Commanders!
We're ready to introduce a new iteration of changes to the Common Test!
Join it to try out the long-awaited Steel Hunter mode, featuring a fresh map, three new vehicles, and many other important changes. We’re also reworking Combat Reserves in Strongholds to provide you with more tactical opportunities.
Plus, after Update 1.17 goes live, World of Tanks will host a new Season of the Recon Mission mode. It kicks off in June and is available for preliminary testing during the second Common Test of Update 1.17. We'll share more details in a dedicated publication later, so stay tuned!
CONTENTS
Steel Hunter: A New Season Is Coming!
Our Battle Royale mode is returning to World of Tanks! Steel Hunter 2022 received the largest series of complex changes since its release and will now be more exciting than ever. Here’s what you can expect:
- An epic new map. In addition to the two existing maps—Dreamland and Arzagir 4.04—we added another impressive locale called Firnulfir. It is designed in a harsh Scandinavian setting and will take you on a journey to a snowy and mysterious tundra. Here, battles will unfold amid small settlements and picturesque frozen reservoirs. However, this is not the best place to enjoy the views because you’ll have to fight for survival and become the last hero standing!
- Three new vehicles. This year, three brand-new vehicles with unique new abilities will be joining the hunt:
1. The Huragan (Poland): A versatile medium tank that plays a more defensive role.
2. The Bái Láng (China): A speedy tank that serves best as a scout.
3. The Beowulf (Sweden): A perfect vehicle for attacking and hunting.
- Platoons of two players instead of three. In the new Season, you will no longer need to look for a third player to create a Platoon and go hunting. Team up with your friend, compete with nine other Platoons, and prove that your Steel Hunter duo is the best!
- Reworked Danger Zones and loot mechanics. Danger Zones will now close depending on the number of players in them. Additionally, some rules for the loot spawn will change, but we'll give you more details about that shortly before the release of Steel Hunter 2022.
- Battle Pass support. You'll still be able to earn Battle Pass Points based on your position in the post-battle ranking.
- Steel Hunter statistics in the Achievements → Statistics tab. You can now track your combat performance in Steel Hunter in your Garage via the Achievements → Statistics tab. When selecting the Steel Hunter mode from the dropdown menu of available game modes, you will see your average damage per battle, the number of battles played, and other stats.
- Loot from destroyed vehicles will be depicted on the minimap. Get ready to compete for trophies with other Steel Hunters!
Economy in Steel Hunter
The mode's economy was completely reworked to include Steel Seals, a new in-game currency that you can use to rent powerful event vehicles. Your earnings in Steel Hunter will depend on the amount of damage caused, as well as the number of damaged modules and destroyed opponents. The higher you place in the post-battle ranking, the more Steel Seals, credits, and Combat XP you earn.
Plus, Steel Hunter will now have a permanent bonus to credits and Combat XP from WoT Premium Account and allow you to earn 50% more Steel Seals.
But that’s not all! When playing in the mode, you’ll be able to take advantage of:
- Personal and Clan Reserves for extra Combat XP and credits.
- a 15% bonus to credits and XP when playing in a Platoon.
Rental Vehicles
In the new Season, three out of eight event vehicles—the Varyag, the Raven, and the Arlequin—will always be available by default. The remaining five tanks will be available for rent. You can rent each of them for free for the first time, and each subsequent rental will cost you a few Steel Seals. You will earn them in battles, depending on your place in the post-battle ranking.
Reworking Combat Reserves in Strongholds
During this Common Test, you can also try out the reworked Combat Reserves in Strongholds. Instead of two reserves with a similar effect—Airstrike and Artillery Strike—only Artillery Strike will cause damage. Airstrike, in turn, will be renamed Inspire and become a tactical Reserve. It will improve the crew performance of the vehicle and of all allies within its radius, like in Frontline. The higher the level of this Reserve, the greater its radius and effect will be.
You can take two Combat Reserves of different types into battle. The creator of the room may keep both Reserves and give them to any clan member or distribute them among different clanmates. In this case, one of them becomes Gunner and the other Inspirer.
In addition, Artillery Strike now causes fixed—and more predictable—damage. Clan players from both teams will see the strike zone, so you can leave it in time and avoid maximum damage. The higher the Artillery Strike Level, the greater its radius and damage will be.
The economy of Strongholds will also be brought in line with these changes. Once they go live, old buildings will be converted into new ones. They will retain their current level.
With two reworked Combat Reserves, the total bonus to Industrial Resources you earn will remain the same.
Clan commanders and officers will receive special notifications in the game client to learn more about these changes. We're sure that they will provide you with more tactical opportunities and help you win glorious new victories!
Join the Common Test and share your impressions on the updated Steel Hunter mode and Strongholds changes, Commanders!
List of Changes CT1
ExpandMain Changes
Steel Hunter 2022
Added the new Firnulfir map.
Added three new vehicles, each of which has unique combat Abilities:
- Beowulf, a Swedish heavy tank
- Huragan, a Polish medium tank
- Bái Láng, a Chinese light tank
By default, all players have access to the Varyag, Raven, and Arlequin vehicles; the rest of the vehicles can be taken for a free test-drive and then rented for Steel Seals, the unique mode currency.
Mode Economy Improvements:
- The amount of resources earned now depends on not only the position in the battle results but also the overall combat performance.
- The resource gain is now affected by WoT Premium Account, Credit Reserve, Personal and Clan Reserves, and Platoon Bonus.
The size of the map changes dynamically. The shrink speed of the battlefield depends on the number of destroyed vehicles.
The loot composition has been changed:
- Consumables restore HP, contain ammunition and XP to upgrade the vehicle, and ensure (to a certain probability) a charge for the Recovery Ability.
- Supplies (previously ammunition) repair damaged modules and contain XP (but less than in consumables). There is also a certain probability of getting a charge for the Repair Kit Ability or one of the unique combat Abilities.
- Airdrop is the most valuable loot type. It restores HP and repairs damaged modules, and it also contains ammunition, XP, and charges for all four Abilities. Collecting Airdrop takes seven seconds.
- Spoils of War. The Spoils of War composition remains unchanged, but the time to collect it takes two seconds.
The Platoon is now limited to two players.
Radio Detection upgrades have been reworked. Each of them has distinct pros and cons.
To make the existing vehicles more relevant, balance changes have been made to their technical characteristics
Achievements in the mode can be viewed in the Service Record tab.
A set of unique and daily missions is available. By completing them, you can get more resources, from credits to Steel Seals.
Map Improvements:
- The possibility of driving into the non-playable areas in squares A4, B0, B5, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, D1, D7, D8, E1, E7, F1, G4, J6, and H9 on the Dreamland map has been removed.
- The possibility of driving into the non-playable areas in squares G0, H0, H5, H6, J0, J8, J9, and K9 on the Arzagir 4.04 map has been removed.
Strongholds
The Attack Bomber Squadron structure has been replaced with the Logistics Service structure.
The Airstrike Combat Reserve has been removed, and the Inspire Reserve has been added.
The Artillery Strike Combat Reserve now causes fixed (and more predictable) damage. Both teams can see the effect area of the Combat Reserve.
Both Reserves—Artillery Strike and Inspire—can be taken into battle at once.
The damage caused with the Artillery Strike Reserve is displayed in the battle results.
Changes to the technical characteristics of the following vehicles:
U.S.A.
- The TS-54 vehicle has been added to the game resources.
Join the Common Test
- How the CT Works
- Test Client
New to testing? Check out our handy guide to public tests:
Eligibility: All players registered prior to April 25 at 13:59 PT | 15:59 CT | 16:59 ET can participate in the test.
Feedback: Please post your bug reports and general feedback on the test version in the special thread on our forum.
In order to participate in the test using the Wargaming.net Game Center:
- The Wargaming.net Game Center will download all the additional data
- Start playing
