I've been flying online sims since AW was on Genie and CIS - middle 80's for those who don't know the history.
Flying 1 vs 5 is easy. Requires different tactics.
Doesn't mean you have to come back with 5 pelts on your cowling. Getting 1 pelt in that situation and RTBing means you did good.
I can tell you countless stories of me and my wingmen going against outnumbered odds and kicking butt. Yes I've won a few 1 v 5s.
That's what I enjoy about this game, winning when the odds are against me. Winning when I should have lost. That's what separates the good pilots from the snotnosed loaded diaper can't cut it whining dweebs.
To answer your question, I took a Spitfire up last night to A54, was about 20k, dove in on a cluster of about 10 bad guys, killed 2, before taking a hit to the radiator and I still managed to RTB!
It's not that hard to fight against numbers - it may not be the fight you want to have. Learn to adapt.
All you "1 to 1" and "Balanced Numbers" babies, whine too much.
You want a fair fight. I have news for you, there's no such thing as a fair fight.
You make the other guy fight your fight - that's how you win.
If you aren't fighting with an advantage, you aren't trying hard enough.
Instead of whining about having the bar lowered.... why don't you trying jumping over that bar or setting it higher.
Here's a tip for you. Altitude is life and when you are outnumber, make sure you have it.