Info

Loadout

Ive highlited the modifications that you should reasearch first.

You are gonna want to be running 2x R27ET and 4x R73E missiles. With an extra fuel tank for the extended afterburner time.

You can BVR with the R27ER, but most engagements will happen on the deck, so the R27ET is the best overall choice.

*If you are running the regular Mig-29 at 12.7 BR you can also run the 1x R27ER, 1x R27T1 and 4x R60M missiles.

Radar

The MiG-29 is equipped with a useable radar and a lacking RWR system.

It is recommended to keep it turned off most of the time when not actively in combat, to avoid detection by powerful RWRs on enemy aircraft.

You mainly want to spot enemies visually and use the radar to identify them (if you are not sure if it's a friendly due to bad team communication).

After locating the enemy, you can switch to IRST and lock them up. Since the IRST is a passive system, it will not give away your position.

Launch your R27ET at no longer than 6km range in side/front aspect and 4km in rear aspect (if actively flying away from you).

Only use the R73E at point blank range or in a dogfight.

Enemies

What enemies you'll face depends on the current EC bracket you are in.

The brackets change every 2 days. So I recommed switching your plane to be at the top of the bracket.

Most enemies you'll face are going to beat you in a prolonged dogfight, so you want to avoid that at all costs - end it quick.

Strategies

BVR Monster - Requires a lot more skill and knowledge, but can be very effective. (dont try in high EC)

Fly high - 6km+ and fast - 800km+ (the faster and higher you are the longer range your missiles will have (up to 40km)) stay in TWS mode to find your target (better than normal TRK) when you find a target - asses the situation - check the range and heading , if flying away from you, dont engage. If flying toward you, try to get a lock and fire your R27ER or R27ET based on its altitude and range. - higher - R727ER, lower - R27ET (use IRST instead - lower range than TWS/TRK but "stealthy"). Once the target is in a good position to engage - lock it up and fire your R27ER, unlock it and switch to TWS mode again. (enemy will get a launch warning, but it will dissapear after unlocking and switching to TWS). Observe your missle and wait for it to get close. If in enemy launches - fly defensive(fly almost parallel, but dont loose your TWS passive lock.) When you see ypur missle approaching the enemy - lock him again. Missle will switch from passive gidance (TWS) to active (TRK). TRK warning will appear for him again. but this time too late. With minimal oppurtinity to evade your missle he will be dead / out of energy - guaranteeing a kill.

engaging people flying parallel Requires more more experience and skill - But you will get the hang of it

This applies to fox-1 missles only when facing fox-3s you will have to actually defend your oponents missle (not just rely on R27s superior speed and acceleration) your missle will still likely hit but so will your oponents.

EL RATTA (decent for high EC) - Very effective and simple strategy - Fly low and fast, using the terrain to mask your approach sling your missles and escape. Dont use radar - use IRST instead for a stealthy approach. Once in range - strike the enemy with your choice of weapons. R27T/ET for faster and more dangerous targets (range 6km), R60M/R73E for slower and unaware targets(range 1-2km, the closer the better). After your strike, go into afterburner and reset your position / rearm.

You can outun most enemies at the deck, so use that to your advantage.

Never go into prolonged dogfights, you will lose.

If you are in a dogfight, try to go for a one circle fight. (nose to nose)

You can get your nose on target quicker than most enemies. so you can shoot off an R73E / R60M or go for the quick kill.

Summary

You can be very effective in the Mig-29, but you have to play smarter than your western counterparts.

Also NEVER play the 13.0 to 13.7 bracket, you will get rawdogged