Update 0.4.1.46
In this update we've made some steps towards better balancing bomber airstrikes, a mechanic that's available to radio operator squads in all Enlisted campaigns.
- The radio operator squad "Frequent artillery" research now reduces the time between bombing and airstrike calls by half (it used to be four times).
- The frequency between airstrike calls is set to 16 minutes without the squad upgrade and 8 minutes with the upgrade.
Remember that the first airstrike call is available 30 seconds after the start of the battle, allowing you to still use this ability even if the battle itself is short.
- Increased the display area of the warning marker in front of the bombers. The marker is visible to players controlling an aircraft, anti-aircraft engineer's gun, or SPAAG, and allows you to effectively counter an airstrike faster.
- The direction of the AI bomber formation is now marked with a special marker if they are not visible on screen.
- Reduced the flying height of bombers.
- Changed the bomb weight of Soviet AI bombers. All 100kg bombs have been replaced by 50kg bombs. Same as for other bombers.
For the past few updates we have been collecting your feedback and we have already introduced several other important bomber-related improvements:
- The structural strength of bombers has been reduced.
- The ammo belt used by bomber gunners has become predominantly tracer - such ammunition is more visible and has slightly lower damage characteristics than high-explosive filled ammunition.
- We have increased the building speed of anti-aircraft guns and reduced the cost of their construction.
Due to these changes, airstrikes do still remain an incredibly dangerous weapon, but they have become rarer and more onus is now put on the tactical skill of the commander, who must choose the right moment to use them.
One well-planned bombing run can turn the tide of an entire battle, or alternatively it can be brought down by professionally prepared air defenses and fighter attacks. Now, the outcome of such a strike is more in your hands, commanders.
Other update improvements
- Improved visual effects of water hits.
- Fixed the starting camera position in the Château du Bosq (Conquest) mission.
- Fixed a bug that caused some vehicle customization items to be unavailable to choose.
- Fixed a bug that caused some soldier decorators to be unavailable to choose from for the Allies in the Invasion of Normandy campaign.
- Corrected the camera position when aiming from an AVS-36 sniper rifle.
- Fixed display of Flammenwerfer 35 flamethrower in soldier's hands for third-person view.
- Added an animation for fast reloading of the Type 97 anti-tank rifle with ammo in the magazine.
- Fixed a bug where the BM-41 and Kz 8 cm GRW 42 mortars could be purchased for Enlisted Gold in the Battle for Stalingrad campaign.
- Corrected commander's position in the commander's hatch of the IS-1 and IS-2 tanks.
- Fixed a bug that caused the battle not to end after capturing the last point in the Ruins of Vaux North (Invasion) mission.