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[Maps] Kharkov: A City of Military Glory

Do you remember Kharkov, a map introduced in Update 0.9.1? Kharkov was the first historical map in World of Tanks — a detailed reproduction of the combat situation in Ukraine’s second-largest city during World War II.

This unique locale received positive feedback only from those who played it in well-armoured vehicles or medium tanks with decent guns. Kharkov had some flaws that prevented players from unleashing the combat potential of different tank classes, such as:

  • The two main zones, the urban part and the open area, weren’t well-connected to each other. There was no clear front line on the map, so your adversaries could turn up in the most unexpected locations, and surprise you with a devastating shot.
  • Due to the height differences on the terrain, TDs and other sniper vehicles couldn’t fire on the city from the open area, and vice versa.

As a result, it was convenient to play heavy vehicles on this map, but the players who preferred fast and lightly-armoured vehicles felt a bit out of place. Many of you have asked us to reconfigure and bring back this epic locale, so it will be returning in Update 1.5.1 with significant changes.

Key Balance Improvements

First of all, we reworked Kharkov in stunning HD. We tried to preserve its trademark features as much as possible, and at the same time recreate the city’s winter landscape accurately. The key balance revisions are as follows:

  • The size of the reworked map has grown to 1 km² 
  • We changed the location of bases and rotated the map 45 degrees to give players more space for different tactical manoeuvres
  • We made some changes in the configuration of urban areas and completely reworked the western zone where the suburbs are located, providing more comfortable gameplay for medium and light tanks, as well as for tank destroyers. TDs will also be able to support their teams from two hills situated in the left part of the map
  • The urban and the open part of the map are separated by an anti-tank ditch; it also serves as a direct route between both bases

Central hill in the open area

Armored vehicles can engage in close-range combat in this part of the map. This is an area for mobile and maneuverable vehicles featuring good gun elevation/depression angles. It can also be used for spotting enemy vehicles at position #7.

Trenches

Terrain irregularities of the fields. This is a dangerous place, but fast vehicles can take advantage of these trenches for spotting enemies in the open area. They are connected to the anti-tank ditch (position #3) that allows for returning to the base if necessary.

Anti-tank ditch

The urban and open parts of the map are separated by an anti-tank ditch. It performs two functions. The first one is to stop vehicles from quickly relocating from the open to urban areas, which gives vehicles in the city time to respond if they lose a flank. The second one is to serve as a direct route between both bases.

Central block

This is where heavy tanks will figure out who’s the strongest. This area has enough cover from enemy fire from flanks; however, you should always keep track of the combat situation to prevent enemy attacks from the rear.

Mark V

A tank of Wrangel’s Russian Army (1919–1920). Trophy of the Red Army in 1920, Kakhovka foothold.

Square

A bypass route in the urban area. In case of a breakthrough, it allows for striking the enemy in the central block from the rear.

Hills

Here one can find good positions for ambush vehicles to fire at the main enemy positions in the open area and some areas in the city. Your main task is keeping the enemy from approaching this position.

Lowlands

The lowlands are located at the edge of the map and provide cover for SPGs. They can also be used for retreating from position #7 and for approaching the urban area along the map border.

Supporting positions

They allow for slowing down enemy maneuvers in points 5 and 6.

Lowlands

The lowlands are located at the edge of the map and provide cover for SPGs. They can also be used for retreating from position #7 and for approaching the urban area along the map border.

Hills

Here one can find good positions for ambush vehicles to fire at the main enemy positions in the open area and some areas in the city. Your main task is keeping the enemy from approaching this position.

Supporting positions

They allow for slowing down enemy maneuvers in points 5 and 6.

Anti-tank ditch

The urban and open parts of the map are separated by an anti-tank ditch. It performs two functions. The first one is to stop vehicles from quickly relocating from the open to urban areas, which gives vehicles in the city time to respond if they lose a flank. The second one is to serve as a direct route between both bases.

NOTE: Kharkov will only be available in Standard Battles for tankers in Tier IV-X vehicles!

The Reworked Soundtrack

Following your feedback, we decided not to replace its soundtrack with a new one and instead remastered the existing melody so familiar to many World of Tanks veterans. We’ve kept Kharkov's legendary leitmotif from the 2014 soundtrack, and enriched it with modern arrangements.

The main highlight of the soundtrack is the melodic lines performed by the accordion, one of the main instruments in the Soviet Union and a symbol of music during World War II. Just listen to this; it's really amazing!

 

Welcome back to Kharkov, Commanders, and be sure to share your feedback on the reworked map!

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