The Update 1.14 Common Test is about to start.
It contains many new features
that will bring diversity and create new goals for players.
They are a new map, a new mode, a new vehicle branch,
a new mechanic and players’ impressions of the tweaked vehicles.
But first things first.
Safe Haven. New map in an Asian setting.
The map with the working title "Japanese Port"
has been in development for quite some time.
It has been carefully refined and has undergone many closed tests.
Now it's time for its debut on the Common Test
under a new name—Safe Haven.
If you look at the map from a player's perspective,
you can divide it into several parts.
The "green" area is where most vegetation is located.
There are hills and a bridge connecting the east and west of the map.
These combat areas will perfectly suit skirmishes
between quick and maneuverable vehicles which use terrain folds as cover.
The port part of the map includes a bay, repair quays, trading piers,
docked ships, and many cargo containers that create cover for positional firing.
Also, there's a hangar for maneuverable heavy tanks with a sturdy turret,
through which they can perform flank attacks
and which is protected from artillery fire.
In addition to these clearly noticeable areas,
there's something that is hidden
but carries significant strategical importance.
A network of tunnels under the port.
This network connects all parts of the maps
and is an excellent cover from artillery.
The main purpose of this location
is to provide the means to get behind enemy lines.
That's why battles for the tunnel are unavoidable.
Safe Haven is a map that will let players experiment with new tactics
as well as use the familiar ones.
Czechoslovakian heavy tanks. New branch of heavy tanks with their own feature.
The new branch of Czechoslovakian heavy tanks
includes four researchable vehicles.
It branches off the Tier VI medium tank,
and the first vehicle is the Vz. 44-1.
It has pretty good dynamics with decent armor for its tier.
Its gun is reminiscent of that of a medium tank
but with good damage per shot.
Tier VIII is occupied by the TNH 105/1000.
The vehicle is better armored, mainly due to the screens on its turret.
It's also the vehicle with the main feature of Czechoslovakian heavy tanks:
the choice of two great guns.
Depending on your play style,
you can select either a two-shell autoloader or a cyclic gun.
The Tier IX TNH T Vz. 51, in addition to this feature,
also has stronger armor, and has more comfortable gun handling.
The crown of the Czechoslovakian branch at Tier X is the Vz. 55.
Visually, it's similar to its predecessor with elements of Soviet tank-building.
But, logically, it has better characteristics.
The armor of the turret has been bolstered with screens.
In terms of agility, the Vz. 55 is outmatched by fast heavy tanks
such as the the Object 277 or the IS-7.
However, it has two 130-mm guns to choose from.
This brings it that individuality that will be the envy of many heavy tanks.
A vehicle with two effective playstyles gives choice to the player.
Topography. New mode to help teach key positions and routes.
Not sure where to go to be useful to your team?
We have a solution for you.
A new Topography training mode.
This is a single-player mode that will help newcomers navigate the maps
and study the initial routes and key positions.
Battles in this mode take place as Scenarios.
Players will have a choice of several maps of various difficulties
with four Scenarios for each map.
After you finish them all, the map will be considered complete.
Since it's a training mode,
you won't lose credits for unsuccessful Scenario attempts,
and battles won't count towards your statistics.
However, there are rewards awaiting you for the successful completion of training.
Changes to vehicles. Next—Other changes.
We continue setting the characteristics of Premium vehicles
to update them for the current realities of Random Battles.
The American mastodon, the T34,
now has more comfortable gun handling and better maneuverability.
This will make positional skirmishes easier for it
and won't let it be easy prey for quick vehicles.
The AMX CDC will cause damage from distance more confidently
due to improved aiming time and gun stabilization,
while the increased reverse speed will let it avoid unnecessary damage
when firing from behind cover.
The next four medium tanks, despite being of different nations,
have an American background.
They also have something in common in terms of gameplay,
which is why they got adjustments of a similar nature:
more comfortable gun handling and, in some cases, increased firepower.
Finally, the following seven vehicles with preferential matchmaking
have a common armor penetration value with standard shells—186 mm.
So, it was logically changed for all of them.
Currently, this parameter has been increased by 10 mm,
which makes firing at enemy weak spots a bit easier.
Although, you will still need to aim properly there.
Other changes.
Frontline kickoff, small Ruinberg map changes, Personal Missions fixes.
The Ruinberg map underwent small tactical changes.
The balcony in the center of the map was reworked
to reduce the dominance of vehicles there over the green area
when playing from the top base.
At the same time, its strategic purpose remains:
spotting enemy vehicles for the allies in the town.
Also, the awaited changes
to the conditions of Personal Missions for artillery
will be added to the second iteration of the Common Test.
Changes were made to the more difficult missions
that significantly influenced the general progress of Personal Missions.
For example, the missions from the second part of the first campaign.
The main criteria for changes were the artillery parameters
that were adjusted in Update 1.13: damage and amount of stun.
However, since SPGs can still effectively cause damage and stun,
these changes are not drastic.
We will continue to gather statistics
and analyze the situation on the battlefield.
And for now, try out the other new features of the upcoming update.
For example, a new Frontline season that will start very soon.
It will differ from previous ones with a new balance and new reserves.
Watch a separate video on our channel
to learn more details about this popular mode.
Take part in testing and share your feedback.
Thanks for helping us make the game even better!
Good luck on the battlefield!