Whats the best Luftwaffe fighter in the game and why?

[Rich46yo]

I dont know much about the German fighters in the game.

Overall which is best as an all around fighter? As in whats best to take up against both fighters and Bombers?

[Shamus]

109k4 gets my vote.

shamus

[Lusche]

Overall which is best as an all around fighter? As in whats best to take up against both fighters and Bombers?

If we define "all round" as broad as possible it would be, in my opinion the 109G-14. Because unlike the K-4 it also can carry gondolas and a bomb, which makes it a better bomber hunter at low to medium high altitudes and ands some reasonable air to ground capability, while still being one of the top notch dogfighters in game.

If we limit it to a rather pure fighter role (engaing planes only), it's the K-4 for that additional top speed boost over the G-14

[SmokinLoon]

This is ultimately like most "what is best" threads: depends on situation.

The 109K-4 is NOT the best German fighter, it may be the best interceptor but it certainly isn't the best fighter.  When thinking of "best" for a fighter you need multiple qualities, think "air superiority".  Speed is only one attribute.  FWIW, the 190D-9 and Ta152 are a close runner up for best German interceptor.  In that case it is about picking your poison and for me the 109K-4 gets left behind most often as does the Ta152.

I vote the 109F-4/G-2 for being the best fighter, but close on their heels is the G-14.  The G-14 is by far the most versatile of the German fighters.  I put the 190A-5 at almost equal to the G-14 in terms of versatility, it just isn't as nimble in a close in knife fight.


 

 

[BnZs]

The Me-163. But of all non-perkers, realistically it is the Dora. It has many claims to being one of the best non-perked fighters in the game-speed at MA ALTS, Climb, accel, roll rate, gun package.   The K4 is the better duellist, but the MA is most assuredly not the DA.

[Wiley]

In my hands, if I was expecting to engage both fighters and bombers in a sortie, I'd take a 190A-5 or possibly a 190D-9.  The D9 does better bomber hunting due to its speed and climb attributes.  I can't dogfight in it very well at all though.  The A5 turns much better than it, but hasn't got as much speed.

For fighters though, I've got to agree with SmokinLoon.  The G-2 is, IMO, one of the best balanced fighters in the game.  Doesn't do anything spectacularly well, but does a lot of things well.  The F-4 is a bit slower but much twistier.  About the only downside to them is, I am really not fond of the 2xdeer rifle, 1x20mm gun package.  If your gunnery is good enough to make those guns work for you though, they're excellent.

For myself personally, if I had to pick two, it would be the A5 for buffs/fighters, and the G2 for fighters only.

Wiley.

[perdue3]

For furballs, 190A-5. For 1v1, K-4 or G-14.

If you are wanting to learn 109's, start flying the G-2 to learn. Then move into G-14 with ultimately ending with the K-4. Just a 109 dweeb's 2 cents.

[grizz441]

"Fighter".  Such an arbitary description and makes it difficult to answer.  It also depends on if your intent is to survive the typical MA encounter versus mix it up and likely get chased down.  I'll get a breakdown of the plane I choose based on the makeup of the fight.  The end game is always to escape with scalps.

Fighter/Interceptor (Note Primary is listed first)
Bf109K4 - Can never go wrong but I will typically take the K4 if my team is at disadvantage, getting E is critical, and I also know that I am going to have to turn fight, and escape will come down to the wire.
Fw190A-5/Bf109G14 - Either of these planes will be taken if there is an even sided fight where escape is a little less dire.  I classify the 190A-5 as a fighter because of its roll rate which can allow you to dominate a rolling scissor.

Interceptor/Fighter - I have to give the nod to the 190D9 over the Ta-152, however I prefer the Ta-152 because I find the plane more enjoyable and lethal when flown to its maximum potential which I strive for.  I'll typically take a Ta152 when I am going to a location where I will be outnumbered and I will start with an altitude advanatge.  In any engagement like this, killing bogeys fast and surely is key.  Oil leaking them in a 190D9 will only keep them festering around ultimately reducing your options.

If I had to summarize "best", to all myriads of game play in context of lethality and survival in the main arena when flown to their maximum potential, top 5 would be:

1. Bf109K4
2. Ta152
3. Fw190D9
4. Bf109G14
5. Fw190A-5

If I had to summarize "best", to all myriads of game play in context of lethality and survival in the main arena when flown to their average potential, top 5 would be:

1. Fw190D9
2. Bf109K4
3. Bf109G14
4. Ta152
5. Fw190A-5

[Latrobe]

My opinion is it's hard to define one of them as the "best" as you can be successful in any plane is you fly it enough. If we're talking about just the plane then I'd say it's pretty close between all the 109's, 190A5, 190D9, and Ta-152.

I think the 109F4, followed closely by the 109G2, is the most well balanced of all the 109's. It combines the 109's excellent climb rate, excellent rudder control, great flaps, and just overall fighting ability that all 109's have, but it balances it far better than any other 109. The later in the 109 series you go, the heavier they get, the less nimble they become, and they start to focus more on speed and climb rate. The 109F4 just balances everything about the 109 so well and it's so light and nimble you can really throw it around the skies at will. The 109G2 is a close second for most balanced 109. It's got a more powerful engine than the F4 but it is also a bit heavier and not as nimble as the F4. The K4 is a fantastic plane, but the gun is just troublesome. You have to be a REALLY good shot to get hits with that 30mm. You can out fly your opponent all you want, but if you can't hit your shots then you're never going to get a kill. That's the main reason why I think the K4 is the worst of the 109 series. If the gun wasn't so bad, or if we could put the MG151/20 in it instead, then the K4 would easily be one of the best IMO.

The 190A5 is kind of the 109F4 of the 190 series. It's light, nimble, and balances the 190's characteristics quite well. The 190D isn't as nimble as the A5 but it's fast! Speed is a good survivability trait to have and the Dora has it. It's also a pretty good turn fighter if you fight in the vertical and use it's great climb rate. The Ta-152 is just a beast. It's a rocket with a prop! Not only is it fast, but it can turn very well at most speeds! The 152 is plagued with being too much of a beast and can be difficult to handle, but if you master the plane then there is very little in the skies you'd have to worry about.

My list of top 5 German planes IMO:
1. 109F4 - I can fight my way out of any situation in this plane
2. 109G2 - Same as 109F
3. 190A5 - Amazing fighter that can BnZ and TnB, the latter of which surprises lots of people
4. 190D9 - Very smooth machine, it's speed and climb rate allows you to quickly work your opponent down until you kill him
5. Ta152 - FAST! You can rope people so easily in this plane, and if you're forced to turn fight it can do so!

I would put the 109K4 on this list if it wasn't for the gun. The plane is amazing! The gun is troublesome. 

[Rich46yo]

This is ultimately like most "what is best" threads: depends on situation.

No its not. I specifically specified what the capabilities the fighter should have. The best "all around Luftwaffe fighter" versus fighters and bombers should you come across either. I already see some complications concerning my specification regarding the use of gondolas and extra guns/ammo. Obviously this affects performance and turning ability.

I dont know German iron and need your recommendations so let me ask this. On a day when you upp German iron expecting to find both fighters and bombers exactly what fighter and loadout/guns would you upp? With so many sets the choice is easy, or easier. Its seems with the German set the choices start getting complicated.

There is no specified mission to load up and take off for. Only the 100% guarantee you will meet enemy fighters and/or bombers.

What fighter with what fuel/gun/ammo load out and why?

[jeffdn]

Oh gosh, that's a tough call. I really like both the 109K4 and the 109F4 for dogfighting, and the Ta-152 for bomber hunting and boom-and-zoom fighting. If I had to pick the one plane that I never feel out of place in, it's the 109K4. Big gun makes any plane go boom, and I've practiced sufficiently with it to make the aiming part a nonfactor.

[mthrockmor]

I'd go with either the Dora or the K4. The one consideration I've not seen is more of a real world concern, which is survivability.

Imagine having to lead into battle a large number of pilots, a majority of which are limited in skill. Which of these planes are both lethal enough to kill enough to win the battle and yet keep the rookies alive?

Earlier 109s and even my beloved A5 take more skill and knowledge to survive. Translation, rookies will die quicker. The K4 and Dora have speed, which is life. And no, that does not automatically mean you turn into a runstang. It also means you can reset and change the nature of a fight because the enemy isn't able to cover you up as easily.

In general the 190 is more durable on the whole over the 109. In essence, the 109 has to slow down and take time to cut the other guys throat. The 190 is designed to blaze through, guns blazing and reset. Kurt Tank knew what he was designing and why.

[SmokinLoon]

No its not. I specifically specified what the capabilities the fighter should have. The best "all around Luftwaffe fighter" versus fighters and bombers should you come across either. I already see some complications concerning my specification regarding the use of gondolas and extra guns/ammo. Obviously this affects performance and turning ability.

I dont know German iron and need your recommendations so let me ask this. On a day when you upp German iron expecting to find both fighters and bombers exactly what fighter and loadout/guns would you upp? With so many sets the choice is easy, or easier. Its seems with the German set the choices start getting complicated.

There is no specified mission to load up and take off for. Only the 100% guarantee you will meet enemy fighters and/or bombers.

What fighter with what fuel/gun/ammo load out and why?

My favorite is the 190A-5.  Speed, climb, firepower, high speed handling, roll rate, etc.  Its Achilles Heel is being slow-n-low.  But again, much of it depends on how much you **need* to dance vs how much you need to run the gauntlet. If the skies are less crowded and you're more likely to get in to knife fight, take the 109F-4.  If you're more likely to mix it up with pony, Spit16, and La7 fanbois then the 190A-5 will carry you further.

Again, there is no "best", just which is better for certain situation.  Oh, and regardless of which 109 you take to the virtual skies unless you're hunting bombers or moving dirt leave the gondolas in the hanger.

[LCADolby]

Me262

If it carried bombs like the majority of real ones.

[kilo2]

The 152 of course.

You can control a furball with the plane. It has the fuel and ammo to stay around for a long time. The speed to get out of trouble and chase down most planes in the game. The plane can maintain energy like no other.

It is a monster. Though I think a lot of people are almost afraid to fly it because of the tail stall which is very easy to over come.