[2023] DevBlog 424 - Changes to Air Defense Mechanics — Closed Testing

Hello, Captains!

A new DevBlog has been posted here: https://blog.worldofwarships.com/blog/424

Please leave any feedback you have here.

Thank you!

This is not a rework, no. Fighters which hover your ship latch after the enemy planes are close enough/strike once. Placing Fighters at a distance can allow for protection of other allies or to block attack lines.

Loss of Plane Vision could allow a distant Cruiser to cover a friendly DD with extra damage and removal of plane spotting, for instance.

The "CV Rework" was a comprehensive change from one entire way of playing to a different entire way of playing. Altering AA functionality or introducing additional Fighter mechanics is still working with the current system.

The Test is about game mechanics which affect Air Defense. They would be changes to the game if enacted. It's a very literal title.

The ASW Depth Charges have a working system in place for ranged placement. The Test looks to use the existing system as use of existing systems reducing coding requirements for a function test.

As with anything in Testing, it is not a final product.

I am super excited!

Players have requested more of a back-and-forth feel vs planes, and this could provide that. It might also address plane-spotting in a good-placement=reward style which could be cool, as well.

AA is always loaded. There was a time after Update 0.8.0 where literal reload times were factored, but that was removed in place of a straight DPS system. AA damage is delivered every 2/7ths of a sec regardless of AA mount used.

This is only a Closed Test. Testing is required to see if more development time is warranted.

Priority Sector changed in 0.8.7. It was either in that update or in the one prior. LWM and Lert tested it and found the 2/7th of a second values and reported on it which is where I got my information from. (I was a normal player until joining WarGaming in November 2021)

Just go into a training room and watch your AA shoot at a plane. You deal damage every 2/7ths of a second.

You are referencing a previous DevBlog. Currently players can "pre-drop" to send home the attacking flight of planes. Holding down the F key would provide a similar function.

The prior Devblog mentioned shooting down planes that were not at the "end" of the squadron. Those holes would remain unfilled and could affect attacks by making an attack which is less-then-whole. If a player had multiple attacks worth of planes, but wanted to send back a section that was not whole, they could hold the F key to do so (rather than attacking the water as is currently normal when "pre-dropping").