We would like to invite closed beta test participants to the latest ship combat session!

Schedule

Fixed bugs:

• A bug in the damage model that caused high-explosive shells that hit large compartments (if the size of the compartment is larger than the explosion’s strike zone) was not dealing high-explosive damage has been fixed
• A bug that affected the position of the spectator camera following the death of the player’s ship has been fixed
• A bug that caused crew voice commands to be absent (warnings about approaching torpedoes, fires, and critical damage to the player’s ship) has been fixed
• The Project 7U destroyer’s weapon loadout has been improved – the 45 mm cannons have been replaced with 37 mm machine guns. The weapon loadout matches that of the Soobrazitelny destroyer circa 1943
• Missing sound effects from falling bombs for ships have been fixed

New aiming and fire adjustment systems

The fire control mechanic is imitated in a simplified manner in Arcade mode. A message appears once the player has aimed their sight at a target reading “Target acquired. Fire a trial shot.”

The player is then asked to fire at the area occupied by the target. Range adjustment will be performed automatically and with a certain degree of error. After every shot, the projectile’s strike zone will be analyzed by the virtual crew, and the range will be fine-tuned.

Once three shots have hit the area, the range will be determined with the greatest accuracy possible for your ship’s equipment, after which the range to the selected target will be corrected automatically and the ship will fire as effectively as the current range will allow.

Meanwhile you can move the sight along the horizontal axis to make the necessary adjustments based on the target’s speed, and moving it vertically will allow you to select the area to be fired at – on deck fittings or closer to waterline. However, if you select a new target, the fire adjustment cycle will begin again.

In Realistic mode the player has more control over the firing process, and certain processes that are automated in Arcade mode now rest on the player’s shoulders.

The firing process still begins by aiming at the desired target, after which a virtual rangefinder operator provides the range he has calculated to the target and the potential margin of error in determining that range. The player can then open fire and, by observing where the shots land based on the splashes they make, determine the degree and type of error (too short, too long) in order to perform corrections manually.

To do this, go to the control settings and assign keys or set adjustments to be made with the mouse wheel, which is a rather convenient option and allows you to make corrections quickly.

Unlike Arcade mode, in Realistic mode adjustments to range do not occur automatically as the target becomes closer or farther away. The player can judge changes to range based on the readings of the rangefinder operator, but adjustments will have to be made manually. Incidentally, in Realistic mode the player can request a new range using the “Correct aiming manually” command, after which the range determined by the virtual rangefinder operator will be sent to the guns. However, keep in mind that the effectiveness of this method will decrease more quickly as range increases than when correcting range manually.

Any maneuvering will significantly reduce firing accuracy for the player as well as for enemies firing at the player.

We realize that this method of firing on the enemy might be rather complex, but it also rather accurately reflects the essence of naval battles and the importance of maneuvering at long ranges. We’re eager to hear your feedback on Arcade and Realistic firing modes.

Hit Camera

Now when a ship hits an enemy, more detailed information about the state of the ship will be displayed on the ship’s hit camera, including:

• Buoyancy
• The number of compartments that need to be destroyed in order to destroy the ship (this condition applies to ships and low-tonnage boats)
• The percentage of the crew that needs to be disabled in order to destroy the ship

We believe that these changes will make the process of destroying ships more transparent and intentional.

Boosts for ships and torpedo guns in Arcade Mode

In order to make battles more dynamic and improve balance between torpedo boats and larger ships, arcade boosts similar to those in other game modes have been added in Arcade mode. Various types of ships have received various arcade boosts. Boosts affect the following stats: engine thrust, helm control torque, and torpedo speed.

Manual target designation to secondary weapon groups

You can now designate a priority above-water or aerial target for the gunners of minor-calibre and anti-air guns respectively. There are two new commands for this: “Manual target designation for minor-calibre guns” and “Manual target designation for anti-air guns.” Set these commands to separate keys, aim the mouse at the desired target, and press the corresponding key.

Roll and capsizing mechanic

Ship hydrodynamics have been improved, and damage to the plating on one side of a ship can now cause the ship to roll. Ignoring damage control long enough can lead to roll becoming critical. Once a ship reaches critical roll it will flip over.

Shells with radio detonators

Shells with radio detonators have been added to the ammo loadout of the Fletcher destroyer’s main gun. These shells significantly increase the ship’s effectiveness against air targets.

Naval Pack Project 1124 MRLS	Naval Pack John F. Kennedy’s PT-109	Naval Pack S-204
34.99 BUY	44.99 BUY	39.99 BUY
This pack includes​: Project 1124 MRLS armored river boat (USSR); 1000 Golden Eagles; Naval battles closed beta access.	This pack includes​: PT-109 torpedo boat (USA); 1000 Golden Eagles; Naval battles closed beta access.	This pack includes​: The S-204 "Lang" Torpedo boat (Germany); 1000 Golden Eagles; Naval battles closed beta access.

In the special forum section, you can find out about the testing schedule and news.
You can also discuss future naval vessels with the developers. We hope to see you there!

The War Thunder Team