Sandbox 2021: Crew 2.0 FAQ

Commanders!

The second iteration of a series of upcoming Sandbox tests has begun. This time, we are putting a reworked crew mechanic system to the test: Crew 2.0.

If you would like to participate, download the Sandbox test server client and begin experimenting with the new feature. We need your support and feedback for the test to be a success.

But before you jump in, we would like to clarify several details, quell any concerns, and answer a few of your frequently asked questions.


Crew 2.0 Mechanics and Changes

1. Why did you decide against adding new Perks and Skills, as many players suggested, and opted for reworking the crew system?

The current crew system in the game has not changed since 2012 and it became obvious that a number of mechanics and aspects of the crew system needed improvements and changes. The main directions in which we plan to develop the crew system are:

  • Improvement of the user experience when interacting with the crew system
  • Increasing the variety of skills and perks (talents)
  • Creating a transparent progression system with clear and achievable goals
  • Improving the interfaces and crew management tools

To bring these ideas to life, we looked at a number of solutions. In the end, they all turned out to be "half-measures" that didn't radically change the situation. So, we decided not to focus on specific aspects, but to completely rework the current crew system.

2. Is there a release date?

There is no precise release date for Crew 2.0, at the moment. Currently, the most important and highest-priority task is to collect feedback from the players who tried out the suggested system in the Sandbox test. Play the game, share your feedback, complete questionnaires—your feedback will form the basis on which the future of Crew 2.0 will be built.

3. Can you briefly describe how the new crew system differs from the old one (Sixth Sense, variability, and interfaces, for instance)

1. A vehicle's crew will now be represented by a single Commander in the Garage, but everything will remain unchanged in battle.

2. The skill system has been reworked with Training Plans, new skills, and talents.

3. A new game entity (Instructors) has been added.

In addition to these changes, a number of aspects will become more comfortable and convenient for players—all Commanders will have the Sixth Sense perk by default, a crew will be able to "remember" up to 3 vehicles of the same nation and class, there will be a wide variety of skills as well as the ability to unlock and improve several skills at the same time.

4. What will be automatically converted?

You can find more detailed information about the Crew Conversation Process in the main guide.

5. What will happen to unique crew members?

According to our concept, all special crew members (such as Snow Maidens, Chuck Norris, and Battle Pass heroes) will become new valuable characters—Instructors. They will provide additional Skill Points (on top of the 10-point limit) to the crew and increase the experience earned after each battle.

6. What are Instructors and what bonuses do they provide?

Up to four Instructors can be assigned to a crew. This functionality will be unlocked for free, as the crew levels up (at Levels 15, 30, 45, and 60). Instructors are divided into three Classes (III, II, and I). The higher the class, the more XP the crew gets per battle, and the more additional Skill Points are provided by the Instructor within the Training Plan. If a unique crew member had their own voiceover, the Instructor will keep it.

7. Why are conversion operations not automated, and how do I convert an old crew into a new one?

Crew conversion will be performed manually for each particular vehicle and players themselves will be involved in this process. It may not seem very convenient, but we do not want to make conversion-related decisions for you. Only players themselves should decide how to use such a valuable resource as Crew Experience.

When converting a crew manually, the total experience of all crew members in the vehicle will be divided by the number of members. As a result, the new crew will receive the average value of all experience earned by the old crew. Depending on the amount of experience, the new crew will immediately receive a certain Crew Level, as well as the benefits that correspond to it. This ensures experienced crews will keep their experience in the new system.

8. How is the new amount of Crew XP calculated during conversion?

When converting a crew manually, the total experience of all crew members in the vehicle will be divided by the number of members. As a result, the new crew will receive the average value of all experience earned by the old crew.

9. What happens to my crew after conversion?

Interactive image. To find out the level of the crew after its conversion, enter the current number of skills/perks and the major qualification level for each crew member, and then click CONVERT CREW.
Commander
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Number of fully trained skills/perks
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Level of the current skill/perk
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Major qualification level
DRIVER
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Number of fully trained skills/perks
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Level of the current skill/perk
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Major qualification level
GUNNER
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Number of fully trained skills/perks
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Level of the current skill/perk
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Major qualification level
LOADER
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Number of fully trained skills/perks
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Level of the current skill/perk
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Major qualification level
Convert Crew
Crew level
Skill points
Rank: "Mladshiy Serzhant"
Discount on retraining
New specializations: 1

You can find more detailed information about the conversion process in the main guide.

10. What are Training Plans and how do they work?

Training Plans are a matrix for distributing Skill Points. They include five directions:

  • Tactical Training
  • Gunnery Training
  • Technical Training
  • Operational Training
  • Driver Training

Each course will comprise five skills and two talents. Players will increase the crew level by investing Skill Points. A total of 75 Points can be distributed in the matrix. Up to 10 Points can be invested into each skill.

11. What are talents and how do I unlock them?

A talent is a special type of skill that triggers in certain situations in battle. After investing 30 Skill Points in a specific Training Course, you will be able to choose one of the two talents available within that course.

12. How do I earn Skill Points?

Players can get points just like before, by earning XP in battles. However, now you do not increase the skill/perk level (%) by earning experience, but instead, receive points that can be invested in skills.

13. A maximum of 75 Skill Points—is that a lot?

Seventy-five (75) Skill Points is equivalent to the amount of XP required to train 5 skills/perks within the current crew system.

14. What happens after 75 Skill Points?

After investing 75 Skill Points in a Training Plan, you will no longer receive Skill Points, and the Elite Progression (Professional Expertise) will be unlocked for the Commander.

With each new level of Professional Expertise, the crew will receive a small increase to the vehicle handling level. However, for the most part, this is a token status for a well-trained crew.

15. Has anything changed in battle?

According to our calculations, the influence of a new crew on the gameplay will increase 1.5 times compared to the old crew. Additionally, a number of situational skills and talents will also be added. When triggered, they will be displayed in battle with special indicators.

16. What will happen to the Barracks?

Old experienced Reservists will stay in the Barracks, while crew members with insufficient experience to train at least one skill will be converted into Crew Books.

Bunks in the Barracks will be converted into Retraining Orders at a ratio of 16:1. Bunks in the Barracks will lose their purpose as an entity in the new system, but Dormitories (for each Garage slot) will be introduced instead.


Sandbox Server

1. How do you participate?

  1. Download the Sandbox launcher.
  2. Install the Sandbox client by launching the downloaded file. If you're running the Game Center for the first time, you'll have to authorize and restart the downloaded installation file.
  3. Wait until the Sandbox client is downloaded and installed.
  4. Open the World of Tanks tab, select World of Tanks Sandbox, and click Play.

2. What are the special missions and Tokens? What do you need to do in order to earn rewards for participating in the Sandbox test?

It’s quite simple. Six combat missions will be made available on the Sandbox server. Five of them are completed simultaneously and unlock access to the sixth one. The sequence can be completed three times.

An overview of the exact mission conditions is available in the main guide.

Once a chain is complete, the missions will become available again, but not earlier than the next day.

Shortly after the Sandbox testing is over, the Tokens will be transferred to the main server and players will be able to spend them in a dedicated part of the in-game Store for rewards. Don't forget to spend your Tokens before the next test starts, or else they will be converted into credits at the rate of 1 Token = 10,000 Credits.

3. When will accumulated Tokens be transferred to the main server?

Between 24 and 48 hours after the test is concluded. We will try to do it as quickly as possible and will notify you after the Tokens have been transferred to the main server.

4. Are the Tokens for each iteration counted separately, or is it possible to collect them and then spend them all at once on rewards during the last iteration?

All of the Tokens earned during a test iteration have to be spent before the next Sandbox stage begins. Tokens don't stack, so don't forget to choose a reward in the time between the tests.

5. When will we see the 2D style and decals?

We continue to work on the 2D style and additional decals right now. They are still being drawn, tested, and carefully prepared for presentation to the public. However, we can already show you the decal for the Crew 2.0 test:

As for all the others, you will have to wait a little longer.

6. When and where will I receive the survey?

The survey will appear in the main game client. Some players, who have fought a certain number of battles, will receive the survey during the testing phase. All other players, who have fought more than five battles, will receive the survey in the final days of the test, or immediately after it ends. If you don't receive the survey right away, please be patient. To make the technical load lighter, we'll send the survey out in batches.

7. Why do we have to download the full Sandbox client every time?

This is the nature of the Sandbox server test. Each iteration means a separate client that was built for a new feature separately from other mechanics. Unfortunately, the production process requires this approach.


Rewards

Complete special missions on the Sandbox server to collect Tokens and unlock different reward levels.


If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please head over to our forum where our community team will be happy to assist. You can find the link below:

FORUM

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