quality it does them. I would say its better then all 3 depending on the situation....but again it doesn't really have that hype around it. The Jeff is defiantly a sleeper module.

 

Then there's RAZBAM...the Harrier is fun for harrier things as well as the M2000 but it can be said RB ain't the greatest when it comes to releasing a complete and stable product either. The Harrier being more ground attack focused but more dynamic then say a A-10 or Su-25 and the M2000 being even MORE of a dedicated fighter then even the F-14 so don't expect to be dropping warheads on foreheads in the baguette either.

 

There is also legacy planes like the Mig 21 or F-5 and others which can work in a modern environment you just need to.

 

TL : DR - If your looking for a realistic experience with really good value for money and bug free the F-14 is the way to go.

- If your looking for a "do everything" plane that is mostly feature complete but a little rougher to learn the F-18 is the way to go. But if you don't mind not being a "US plane" or something you've heard of before then the JF-17 is also a good buy and is a little easier to learn.

- If you want a "do everything" plane but don't mind waiting for fixes and features and have some patience? the F-16 is a good choice and is in general easier to learn then the F-18.

- if you want anything other then that? then get the plane that suits what you want...be it a ground attacker, A-10, Su-25, AV-8B ect or something specific like a Mig 21, M2000 or F-5

 

this is probably the post I agree with most and i think is most thought out

The F14 has a lot of content too. a lot of missions, HB has instant action missions for All theaters except just one for channel. When syria came out they were one of the only (besides dekka with the JF) to put Instant Action missions in right away. the official campaign should be out soon, but even without it theres 3 excellent user campaigns. plus DCE. the F14 is the best MP experience Ive ever had (flying multicrew) and id disagree about not being able to use LGBs in SP. Ive been able to do it handily. you just need practice, and theres a mod to do it from the front seat. that said HB does need to fix that and have said they will. its still in progress. As much hating goes towards the ai backseater jester, hes a totally revolutionary thing and amazingly well done. Ive been able to accomplish 99% of what I always needed with him. I also will never go back to games forcing one man to do the job of 2 or more after Jester - that statement alone should clue you in. Its a beast a2a and a2g. the F18 was ridiculously easy to fly, but didnt feel 'wild' or super fast or anything. indeed it felt sterile. the F14 feels... like a horse, like your planes alive. it shakes, bufffets, groans. you can rip her wings off. i always feel like the greek god hephaeustus on a flaming chariot that Ive tamed - but just barely. its pretty friggin awesome.

One module no one has mentioned but by the same company as the F14 is the Viggen. The Viggen is an awesome module and the plane is really cool and a fun low level flyer.

The point about the JF17 is spot on. Id never even heard of them. Theyre VERY easy to learn, but have a lot to learn, and the chinese weapons clones of american weapons, while not as good as the western counterparts, are amazingly effective. I dont know if its reality or ED cant get info on russias latest weapons, or theyre simply not in game, but the chinese A2G weapons in particular were much much easier to use and deadlier than the russian a2g weapons on say a SU25. the JF17s A2A missiles are like shorter ranged amraams. however theyre fairly deadly. The laser guided rockets are amazing ,and of course the jdam like bombs, a2g cruise missile like weapons, etc.

as far as the f14 vs any plane in game, in a F14 B with a competent crew, Id be willing to take on anyone. Especially with some Aim54s. dogfighting too, if you got a good stick its insanely dangerous. and like i said competent crew, the 2nd guy in WVR is just another set of eyes looking for you. the Jf17 i also would happily bring into a fight against any plane in game and feel i had a pretty good chance of surviving.

its all up to the buyer of course; we all have our biases

[wilbur81]

I only own the Hornet and the Viper (listen to Markus' "Omegatau" podcast on the F-14 in RL and DCS and Heatblur for AMAZING perspective and added respect for the F-14 module), I have really drilled down into the Hornet and LOVE it. The F-16 has always been one of my favorite aircraft, but every time I jump in it in DCS, I don't last very long and go back to the Hornet. I find the FLCS on the Viper feels too 'on the rails' compared to the Hornet, which is not AOA limited like the Viper. The Hornet is VERY capable in the air to ground role and VERY capable in WVR combat. For BVR, it is a really unique challenge because you don't get the 'instant-thrust' like the Viper so you have to be creative and tactically smart, using all the toys available to you. Speaking of all the toys, I also, contrary to the comments above, have come to prefer the Hornet cockpit over the Viper (minus the Canopy bow :-)). It could be intimidating at first as there is A LOT of functionality.... but once you get it, It is just an AWESOME jet... and the more I learn about other RL pilots (F-14, F-15, F-16) perspectives on the Hornet in a classic dogfight, the more I prefer it. Lastly, that "HORNET HOWL"! My goodness... ED did such a good job modeling that unique howl that the Legacy hornet had... and that I'll dearly miss watching the Blues in their new "Fat Amy".

 

So, do yourself a favor: fly Navy and grab the Hornet.

 

... But you can't go wrong with either