Hostile Skies Axis vs Allied
Faction rosters, playstyles, and which side fits you.
Hostile Skies splits its roster between two factions: the Allied and the Axis. Both rosters share the same role categories — starter, dogfighter, multi-role, bomber, and jet — but each faction gets unique planes that play distinctly. This page walks through every meaningful difference so you can pick a side with conviction.
Allied roster at a glance
| Tier | Plane | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | P-26 Peashooter | Starter |
| Starter | P-36 Hawk | Starter |
| A | P-40 Warhawk | Dogfighter |
| A | P-39 Airacobra | Multi-role |
| A | F4U Corsair | Multi-role |
| A | P-47 Thunderbolt | Multi-role |
| S | P-51 Mustang | Dogfighter |
| S | P-38 Lightning | Multi-role |
| S | Gloster Meteor | Jet |
| S | M60 Starfighter | Jet |
| Apex (new) | M22 | Multi-role |
Axis roster at a glance
| Tier | Plane | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Ki-10 | Starter |
| Starter | He 112 | Starter |
| A | A6M Zero | Dogfighter |
| A | Ki-43 Oscar | Dogfighter |
| A | Fw 190 A-8 | Multi-role |
| A | Ta 152 | Multi-role |
| S | FW 190 D-13 | Dogfighter |
| S | Ho 229 | Multi-role |
| S | Me 262 | Jet |
| S | Horten 229 jet | Jet |
| Apex (new) | Phantom | Jet |
How the factions differ in playstyle
- Allied turn fighters — the P-51 Mustang and the Gloster Meteor favour boom-and-zoom. They win fights by diving, firing once, and zooming back up. They turn poorly compared to Axis turn fighters.
- Axis turn fighters — the FW 190 D-13 and the A6M Zero favour sustained turns. They bleed energy faster than Allied planes, but in a close dogfight they can out-turn anything in the Allied roster.
- Allied bombers — the Mosquito Mk VI and the B-25 Mitchell are fast bombers. They drop bombs accurately but take punishment in long engagements.
- Axis bombers — the He 111 and the G4M Betty are slower but tougher. They soak flak and survive longer in contested airspace.
- Allied jets — the Gloster Meteor and the M60 Starfighter are stable, predictable jets. New pilots learn jets faster on the Allied side.
- Axis jets — the Me 262, the Horten 229 jet, and now the Phantom favour raw speed. Skilled Axis pilots win jet lobbies by never getting into a turn fight.
Which side fits a new pilot
The Allied side is more forgiving for new pilots. The P-51 Mustang handles energy fights and is more stable than the FW 190 D-13. The Gloster Meteor is the easiest jet to learn. The M22 is forgiving because of its higher ammo count.
The Axis side rewards more aggressive flying. The A6M Zero is the best pure turn fighter in the game but punishes any pilot who cannot manage their energy. The Phantom demands precise aim because it carries fewer rockets per magazine than the M22.
Which side fits an experienced pilot
If you main turn fights, play Axis. The FW 190 D-13 plus the A6M Zero plus the Phantom covers every turn-fight meta. If you main energy fights, play Allied. The P-51 Mustang plus the Gloster Meteor plus the M22 covers every energy-fight meta.
Which side fits a bomber main
If you like fast bombers with high accuracy, play Allied. The Mosquito Mk VI is the fastest bomber in the game. If you like tanky bombers with more payload, play Axis. The He 111 soaks flak and survives long enough to finish a run even when half its HP is gone.
The new apex planes
With the v3.5.1 patch, the Allied M22 is the apex multi-role and the Axis Phantom is the apex jet. They mirror each other across factions. If you change factions to try the other apex plane, expect a learning curve — the M22 and the Phantom play nothing alike.
How faction choice affects unlocks
XP, credits, and event rewards are shared across factions on a single account. If you play three matches on the Allied side and three on the Axis side, both rosters unlock in parallel. Most pilots main one faction for the dogfight meta and switch to the other for specific event rewards.
How faction choice affects events
Some events (like Phantom Pursuit) lock both teams into the same plane bracket. Other events (like Bomber Run) require both teams to field bombers from their respective rosters. The faction you pick does not lock you out of any event, but it does shape which events you are strongest in.
For the per-plane tier list, see Plane tier list. For the loadout combinations that match each faction, see Loadout tier list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Which faction is easier for new pilots?
The Allied side. The P-51 Mustang and the Gloster Meteor are more stable than their Axis equivalents. New pilots learn energy fights faster on the Allied side.
Can I switch factions?
Yes. XP, credits, and unlocks are shared across both factions on a single account. You can play three Allied matches and three Axis matches in the same session.
Which faction has the strongest jet?
With the v3.5.1 patch, the Axis Phantom has the highest top speed. The Allied M22 is the strongest multi-role. They mirror each other across factions.