Commanders!
We’re introducing a free “lightbulb” for vehicle crews, a new Onslaught mode that features plenty of original gameplay mechanics and a progressive 2D style as a reward, upgraded Personal Reserves, and improvements to several maps.
Free Sixth Sense for Everyone
With Update 1.18.1, the Sixth Sense perk will become a special commander feature! This means that every one of your vehicle commanders will possess it from the start (including commanders you haven’t recruited in the Barracks and any commanders that you recruit or receive from this point on). This change will make the game more comfortable for all players, especially new ones.
If one of your vehicle commanders already possessed the Sixth Sense perk, you’ll be able to choose a free skill or perk for them. This new skill/perk will automatically be upgraded to the same level as the original Sixth Sense perk (e.g., 100% for 100% or 48% for 48%). In rare cases where Sixth Sense was the zero perk, you’ll be able to choose a different zero skill or perk in its place (but just once for each vehicle commander).
Finally, special commander features and zero skills/perks will be displayed separately in the crew interface.
Take note that the Increased Focus directive won’t be available for purchase (nor auto-resupply) during the Common Test. Already purchased directives of this type will remain in your Depot.
Updated on 16 Sep, 2022
ExpandThe amount of experience spent on the “Sixth Sense” perk will be automatically redistributed in the following order of priority:
-
Train Major Qualification to 100% (if less than 100%)
-
Train the last skill of the commander to 100% (if there were any skills not yet fully trained)
-
The remaining experience will go to the commander's experience pool and can be spent on a new skill
Onslaught Mode
If you decide to rush straight into Onslaught during the Common Test, we will completely understand. This brand-new mode has a slew of special rules and unique mechanics, including:
- 7v7 battles in researchable and Collectors’ Tier X vehicles only
- Matchmaking by player ratings in the mode
- Upgradable Role Skills based on vehicle roles
- Points of Interest that can be captured to gain tactical advantages, like fire support or “omni-spotting” for your team
- The option to play in Super Platoons of seven players
And there’s much more where that came from! Luckily, you can take a look at the in-depth article on Onslaught for all the details.
Of course, we have to mention another all-important feature of Onslaught: the rewards. For the first time ever, you will have the chance to earn a progressive 2D style. Thе “Wing and Claw” 2D style reflects your achievements in Onslaught. As you advance further in the mode progression, a new combination of camo and decals will unlock. (Plus, you can always switch to an “earlier” version if you wish.) The style will remain on your account permanently, even after Onslaught ends, and can be applied to any Tier X vehicle.
Known Issues
Currently two-player platoons are not available in the Onslaught mode. We are aware of the issue and will resolve it as soon as possible.
New Personal Reserves
The improved Personal Reserves are definitely something that you will want to try for yourself. Streamlined and activated on the fly (even when you’re in battle), these Reserves are a welcome change. It would be impossible to describe all the great new stuff in just a couple of paragraphs, so we suggest checking out the dedicated article on upgraded Personal Reserves. This article also contains the rules for converting old Personal Reserves into new ones, and a conversion calculator. But in brief, you will not lose anything from the conversion and will very likely gain Personal Reserves value.
Known Issues
During Update 1.18.1 CT1, a line of text that reads “bonus%” will be displayed instead of the values of Personal Reserve bonuses. The issue will be fixed in CT2. We apologize for the inconvenience.
More Maps to Receive Balance Tweaks
We are continuing to fine-tune the maps. In Update 1.18, quite a number of them received balancing changes. Having analyzed tons of feedback and data, we’re now going to improve four more locations in 1.18.1.
Malinovka
The small hill in E7 will become less steep, and you’ll be able to climb to the top of it without being seen by your foes. Also, it will offer more solid protection from enemy fire.
The ground in the northern base capture circle will become flatter. The nearby farm will be moved out of the line of fire of vehicles descending from the mountain and those coming through the forest.
Both bases will have just a single bush inside of their capture circles.
Sand River
A new rock formation in A6 will protect vehicles running up that hill, and will allow them to fire back at the enemy sitting in D7.
In K0, a new canyon crossing point will be added, letting you easily reach your pesky opponent hiding between the rocks.
The central attack direction will transform substantially:
- The landscape will change, and new positions with various firing ranges will appear.
- There will be new positions to withdraw to if the central valley is lost.
- The central valley will be better protected from fire from the southern team’s MT and TD positions.
Fisherman’s Bay
The approach to the town center from the northern base will become safer. The key positions will make it more convenient to side-scrape.
The buildings in the central block of the town will be rearranged. A new house will disrupt the line of fire from the hill in the middle of the map.
To make the teams’ chances more equal, the southern side will no longer be able to hide in lush shrubbery and shoot at the “northerners” who are in the central block of the town. The block of buildings in F9 will assume the shape of its counterpart on the northern side to provide both teams with the same opportunities for holding out.
In the middle of the map, more cover will pop up on both sides (D6 and F6).
A terrain fold will be placed in F5 so that the southern team is able to enjoy safer movement near the map center, like their opponents.
A problematic firing position on the northern side in C9 will get less advantageous and have less cover.
Himmelsdorf
The southern team has always had two ways to get to the top of the mountain. After Update 1.18.1, their northern adversaries will get their own second passage, which will also be safer than the main one.
Join the Common Test and share your opinion on everything that Update 1.18.1 has to offer, Commanders!
- HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMON TEST
- NEW TO TESTING?
To take part, you'll need the Wargaming.net Game Center (WGC), the latest Common Test game client, and a Wargaming.net account registered prior to the cut-off date (see below).
Eligibility
All Wargaming.net accounts registered before 5 September, 2022 at 04:59 (UTC+8) can participate in the test.
Download and Install the Test Client
- Run the test client installer.
- Choose a different installation folder from where your regular World of Tanks game files are.
- Select the freshly installed test client from the dropdown menu at the top of the WGC.
- Roll out—and remember to pass on your feedback!
You can find more details about the WGC in the dedicated Wargaming.net Game Center guide.
Check out our handy public test guide with all the details about Common Tests, Sandbox Tests, and Supertests.
Patchnotes
ExpandNew Onslaught Mode
The new Onslaught mode has been added.
The progressive "Wing and Claw" 2D style has been added.
The following Inscriptions have been added:
- Shoulder to Shoulder
- Old School Cool
- Initiator
- 7v7
- Hard Boiled
- Seek and Destroy
- Prestige
- Lost Count
- Veni Vidi Vici
The following emblems have been added:
- Devastating Damage
- Exhibition Performance
- Into the Cap Circle
- Tactical Advantage
- Till We Meet Again
The following Dog Tag Engravings have been added:
- Victories in Onslaught Mode
- Prestige Points
The following Dog Tag Backgrounds have been added:
- Iron
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Champion
- Legend
The Legend of the Griffin stripe has been added.
The following badges have been added:
- Onslaught Champion
- Onslaught Legend
The Test Flight medal has been added.
The following rental vehicles for the mode have been added: FV217 Badger 7x7, M48A5 Patton 7x7, IS-4 7x7.
Some of these maps have been slightly reworked specifically for the mode with new passways, covers, etc.
Sixth Sense Perk
- Every commander will have the Six Sense perk learned by default.
- If the Sixth Sense perk is already learned, the commander will be able to learn a new skill or perk.
- If Sixth Sense was the zero perk, players will be able to choose a different zero skill or perk in its place.
- Only Commander's skills and perks can be selected for the zero perk.
- The new zero skill or perk cannot be reset.
- The Increased Focus directive will no longer be sold, but will continue to work, reducing the activation time of the Sixth Sense perk to 2 seconds.
- Crew member windows and text tooltips have been improved.
- Some minor UI changes have been made.
Personal Reserves 2.0
- All Personal Reserves will have the same duration: 1 hour.
- Personal Reserves have been converted, and bonuses can now be standard or improved.
- Personal Reserves are now easier to find and activate. Moreover, it will be harder to forget about them.
- Personal Reserves can be accessed directly from the Garage via a new widget (next to game currencies and the "Battle!" button). It allows keeping track of activated reserves and their remaining time.
- A new screen has been added in which players can activate existing reserves or purchases and activate new ones.
- It is now possible to activate Personal Reserves at any moment of the battle, even after destroying the last enemy vehicle.
Frontline 2022: Episode 3
After respawning, Combat Reserves will not be immediately available. The preparation time will be 30% of the standard cooldown time.
The event will last for 7 days.
Map Changes
Malinovka
In square E7, positions for light and medium tanks of the upper team have been improved:
- The slope became less steep and wider
- The ability to drive to the top of the hill (to the bushes) without being spotted from the base and TD positions has been added
- The rock that provided cover from enemy fire has been replaced with a bigger terrain structure that ensures better protection and positions in attack
The opportunities to defend the upper base have been improved:
- The terrain of the base circle has been leveled
- The farm near the base circle has been moved from the line of fire for vehicles moving downhill (from the mill) and from the forest
- The number of bushes within the circle of each base has been reduced to one
Sand River
Some terrain areas have been reworked to help the upper team:
- A new rock formation in A6 will protect vehicles running up that hill
- It will allow the upper team to fire back at the enemy sitting in D7
The central attack direction will transform essentially:
- The landscape will change, and new positions with various firing ranges will appear
- There will be new positions to withdraw to if the central valley is lost
- The central valley will be better protected from fire from the MT and TD positions.
- In K0, a new canyon crossing point will be added, letting you easily reach the opponents hiding between the rocks.
Fisherman's Bay
The urban area has been reworked to increase the comfort of playing in heavily armored vehicles:
- The structures in the central urban area (square E8) have been rearranged and the shoot-throughs have been removed from the center of the upper base on the main road.
- A safe approach from the upper base to the center of the urban area (square E8) has been added, and the main firing positions became more convenient for side-scraping.
- Bushes have been removed from the bottom base. The structure corner has been changed to prevent long shoot-throughs in the central area.
- The block of buildings (square F9) now has a similar shape to its counterpart on the opposite side.
- In the middle of the map, more cover will pop up on both sides (squares D6 and F6) to increase vehicles' survivability.
- Some foliage and a terrain fold have been added (square F5) so that the lower team is able to enjoy safer movement near the map center like their opponents.
- A problematic firing position on the northern side (square C9) will get less advantageous and have less cover.
Himmelsdorf
The passway to the hill from the upper base has been changed. There are now two ways to get to the castle:
- A safe passage that allows players to approach the castle from the outer side
- A dangerous passage that allows players to take central firing positions at the castle and to control enemy vehicles approaching it
Interface
Added an entry point to the interface in Account Dashboard that will represent all subscription-based products available to players in a specific region.
This entry point is disabled for the Common Test.
Battle Pass
Battle Pass Season IX will be available during the Common Test.
Changes to the technical characteristics of the following vehicles:
U.S.S.R
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: Object 283
U.S.A
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: T54 Heavy Tank
France
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: Char Mle. 75
China
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: BZ-176
- The following vehicles have been added for testing by Supertest players: BZ-176, WZ-111 model 6
Poland
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: CS-52 C
Italy
- The following vehicle has been added for testing by Supertest players: Lion