World of Warships News

Submarines have come a long way: they were announced in the summer of 2019; went through three testing phases; lived as the Submarine Battles temporary mode on the main server; and then tested again on a separate server in October 2020.

During this time, we've gathered a lot of feedback and statistics. We used it to make some changes for a new beta test:

• Updated diving controls, torpedo settings, and sonar ping mechanics
  
• Added skills and upgrades
  
• Replaced the battery charge with dive capacity
  
• Made many other improvements

We invite you to participate in a new test stage and try not only Tier VI submarines but Tier X as well.

[h2]

How to Participate[/h2]
You can install the client right now. Your live server account details will be used to enter the test. All players are welcome to join the test.

[h3]Test client installation[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/4174225702959905780

1. Complete your Steam WoWS account — meaning you need to have a linked email-address and password. You can do it from inside the game or logging into https://wargaming.net/personal using Steam account.
   
2. Install Wargaming Game Center
3. Log into WGC using that email and password, also make sure to select correct server/region (EU/Asia/NA/CIS) from the dropdown menu.
   
4. In Wargaming Game Center, navigate to the World of Warships tab.
   
5. Open the "Game Settings" menu and select "Install additional game instance."
6. Select World of Warships TST in the upper-left corner of the screen that appears and start the installation process by selecting the installation folder.
   

[h2]

Testing Period and Conditions[/h2] Testing starts: Thu. 10 Jun. 15:00 CEST (UTC+2) Testing ends: Tue. 15 Jun. 22:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Prime Times: 13:00 to 20:00 UTC and 01:00 to 04:00 UTC

The server will be available during the Prime Time only. This way, we can get the maximum number of real players together at one time to reduce the number of bots in battles.

Only Random Battles will be available, playing Tier VI and X ships. If necessary, team lineups can be completed with bots. This will reduce the time spent in queues for battles if there aren't enough players on the server to match a real-players-only battle.

When testing starts, all Tier VI researchable ships and a container will be credited to your account that has a certain chance of dropping one random Tier VI submarine. If you don't receive a submarine, earn 4,000 Base XP to obtain two Tier VI submarines.
The Tier VI ships will be removed: Sat. 12 Jun. 15:00 CEST (UTC+2)

When the Tier VI ships are removed, all Tier X researchable ships and a container will be credited to your account that has a certain chance of dropping one random Tier X submarine. You're guaranteed to obtain Tier X submarines by completing a combat mission chain:

• Earn 4,000 Base XP.
  Reward: a container that has a certain chance of dropping one random Tier X submarine.
  
• Earn 4,000 Base XP.
  Reward: two Tier X submarines.

A combat mission is available for each ship type, except submarines: earn 8,000 base XP.
Reward: three special signals of each type on the live server. In total, you can receive up to 96 signals.

Only Russian and English languages are available on the test server.

[h2]

Changes Since Autumn of 2020[/h2]
In the previous test stages, submarines had a gameplay similar to that of torpedo destroyers. To create a unique gameplay for a new unit type, we've changed the main objective of submarines. Now, the underwater hunters will spend a significant portion of battle fighting against ship types that are equipped to oppose them—destroyers and cruisers.

Below, you can find a list of changes that might interest you if you followed the submarine development or participated in previous tests. Read on to learn how to play submarines and how to oppose them!

[h3][h3]Major Changes[/h3][/h3]
[h3]Dive Capacity[/h3]
Submarines are very complex machines in real life. When adding them to World of Warships, we consider the fact that they are limited in their actions under water. To better reflect this in the game, we’ve introduced a parameter that takes different systems and resources of a submarine into account—dive capacity. It will replace the battery charge.

The dive capacity has a limited action time—approximately 10 minutes per battle depending on the nation and tier of submarine. This parameter doesn't get restored in battle. An average battle lasts around 15 minutes. If a submarine is active under water, it will have to surface by the end of a battle. If a submarine is discovered under water or at the periscope level, its dive capacity runs out more quickly. This way, ships equipped with Hydroacoustic Search or Surveillance Radar can impact submarine operations without even damaging them.

This change will give other ships the ability to counter submarines even without anti-submarine weapons.

[h3]Depth, concealment, and viewing controls[/h3]
We've combined several mechanics that we had tested before. Now, the submergence depth is not specified in meters, but can be selected from several levels using C and F keys. Apart from that, we've brought back the periscope depth. It allows you to move stealthily at the standard speed but depletes the dive capacity. Moreover, you no longer need consumables to dive to the maximum depth.

A submarine's Detectability Range decreases as she dives deeper in a linear fashion. This will help us avoid situations when a sub dives and instantly disappears from the enemy's viewing range.

It became easier and more convenient to control diving and surfacing, while different submergence levels will have different effects on gameplay.

[h3]Torpedoes and sonar pings[/h3]
Submarines' weapons will become more effective against maneuverable targets and less effective against ships with powerful anti-torpedo defenses:

• Torpedoes now deal less damage but have an increased chance of critically damaging modules.
  
• Torpedoes don't ignore anti-torpedo defenses when the effect of two sonar pings is active.
  
• Launching a sonar ping became more convenient and obvious. When aiming a sonar ping, the camera follows the target automatically, just like in the firing mode.
  
• Emitting sonar pings increases a submarine's visibility.
  
• Torpedo aiming at the targets highlighted by sonar pings has been improved.
  
• Now, sonar pings highlight both sides of the ship they hit, and torpedoes continue to follow the target even if it turns the side on which the pings landed away.
  
• The captain of the ship highlighted by a sonar ping sees the direction from which a submarine attacks them, similar to the Radio Location skill.
  
• Damage Control Party removes the sonar ping effect.

[h3]Hydrophone[/h3]
Surface ships now have new ways of affecting submarine operations due to their limited dive capacity that starts to deplete more quickly once they are discovered under water. For this reason, we have removed the Hydrophone from the game.

[h3]Other Changes[/h3]

• We've added upgrades, Commander skills, and new consumables for submarines. You can view them in the game client. When submarines are added to the main server, you'll be able to reset Commander skills for free.
  
• A part of existing skills for destroyers, cruisers, and battleships will receive additional effects to counter submarines.
  
• Submarines' secondary batteries fire semi-armor-piercing shells.
  
• We've updated ribbons, achievements, mission requirements, upgrades and consumables functioning, and settings for maps and modes.
  
• We've updated the underwater world for most maps—the seabed relief and underwater parts of islands. This will help you to take your bearings in battle better.
  
• We've also fixed many errors, enhanced the game client stability, updated effects, and made a multitude of other technical improvements.

[h2]

Playing Submarines[/h2]
Submarines are fragile and cautious hunters. Their diving depth affects their detectability, viewing range, and interaction possibilities with other submarines and ships. Maneuver, change your diving depth, hide from your enemies, and surprise them with stealth attacks.

Submarines have a small HP pool, so stick to the flanks and attack your opponents while submerged. Change position often, try to enlist the support of your teammates, and dive deeper in of immediate danger.

The main targets for submarines at the beginning and middle of a battle are cruisers and destroyers. These ship types keep submarines in check and keep them from breaking through to sluggish battleships.

[h3]Submarine Controls[/h3]

• The W, A, S, and D keys control horizontal movement.
  
• Press F to ascend.
  
• Press C to dive.
  
• 1—sonar pings.
  
• 2—torpedoes.
  
• T—a consumable that emits a wave from the underwater hydrophone. It highlights the underwater topography and displays ships, including those that are located beyond the underwater visibility distance.

[h3]Surfaced and Submerged Submarines[/h3]
Submarines have four submergence levels: surface, periscope depth, operating depth, and maximum depth.

The time that submarines can spend under water per battle is limited by their dive capacity. It can last up to 10 minutes depending on the submarine. If a submarine is discovered at the periscope depth or under water, the dive capacity is consumed more quickly.

When you run out of dive capacity, a submarine will have to surface and won't be able to dive until the end of this battle.

Shells, ship and aerial torpedoes, bombs, and rockets are dangerous for submarines that are on the surface or at the periscope depth.

The deeper submarines dive, the lower their detectability is. Moreover, submerged submarines have lower speed and enemy ships are less visible to them.

Each submergence level needs to be used in a specific situation, considering its penalties and bonuses.

• The surface level is the riskiest, but you don't spend any dive capacity at it. Capturing Key Areas is only possible in this position.
  
• At the periscope depth, submarines can move at the full speed and become less visible. Descend to this level to assume an attack position quickly and without being noticed.
  
• At the operating depth, submarines have much lower visibility, but the enemy ships are also harder to detect. This position is the best to attack a target that you have already discovered.
  
• In case of immediate danger, dive to the maximum depth—your submarine can't be detected by other ships. This comes at a price—at this level your sub can detect only other submarines at operating and maximum depth that are within your guaranteed acquisition radius.

[h3]Acoustic Homing Torpedoes[/h3]
The main armament carried by submarines is acoustic homing torpedoes. The sonar pings mechanic will help you increase the potential effectiveness of your torpedo salvos. By hitting an enemy ship with a sonar ping you activate acoustic homing on this ship. Torpedoes can ascend from the depths and hit an enemy only with the help of an active effect from a sonar ping.

• You can launch torpedoes and sonar pings from any depth. When under water, you can launch sonar pings in any direction—even at targets above or below your submarines.
  
• Aim for an enemy ship, take a lead on the target, and click the left mouse button.
  
• Sonar pings travel much faster at the operating depth. This helps you hit maneuverable targets.
  
• Upon hitting a target, part of the hull will be highlighted. The size of the highlighted part depends on the ping's width. Torpedoes will home in on it. The pinged part of the target ship will also be highlighted for the player controlling that ship. Moreover, they will see an indicator showing the approximate direction, from which the ping was launched.
  
• A repeat hit to the highlighted part of the hull will make your torpedoes ascend to the optimum depth and deal more damage.
  
• The effect of a successful ping hit remains active for up to 35 seconds, depending on the exact submarine. Hitting the highlighted part of a ship with another sonar ping will reset its action time.
  
• If a sonar ping hits part of a ship that isn't highlighted, the spot from the previous sonar ping will relocate to the new area and the active effect will continue working. The effect timer won't be updated if the target was under the effect of two sonar ping hits at the same area.

If you attack a ship from afar, keep emitting sonar pings to maintain their effect while your torpedoes are traveling to their target. Remember that guiding your torpedo to its target with the help of sonar pings doesn't guarantee a hit.

• They lose speed when turning and can’t catch up to a ship that's actively maneuvering.
  
• The target knows the approximate direction from which torpedoes approach it.
  
• Upon approaching the target to a certain distance, torpedo homing gets disabled, and it will travel straight ahead. If the enemy changes speed or course during this time, your torpedo might miss it.

Launching a sonar ping makes your submarine more visible, consider it if the enemy is nearby.

[h2]

Playing Against Submarines[/h2]
Many destroyers and some light cruisers carry depth charges that are capable to hit submarines lurking in the depth. Approach the approximate location of the submarine and release your depth charges using the G key.



Some battleships and heavy cruisers can call anti-submarine defense aircraft. You can choose that armament type by pressing 4. The camera rises and the reticle allows you to select an area within a 10 km radius from the ship. Aircraft will arrive and drop depth charges in this area shortly after selecting it.



In addition to depth charges and anti-submarine defense aircraft, high-explosive shells, Surveillance Radar and Hydroacoustic Search will come in handy when fighting against submarines.

• A submarine on the surface can be hit with shells, ship- and airborne torpedoes, bombs, and rockets, as well as by ramming.
  
• High-explosive shells are the most effective shell type to deploy against submarines. They can inflict damage to a submarine even when they don't directly strike one. Falling in a sub's vicinity is enough, thanks to the shell's fragmentation damage area.
  
• Depth charges and anti-submarine defense aircraft have several charges that are restored in sequence. This armament can be activated several times in a row.
  
• If your ship is hit by sonar ping, the hit part will be highlighted and an indicator will show the direction from which it was launched. This will help you define the location of the submarine that attacks you. Change course constantly to make it more difficult for the enemy to hit you.

• If you're hit by a sonar ping, you can remove its effect by using the Damage Control Party consumable.
  
• Submarine torpedoes have a high probability of damaging ship modules—keep your Damage Control Party at hand.
  
• Surveillance Radar detects submarines at the periscope depth; Hydroacoustic Search detects them at the maximum depth. Detection will increase the rate at which the submarine depletes its dive capacity.
  
• A submarine can spend only a limited time under water in a battle—it will have to surface sooner or later. If you can detect a submerged submarine, it will consume its dive capacity faster.

Take part in the test and evaluate the submarine improvements for yourself!

The first hybrid ship—Ise—has dropped anchor in World of Warships. Prepare for a unique hybrid naval warfare experience!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2507093708
[h2]History[/h2]
Ise, the lead ship of her series, was ordered as part of a planned replenishment program for the Japanese Navy under the 1914–1915 budget. It was originally planned for Ise and Hyūga—the latter being the second battleship of this class—to become the third and the fourth Fusō-class battleships. However, their project was reworked and they formed their own separate class. The placement of their central turrets was changed, secondary battery guns with a higher rate of fire were mounted, and their armor protection was also improved.

In November 1916, Ise was launched, and on December 15, 1917 she was equipped. After Ise was put into operation, she became the flagship of the 1st Battleship Division. She received various improvements during her service, and between 1934 and 1937, both ships were modernized. This significantly increased their speed.

In June 1942, Ise, together with other Japanese battleships, took part in the Battle of Midway. After losing four aircraft carriers in that battle, the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff planned to convert both Ise-class battleships into aircraft carriers. However, full refurbishment would have taken a great deal of time and money. For this reason, the battleship was only partially rebuilt—her aft superstructures were removed and replaced by flight decks. Ise underwent reconstruction from February 23 to October 8, 1943.

In late October 1944, Ise participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Later, Ise and Hyūga were tasked with transporting fuel, rubber, tin, and other materials to Japan. During an American air raid on Kure in 1945, Ise was sunk. A year later, she was raised from the bottom and scrapped.

[h2]Modeling the Ship[/h2]
VI Ise is the first hybrid ship that combines the traits of both the battleship and aircraft carrier ship types. She can attack her enemies both with artillery fire and from the air with the aid of her torpedo bombers.



Main battery: eight 356 mm/45 41st Year Type guns in twin turrets



Dual-purpose battery: sixteen 127 mm/40 Type 89 guns in Model A1 mounts



AA defenses: 93 25 mm/60 Type 96 anti-aircraft guns in triple mounts, 11 similar guns in single mounts, 180 120 mm AA Rocket anti-aircraft guns

[h2]Upgrades[/h2]

• Main Armaments Modification 1
  
• Damage Control System Modification 1
  
• Aiming Systems Modification 1
  
• Damage Control System Modification 2

[h2]Key Features[/h2]

• Eight long-range 356 mm guns
  
• Torpedo bomber squadron with excellent durability
  
• Good armor and a decent HP pool
  
• She earns more Credits per battle, while her permanent camouflage adds a 50% XP bonus per battle and reduces the cost of the ship's post-battle service by 10%

[h2]Armory and Premium Shop[/h2]
The Armory and Premium Shop are offering a traditional Admiral Pack, as part of which you’ll get VI Ise with a Port slot, Commander with 10 skill points, a stock of expendable camouflages, Credits, and signals, as well as a commemorative flag and a special combat mission that grants +200% XP per battle.
The bundles will be available for purchase until: Fri. 18 Jun. 07:00 CEST (UTC+2)

If deemed necessary, balance changes may be applied to VI Ise.

Greetings, Commanders!
Our collaboration with Warhammer 40k is still going strong! To celebrate this epic event, we're holding a special giveaway. Don't miss this perfect opportunity to get our Warhammer 40K DLC and loads more!

1. Customize your Steam profile with one of our new World of Warships profile background from the Steam Points Shop. Then leave it in place and don't change it until June 17!
   
2. Leave a comment starting with #chaos if you're for Chaos, or with #imperium if you're for The Imperium. This will help us identify you as an event participant!
   
3. After changing your profile background, complete our special combat mission (earn 40K XP playing Tier V–X ships in Random, Co-op, and Ranked Battles, as well as in Operations) to get an instant reward! This combat mission will be available from June 10 till June 15.

• All participants are guaranteed to get prizes for using our Steam Point Shop items on their profiles—2x Primordial Annihilator camouflages or 2x Protector of the Faith camouflages (depending on the hashtag written in the comments section).
  
• All participants will get an instant reward for completing the special combat mission—1x "Warhammer 40,000 — Chaos" container or 1x "Warhammer 40,000 — Imperium" container (depending on the hashtag written in the comments section).
  
• Five lucky random winners will get super prizes—Warhammer 40K DLC worth 14,200 Doubloons!

• The random winners will be picked from the pool of participating unique users. Only one comment per user will be taken into consideration.
  
• Your profile must be public so we can check that you have met the event requirements.
  
• If you don't write #chaos or #imperium clearly in your comment, you won't be able to participate in the event.
  
• Any comments that lack the required information or break the discussion rules may be deleted or excluded.
  
• The comment thread will be locked on June 10. The results will be announced in this thread on June 17. Prizes will be awarded within a week.

 

We wish you good luck and following seas!


🎉Congratulations to the winners of our Community Giveaway:🎉

1. nixiaochenitunes - World of Warships — Ignis Purgatio
   
2. Fantasy_Zero - World of Warships — Ignis Purgatio
   
3. OM Dim - World of Warships — Ignis Purgatio
   
4. 小咸鱼 - World of Warships — Ragnarok
   
5. 今天算你走运 - World of Warships — Ragnarok
   

You will be sent a Steam Key for DLC as a prize. (To activate it, launch the Steam client, click the Games Menu. Choose Activate a Product on Steam. Follow the onscreen instructions.)

Thank you to everyone who took part, we really appreciate your support!

[h2]

Main Features[/h2]
Update 0.10.1 brings updated Brawls! They are now a separate battle type with short seasons and a smaller team format—expect the battles to be more dynamic and fast-paced compared to other battle types! You can participate either in a Division or solo, and you don't need to be a member of a Clan. Team up with friends to win more battles!

• Each Brawl runs for only a few days. This battle type isn't available during low-activity periods.
  
• You'll be able to complete a special combat mission chain—win battles to earn Credits, Coal, and other rewards!
  
• Your allies are picked at random if you don't enter the queue in a Division. Matchmaking takes your ship type into account.
  
• The ship-type compositions of each team won't necessarily mirror each other.
  
• For each new battle, you won't be matched with any opponents who you fought against in your last several battles.
  
• Bonuses for the first win of the day are not available in Brawls.

[h2]

Rules[/h2] Start: Mon. 07 Jun. 10:00 CEST (UTC+2) End: Mon. 14 Jun. 03:00 CEST (UTC+2)

You can take part in the Brawl only during the time period specified for your server.

[h3]Format[/h3]
5 vs. 5, playing Tier X ships of any type.

Ship restrictions per team:

• A maximum of one aircraft carrier.
  
• Up to two battleships. If the team has one aircraft carrier, there can be no more than one battleship in the same team.
  
• Up to two cruisers.
  
• Up to two destroyers.

[h3]Game maps and modes[/h3]
New Dawn, Trident, Warrior’s Path, Shards, and Crash Zone Alpha; Domination mode.

[expand] [/expand]
[h2]

Rewards[/h2]
You can earn up to 2,250,000 Credits; 80,000 Elite Commander XP; 10,000 Coal; and 4x signals of each type, except for special ones.

Captains, welcome to the Public Test of Update 0.10.5!

The Grand Battle event, disabled allied damage, and other new features await you! Take a look at the Developer Bulletin, and welcome to the Test!
https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/2998814003930790672


[h2]Round 2 Schedule[/h2] Starts: Thu. 03 Jun. 18:30 CEST (UTC+2) Ends: Tue. 08 Jun. 07:30 CEST (UTC+2)

Сommanders, thank you for participating in the Public Test for Update 0.10.5! Your feedback helps us to improve the version and to fix errors. Check out the changelog and join the second session of the Public Test!

[h3]Changelog[/h3]

• The chance of fire occurrence on Satsuma and Hannover was reduced.
  
• The sound of Satsuma's main battery firing became the same as that of Shikishima.
  
• Balance changes to several ships were made.
  
• Fixed a bug because of which the button "Video about the event" on the screen with the information about the Grand Battle was not working.
  
• Fixed several other bugs.

[h2]Special Features of the Test[/h2]

The rewards for activities on the Public Test Server may differ from those on the Live Server.

[h3][h3]Additional details[/h3][/h3]

• When playing on the Public Test server via the WGC, any due Public Test rewards will be credited only to the corresponding WGC account.
  
• When playing on the Public Test server on Steam, any due Public Test rewards will be credited only to the corresponding Steam account.

You'll receive all the starting bonuses when you first log in to the Public Test server using your main account details. All separate Public Test accounts will be deleted and unavailable for use.

[h2]Combat Missions and Rewards[/h2]

One Wargaming container provides 1 day of Warships Premium Account.

[h2]Starting Bonuses[/h2]

• The research prices for ships and ship modules will be substantially discounted.
  
• Players will be able to reset Commander skills free of charge.

If you're joining the Public Test for the first time since Update 0.10.2, you'll be awarded the following additional bonuses for your PT account:

• All researchable Tier VI and VIII ships, helmed by Commanders with 19 skill points.
  
• 500,000,000 Credits; 30,000 Doubloons; and 90 days of Warships Premium Account.
  
• 50 signal flags of all types (except special signals).

[h2]How to Join[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/2716184589232191867