With the numerous rebalances fresh off to live servers in Update 9.20, we’re just about done locking down another batch of changes scheduled for 9.20.1. This time, we’re examining the British Tech Tree, American light tanks, and the famed Chinese Type 59. Before we dive into today’s suite of to-be-tuned tanks, here’s a quick refresher as to why this is happening. The all-round Tech Tree revision is designed to revitalise vehicles that grew obsolete over the years. While doing so, we’re also establishing and/or strengthening the unique gameplay flavor of vehicles classes within each nation. Now, let’s dig into the details!
British Tech Tree
British heavy tanks from Tier VIII onward are adequately balanced, but they feel like a weird collection of vehicles that just don’t belong together. We've reshaped them into a coherent line built around the Conqueror’s gameplay. In short: you get universal heavies with powerful guns, reliable turret and hull armour, and a large margin of safety all the way up from the Caernarvon. Let’s take a closer look.
The Caernarvon raised many questions with its combination of heavy tank HP pool and mobility combined with medium tank armour, low alpha damage, and an accurate gun. We gave it a new gun with reasonable alpha and thicker armour to turn it into a proper heavy at the cost of its two 20-pounders. To put it into perspective: there’s no need to hang back behind more heavily armoured teammates supporting them. You’re a true heavy now, so act like one: push the frontlines and engage enemies at close range. This Tier VIII Brit also had its top turret replaced with the better-armoured Centurion 32-pdr and received some extra side protection to its hull. To compensate for improved survivability and firepower, we slightly decreased its mobility and manoeuvrability.
The Conqueror really doesn’t feel much like a heavy because of its armour. Update 9.20.1 turns it into an effective heavy tank, boosting its overall protection big-time so that it can lead the charge. It can take a punch and stand up to top-tier TDs without getting crippled in a matter of seconds, while a powerful gun with impressive penetration and alpha damage to match lets it spearhead the assault. It also benefits from a new top turret with spaced armour in its front section. Its current top option has been made a stock turret. On top of that, we've significantly changed the Conqueror’s gun roster, removing two-20 pounders and giving it a stock 32-pounder gun. To prevent it from turning into unstoppable force that rains destruction at long range, we toned down its mobility and rate of fire. Regardless of the boost to its hull and turret armour, it retains a thin lower plate and commander’s cupola.
The paper sniper FV215b with its rear-mounted turret isn’t everyone's cup of tea. It can shine in the hands of few, but feels lacklustre unless you’ve mastered its ins and outs. Most importantly, it’s a big departure in playstyle from the well-armoured multipurpose heavy tank mentality we designed for this line. That’s why it follows in the footsteps of the АМХ Foch (155), joining the ranks of special vehicles, while the all-new Super Conqueror takes the Tier X spot.
And just like with the Tier X French TD, having a researched and purchased FV215b in your Garage when 9.20.1 goes live will grant you the Super Conqueror. The newcomer is a natural step-up from the Conqueror. Heavily armoured, equipped with a powerful gun, and good at several roles, it deserves an overview of its own, which it will get closer to release. Stay tuned!
British medium tanks seem cut out for mid-range support. They pack a great mix of powerful guns, decent gun depression, view range, and stabilisation. Hide behind a hill, find an unsuspecting target, and pincushion them with shells. Sounds like a snap... but is it? Not really, because they lack the turret armor to thrive in this role. Their armour is fairly thin, and often leaves you with a destroyed turret after a few accurate hits from the enemy, leaving you wondering what went wrong in that seemingly perfect plan.
To cement their role as mid-range beasts, we've given these Brits more frontal turret armour. Effective armour at Tiers VIII–X is now 240mm or higher so that they can exercise their support role, working ridges at the 2nd line without fear and frustrating any would-be attackers by bouncing their shots.
Frequent negative comments on the FV 4202 pushed us to show it a little love, too. It now has stronger frontal turret armor. To address the issue of its mobility, 9.20.1 also gives this vulture a much needed 650 h.p. engine, which should allow it to reach its maximum speed quicker, keep up with medium tanks, and provide that punch it’s notorious for.
The FV4005 Stage II and its brethren down the line are seldom seen on the battlefield. Difficult to master and in no way, shape or form 'mainstream', these TDs trade armour for mobility and call for a steady (if not overly cautious) play style with little room for mistakes and daring moves. No wonder they often get overlooked. To bring the line back into relevance, we worked on the Challenger, Conway, and FV4005 Stage II, increasing their firepower and longevity, which should provide for a much more accessible experience. These changes are the result of player feedback (thank you!) and combing through game data.
Often played as a medium tank, the Challenger now has the guts to reclaim its place among conventional TDs and make damage-dealing its primary focus. This Tier VII Brit can do some serious harm to the opposition thanks to a new gun with 280 alpha damage. Keep in mind, though, that impressive alpha comes with 120° gun traverse angles.Forget about rolling erratically across the map. Secure a favourable position instead and start crippling enemies, taking advantage of increased firepower and turret traverse speed.
The FV4004 Conway gets the B.L. 5.5-in. AT Gun capable of dishing out 600 alpha damage as an alternate gun. That gives the vehicle more gameplay variety. You can build your tactics around DPM with the 120-mm L1A1 AT or get ready for the FV4005 Stage II style of gameplay, dealing massive alpha damage with the B.L. 5.5-in. AT Gun. Of course, simply adding a new gun won’t suffice to revive the FV4004 Conway, so we also increased its mobility and gun depression. Gun depression is now set at -10°, boosting its potential on uneven terrain, with its main downside being the gun traverse limit of 180°. Now, there’s no need to turn the hull when aiming at the enemy’s front plate (which often resulted in being spotted). You no longer need to take full aim after shooting either, as the turret rotation dispersion is way lower than the dispersion applied for hull rotation. Lastly, the turret traverse speed was increased to 18°/s, which allows you to take your chances at crippling an enemy.
With few strengths to wrest victory in challenging conditions, the FV4005 Stage II didn’t do anything good enough to give it a valuable roll at its tier. With 9.20.1 we patched its fatal weaknesses with several tweaks. Following a boost in mobility, it can retreat to safety and set up in favourable positions faster. Along with increased durability, the FV4005 Stage II gets easier gun handling thanks to a faster turret traverse speed, 180° gun traverse, and lowered dispersion from turret rotation. Finally, a gun depression of -10° lets it poke ridgelines without exposing its frail hull and turret, while the increased ammo load of 20 shells ramps up its chances at seriously damaging a target. Simply put, it now has what it takes to last through a battle and help its teammates gain the upper hand.
If you wonder why we rushed past Tier VIII to cover changes to the Conway, just imagine the Charioteer with its 105mm top gun. It can do virtually anything you ask of it, once you know how to handle it. The only tweak its gets is improved gun depression, now set at -10°.
Super Conqueror Characteristics
