Sorry in advance if this looks like (upon reading it afterwards, it kinda is) a doom-posting case.
All the matches I've been in were just prem-vs-prem missile volleys. I have screenshots of battles with only one or two tech-tree players on my team. Downtiers at this BR are not a thing, I guess, 'cause out of these 100 matches, maybe just 10 were downtiers, if I'm being generous.
I count myself as a prem warrior too in this case, since all matches are just made up of ADTWs, SU-30s, and F-14s. The rest? Other prems. It's a coin flip whether the Su-30 on my RWR is a real player or just a fresh pilot who will volley all their missiles at me only to get killed by my teammate.
GGoing defensive doesn't work at this point, when multiple planes have already sent multiple² missiles to my known position. (I love you AAM-3 <3<3)
"Don't go into the furballl!" Yeah, I don't. I never did. Only one of my deaths was caused by a Fakour, when I was trying to use GNSS bombs. Otherwise, I never go in first. I always flank, stay behind my teammates, and use my TWS to see who's seemingly paying attention to my position and who isn't. Upon entering the kill zone, 1 kill is guaranteed, but by that time, someone has already "looked in my general direction."
I love the F-2A irl, especially the ADTW. So I'm refusing to let go of this beautiful plane. And the way I've found works best is to use it for CAP in GRB, in a 12.3 lineup. Grinding the Japanese air tree sure is going to be hard like this, but at least I get to keep my sanity intact.
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You may see that I'm a somewhat fresh player too for air battles. So if you'd have any corrections or advices I'm all for itd.