Random bits and bobs from this update:
Most vehicles with autocannons now use clips, and the capacity ranges from 20 to 60. It is one of the undocumented changes for low tier vehicles.
QuoteOverhauled the parameters of ATGMs in order for them to become easier to control
This is somewhat noticeable, especially for people like me playing with high ping in Asia.
Quote
- Most HESH shells were rebalanced by reducing their baseline damage (it is now 10% lower than that of the corresponding AP shells) and by setting the module damage bonus to 35%
- Tier 1 to 5 HESH shells had their bonus to the chance to set engines on fire reduced from 300% to 100%
- Tier 6 HESH shells had their bonus to the chance to set engines on fire reduced from 300% to 200%
A trait that is kind of carried over from high tier 0.33 rebalance ("HESH shells now have significantly higher penetration but also lower damage"), but HESH seems to struggle to find its purpose in many instances, as AP can deal more damage and is easier to use, and HEAT can deal even more damage for weak spot aims. The module damage often feels lacking because of the shells' low damage in nature. Only PISH on ATDU feels significant enough to make a difference as an effective HESH shell, and even then the tank should be paired with Sabrina for maximum effect. One potential and notable use of HESH may be against the Object 279's upper plate, as it was the case way back in 2018. Furthermore, the tier 3 Scorpion would now feel rather feeble because HESH is the only shell available.
QuoteLight Tanks, Tank Destroyers and Armored Fighting Vehicles now have the same instant ammo type swap ability as the MBTs do
Interesting to see that instant ammo type swap now also applies to low tier TDs and AFVs, yet not for same classes at tier 7 or above. Instant ammo type swap also doesn't apply to autocannon clips and BMP-3 / BMD-4's 100mm gun.
Stats progression don't match well with higher tiers, for example:
- T-90A's HEAT has 890mm penetration and 788 damage
- T-90's HEAT has 770mm penetration and 745 damage
- --(tier break between high tiers and mid/low tiers)--
- T-72A, T-72B, and T-72M2's HEAT has 770mm penetration and 810 damage (tier 7 level of penetration and tier 8+ level of damage)
- T-72 Ural's HEAT has 650mm penetration and 740 damage
Crazily high values of frontal turret and upper front plate armour for many MBTs mean not even tier 10s can punch them. Sure, we can throw realism out of the window if we have to, but these stats are also inconsistent with higher tier armour profiles. Together with different shell damage stats etc, tiers 1-6 and tiers 7-10 feel more or less like two different games under the same name.
Role changes (also undocumented):
- Type 62 is reclassified as an MBT
- Rooikat 76 is reclassified as a TD
Some of the ongoing issues are still not addressed, such as:
- The lack of missile for BWP-1M Puma
- Poor missile launcher elevation for OT-64 (especially when compared to BMD-2 and BMP-2 of the same tier)
- Low ammo count for Rooikat 76
- No machine gun for some vehicles, e.g. IT-1 and Object 287
Overall, the rebalance feels rushed, almost like the time when 0.33 PTS1 was released, except this time it's released directly to live server.