A new DevBlog just dropped. You can read it here: https://blog.worldofwarships.com/blog/424
Because a lot of folks are interested in AA/Plane Interactions, I'm guessing there will be a fair amount of questions on this one.
I'll be here to answer questions for about an hour a half, but please remember that this is only a Closed Test which is to trial a concept/idea.
The mechanic referenced in the DevBlog isn't one of multiplication. It increases the chance that "latched enemy planes" will have planes in the attack flight targeted first by AA. This could help reduce incoming damage on a strike if those planes have tripped a placed Fighter.
After the first few minutes of a match, there is a significant amount of surface spotting that happens. If the CV is attacking a target which is already surface-spotted, like a Battleship or Cruiser that is actively firing, loss of the "plane-spotting" wouldn't prevent the CV player from still seeing their target. The CV player continues to receive "team spotting" like other players.
The is a Concept Test, so specifics aren't fully in. The intent is to be able to place a Fighter in a similar manner to how a player can pick a spot on the water to place a Depth Charge airstrike. The planes will go there and patrol for a time.
If the Test yields productive results, ships that don't have access to ASW strikes can be reviewed. This is just a Concept Test, so that's further down the road if things progress.
This is good feedback (ie: Can Midway Bombers that get blinded just use a Fighter to see an isolated DD?). Part of running a test is to see what works and what doesn't. This point would certainly be something to review.
There are matches that do not have CVs or Hybrids in them which have ships that are and stay spotted. Our concealment system can be hard to learn, but it is fairly natural for experienced players.
It's not a "multiplier" in an "increased overall damage" sense. It increases the likelihood that one of the planes in the front of the squadron will be targeted for AA which would reduce incoming damage from the first attack.
We are testing the mechanic. If the mechanic moves forward, we can evaluate cruisers which do not have access to the function.
This is the norm even in non-CV games. Focus-fire is correct for removing threats from the board.
If the attacking planes are latched and lose vision, the target could go dark if there is no other ship providing team-spotting.
This is just a function test and final values are not set. Part of the testing process is seeing if the concept is viable before looking to address balancing/tweaking.
The Test introduces an alternate fire option for the ASW Airstrike. It can place a Fighter which does little damage, but removes plane-spotting from the planes it latches to for the duration of the latch. It also increases the likelihood of planes that the direct planes which are attacking to receive AA damage and reduce damage output from the attacking.
This is a Concept Test, so there is no information on specifics like that. If the Concept shows promise, tuning would happen during further development.
There does seem to be an amount of confusion on this stuff, so I will likely record a video that explains the concepts.
Yes, though there is more to the DevBlog. I did an explainer video which people have said we helpful for them.
If you'd prefer a different face/format, I also did a discussion with CC ClydePlays over the DevBlog. It covers the same ground, but it's a 2 person conversation and Clyde made some better-than-paint pictures for his YouTube version of it!
devtrackers.gg