First Dev server:
The Leopard and Abrams got new internals which make it almost impossible to not get the vertical and or hortizontal traverse. This makes it so that the turret basket is part of the horizontal traverse.
First Dev Leopard Changes
Horizontal
Vertical
Driver (2A6 FIN & NL only) NO LONGER ON DEV
Power (2A6 FIN & NL only) NO LONGER ON DEV
FCS (2A6 FIN & NL only) NO LONGER ON DEV
P.S. I have closed the first poll, as it was for the first dev server.
OUT DATED
IMO, this is unfair. Not only are they only adding it to two MBT types while the rest are not affected, but they are also not even implementing it consistently, as seen with the 2A6 FIN, which seems to be the testbed for how all Leos will eventually be. By the looks of it, Gaijin is using this as a global Abrams and Leo nerf. I feel that making the trunnion part of the vertical is very weird.
While this was something the community wanted, I don’t think this is what people had in mind. They wanted it to be introduced in a way that doesn’t disadvantage certain nations for two, three, or more updates before their competition gets it. I don’t think most people even consider adding more modules to be a bad thing, but making the entire turret basket part of the horizontal or the trunnion part of the vertical seems excessive and not in line with what people wanted.
Second Dev server:
The second dev server has opened. The large damage models of the Abrams and Leopard regarding the turret baskets have improved. They have also removed the FCS, driver controls, and power from the 2A6 NL and 2A6 FIN. Additionally, a new vertical has been added for the Leopard, turning the trunnion block into a vertical, similar to that of the Abrams.
Second Dev Leopard Changes
Basket was changed, now the hitbox looks like this
A new vertical has been introduced, with the trunnion block now part of the vertical traverse. A solid block of metal is now part of the vertical.
It does not even provide any armour, the block alone should be approximately 200mm of RHA. The wedge, composite block, and trunnion together amount to only 300mm KE.
Second Dev Abrams Changes
It seems that the basket now has a hitbox similar to the Leopard’s. For reference, here is the Leopard’s turret ring damage model:
The trunnion is still part of the vertical and does not seem to provide any protection. Shooting the gaps for MGs shows that there is not always an increase in protection. If there is, it appears to come from the gun itself or another part.
- Yes
- No
- Rework / Changes needed
I think these changes are good, but the tank’s trunnion becoming part of the vertical is another misstep. With how prevalent gun sniping already is, this will do nothing but increase repair times and make it harder to fight back. I don’t think this is an improvement, nor is it what people wanted.
Another issue I have is that these are not mechanical components and would likely remain functional if penetrated (outside of the hinges). They also do not add any armour. I’m aware that the Abrams’ trunnion is hollow, but it still provides zero armour. I predict that light tanks like the 2S38 and HSTVL will be very effective at sniping these new vertical drives, making fights even more frustrating.
I wouldn’t mind if they limited this change to the hinges and actually added armour to them, making them more in line with reality and what the community wants. But I doubt that will happen. As usual, it feels like one step forward, two steps back.
