World of Tanks News

Attention Commanders!
Mark your calendars for the unveiling of Update 1.23.1 on January 10! This update brings you six brand-new Japanese heavies featuring double aiming mechanics and hydropneumatic suspension.

On top of that, brace yourselves for the return of the revamped Onslaught mode with the Season of the Crimson Pegasus, kicking off the day the update goes live. Finally, try out a pack of rebalanced low-tier vehicles in Random Battles, and get ready for the fourth Episode of Frontline, which will be released later. Let's dive in!

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[h2]Introducing Brand-New Japanese Heavies[/h2]
Six fresh Japanese heavy tanks stand prepared to dominate the battlefield! These versatile brawlers feature well-sloped armor and robust turrets. The higher-tier tanks in this branch come equipped with two gameplay-changing mechanics: double aiming (gun cooling) and hydropneumatic suspension.

Double aiming allows the gun to fire more accurately if you wait a little after the reload. The second aiming circle shows this improved accuracy, which starts working as the gun cools down. Opt for higher DPM with slightly compromised accuracy, or shoot less frequently with pinpoint precision.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/1407200/announcements/detail/3860212413465830923

[h2]Onslaught: Season Of The Crimson Pegasus[/h2]
Embark on the next chapter of your Onslaught journey with the Season of the Crimson Pegasus! Participate and make progress toward the Annual Reward, which includes an exclusive version of the Tier X Polish CS⁠-⁠63 medium tank. This special reward comes with a stunning 3D style and custom crew members, along with other enticing rewards.

• New maps: The fresh Season introduces three new maps—Oyster Bay, Studzianki, and Outpost—promising a new tactical experience.
  
• Cool items for bonds: The in-game Store, featuring exclusive items for bonds, is reopening its doors, so don't miss out!
  
• Three new combat modifiers: To elevate the thrill, the Season of the Crimson Pegasus will showcase three new modifiers (on top of the existing two), ensuring even more exciting battles ahead.
  

https://steamcommunity.com/games/1407200/announcements/detail/3860212413469413323

[h2]Revitalizing Vehicles: A Journey Across Tiers[/h2]
We shift our focus back to vehicle rebalancing, concentrating on 11 low-tier vehicles ranging from Tier II through Tier IV. The fine-tuning of their characteristics aims to improve accessibility and enhance the overall experience for newcomers embarking on their World of Tanks journey.

At the same time, experienced veterans can look forward to new gameplay hallmarks, enriching their experience. Roll out and enjoy!

Stay tuned for the upcoming updates—our focus will shift to rebalancing high-tier vehicles, too!

[h2]Prepare To Fight In Frontline Episode 4[/h2]
The next Frontline Episode is on the horizon, showcasing the dynamic battle scenarios system. In each battle, a randomly selected scenario from three Combat Reserves options will unfold, as follows:

• Standard Battle follows regular rules
  
• Operational Support accelerates Reserves recharge
  
• Twist of Fate offers a choice between two randomly selected Combat Reserves from a diverse pool
  

With all three scenarios randomly available during Episode 4, gear up for an electrifying gameplay experience!

Good luck, Commanders!

Commanders!

The Year of the Pegasus continues in Onslaught! This highly competitive, 7v7, Rank-based, arty-less mode has returned with the Season of the Crimson Pegasus. Expect thrilling gameplay and lucrative rewards! Also, there are some novelties.

From January 10 at 02:30 CET (UTC+1) through February 19 at 02:00 CET (UTC+1)

• The Onslaught Shop: with every new Rank, unlock a new tier of wares that can be purchased for bonds. High-Rank goods include rare vehicles such as the 114 SP2, the Kampfpanzer 50 t, and the Concept 1B.
  
• Additional Maps: Oyster Bay, Studzianki, and Outpost are in!
  
• More Onslaught-specific modifiers: extra accuracy for all; proximity spotting range halved and a different base time for being spotted.
  
• The Hurricane: this Season, you can reach the number of Pegasus Colors necessary to claim this tank with magnificent looks from Annual Rewards at the end of the Year.
  

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LEARN MORE

For 14 days from January 11 through January 25, become part of an elaborate scheme that involves five notorious characters from the iconic film Snatch, a set of memorable customization items, a load of other valuables, and a custom-modded Nomad (a copy of the Charioteer stats⁠-⁠wise), which any true tank connoisseur will appreciate.

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LEARN MORE

Commanders!

A new branch of six Japanese heavy tanks will enter the game in Update 1.23.1. It begins at Tier V with the Mitsu 108, a heavy, which you can research after the Chi-He, a Tier IV medium tank. The branch’s top three tanks feature a brand-new mechanic─double aiming (also known as gun cooling). On top of that, the top two also have hydropneumatic suspension. Let’s take a closer look at the vehicles from the branch!



[h2]Mitsu 108 (Tier V)[/h2]



Kicking off the new line is a full-fledged heavy that only weighs about half of the O-I Experimental, its counterpart from the Japanese superheavy branch. For its weight and size, the Mitsu 108 is pretty mobile, with a base top forward speed of 35 km/h. While its armor protection isn’t great, it has impressive armament (with a 105 mm top gun) and an excellent maximum gun depression angle of −10°.

[h2]Type 3 Ju-Nu (Tier VI)[/h2]



The Ju-Nu gives us a lot of hints about where this branch is headed. It keeps the mobility and strong gun depression angle of its predecessor. At the same time, it is less bulky and has a sturdier turret, and it compensates for its smaller damage per shot value with a significantly better DPM from its top 88 mm gun.

[h2]Type 4 Ju-To (Tier VII)[/h2]



The Ju-To is an incremental step in the same direction. Its powerful engine allows it to retain the mobility of the tanks before it in the branch while also having thicker turret armor. (And while its nominal hull armor is less than that of its “elder brother”, its effective armor values are better because of the angles at which the plates are sloped.) The basic formula of the branch—“a well-rounded and mobile heavy able to play hull-down”—is ready, and it’s about time for a special ingredient to be introduced.

[h2]Double Aiming (Gun Cooling) Mechanic[/h2]
The brand-new double aiming mechanic is based on an ingenious tank gun cooling system proposed in post-war Japan. Ventilators paired with heat-dissipating radiators would allow the barrel to cool off faster, mitigating the negative impact of thermal deformation and thus reducing gun dispersion.

In the game, double aiming works as follows. If you delay the shot after your gun has fully loaded, the gun dispersion will decrease. Once the mechanic activates, you will see a second, smaller circle inside your aiming circle.



Double aiming gives additional tactical flexibility to the Tier VIII–X vehicles in the new branch. Depending on the situation on the battlefield, you can engage in terrain-based play at close range while firing on cooldown, sacrifice part of your DPM and snipe enemies from afar, or opt for any in-between approach. The Type 63, a Premium “relative” of the new Japanese heavy branch, also possesses this mechanic.

[h2]Type 57 (Tier VIII)[/h2]



Even if you disregard the double aiming mechanic, the stats of the Type 57 are impressive. It has well-sloped hull armor, its turret armor is 300 mm thick at the front (yes, we are speaking nominal values), and its maximum gun depression angle is outstanding (−12°). Plus, suppressing the urge to shoot immediately can bring down the Type 57’s base gun dispersion from a not-so-great (but not terrible) 0.42 m at 100 m to an almost Leopard-like 0.28 m at 100 m.

[h2]Type 68 (Tier IX)[/h2]



Being a Tier IX vehicle, the Type 68 has better damage per shot, shell penetration, reload time, and specific power than its predecessor. Yet it plays very much in the same way. The main difference between the tanks is that the Type 68 achieves its −12° of maximum gun depression with the help of hydropneumatic suspension. The base value is −8°, and to bend its gun down to the fullest, the Type 68 needs to decrease its speed (like the STB-1).

[h2]Type 71 (Tier X)[/h2]



Sitting comfortably atop the branch (as it will atop a hill) is the Type 71. With a gun cooling system and hydropneumatic suspension, it’s a large 67-ton chunk of innovation with a tough turret and not-so-tough hull. The tank’s specific power (17.5 hp per ton) gives it enough mobility to reach favorable terrain folds in good time. Once in position, the suspension can activate automatically and crank the maximum gun depression level from −7° to −12°. The damage per shot (400 HP) and the base reload time (8.8 seconds) provide a nice foundation for some solid damage per minute. Alternatively, you can occupy a back slope far away from the enemy, forfeit DPM records, and snipe: when the gun cools down, the base dispersion is 0.28 m at 100 m.

Go up this new branch of tactically diverse machines and try them all out in battle, Commanders!

The countdown to the end of Holiday Ops begins, Commanders!

With the clock ticking down to January 8, 7:00 CET (UTC+1) when the curtains close on Holiday Ops 2024, we're here to help you get the most out of these last few days. Together with Vinnie Jones, we've prepared a special checklist to ensure you reap all the event benefits. Take the final week by the antlers and score cool rewards before it's a wrap!

[h2]1. Assignments and Missions From Vinnie: You Still Have Time to Finish Them![/h2]

[h3]Challenge Missions[/h3]
Don’t worry if you’re late to the party—all Missions From Vinnie Jones are cumulative and can be completed at the same time. Get Tech Tree vehicle discounts, Terminal Tokens, and unique Vinnie-inspired prizes, including the following:

• A special medal, cool decals, and inscriptions
  
• A stunning 2D style, In the Crosshairs, that features special Marks of Excellence
  
• Vinnie Jones himself as a tank Сommander with an exclusive voiceover
  

[h3]Assignments[/h3]
Complete Vinnie’s Assignments using Warm Amber and Meteoric Iron for even more rewards—decals, two additional 2D styles with unique Marks of Excellence: The Axe and Pain Threshold, and bonuses to credits and XP!



[h2]2. Reach Festive Atmosphere Level X to Grab All Available In-Game Rewards![/h2]
Ensure you reach Festive Atmosphere Level X to unlock all the valuable in-game rewards on offer in the event progression! You can get a brand-new festive 2D style with unique Marks of Excellence, Personal Reserves, special crew members, Crew Books, and much more.

[h2]3. You Can Still Increase Your Rewards With Chaffee’s Bundles![/h2]
When you reach Festive Atmosphere Level II, a familiar companion will appear in your Village—Chaffee the Dog!

Chaffee will give you Chaffee’s Sacks with in-game rewards for completing his simple daily missions, starting with one Sack per mission. You are guaranteed to receive up to three Sacks per day.

You can spend in-game currency to treat Chaffee to a Bundle of dog-friendly items and gain an extra Sack per mission in return.



[h2]4. Large Boxes: Last Chance to Get Cool Vehicles and 3D Styles![/h2]
At the end of the main event on January 8, 7:00 CET (UTC+1), the festive Garage will be disabled, so you will no longer be able to purchase Large Boxes. If you want to get exclusive vehicles, including two unique Tier IX Premium tanks listed below, now is your last chance to grab them!

• The Tiger-Maus: A Tier IX German superheavy with a rear turret, massive size, formidable protection, and a classic German gun—perfect for steamrolling opponents.
  
• The Object 752: A Tier IX Soviet heavy with an autoloader gun in an oscillating turret. Its small size and clever armor design improve its chances of surviving in the most heated battles.
  
• The Type 63 HT: A Tier VIII Japanese heavy with a new cooling mechanic that increases its accuracy and tactical versatility.
  
• The XM66F: A Tier VIII American assault tank destroyer with thick frontal turret armor and a powerful gun with a good maximum depression angle.
  

[h2]5. Redeem Missed Advent Calendar Presents![/h2]
If you missed a few of the daily Advent Calendar surprises, don't worry! You still have the chance to grab them until January 8, 7:00 CET (UTC+1). Simply spend 300 of any Holiday Ops resources to get each unclaimed Advent Calendar gift. Remember, these missed presents can only be opened sequentially, starting from the earliest to the latest.

If you open all the doors, you will receive the December 25 present —a vibrant 2D style—as a complimentary gift. Don't miss out on completing your festive collection!



[h2]After the Event[/h2]

• Unused credit discounts on researchable vehicles: Be sure to activate them before January 8, 2024; otherwise, they will disappear when the event ends.
  
• Unopened Large Boxes, Chaffee’s Sacks, and unspent Gift Terminal Tokens: Will be opened automatically at the end of the event, and their rewards will be credited to your account.
  
• Large Boxes sent as gifts but not accepted by their recipients: Will be returned to your account and opened automatically. To accept or reject Large Boxes that have been given to you as gifts, please log in to your account in the Premium Shop.
  
• Unspent Holiday Ops resources: Will disappear when the event ends.
  
• Chaffee’s items: Once the festive Holiday Ops Garage is disabled, Chaffee will leave with all the items you purchased for him (beds, collars, toys, and food), which will not be compensated.
  

Let the festive spirit live on a little longer, Commanders! Keep warm and enjoy your Holiday Ops bonuses!