Update 9.18

9.18 Update Notes

• General Features
• Vehicles

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General Features

1. Specific features of the new matchmaker:

   • Pattern-based matchmaker. The new matchmaker for Random Battles based on predetermined patterns. Pattern is a complex of team characteristics, including the number of vehicles at the top/middle/bottom of the team list, number of Platoons, number of light/medium/heavy tanks, SPGs, and tank destroyers. The teams are always created according to the following rule: number of vehicles at the bottom of the team list should exceed the number of vehicles at the top or middle of the team list. The priority pattern for three-tier battles is 3-5-7; the pattern for two-tier battles is 5-10. One-tier battles are allowed under conditions when other patterns are not possible.
   • Only same-tier Platoons are allowed.
   • The number of SPGs per team should not exceed three vehicles.
   • Enabled the limitation for usage of SPGs in Platoons. Selection of SPGs in the Platoon window is disabled. The limitation affects both Platoons that include only SPGs and Platoons that include other vehicle types.
   • The matchmaker considers the number of light tanks and tank destroyers.
   • The difference in the number of Platoons should not exceed one full Platoon (three players).
   • Preference of placing a player at the top/middle of the team list, if they have already played several battles at the bottom of the team list.
   • Improvements to the map selection mechanics that decreases the chance of playing on the same maps within a game session.

2. New SPG gameplay:

   • Mechanics of Stunning. Stunning temporary decreases technical characteristics of enemy vehicles within the burst radius, and provides experience and credits, when allies cause damage to the stunned enemies.
     • SPGs can now stun the crew.
     • Stunned vehicles have decreased fire power and mobility.
     • The countdown of stun indicator is displayed to all players who see the stunned vehicle.
     • The stun effect can be removed by using the First Aid Kit, even if none of the crew members is injured.
     • Damage caused to the stunned enemies is rewarded by analogy with the “damage upon spotting” mechanics.
   • Decreased damage of SPG shells
   • Improved accuracy and aiming
   • Decreased reloading time
   • Increased burst radius
   • Overall adjustment of the view range for SPGs
   • All shells without burst radius (Armor-Piercing, AP Composite Rigid, and HEAT shells) were removed from all researchable SPGs
   • Added the stunning effect to the SPGs that feature guns of calibers over 150 mm
   • Alternative “Trajectory View” Artillery Aim. By default, switching between the modes is bound to the G key. This Artillery Aim shows the battlefield at the angle of the shell trajectory allowing players to aim by analogy with the standard Sniper Aim.
   • Target Area Marker shows allies that the SPG player is keeping an eye on that part of the map (T key, be default). Any of the Artillery Aims allows informing the allies (by pressing a particular button) about the point of aiming, selected target, and readiness to fire. This information is displayed in the 3-D scene, on the minimap, and in the battle chat at the same time.  

3. Reusable Consumables:

   • All (standard and Premium) consumables that need to be activated (First Aid Kit, Repair Kits, Fire Extinguishers) became reusable.
   • After using a consumable, it becomes available again after recharging.
   • Recharge of consumables takes 90 seconds
   • Recharge times are individual for each consumable and do not depend on other equipped consumables.
   • If a consumable is used at least once in a battle, a new one will have to be purchased, just as before.
   • If a consumable is used several times in a battle, the cost remains unchanged.

4. Revised Awards:

   Introduction of the improved matchmaker resulted in changed requirements to the team composition. For this reason some awards have been changed to correspond to the new game conditions.

   New descriptions and conditions of the revised awards:

   For Counter-Battery Fire

   In a battle, destroy all enemy SPGs (at least 2) with an SPG.

   • The player must not destroy any allied vehicles.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Nicols's Medal

   Destroy at least 4 enemy tanks or tank destroyers with a medium tank in one battle.

   • The enemy vehicles must be at least 1 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Oskin's Medal

   Destroy 3 enemy tanks or tank destroyers with a medium tank in one battle.

   • The destroyed vehicle must be at least 1 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Lehväslaiho's Medal

   Destroy 2 enemy tanks or tank destroyers with a medium tank in one battle.

   • The enemy vehicles must be at least 1 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Burda's Medal

   Destroy 3 SPGs in the course of one battle.

   • Drive a tank or a tank destroyer.
   • The enemy vehicles must be at least 1 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Dumitru's Medal

   Destroy 3 SPGs in the course of one battle.

   • Drive a tank or a tank destroyer.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Pascucci's Medal

   Destroy 2 SPGs in the course of one battle.

   • Drive a tank or a tank destroyer.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Orlik's Medal

   Destroy two or more enemy tanks or tank destroyers with a light tank in one battle.

   • The enemy vehicles must be at least 1 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Yoshio Tamada's Medal

   Destroy at least 2 enemy self-propelled guns with a light tank in the course of one battle.

   • Survive the battle.
   • The destroyed vehicle must be at least 2 tier higher.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

   Halonen's Medal

   Destroy at least 2 enemy tanks or tank destroyers in a tank destroyer in one battle.

   • The targets must be at least two tiers higher than the player's tank destroyer.
   • Can be obtained in Random Battles only.

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Vehicles

Tier Changes:

• New light tanks that logically extend the U.S.S.R., German, U.S., French, and Chinese branches of light tanks to Tier X.
• Some of the existing light tanks changed their tiers.

General Changes to the Tech Tree:

• New light tanks were introduced into the game—the branches of light tanks are extended to Tier X. 
• In some cases, new vehicles were added; in other cases, the branches were extended by transferring the existing vehicles to higher tiers.

Reworked the following vehicles to HD quality:

• T7 Combat Car
• Т92 HMC
• T1E6
• M40/M43
• Sexton I
• Ram II
• FV 3805
• AT8
• D2
• Lorraine 155 mle. 50
• Lorraine 155 mle. 51
• NC-31
• Renault Otsu
• Pz.Kpfw.I
• Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.A
• WZ132
• BT-2
• BT-SV
• T-60
• T-70
• Т-50
• T-54 ltwt.
• А-44
• SU-101
• Object 430 Version II
• Object 261

Changes to the following Tech Trees

Changes to the U.S. vehicles:

• Since new vehicles were added to the Tech Tree, the research branches of the T57 Heavy and T49/XM551 Sheridan were changed.

Changes to the French vehicles:

• Since new vehicles were added to the Tech Tree, the research branches of the Bat.-Châtillon 25 t and AMX 30 B were changed.

Changes to the U.S.S.R. vehicles:

• Since new vehicles were added to the Tech Tree, the research branches of the Т62А and Object 430 were changed.

Changed the conditions of refunding for the light tanks:

T-54 ltwt.

If the T-54 ltwt. is researched:

• If the LTTB is not available in the Garage, add the LTTB with a vehicle slot and a crew trained to 50%.
• If the LTTB is available in the Garage, perform refunding in the amount of 1,205,000 credits.

Ru 251

If the Ru 251 is researched:

• The HWK 12 with a vehicle slot and a crew trained to 50% is added to the account.

T49

If the T49 is researched.

• If the M41 Bulldog is not available in the Garage, add the M41 Bulldog with a vehicle slot and a crew trained to 50%.
• If the M41 Bulldog is available in the Garage, perform refunding in the amount of 1,200,000 credits.

AMX 13 90

If the AMX 13 90 is researched:

• The Batignolles-Chatillon 12t with a vehicle slot and a crew trained to 50% is added to the account.