End of PTE v.1 and Update Preview

Steam post imageWe would like to thank everyone who participated in the first public test. According to our statistics, since the branch launched on April 22, more than 50k unique players have joined the test. Throughout both the closed and open phases of the PTE, we evaluated a large number of gameplay changes and design approaches, many of which proved successful and will make their way into the main version of the game.

With that in mind, we have decided to conclude the current testing iteration — access to the branch will be revoked on June 26.

That said, the PTE is far from over. Once a new batch of changes is ready, we will prepare another testing iteration. For now, our focus shifts to finalizing the upcoming update for the main version of the game, for which the following set of changes has already been approved:

GROUND UNITS

To begin with, a new Airborne Recce unit will be added to the game, as well as a new loadout for VDV DSh equipped with thermobaric rounds for RPG-7V2. Units from the Baltic Battalion specialization will also receive several buffs. In addition, various balance adjustments and new capabilities will affect a range of other combat vehicles:

• Increased base DMG of tank shells.

• Availability limits expanded for the T−72 family.

• Pricing adjustments for a wide range of AFVs, IFVs, and APCs.

• New "Sneak" ability for reconnaissance vehicles and ATGM carriers.

⠀ →⠀Provides additional stealth at the cost of movement speed.

AIRTAB & AA

Several SAMs have received range adjustments to give fighters more room to manoeuvre without strengthening bombers. Overkill logic has also been improved, and vertical launch mechanics have been refined. Aviation will see a number of changes of its own:

• Aircraft will be able to engage ground targets with rockets and AGMs without requiring a Strafing Run order.

• Resurrection and refund timers have been revised, particularly for strike aircraft, which will generally see longer cooldowns.

INF COMBAT & LOGISTICS

Penalties from Shock and Panic states are being adjusted, alongside a new mechanic that transfers stress from transports to infantry, including full stress when auto−dismounting from a destroyed vehicle. At the same time, infantry micro will become more convenient thanks to:

• An option to resupply units without unloading them from their transport.

• New ability for some vehicles to rearm infantry without using supply dumps.

• Infantry transported in helicopters can now survive low−altitude crashes, albeit with heavy casualties.

• Numerous fixes to order logic and interactions between infantry, transports, and supplies.

ARTILLERY

Finally, artillery will receive increased refund cooldowns and longer ammunition resupply times, alongside adjustments to several munition types:

• AoE of cluster munitions has been increased for howitzers.

• Smoke screen duration for mortars has been restored to 60 seconds.

In addition to the changes listed above, the update will include bug fixes and several QoL features, including cooldown timers and DPS values in unit cards. As a final reminder, this is only a brief overview of the most notable changes. The full patch notes will be published on the day Update 1.1.0.3 goes live on July 2.

We'll see you again very soon, Commanders! — Steel Balalaika Studio