First Published on: 19/04/2019
[Update 29 April, 2019] Note: Update 1.5 will not include the Tanks for Bonds feature.
The launch of Update 1.5's first Common Test brings Swedish Medium tanks with a unique gameplay feature: air suspension. During the Common Test, you also have the opportunity to check out a new Premium Account concept and Excluded Maps, one of the most commonly requested features. Finally, get ready to experience battles with rebalanced SPGs and Swedish heavy tanks. Read on for a detailed overview of each feature!
Contents
ExpandSwedish Medium Tanks
It wasn’t that long ago that French wheeled vehicles arrived, but we’re already ready to show off something new. Along with Update 1.5, three new formidable vehicles will join our game, high-tier Swedish medium tanks. We already have Swedish medium machines in World of Tanks, but only up to Tier VII. Now we're adding a kind of Swedish "sub-branch" for Tiers VIII, IX, and X. Researching the new branch will start at Tier VII with the Leo.
Starting from Tier VIII, the Swedish mediums all have a unique gameplay feature, air suspension. They will be able to adjust their clearance level and change their hull inclination angle, giving themselves better gun depression angles. It's turned on automatically as soon as the speed drops lower than 10 km/h. If you start accelerating and are going faster than 19 km/h, the vehicle turns it off and the hull levels out.
The suspension for the new tanks is similar to that of the Swedish TDs, but doesn't give them any other advantages apart from additional hull inclination. Learn more about the new Swedish mediums and their unique gameplay in the dedicated article.
Swedish Heavy Tanks Rebalance
Previously we outlined that in 2019 we’re going to improve some vehicles with poor efficiency, as well as to overhaul some overpowered tanks. So, with the new branch of Swedish medium tanks coming, we’ll also take a look at some of the nation’s other vehicles – in particular, those in the heavy branch.
Now we’re ready to revise characteristics of the following tanks:
- Emil I (Tier VIII)
- Emil II (Tier IX)
- Kranvagn (Tier X)
All of these tanks currently have a four-shell autoloader, and this is the feature we want to tweak. We plan to re-equip them with three-shell autoloaders, so all these vehicles will reload faster and have higher alpha damage. As a result, their DPM will increase too. So you will have to spend less time reloading and engage your adversaries more often. Together with other adjustments, this will bolster the Kranvagn’s damage per minute by more than 20%.
The technical characteristics of the vehicles are specified for the top module configuration.
Excluded Maps
We're also very pleased to announce that we're ready to introduce one of the most commonly requested features, Excluded Maps. Now you'll be able to block one map of your choice and avoid it in the matchmaking queue. The feature will only be available for Standard Battles, and not for Assault or Encounter Battles. Also Excluded Maps will only work when playing Tier IV vehicles or higher and will be disabled for all Grand Battles maps (Klondike, Nebelburg, and Hinterland).
WoT Premium Account
We're going to present a separate WoT Premium Account, exclusively for World of Tanks players, in Update 1.5. Regular Premium Account will remain exactly the same as it is for the entire Wargaming trilogy (World of Tanks, World of Warships, and World of Warplanes). But a separate WoT Premium Account will provide you additional features and bonuses, including one additional slot, meaning you can block 2 Random Battles maps instead of one.
Find out more information regarding WoT Premium Account in the dedicated article.
NOTE:
World of Tanks Premium Account is available during the Common Test only for your preliminary testing, so particular bonus values may change with its full release.
SPG Rebalance
For the first time since 2017, we decided to revise the basic parameters of artillery, a truly unique vehicle class in World of Tanks. We're planning to reduce:
- The minimum stun time
- The duration of the stun from all artillery hits on already stunned vehicles
- The stun time when an SPG shell hits a vehicle, which is already stunned if equipped with a Spall Liner
- The amount of damage at the edge of the splash
We're also planning to rework the performance characteristics of individual SPGs in order to finetune their effectiveness after the announced changes take effect.
All of the changes above are a bit complex for a short simple overview, so read about the upcoming SPG rebalance in a dedicated article for more detailed clarification.
Ranked Battles
The new Season of Ranked Battles is getting closer, Commanders! It kicks off after the release of Update 1.5, but you already have the opportunity to experience it during the first Common Test.
With the new Season, some mechanics of Ranked Battles will change, but we’ll talk about them in detail a bit later on in a dedicated publication.
Please note: The settings and specific values of Ranked Battles that are relevant for the Common Test may change after the official start.
In conclusion, an important note for all our players participating in Common Tests. Starting with Update 1.5, the Common Test will be exclusively available through the Wargaming Game Center.
And now get out there and test all these features, Commanders! We can't wait to see your feedback!
Tanks Rebalance
- HOW THE CT WORKS
- TEST CLIENT
- SERVER RESTARTS
Eligibility: All players registered prior to 04:59 UTC+8 on April 3 can participate in the test.
Feedback: Please post your general feedback about the test version and bug reports in the special thread on our forum.
- Download the test client installer (4,9 MB).
- Make sure you pick a save location that is different from your regular World of Tanks game files.
- Save and run the installer.
- Run the new copy of the game. The launcher will download all the additional data.
- Log in and start playing.
The test server will be restarted regularly, according to the following schedule:
- First Periphery: 04:00 UTC every day. Average duration will be around 25 minutes.
- Second Periphery: 05:00 UTC every day. Average duration will be around 25 minutes.
- Central Database: 09:00 UTC every day. Average duration will be around 2 minutes.
The test server may be subject to unscheduled restarts and maintenance.
Preliminary List of Changes [Common Test 1]
ExpandMain Changes:
1. WoT Premium Account
A new type of Premium Account (WoT Premium Account/WoT PA) is introduced.
This type of Premium Account works only in WoT. WoT Premium Account provides bonuses to experience, Crew Experience, and credits, as well as access to new functionality:
- Reserve Stock
The Reserve Stock allows receiving extra 750,000 credits per week. An additional 10% bonus on top of the credits you earn in battles will fall into a special vault. Every 7 days, the vault will open, and all credits accumulated in it will be automatically moved to your account. - Platoon bonus
If at least one player in a Platoon has WoT PA, that player will earn +15% to credits for every battle. The one who doesn’t have WoT PA, will receive +10% to credits. - Manageable bonus to XP
Thanks to WoT Premium Account, players will be able to apply the x3 multiplier and increase the experience earned in their latest victorious battle. This x3 multiplier can be applied to the Battle Results five times a day. - Premium missions
Owners of WoT Premium Account will have the opportunity to complete a chain of 3 simple daily missions. - Excluded maps
All owners of WoT PA will have one more slot for map excluding, so they will be able to exclude 2 maps in total. As long as WoT Premium Account is active, the player will not fight on two excluded maps in the Random Battles (for Standard Battles only).
Specifics of the WoT Premium Account Release
All players will receive the same number of days of regular Premium Account, in the form of World of Tanks Premium account, on release day.
Both versions of the Premium Account will exist together, however WoT Premium Account will be active in the game client. Regular Premium Account can be active only if WoT Premium Account expires.
Related Game Client Changes
- The interface of the Player's Account has been reworked. Now, a click on the player's nickname in the Garage displays the Account Status interface, where a player will be able to view their current Premium Account status and go to the interface of the new WoT Premium Account options. The interface also allows managing Personal Reserves.
- Added explanations and descriptions for all new entities of the new WoT Premium Account, as well as management tools for them.
- The Platoon bonus of WoT Premium Account is now added to the existing bonus, when playing in Platoon.
- In the Store, players can purchase only WoT Premium Account.
- Regular Premium Account is no longer available for purchasing or receiving in the game client. Regular Premium Account will be replaced with WoT Premium Account through all aspects of the game, including: missions, events, Personal Missions, etc.
2. Changes to the Ranked Battles
- Added the Role Experience functionality that replaced experience "for active combat engagement". In the Battle Notifications, implemented additional indication of completing role actions.
- Reworked the player's progression, added divisions and the Bonus Battle mechanics.
- Reworked the home screen interface for the Ranked Battle mode considering the introduction of the divisions.
- Added the Annual Rewards mechanics. Reworked the interface of the reward screen.
- Disabled friendly fire (with shots and by ramming). Reworked the sounds and effects of direct hits fired by allies. Improved the system of penalties for damaging modules and stunning allies.
- Reworked the Season Leaders interface. Revised the conditions of taking a position on the leaderboard.
3. Excluded Maps
- Players can exclude one or two maps from the map list of the Random Battles.
- Standard Account allows excluding one map; WoT Premium Account allows excluding two maps.
- Excluded maps work only for vehicles of Tier IV or higher.
- Note that maps can be excluded only in the Random Battles mode (for the Standard Battle only). For example, a player excludes Siegfried Line but they will keep fighting on the map in the Assault and Encounter Battle types if the corresponding options are enabled in the Settings.
- Maps of the Grand Battles cannot be excluded.
- Excluded maps can be changed when the 4-hour cooldown elapses.
- When playing in Platoon, the maps excluded by the Platoon Commander have the priority.
4. Vehicle Customization
Now paints can be applied to vehicles of all tiers.
5. Changes to the Stun Mechanics
- Additional stun duration (caused to vehicles that are already stunned) decreases in time by half.
- The Superheavy Spall Liner additionally decreases the duration of repeated stuns by 20%; the Heavy Spall Liner decreases it by 10%.
- The minimum stun duration of all SPGs in the game has been reduced by 5% of the maximum stun duration.
- The damage at the edge of the burst radius has been changed from 0.15 to 0.05 for all HE shells (SPGs and other vehicles firing HE shells). It results in a damage re-calculation within the burst radius. Damage caused by indirect hits of HE shells decreases. Stun duration also decreases. These changes will insignificantly affect direct hits of HE shells.
- Changes to the Technical Characteristics of some SPGs.
6. Changes to Technical Characteristics
U.K.:
- Conqueror Gun Carriage
- Decreased the velocity of the HE Mk. 18 shell by 9%
- Decreased the velocity of the HE Mk. 19 shell by 9%
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- FV4005 Stage II
- Changed the traverse speed from 30 to 26 deg/s
- Changed dispersion from 0.38 to 0.42 m
- Changed the aiming time from 3 to 3.7 s
- Changed the top speed from 35 to 32 km/h
- Changed the reverse speed from 12 to 8 km/h
Germany:
- G.W. Panther
- Changed dispersion of the 15 cm s.F.H. 18 L/29.5 gun from 0.66 to 0.68 m
- Increased dispersion on gun traverse of the 15 cm s.F.H. 18 L/29.5 gun by 4%
- Changed dispersion of the 15 cm s.F.H. 43 gun from 0.62 to 0.64 m
- Increased dispersion on gun traverse of the 15 cm s.F.H. 43 gun by 5%
- Changed the reload time of the 15 cm s.F.H. 18 L/29.5 gun from 27.2 to 28.2 s
- Changed the reload time of the 15 cm s.F.H. 43 gun from 26 to 27 s
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- Hummel
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- GW Tiger P
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- G.W. Tiger
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- G.W. E 100
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
U.S.S.R.:
- Object 261
- Changed the ammo rack capacity from 18 to 20 shells
- T-44-122
- Decreased dispersion during movement by 18%
- Decreased dispersion on hull traverse by 18%
- Changed dispersion from 0.43 to 0.41 m
- Decreased dispersion on turret traverse by 12%
- Changed the aiming time from 3.4 to 3.0 s
- Changed the view range from 370 to 380 m
- Changed the turret traverse speed from 48 to 42 deg/s
- Changed the depression angle from -4 to -5 degrees
- SU-14-2
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- S-51
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- SU-14-1
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- 212А
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
U.S.A.:
- Added the following vehicle:
- T78 (for testing by Supertest players)
- Changes to technical characteristics:
- M12
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- M40/M43
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
- M53/M55
- Reduced the burst radius by 5%
France:
- Added the following vehicle:
- M4A1 FL 10 (for testing by Supertest players)
Czechoslovakia:
- Added the following vehicle:
- * Škoda T 27 (for testing by Supertest players)
Sweden:
- Added the following vehicles:
- UDES 16
- UDES 15/16
- UDES 14 Alt 5
- Changes to the technical characteristics of the following vehicles:
- Kranvagn
- Changed the reload time from 33 to 21.5 s
- Increased the reload time between shots within the magazine by 9%
- Changed the number of shells in the magazine from 4 to 3
- Changed the turret traverse speed from 25 to 28 deg/s
- Changed the damage value of the psgr m/51 shell from 400 to 440
- Changed the damage value of the sgr m/51 shell from 515 to 530
- Changed the damage value of the slpprj m/51 shell from 400 to 440
- Changed the ammo rack capacity from 40 to 48 shells
- Changed the engine power from 700 to 810 h.p.
- Emil II
- Changed the reload time of the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 30 to 22 s
- Changed the reload time of the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 40 to 25 s
- Increased the reload time between shots within the magazine for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun by 11%
- Changed the number of shells in the magazine for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 4 to 3
- Changed the number of shells in the magazine for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 4 to 3
- Changed the damage value of the sgr m/51 shell for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 420 to 460
- Changed the damage value of the slpprj m/52 shell for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 320 to 360
- Changed that damage value of the psgr m/51 shell for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 400 to 440
- Changed the damage value of the sgr m/51 shell for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 515 to 530
- Changed the damage value of the slpprj m/51 shell for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 400 to 440
- Changed the ammo capacity for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 40 to 60 shells
- Changed the ammo capacity for the 12 cm akan L/40 gun from 40 to 48 shells
- Changed the engine power of the AV-1195 engine from 400 to 420 h.p.
- Changed the engine power of the AVS-1195 engine from 520 to 550 h.p.
- Emil I
- Increased the dispersion during movement of the Emil Alt 1 suspension by 12%
- Increased the dispersion during movement of the Emil Alt 2 suspension by 4%
- Increased the dispersion on hull traverse of the Emil Alt 1 suspension by 12%
- Increased the dispersion on hull traverse of the Emil Alt 2 suspension by 4%
- Changed the traverse speed of the Emil Alt 1 suspension by 27 to 24 deg/s
- Changed the traverse speed of the Emil Alt 2 suspension by 30 to 26 deg/s
- Changed the reload time of the 10,5 cm lvkan m/42 gun from 37 to 22.7 s
- Changed the reload time of the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 34 to 27 s
- Changed the dispersion of the 10,5 cm lvkan m/42 gun from 0.38 to 0.39 m
- Changed the aiming time of the 10,5 cm lvkan m/42 gun from 3 to 3.2 sec
- Changed the number of shells in the magazine for the 10,5 cm lvkan m/42 gun from 4 to 3
- Changed the number of shells in the magazine for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 4 to 3
- Changed damage of the slpprj m/52 shell for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 320 to 360
- Changed damage of the slpprj m/52 shell for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 320 to 360
- Changed the damage value of the sgr m/51 shell for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 420 to 460
- Changed the ammo rack capacity for the 10,5 cm lvkan m/42 gun from 52 to 57 shells
- Changed the ammo rack capacity for the 10,5 cm TK 105-9 gun from 52 to 57 shells
Japan:
- Type 5 Heavy
- Decreased the dispersion during movement suspension by 11%
- Decreased the dispersion on hull traverse by 20%
- Changed the traverse speed from 17 to 22 deg/s.
- Changed the penetration value of the 14 cm Capped Common Semi-AP shell for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 249 to 252 mm
- Changed the penetration value of the 14 cm Capped Common Semi-AP Kai shell for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 282 to 290 mm
- Changed the penetration value of the Common Type 0 Kai shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 75 to 192 mm
- Changed the damage value of the Common Type 0 Kai shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 1,400 to 900
- Changed the damage value of the Common Type 0 shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 1,100 to 900
- Changed the reverse speed from 11 to 15 km/h
- Changed the research order for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type and 15 cm/45 41st Year Type guns
- Changed the cost of the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 330,000 to 332,000
- Changed the cost of the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 332,000 to 330,000
- Type 4 Heavy
- Changed the penetration value of the Common Type 0 Kai shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 75 to 192 mm
- Changed the penetration value of the 14 cm Capped Common Semi-AP Kai shell for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 282 to 290 mm
- Changed the penetration value of the 14 cm Capped Common Semi-AP shell for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 249 to 252 mm
- Changed the damage value of the Common Type 0 Kai shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 1,400 to 900
- Changed the damage value of the Common Type 0 shell for the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 1,100 to 900
- Changed the research order for the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type and 15 cm/45 41st Year Type guns
- Changed the cost of the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 332,000 to 330,000
- Changed the cost of the 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type gun from 330,000 to 332,000
Preliminary List of Changes [Common Test 2]
ExpandMain Changes:
Grand Battles for Tier VIII Vehicles
- The Grand Battles became available to the Tier VIII vehicles (if the corresponding box is checked in the game settings).
- Matchmaking of the Grand Battles of Tier VIII vehicles is the same as that for Tier X vehicles, where:
-
- SPGs are limited to 4 vehicles per team [Updated]
- Bonds are not credited for participation in this battle type, only for earning the Battle Heroes achievements
Fixed Issues
- Fixed the issues of the shaking camera in the Sniper mode when switching between the drive modes.
Changes to Technical Characteristics of Vehicles
Sweden
- UDES 16
- Changed the load capacity of the stock suspension from 30,000 to 30,500 kg
- Emil I
- Increased thickness of the hull armouring (side armour was improved from 20 to 35 mm)
Japan
- Type 5 Heavy
- Changed the engine power from 1,200 to 1,370 h.p.
- O-I
- Changed the damage value of the HE Type 96 shell for the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun from 910 to 890
- Type 4 Heavy
- Changed the reload time of the 15 cm/45 41st Year Type gun from 24.5 to 22 s
- O-Ho
- Changed the reload time of the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun from 17 to 22 s
- Changed the damage value of the HE Type 96 shell for the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun from 910 to 890
- O-Ni
- Changed the reload time of the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun from 23 to 24 s
- Changed the damage value of the HE Type 96 shell for the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun from 910 to 890