SerB's Q&A on Tier 10 TDs and Mediums (from the past 24 hours) - Gameplay Discussion

ZverMohnatyj Jun 12 2012

From the RU forum Q&A thread. [Ironically, I first saw the Q&A, then went to the website to figure out what's going on. I must say, my prior predictions - for the past three months, in one case!! - that Object 268 and 1.7cm JagdE-100 will get in as Tier 10 TDs has been vindicated...]

For those who live under the proverbial rock:

http://worldoftanks....-tds-announced/

Anyway - on to the Q&A! [Interested parties will find some very interesting nuggets of information, for example on the Leopard 1. I will add additional questions as they are posted on the RU forums, though probably not "in real time" as I do have to work for a living.]

In chronological order (questions in bold, answers in italics, my comments, where necessary, in [brackets]; some questions were abbreviated):

Spoiler

Tier 10 mediums and TDs will be implemented in stages or all/most in the same patch?

All at once. In patch 0.7.5.

Can you give us the approximate timing for introducing the T-62A and raising the Bat-Chat to Tier 10? Maybe by the time you get physics done?

In Patch 0.7.5, before physics and the new render.

If I understand it, the Germans will have two visually almost identical mediums?

Just like the Soviets and the Americans.

How much XP will we need for the T-62A? Less than 200,000?

Subject to testing.

Will you nerf Tier 9 mediums after introducing Tier 10 mediums? I seem to recall a statement from a while ago that the current Tier 9s are really Tier 9.5s.

We'll see. If it becomes necessary.

For the longest time you've nixed the idea of Tier 10 meds, and here we are. What made you change your minds?

We never nixed anything. We nixed the idea of seeing them in the near future - and after that, simply stopped commenting.

How will the E50 Ausf. M be different from E50? Just the gun?

[A player answers.]
This modification will have a rear-mounted transmission.

[SerB follows up.]
Precisely. Note the turret is shifted forward.

After introducing Tier 10 TDs and mediums, will the prior tier tanks be rebalanced (just as was the case when Tier 8 SPGs were introduced)?

If it becomes necessary.

Why aren't the Germans getting the Leo-1? It would have looked better at Tier 10 than the same E-50 but with parameters stretched out even further, IMO.

We'll give you your cardboard dream tank, don't you worry.
But later.

Question on the T-62A. Everything is still preliminary...[skipped]...and I get that the 115mm is a smoothbore, but can the parameters be stretched so that you can mount it on the tank?

No. We categorically do not want to introduce smoothbores into the game.

Are these [top gun, turret pushed forward] the only changes to the E50?

No, the transmission is pushed to the rear of the tank too!
People here cried to us that it's such a big advantage, such a big advantage - well, here you are then.

What about the ammunition? Are there plans to give top-tier mediums shells with higher penetration than for Tier 9s?

The shells will be different. We'll see which ones after testing.

The front of the serial T-62A is 100mm...so the Tier 9 will have a thicker front than the Tier 10, and you'll balance this without giving it the 115mm?

Yes, the front will be 100mm. Nevertheless - we'll balance it.

Will the AMX 13 series get new guns or just the Bat?

The 12t will get the Panther gun, just like it was supposed to be.
The higher AMX 13 will get the short 105.

If you put in the second German TD line, will the Germans have two Tier 10 TDs in the future?

Up to 4. If we can manage it.
[SerB has previously stated that they have enough materials for potentially 4 German TD branches.]

[Storm - a.k.a. the good cop - jumps into the thread.]

After introducing Tier 10 mediums and TDs, will the prior tier tanks be rebalanced (as was the case when Tier 8 SPGs were introduced)?

Yes. Most Tier 9 and 10 vehicles will be rebalanced.

So this [E-50] modification is distinguished by its rear-mounted transmission?

Yes. The tank was stretched a little and the turret shifted forward. This allowed the transmission to fit into the rear of the tank.

[Back to SerB - a.k.a. the bad cop.]

Since you're introducing the new Tier 10s, will the Japanese get Type 74 or something like it?

One of the Type 74 prototypes made in 1964.

Will XP requirements for Tier 10 mediums/TDs be similar to Tier 10 heavies, i.e. 200k+ XP?

No comment for now. Testing will show.

So since the next patch will be Tier 10 mediums/TDs, the 2nd German TD line is being pushed back?

Yes.

What patch will the British tanks be in?

Probably 0.8.x.

[Felt appropriate to include here.]

[Back on the E-50 Ausf. M changes]...and a new gun, too...what about armor? Mobility? An 1,800 HP engine - I can dream, right?

Gun is the same.
Armor is the same.
Engine is the same.
But the transmission is rear-mounted, and that's a huge advantage!!!1111 [sic]

Will Tier 10 medium penetration stats be "stretched out"? The T-62A gun - D-54 - with 219mm of penetration doesn't look very good at Tier 10.

There will be no stretching. But there will be surprises. If you read the previous answers, you might figure out what specific surprises. [I'm guessing it's new shells.]

The M68 [on the Patton III] is a gun on a completely different plane. So give us the U-5TS [smoothbore], it was made specifically to beat the M68...

We won't make the U-5TS, but we are ready to give the tank an adequate counterpart to the M68.

Since you're introducing Tier 10 mediums and TDs, will we ever see SPGs above Tier 8?

There are no plans for SPGs more brutal than the current Tier 8 for the moment.

The T-54 is losing the D-54 for something less powerful, and the T-62 gets a more powerful D-54?

The T-54 will not lose the D-54. The new gun will be in addition. [SerB previously said - to make the T-54 eligible for the "historical battles" mode.]

The T-62A gun will have a different index.

So the British Tier 10 medium will be the third, late modification of the Centurion? Or something else? And I won't even ask about TDs, since you haven't disclosed anything about those...

Most likely the "demi-Chieftain" FV4202 as the medium; as for the TD, we've talked about this - the FV215b or Conway 183mm.

[Many, many questions about Object 907.

[SerB's many, many answers - WG wants the tree branch to be logical, i.e. predecessor machine to successor machine instead of jumping around from design to design. The T-62A is the successor to the T-54, so it goes into that tree branch. For the Object 907 branch, the Tier 8 predecessor is "missing", or, rather, the one option they've dug up in the archives thus far is not something they want to implement, so for now that branch is shelved.]

[Secondary answer.] By the way, that's why we're not introducing the Leopard-1 now, it "came from" an entirely different tank [than the E-50 Ausf. M].

What's the armor penetration on the Soviet Tier 10 TD in real life? Couldn't find the answer anywhere, based on muzzle velocity the gun is worse than the BL-10.

Depends on what shells it fires.

Will the JagdE-100 17cm be another HE "shotgun" or will it have AP rounds?

Can't say at the moment - testing will show.

Will the E-50M have stronger armor compared to the E-50? And maybe the same machinations with the engines as when the Panther II was replaced? So we get something in the same package but more hardcore?

Armor will not be strengthened. See above for engines and guns.
Look for machinations in other places.

[On U.S. Tier 10 TDs] Looks like the T7 gun is shortened. Is it just my imagination or a different gun model?

Exactly the same gun.

I mean, the U-5TS was an equal competitor to the L7 and M68. Why so principled, you're going to balance the tank anyway?

Because a smoothbore signifies the next generation of tanks.
We've decided to stop at roughly this "red line".

Will the Tier 10 TDs and mediums have researchable modules?

M48 and Batchat - 100%. The others - testing will show.

Will Tier 10 heavies be rebalanced - for example, HP increased?

Testing will show.

Will maps be increased in size with the introduction of Tier 10 mediums?

No.

[Question on the "predecessor-successor-accurate" line that will culminate in the Leopard-1.]

The predecessor for the Leo-1 was the "Indien-Panzer" worked on by Porsche together with Daimler-Benz, so you can figure out where that tree branch will originate from.

If the Leo-1 is introduced, will it be before or after the Brits?

Most probably after.

Will the E-50M have its weight reduced?

Yes, by single-digit tons.

The Object 268's M64 gun will fire sub-caliber shells - for silver - or AP rounds, whose muzzle velocity was only 720-750 m/s, which is lower than on the BL-10?

Most probably sub-caliber.

Since this isn't a heavy, then the only variant for the Leo-1 tree branch is: VK DB at Tier 7 =&--#62; Tank X at Tier 8 =&--#62; Indien Panzer 1954 at Tier 9 =&--#62; Leopard 1 at Tier 10. Am I right?

Almost. Just that Indien can't really be pushed past Tier 8. Whereas Leo-1 did have prototypes...

[Long question about AMX-13-75 gun at Tier 7.]

Probably won't give it the 75mm L100, but we'll think of something.

Will JagdPz E-100 have mobility and armor of roughtly the E-100? Especially the lower front plate...

Mobility will, of course, be poor.
Armor as on the historical E-100 and JagdTiger.

Why not just create the AMX-13-105 at Tier 8 and leave the 13-75 and 13-90 where they are? Or is it bad to have three idential tanks at three consecutive tiers?

Because we'll probably give the 105 to the existing 13-90.

So the [JagdE-100] wunderwaffle - JagdTiger superstructure, E-100 hull?

Basically as it was in the book. Right this second don't remember if it's in Jentz or Spielberger. Probably Spielberger. [Not sure of English spelling of the name.]

So top speed above 20 kph is unrealistic? Turn rate 19-20 degrees/sec? Will the gun be indexed 17 cm PaK 45 L50?

We'll see. Including as far as the gun index.

Is the E-50M more than completely made up?

Less.

So the AMX 13-90 - 13-105? - will become a Tier 8 LIGHT TANK?

Yes.

Will the AMX 50 Foch 155 be the only TD with a drum?

The only one at the moment.

Will the French Tier 5 light be completely analagous to the 12t but without the drum?

Not completely. We'll tell you in due course.

What will be Tier 10 medium HP, 2,000 or more? How will you implement the drum-fed 155mm on the 50 Foch 155? Why are all the new U.S. Tier 10 TDs based on the T110, is it just a coincidence or your own imagination at work?

1. As many HP as is necessary.
2. As usual.
3. It's Chrysler's imagination. He had a fertile mind.

Will there be other versions of the ELC since you're introducing the ELC AMX? What are the planned second Tier 10 TDs for the Germans and the Soviets?

No new ELCs for now. We'll announce the other Tier 10 TDs at a later date.

What will be the front superstructure thickness for the JagdE-100?

Per the sources, 250mm. Whether this constitutes a "hole" is up to you.

Will Tier 10 mediums get 16 armor groups right off the bat?

Yes. But just to remind you, 16 armor groups doesn't mean twice as heavily armored as 8. Quite the opposite, we get the ability to designate weak spots that we couldn't have covered with 8 armor groups.

Why is the new E-50 named Ausf. M and not Ausf. B?

We liked this version better.

Dear SerB - were you serious when you wrote that ultimately you'll replace the Maus with the Leo-1?

Serious like an animal.

Is the Leo prototype you mention [likely Tier 9 tank leading to Leo-1] the Leopard-Panzer Prototyp Daimler Benz Deutschland 1959/60?

It's not the only prototype, there were at least two of them. But this is the one that fits into the Daimler branch.

Will the patch come out in June-July? [I think the meaning is for the patch with the new Tier 10s.]

More likely July.

Do you have Tier 10 TD candidates for the second German and Soviet branches?

Yes, but as stated above, we are not revealing them at this time.

Might we hope that in place of the transmission, the front of the new German Tier 10 medium will be filled with fuel tanks and ammo crates? So that they'd know our pain, so to speak! [Clearly this comes from a Soviet medium tank driver...

You may hope. Hopes are not guaranteed to become reality.

Will the rebalancing of the E-100 heavy include the penetration stat on its gun?

You mean lowering it? Well, we didn't really want to do it, I mean, we had actually raised it to balance the tank, but if you really want us to...

Why are the Soviets getting the T-62A and not the T-55, which was a more direct descendant of the T-54?

Because the T-55 doesn't really outperform the T-54 very much.

Could you give the "Germanophiles" the Ladungsleger I?

No.

[Long question on the K18 - as in "please please please make this a good gun".]

The gun will be ok.

Will the E-50 and E-50M hulls be identical? [Question concerning the angle of the lower hull plate.]?

Approximately identical.

So all the French tanks being moved up a tier will get a new gun?

Not a fact. For example, the Lorraine will probably just have its existing 100mm improved.

And this completes my community service for the night...I'll check whether any new responses have been posted tomorrow evening.

-----

UPDATE. Here is the batch of Q&A on the subject posted over the past 24 hours:

Spoiler

[Veider answers the first two questions.]

Is it worth grinding out the Patton 3? Will it retain the advantages of the current Patton - view range, DPM, gun depression?

Of course it's worth it. Advantages will be retained.

How many rounds will fit inside the autoloader drum on the new German Tier 10 TD on the E-100 chassis?

Zero.

[SerB returns...]

[A separate question got lost in the nightly "thread shuffle" - basically, SerB said that the profitability of the current Tier 9 TDs and mediums will probably not be increased after Tier 10 machines are introduced.]

[And now, the questions that I could track down.]

You've stated that Tier 10 mediums and TDs might get sub-caliber rounds for silver, but with a high cost. Then you wrote that the profitability of these tanks will be made similar to that of Tier 10 heavies. But Tier 10 heavies don't have high-cost silver rounds. Please tell me that we won't have to switch to HE just to stay in the green on the new tanks!

Depends on skill. Some will have to. We can't guarantee anything.

[Three questions on AMX 50 Foch 155] 1. So this will be a new Tier 10 vehicle that's basically analagous to the AMX 50 Foch at Tier 9 but with spaced armor and a drum-fed 155mm gun? 2. Will there be any other changes from the Tier 9 AMX 50 Foch? Maybe increased thickness of the upper or lower front hull plates? 3. From cocktail napkin of the "Fall of Bastille" diner did you get the plans for the AMX 50 Foch 155 with spaced armor and 155mm gun? Is this a real design from AMX, or yet another fantasy along the lines of "bigger, thicker and three times in a row"?

1. New.
2. No, so far as I know.
3. From a napking found at Saumur. But not actual plans, rather, a text describing work on this design.

[Saumur is the French equivalent of the Bovington tank museum, more or less...]

If you look at the Soviet and German TD tree branches, it turns out the "core competency" of the Soviet machines is alpha strike, while the Germans win out on accuracy and DPM. Object 268 will get the 152mm M64 while the JagdPz E-100 - the 17cm PaK 45. So the "core competencies" will flip around, the 268 will be DPM-ier while the JagdE-100 will have the biggest alpha among all TDs?

Yes, the competencies will flip around. Happens sometimes.

I thought as much. As for the accuracy of the new TDs: the French one will be the most accurate, then the two Americans, then the Soviet machine and finally the German vehicle bringing up the rear?

Testing will show.

[E-50 question.] If I understood you correctly, [the E-50M] shifts the combat compartment forward - so hull length stayed the same, whereas according to Storm, the overall height can be decreased by 10 cm. That should save around 400 kilos plus another 100 from [co-locating the engine and transmission]. [Skipping ahead] so it's possible to use the 0.5 tons to strengthen the front armor by 10mm on the glacis and 40mm on the turret. Have you considered strengthening the E-50M's armor as described above, or did you reject this variant for some reason? And if it had been drawn by SerB, would it have been called the E50 Ausf B (Burkatovsky)?

1. The armor will not be strengthened. The overloaded vehicle will become lighter.
2. No. The commission was given to the Armorer [nickname], so it's Ausf M (Martynenko).

Once you've said that there won't be any Tier 10 mediums in the game - too overpowered and don't fit within the time constraints. But now that you've crossed that line, could we hope for Tier 11 heavies?

No. Our goal is to equalize all the core tech tree branches.

Will the Pz-61, being a successor of the Indien Panzer, crown the "All-Europe" tech tree? And since you've extended the time constraints by discarding certain types of guns, might we expect new high-tier German light tanks, since these were in active development long before the Leopard-1?

1. Yes, this is one of the candidates for the top medium position. 2. Possibly. But those of them that weren't being made for the Bundeswehr will be shifted to the All-Europe tree.

You've said that the current Tier 9 mediums are really Tier 9.5. Is this captured in their matchmaking weight? And does this mean Tier 9 TDs are really 9.5?..

It is captured. Presently Tier 9 mediums and heavies have the same weight, while at lower tiers one heavy equals 1.5 mediums.

[Original syntax preserved.] Dear developers, in patch 0.7.4 you will ~~nerf~~ render historically accurate the transmission on the E50 and E75, can you please tell us when you're going to ~~nerf~~ render historically accurate our remaining normal tanks - GwPanther and GwE - so that we, Germanophiles, could rest easy?

Yes, they will be replaced with Hummels. Rest easy, dear comrade.

Is it true that sub-caliber shells lose their armor penetration with distance at twice the rate of AP rounds?

Some, yes.

What will be the maximum speed of the Tier 10 E-50? Same as for its sister tank [Tier 9 E-50]?

Yes, the same 60 kph dreamed up by engineer Hans...

Quick note on the translation:

Spoiler

Several notes from reading the entire discussion:

New tanks
- The Germans will get a second medium tree - VK3002 DB, Indien Panzer, Leo-1 Prototype, Leo-1. Probably in 1-2 patches after the Brits.
- Brits will get the FV4202 as the Tier 10 medium (most likely) and the FV215b/Conway 183mm as the Tier 10 TD.
- The Japanese will get a Type 74 prototype (possibly the STB-1) as their Tier 10 medium. This implies Type 61 at Tier 9.
- The All-Europe team will probably get the Pz-61 as its top-tier medium. [Though the tree as a whole is a long way off, partly as there is still the question of how to handle the different nationalities within it. SerB did mention a few months ago that the Tier 10 heavy will likely be an Italian machine, for what it's worth.]

Other observations
- I would expect every Tier 9 and Tier 10 vehicle currently in the game to be rebalanced as part of 7.5; ergo, I would also expect 7.5 to run into some delays.
- One important new feature of the new Tier 10s will be new shell types with higher penetration. It doesn't matter that the T-62A or the E-50M get the guns from the T-54 and the E-50 - if they also get rounds with Xmm additional penetration (probably costing +Y credits per shot, but what can you do).
- It's fairly obvious that the thing for everyone to do know is to grind the hell out of the French lights and mediums before 7.5 hits. Every Batchat you buy for ~3 million at Tier 9 means you won't have to pay ~6 million for it at Tier 10.

Nightly community service - completed.
Edited by Kruzenshtern, Jun 13 2012 - 01:56.

Quote

Tupinambis Jun 12 2012

PATCH 7.5 CONTENT CONFIRMED!

EDIT:
How will the E50 Ausf. M be different from E50? Just the gun?

[A player answers.]
This modification will have a rear-mounted transmission.

[SerB follows up.]
Precisely. Note the turret is shifted forward.

BIG, BIG, BIG NEWS for the German whiners out there.

You never let us down Kruz.
Edited by Tupinambis, Jun 12 2012 - 04:44.

Quote

Silty Jun 12 2012

Multiple Kruzenshtern topics in one day? Yayifications!

Quote

KilljoyCutter Jun 12 2012

Eh, I'll skip it. SerB talking just makes me want to hammer nails into my own eardrums.

Quote

lostwingman Jun 12 2012

"And this completes my community service for the night"

Most excellent work Kruz.

EDIT: OMG MY BODY WAS NOT READY AFTER READING ALL OF THAT GLORIOUS NEWS!
Posted Image

Also, SerB is an awesome forum troll.
Edited by lostwingman, Jun 12 2012 - 05:14.

Quote

KarateF22 Jun 12 2012

Interesting....

Quote

Jeeps_Guns_Tanks Jun 12 2012

That's some interesting info. I see the Germys get their wish on a rear tranny.... And it will be part of the balance.... I wonder what will take the hit to even it up... :Smile_veryhappy:

Leo 1 sounds cool. Glad these T10 meds are coming out before the German TDs.

Quote

Nytherr Jun 12 2012

Faith in WeeGee restored.
Edited by Nytherr, Jun 12 2012 - 04:52.

Quote

Jager_Panther1 Jun 12 2012

Kruzenshtern, on Jun 12 2012 - 04:35, said:

Why aren't the Germans getting the Leo-1? It would have looked better at Tier 10 than the same E-50 but with parameters stretched out even further, IMO.

We'll give you your cardboard dream tank, don't you worry.
But later.

http://i1.kym-cdn.co...hat I mean..png
Edited by Jager_Panther1, Jun 12 2012 - 04:55.

Quote

rubb4rducky Jun 12 2012

What will the BatChat's new gun offer in terms of firepower and accuracy? Will there be drum size changes?

Quote

VP_Cheney Jun 12 2012

Thanks Kruz! +1

Quote

TheBestAround Jun 12 2012

I think the german players shot them selves in the foot.
I can see it at WG HQ,
"Comrade, everyone is complaining about the E-50 and E-75's transmission shift!,"
"But they wanted historical accuracy?"
"I know, but they still complain"
"Well you know the new tier 10 meds? Since this was apparently such an important feature that Is the ONLY THING THAT SHALL CHANGE"
"Most excellent"

*Just clarifying I am a german med driver so I have a free pass to make fun of us"

Quote

Lord_Commander Jun 12 2012

Jager_Panther1, on Jun 12 2012 - 04:55, said:

http://i1.kym-cdn.co...hat I mean..png

hahaha priceless

Quote

mosquitovn Jun 12 2012

So every new tier 10 TDs have new guns, some of them are massive (like 17cm of Jag-E100). BUT American tier 10 TDs will remain useless with the old 155 AT T7 (which is currently match with Object 709 and JT guns, and soon be undermatch with new 10 guns!?).

Quote

W4lt3r Jun 12 2012

[Back on the E-50 Ausf. M changes]...and a new gun, too...what about armor? Mobility? An 1,800 HP engine - I can dream, right?

Gun is the same.
Armor is the same.
Engine is the same.
But the transmission is rear-mounted, and that's a huge advantage!!!1111 [sic]
.... Yeah.. I'm disappoint. It's basically the E-50 we have now before the 0.7.4 patch.
Edited by W4lt3r, Jun 12 2012 - 05:19.

Quote

lostwingman Jun 12 2012

Jager_Panther1, on Jun 12 2012 - 04:55, said:

http://i1.kym-cdn.co...hat I mean..png

If you read further it gets even better...

Quote

DeltaVolt Jun 12 2012

mosquitovn, on Jun 12 2012 - 05:16, said:

So every new tier 10 TDs have new guns, some of them are massive (like 17cm of Jag-E100). BUT American tier 10 TDs will remain useless with the old 155 AT T7 (which is currently match with Object 709 and JT guns, and soon be undermatch with new 10 guns!?).

Don't forget that it sounds like the new Russian T10 TD has a worse gun than the Obj. 704.

Quote

mosquitovn Jun 12 2012

DeltaVolt, on Jun 12 2012 - 05:19, said:

Don't forget that it sounds like the new Russian T10 TD has a worse gun than the Obj. 704.

The Devs will never make their Russian tanks disappointed them. Beside, I've never seen any higher tank with worse gun than the lower ones (equal or better).

Quote

SHISHKABOB Jun 12 2012

SerB seems like a real unfriendly guy...

Quote

Elepole Jun 12 2012

Well, i didn't wanted to have the AMX 13 105 in game, but if they give it to me, i have only one thing to said:

YYYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for the other stuff: ELC ? In fact i wanted to have a ELC in game, i love this one as well, so i'm ok with that. I literraly fear the T110E4 ....I hope that at least it will have front armor. Lol at the front fuel and ammo crates comment, made my day.

Quote

Main page