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 All 100kg bombs have been replaced by 50kg bombs.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.
KEO, Please believe me, no one will call bombers now… They are too fragile and weak, even has become pure EXP packs.
I’d definitely choose artillery or smoke instead of that.
The bomber were fine, to nerf payload now makes them weak, the issue was the fighters damage (Hispanos 20mm) couldn’t do enough damage or we ran out of ammo, bombers were fine overall.
I hope they don’t get ignored now, was a purpose to fly fighters again. Also reducing frequency of artillery, was halving it a necessary nerf, what is point in upgrade now really, I was using that boost to deploy smokes much quicker when attacking.
Anyway, keep up the good work, looking forwards to more good stuff
ok However, I hope developers can also count that the probability of all bombers being shot down ……maybe over 2/3
Also, please fix the damage of tank shells. They are very weird now.
And reduce the strength of fighters and assaulters. I have to spend about 20 MK108 30mm/ Vya-23 23mm shells to destroy an IL2 or Me410. Only two shots are needed in history
Good change - I had a lot of games were airstrikes were spammed useless and you could not use normal artillery or tactical smoke. I hope this will reduce the spamming and people will think about using the airstrikes.
Bombers were fine after the structural health and ai gunner deadliness turned down. I play air a lot so I know how crazy they were prior to patch.
I feel the bomb loadout nerf is unwarranted. Just increase their view distance (like y’all did) and where they are coming from (like y’all did), but decreasing the altitude and bomb loadout is alittle to much.
Players have to understand they have to either get their butts in a plane or AA to shoot them down. It’s that simple. People are lazy and don’t want to do it. Ever since the health/gunner nerf I been constantly shooting down formations with ease. All the other nerfs are to much.
It’s all the time the same with you guys, you’re doing extreme nerf or extreme buff but the middle is inexistant. With that patch the AI bombers will be pretty useless now
Lazy? Lucky you if you have time to get into any vehicle at all. For the most part for us solo players its you carrying your team 99% of the time. Get into plane and advance will stop, same with AA. More like running around and rebuilding a SINGLE rally point because of bomber call abuse. So finally some good change. Always judge by the perspective of what this game really is. Its not about teamplay, usually its 1 decent player per team at best. AA and planes are simply irrelevant.
I don’t have any time for planes or tanks. Nobody will do any objectives if not me, its just how it is. Not a single living soul will get on point. And by the time im done with taking down bombers, we’ll be either at our last point almost capped or none of the enemy points taken with ~200 reinforcements remaining
