Steel Hunter is returning to World of Tanks! A series of complex balance changes will be implemented in our Battle Royale mode this year, making each vehicle’s performance even better, in addition to several other improvements. Here’s what you can expect!
Overview
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Schedule | March 15, 07:00 UTC+8 — March 22, 05:00 UTC+8 |
April 12, 07:00 UTC+8 — April 19, 05:00 UTC+8 |
May 10, 07:00 UTC+8 — May 17, 05:00 UTC+8 |
June |
Ceasefire | 04:00 - 07:00 UTC+8 |
We’re sure you remember the basic rules of this mode, but here’s a quick refresher just in case:
- You are one of 20 players fighting for victory. It’s every Steel Hunter for themselves.
- Choose to fight solo or in one of ten Platoons of three (in this case, there will be a total of 30 players).
- Your main goal is to survive at all costs. Destroy all enemies and be the last Steel Hunter standing.
- Collect special objects (loot) that periodically spawn on the map. They contain resources, Battle XP, and vehicle upgrades.
- Battles will unfold on two huge maps whose playable areas will shrink with time. Escape Danger Zones as they will destroy your vehicle once the countdown ends if your vehicle is still inside.
- The total battle time is 15 minutes. Before the battle, you can choose from several spawn points on the map.
The following quality of life features have also been added:
- Support for the standard replay recording function
- New spectator mode
- Improved post-battle statistics
Head to the Steel Hunter Garage via the drop-down menu to the right of the “Battle” button and:
- Click the “Battle” button to play solo
- Create a special 3-player Platoon for a battle
Maps and Danger Zones
You will find yourself battling on one of two huge maps: Dreamland or Arzagir 4.04. Each location will offer you a fresh gameplay experience and many opportunities to experiment with all kinds of tactics.
Dreamland |
Arzagir 4.04 |
In a closed zone, your vehicle will receive continuous damage. You will have little time to leave the red zone.
In a yellow zone, your vehicle does not receive damage. But beware: a yellow zone can close at any moment. Think about your escape routes.
If you manage to take possession of an airdrop from a plane, you will get a significant advantage over the enemy. This is the most valuable loot type. It contains one Ultimate Ability charge, one regular Ability charge, and a larger amount of Battle XP. It replenishes shells, restores HP, and repairs damaged modules. However, all players can see the airdrop point on their mini-maps.
Another hunter has entered your Vision Cone! Note: enemy vehicles and loot points become visible only when they are inside your Vision Cone.
You can only see enemy vehicles that are inside the Vision Cone of your vehicle.
If you manage to take possession of an airdrop from a plane, you will get a significant advantage over the enemy. This is the most valuable loot type. It contains one Ultimate Ability charge, one regular Ability charge, and a larger amount of Battle XP. It replenishes shells, restores HP, and repairs damaged modules. However, all players can see the airdrop point on their mini-maps.
A hunter you spotted with Radio Detection. Be aware that using Radio Detection will reveal your current position on the minimap at the time of activation to all players within Radio range of your position.
This loot type contains Battle XP, but less than other loot types. It does not contain shells at all. It also contains one regular Ability charge, restores HP, and repairs damaged modules.
This loot type contains shells and Battle XP and repairs damaged modules. There are many points with this loot type on the map, and it can be especially useful at the beginning of the battle when your vehicle is most vulnerable.
This loot type contains shells and Battle XP and repairs damaged modules. There are many points with this loot type on the map, and it can be especially useful at the beginning of the battle when your vehicle is most vulnerable.
This loot type contains Battle XP, but less than other loot types. It does not contain shells at all. It also contains one regular Ability charge, restores HP, and repairs damaged modules.
A hunter you spotted with Radio Detection. Be aware that using Radio Detection will reveal your current position on the minimap at the time of activation to all players within Radio range of your position.
A hunter you spotted with Radio Detection. Be aware that using Radio Detection will reveal your current position on the minimap at the time of activation to all players within Radio range of your position.
Unique Vehicles
Each of the five available tanks will play a different role, and can be upgraded from Tier I to Tier VII over the course of the battle:
- Survivor (Varyag & Walküre)
- Hunter (Harbinger Mk. IV & Raven)
- Scout (Arlequin)
Their HP pools, durability, armor penetration, and other characteristics have all been revised since the previous Season to allow you to choose a tank based not on its combat effectiveness, but on your playstyle.
Note that you can’t buy ammo or mount additional equipment or customizations on these tanks.
Varyag (U.S.S.R.) |
Walküre (Germany) |
Harbinger Mk. IV (Britain) |
Raven (U.S.A.) |
Arlequin (France) |
You can choose from various upgrades to suit a wide range of different playstyles. Try them out below!
Varyag (USSR)
Engine
Radio
Hull
Turret
Gun
Engine
Radio
Hull
Turret
Gun
Engine
Radio
Hull
Turret
Gun
Engine
Radio
Hull
Turret
Gun
Engine
Radio
Hull
Turret
Gun
Target your enemies’ modules for a higher chance of causing critical damage! You can refer to the schematics shown in your Garage to find out where they are. Fuel tanks are invulnerable, so you don't need to worry about fuel tank or engine fires.
Abilities
There are two Abilities that are common for all tanks.
Recovery: Gradually recovers a fixed percentage of the vehicle’s HP, but stops working if you take damage.
Repair Kit: Repairs vehicle modules (analogous to Large Repair Kits) and reduces stun duration.
The effects of Abilities that recover HP do not stack. If you use more than one at a time, the most powerful one will supersede the others.
Each vehicle also has one regular and one Ultimate Ability unique to it:
U.S.S.R.
Germany
Britain
U.S.A.
France
Ability charges can be found in all types of loot except Ammunition. Regular Ability charges are in Consumables, Airdrops, and Spoils of War, while ultimate Ability charges are only in Airdrops and Spoils of War.
U.S.S.R Designated Target Intuition |
Germany Designated Target Intuition |
Britain
Smooth Ride Snap Shot |
U.S.A.
Smooth Ride Snap Shot |
France
Deadeye Eagle Eye |
Ammunition Contains shells and Battle XP. Also repairs damaged modules. Marked by yellow smoke. |
Consumables Contains Battle XP, but less than in Ammunition, as well as one regular Ability charge. Restores HP and repairs damaged modules. Marked by green smoke. |
Spoils of War Contains all resources of a destroyed vehicle as well as one Ultimate Ability charge. Repairs damaged modules. Marked by red smoke. |
Airdrops The most valuable loot type. Contains one Ultimate Ability charge, one regular Ability charge, and a larger amount of Battle XP. Restores HP and repairs damaged modules. Many players will want to get their hands on Airdrops, so you'll have to push yourself to the limit to get it before they do. Also, all players will be able to see on their minimaps where Airdrops land. Marked by blue smoke. |
Vision/Aiming Mechanics
The vision system uses Vision Cones and it is one of the most important aspects of Steel Hunter gameplay:
- Enemy vehicles become visible only when they appear inside your Vision Cone, which is depicted on the minimap. Activation of the Sixth Sense Perk doesn't mean you will notice enemies. They must be inside your Vision Cone.
- If enemies are within 50 meters of you, they will automatically become visible.
- When enemies are within sight, their markers and HP bars are displayed.
- When aiming at an enemy, the vehicle’s silhouette is also displayed.
Radio Detection Mechanics
All special vehicles are equipped with Radio Detection, which displays loot points and enemy tanks on the minimap within its coverage area. To activate it, press the "X" key. But be aware that using Radio Detection will reveal your current position on the minimap at the time of activation to all players within Radar range of your position.
- Destruction Ranch
- Like Fish in a Barrel
- Hold the Line
Condition
- Cause 8,000 HP of damage over any number of battles.
Restrictions
- Once per day
Rewards
- 20 Battle Pass Points
Condition
- Destroy 4 or more enemy vehicles over any number of battles.
Restrictions
- Once per day
Rewards
- 20 Battle Pass Points
Condition
- Be among the top 10 solo players or in the top 5 Platoons.
Restrictions
- 5 times per day
Reward
- 40,000
Exciting Soundtrack
Inspired by the visual features of Arzagir 4.04, the exciting soundtrack of Steel Hunter will immerse you in this desolate Central Asian landscape.
These catchy compositions reflect both the ethnic music of Central Asia and the prog-rock of the US West Coast of the mid-90s. It has been brought to life by a symphonic orchestra, a defining feature of World of Tanks music.
Heavy electric guitar riffs are used to mimic the sound of Central Asian folk instruments (gijak, rubab, and sherter) but with a modern twist. You’ll also hear the sounds of the Armenian duduk, which were carefully processed through a long chain of sound effects.
We hope we managed to deliver the strong emotions that we ourselves experienced while playing Steel Hunter at the development stage and that these tunes will make your Steel Hunter experience even more enjoyable!
Performance in Steel Hunter
Steel Hunter will require more system resources than regular Random Battles. This is due to several key factors that are specifically related to Steel Hunter, including the large map sizes and large number of objects on them. Players with 32-bit operating systems and low RAM may experience some performance issues while running this mode. To avoid them and play with maximum comfort, change the graphics settings of your game client in accordance with the capabilities of your CPU and graphics card.
Get ready for new levels of excitement and prove you’re the most dangerous Steel Hunters in World of Tanks, Commanders!