This report comes from WG Fest, the first-ever global gathering for those who keep World of Tanks and the Wargaming universe close to their heart! A lot has been going on, and we didn't want tankers who couldn't make it to Moscow to miss anything. That’s why we’re bringing all the latest news to you in a single article: from a small look at what’s just arrived through to a lowdown on what’s ahead for World of Tanks. There’s a lot in the works, and lots more on the way, so let’s get started! Premium Tank Rebalancing Premium vehicles that rolled out 5–6 years ago, and were perfectly fine in terms of combat parameters back then, often underperform in the game as it stands today. In Update 9.15, we set out to fix that. Since then, 18 vehicles were rebalanced. This made them more on par with their respective tiers. We'll continue to listen to your thoughts on Premium vehicles and tweak them in future updates. Here's a handy summary of the changes made from 9.15 to 9.17:

Update 9.15

Update 9.16

Update 9.17 А-32 Dispersion decreased from 0.52 m to 0.44 m. Shell BP-320A (75 mm penetration) replaced with the UBR-354KB (98 mm penetration). The A-32 gets much-deserved upgrades to its penetration, accuracy and shell velocity. With these improvements, the vehicle should be more effective in helping turn the tide of battle. 59-Patton Maximum reverse speed changed from 16 km/h to 20 km/h. View range increased from 370 m to 400 m. Aiming time reduced from 2.5 s to 2.3 s. Gun reload time reduced from 7.6 s to 7.5 s. Dispersion reduced from 0.38 m to 0.36 m. The 59-Patton’s firepower and aiming parameters were improved, which means that now this tank needs to spy enemy weak points and use its high damage per minute value to get the most out of battle. With the increased view range, it’s not just easier to spot enemies, but it’ll be easier to survive the melee, too. The 59-Patton’s speed has been ramped up, which will make it easier to zip behind cover to avoid incoming fire and secure favorable positions. M56 Scorpion Dispersion on hull traverse and on the move reduced from 0.32 to 0.28. Maximum reverse speed changed from 12 km/h to 17 km/h. Aiming time reduced from 2.0 s to 1.9 s. Dispersion on barrel move reduced from 0.14 to 0.1. The M56 Scorpion can now take a more active role in battle, seek out enemies, and fire off a well-placed shot, rather than being stuck aiming for a long time. Its improved reverse speed will help it get out of tight spots and avoid enemy fire a little easier. 112 Vehicle purchase price reduced from 12,250 to 10,500 Gold. Moved the fuel tanks from the front to rear. The fuel tanks were moved to the rear to reduce the chance of the vehicle catching on fire. We also analyzed the 112’s combat effectiveness and adjusted its cost accordingly. STA-2 Reload time increased from 7.1 s to 7.5 s. Dispersion after shot reduced from 3.5 to 3. M318A1 shell penetration increased from 185.9 mm to 212 mm. The STA-2 is now more comparable to the STA-1. However, it is still more at home on the second and third lines of battle. While its DPM decreased, its penetration was increased. So, it won’t be shooting as frequently, but it will have a better chance at scoring important hits. Pz.Kpfw. V/IV

Pz.Kpfw. V/IV Alpha Vehicle’s Tier changed from VI to V. Suspension’s Tier changed from VI to V. Turret’s Tier changed from IV to V. Dispersion on the move reduced from 0.18 to 0.12. Dispersion on hull traverse reduced from 0.18 to 0.16. Dispersion reduced from 0.39 to 0.37. Dispersion after firing reduced from 4 to 3.5. Aiming time reduced from 2.3 s to 2.0 s. Turret traverse speed increased from 30 deg/s to 44 deg/s. View range increased from 350 m to 365 m. Vehicle durability decreased from 820 HP to 520 HP. To keep the Pz.Kpfw. V/IV Alpha competitive in Random Battles, several parameters were improved. Firstly, the tank moved to Tier V, and it won’t be matched with Tier VIIs anymore. Because of this, its technical characteristics have been tweaked to make it more suitable for this Tier. Other improvements include the Pz.Kpfw’s gun stabilization and accuracy, so it should be easier to pick off targets. Heavy Tank No. VI The Pzgr. 39 shell penetration increased from 132 mm to 145 mm. The Heavy Tank No. VI had its shell penetration upgraded, which means it’s now a Tier VI heavy tank with excellent damage per minute, a large amount of hit-points and is capable of penetrating Tier VIII vehicles in their vulnerable frontal armour points. Škoda T 40 The Vz. 39N OPG shell penetration increased from 132 mm to 145 mm. The Skoda T 40’s standard shell penetration has been upgraded, with improvements similar to that of the Japanese Heavy Tank No. VI. VK 45.03 Vehicle profitability increased by 15%. Improved profitability cements the VK 45.03 place as a Premium credit-maker. Now, its earnings are comparable to Tier VIII vehicles, while preferential matchmaking prevents it from facing tanks of a much higher tier. 112 Dispersion on hull traverse and on the move reduced from 0.25 to 0.23. Dispersion on turret traverse reduced from 0.14 to 0.12. Changes to gun dispersion allow for easier gun handling and make the 112 more on par with the IS-6 by the sum of combat parameters. FV4202 Top speed increased from 35 km/h to 40 km/h. Vehicle profitability increased by 10%. The FV4202’s poor speed was often a big disadvantage. Now, it can change positions much quicker and get around the battlefield to keep up with the action. The FV4202’s increased earnings per battle cements its place as a Premium credit-maker. Panther mit 8,8 cm L/71 Hull traverse speed increased from 38 deg/s to 40 deg/s. Engine power increased from 600 h.p. to 700 h.p. Gun depression angle increased from -7° to -8°. The Panther mit 8,8cm L/71’s combat performance gets a boost with a 700hp engine and 40dps hull turning speed, gearing it up for more dynamic combat. Löwe Engine power increased from 800 h.p. to 1000 h.p. Gun depression angle increased from -8° to -10°. Increased LGP, UGP and turret armor. Side armor at the bottom increased to 100 mm. The Löwe gains increased durability. Its improved armor makes it resilient to enemy assaults, while the gun depression of -10° enables the Löwe to return the favor while playing on uneven terrain. Its awful mobility used to keep the Löwe behind its more powerful brethren: the IS-6 and T34. Following an engine boost, it will be able to secure advantageous firing positions, while thicker frontal armor lets it play like a true heavy tank in certain combat setups. WZ-111 Dispersion on hull traverse and on the move reduced from 0.23 to 0.2. Dispersion on turret traverse reduced from 0.14 to 0.12. Dispersion reduced from 0.46 m to 0.44 m. Aiming time reduced from 3.4 s to 3 s. Engine power increased from 520 h.p. to 600 h.p. Increased LGP and turret armor. Thanks to improved mobility and positive changes to aim time and gun dispersion, the WZ-111 will be able to stand tough against the 112. It also gains thicker turret armor and a thicker lower glacis plate, making it less prone to enemy fire. M4A1 Revalorisé Dispersion on hull traverse and on the move reduced from 0.18 to 0.16. Dispersion on turret traverse reduced from 0.16 to 0.13. Dispersion reduced from 0.36 m to 0.35 m. Aiming time reduced from 2.8 s to 2.4 s. Engine power increased from 460 h.p. to 550 h.p. Gun depression angle increased from -7° to -10°. Engine type changed from diesel to gasoline. Although the M4A1 Revalorisé’s gun deals solid alpha damage with good penetration, it is anything but easy to handle. To make for a smoother ride, we improved its aim time, stabilization and accuracy. On top of that, it’s getting better gun depression (-10°) and a more powerful engine: the Continental R975. STA-2 Top speed increased from 45 km/h to 55 km/h. Engine power increased from 500 h.p. to 570 h.p. Chance of fire on impact decreased from 15% to 12%. The STA-2 now has a more powerful engine, as well as a +10 km/h increase in speed, enabling more dynamic gameplay. 112 Side hull slope to the hull floor increased from 60 mm to 80 mm. The side hull slope to the hull floor used to be the 112’s considerable weak spot that not many knew about. Now its normalized slope matches its vertical side armor. T34 Dispersion on hull traverse and on the move reduced from 0.32 to 0.28. Dispersion on turret traverse reduced from 0.24 to 0.22. Aiming time reduced from 3.4 s to 3.2 s. View range increased from 360 m to 380 m. The T34’s gun boasts great penetration, which is offset by its terrible handling. We improved a few of the gun parameters, making it more enjoyable. Aiming time was lowered as well, but only slightly to keep it from being overpowered: full aim will take 3.2 seconds. This heavy suffered a considerable decrease in view range when it moved to Tier VIII. The change that used to be reasonable is no longer relevant in the game as it stands today. So, we increased this parameter to what is appropriate for a Tier VIII heavy: 380 m. M46 Patton KR Frontal turret armor thickness raised from 101.6 mm to 111 mm. Gun mantlet thickness increased from 114.3 mm to 203.2 mm. The M46 Patton KR is a lot like the M26 Pershing, but used to lose to the latter when it came to turret protection. We tweaked its parameters so that it can keep up with the Pershing. T26E4 SuperPershing The AP M77 shell penetration increased from 170 mm to 192 mm. The SuperPershing often plays the role of a heavy tank: it secures flanks for well-armored vehicles. It has impressive APCR penetration, but the sheer cost of shells keeps its earnings per battle down. Improved AP penetration will allow it to excel in both fields: deal solid damage to thickly-armored enemies and generate more credits after each battle.

New Vehicles Work on the game’s core mechanics always keeps the developers busy. Rest assured, we have great things in the pipeline, including—of course!—new vehicles. They will be designed to boost gameplay diversity with new tactics, alongside incorporating your feedback and respecting the historical stats. Here’s a sneak peek at just some of them:

Tech Tree Review National Tech Trees change and grow as World of Tanks evolves. This growth often happened with little change to how they relate to each other regarding historical authenticity and stats. As a result, some are no longer relevant in the game as it stands today. In 2017, we’ll be putting things right with a series of tweaks to very structure of several national Tech Trees:

Germany

Germany Japan

Japan U.S.A. VK100.01P (Tier VIII) and Mäuschen (Tier IX). Massive and heavily-armoured, these two will combine powerful guns with decent protection and poor mobility. Gameplay-wise, they’ll be more similar to the Maus than its current predecessors: the VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A and VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B . That’s why the Maus will be placed after the Mäuschen. It’ll also receive a shorter reload time, better gun handling, and thickеr frontal armor.



At the same time, the VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A and VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B resemble the VK 72.01(K) a lot. So, we’ll create a very similar tank and make it Tier X on their branch. If you earned the VK 72.01(K) on Global Map, it will remain a Premium vehicle in your Garage. It will also receive a unique camo and equipment loadout.



Along with that, the VK 45.02 (P) AUSF. B will get easier gun handling, as well as thicker side and top turret armor. The lower frontal glacis will become thinner. The VK 45.02 (P) AUSF. A will benefit from thicker frontal armor, and increased gun depression and elevation angles.



Balance changes to tier V–VIII medium tanks:

The VK 30.01 (D) , VK 30.02 (D) and Indien-Panzer —a boost in mobility

, and —a boost in mobility The Indien-Panzer —easier gun handling

—easier gun handling The Panther I and Panther II —improved firing parameters

and —improved firing parameters The Panther II —a new gun: 8,8 cm KwK L/100 Balance changes to the Tiger branch heavies:

The Tiger (P) , Tiger I , Heavy Tank No VI and VK 30.01 (P) —thicker turret armour

, , Heavy Tank No VI and —thicker turret armour The E 75 —easier gun handling

—easier gun handling The E 100 —increased AP penetration for the 15 cm Kw.K. L/38 gun and improved gun handling for its stock gun (12,8 cm Kw.K. 44 L/55) To make its overall structure more consistent, the German Tech Tree will get two completely new heavies: the(Tier VIII) and(Tier IX). Massive and heavily-armoured, these two will combine powerful guns with decent protection and poor mobility. Gameplay-wise, they’ll be more similar to the Maus than its current predecessors: theandThat’s why the Maus will be placed after the Mäuschen. It’ll also receive a shorter reload time, better gun handling, and thickеr frontal armor.At the same time, the VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A and VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B resemble the VK 72.01(K) a lot. So, we’ll create a very similar tank and make it Tier X on their branch. If you earned the VK 72.01(K) on Global Map, it will remain a Premium vehicle in your Garage. It will also receive a unique camo and equipment loadout.Along with that, the VK 45.02 (P) AUSF. B will get easier gun handling, as well as thicker side and top turret armor. The lower frontal glacis will become thinner. The VK 45.02 (P) AUSF. A will benefit from thicker frontal armor, and increased gun depression and elevation angles.Balance changes to tier V–VIII medium tanks:Balance changes to the Tiger branch heavies: Type 4 and Type 5 HEAVY are rarely seen on battlefields: they are somewhat inferior to their tiers in terms of mobility and can’t return the favor in combat. It won’t stay this way for long, though. As you know, the trademark of tier V–VIII Japanese heavies are HE shells and guns, and we are going to give them to the Type 4 and Type 5 HEAVY as well.



At the same time, tiers V–VIII will undergo balance changes to make the progression to top tiers smoother:

The O-I Experimental will get heavier and lose speed (it will be similar to O-I). It will also trade its 10 cm Cannon Type 14 for thicker frontal armor

will get heavier and lose speed (it will be similar to O-I). It will also trade its 10 cm Cannon Type 14 for thicker frontal armor The O-I will become more vulnerable, with thinner rear hull armour. There will also be changes to the shells available for the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun

will become more vulnerable, with thinner rear hull armour. There will also be changes to the shells available for the 15 cm Howitzer Type 96 gun The O-Ho ’s 10 cm Experimental Tank Gun Kai will get premium AP shells and better overall gun handling As of now, the Japaneseandare rarely seen on battlefields: they are somewhat inferior to their tiers in terms of mobility and can’t return the favor in combat. It won’t stay this way for long, though. As you know, the trademark of tier V–VIII Japanese heavies are HE shells and guns, and we are going to give them to theandas well.At the same time, tiers V–VIII will undergo balance changes to make the progression to top tiers smoother: Overall gameplay has changed a lot since the T28 , T28 Prototype , and T95 rolled out on tiers VIII and IX. They lack mobility in the game of today, and we’re going to give them a considerable speed boost, gearing them up for more dynamic combat.