The “Seek & Destroy” major update is adding a new ground vehicle for France: the much-anticipated VEXTRA 105 (Véhicule EXTRAordinaire = EXTRAordinary Vehicle) technology demonstrator prototype will soon be joining France’s tech tree. This vehicle marks a milestone in France’s tech tree as it is France’s first Light Tank to make its introduction in the top-tier line-up… Or is it?
My goal here is to create a dedicated thread to both discuss the VEXTRA 105 and give the Developers feedback about this vehicle.
Our excitement and anticipation about the VEXTRA 105:
Before diving into specifics, I want to convey to the Developers that we are all very excited about the VEXTRA 105’s inclusion in the upcoming update. France finally getting top-tier Light Tanks is a significant development, and starting this trend with the VEXTRA 105 is simply amazing. The modelling of the vehicle is masterfully done as always, especially the camo net.
However, from what I have gathered, most of France’s player base is disappointed by the VEXTRA 105 in its current form and many would like to see it be more historically accurate. Let’s explore the issues.
The VEXTRA 105 is an impressive technology demonstrator, developed from the 1990s to the late 2000s. It should be able to achieve extraordinary tasks (pun intended), yet it is currently underperforming in several areas. Here is a list of the historical inaccuracies:
- VEXTRA 105’s acceleration is too slow. The VEXTRA 105’s acceleration is too slow. It should achieve 0-30 km/h in 3.4 seconds, but it currently takes 4.2 seconds, making it 23.5% slower than it should be;
- VEXTRA 105’s engine power is too low. As highlighted by this bug report, it should be 700 HP instead of the current 600 HP (-14,3%);
- VEXTRA 105 is too heavy. The vehicle is incorrectly listed at 36 tons, while it should weigh 28 tons. The 36-ton figure was the maximum weight allowed by the procurement agency (DGA), not the actual weight, which GIAT managed to reduce to 28 tons;
- VEXTRA 105 uses the wrong canon;
- VEXTRA 105 is using the wrong ammunition. This is the consequence of the VEXTRA 105 using the wrong cannon. Even though the VEXTRA 105 is supposed to use the CN 105 G2 canon and the OFL 105 F2 round (about 489mm of penetration), it is currently using the CN 105 G1 canon and the OFL 105 F3 round (325mm of penetration). This is a major issue as it drags the VEXTRA in a whole different BR bracket. Adding to the VEXTRA 105 the ability to use the OFL 105 F2 round (489mm) would actually allow the it to be a somewhat relevant top tier light tank.
- VEXTRA 105’s gun handling is wrong (too slow). The vehicle’s gun handling is incorrect. It should have 30°/s vertically and 40°/s horizontally, but it currently has 30°/s horizontally (-33%) and 8°/s vertically (-73.33%).
- VEXTRA 105 is unable to reach 100 km/h with 2 destroyed wheels: this is indeed one of the VEXTRA 105’s most striking feature. To ensure maximum survivability during combat, the VEXTRA 105 was designed to be able to keep on reaching high speeds even with 2 wheels destroyed, which is currently not accurately reflected in-game;
- VEXTRA 105 is lacking thermals for the gunner;
- VEXTRA 105 thermals should be 3rd generation (since it uses IRIS imager);
- VEXTRA 105 commander sight has incorrect optical zoom;
- VEXTRA 105’s armor is underperforming: The VEXTRA 105 should be immune to 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds, but it currently isn’t;
- VEXTRA commander sight is missing NVD;
- VEXTRA 105’s commander sight is not stabilized. The commander’s sight is not stabilized;
- VEXTRA 105 is lacking laser rangefinder. The vehicle lacks a laser rangefinder altogether ;
- VEXTRA 105 is lacking commander override: the huunter-killer feature is missing.
Thanks to @Bossman919 for his dedication to fixing the VEXTRA 105.
All in all, I believe the extensive list above shows how little work the Devs put in researching the VEXTRA 105. Everybody knows that first impressions matter, and the Developers should know by now that showing the player-base how little they researched a vehicle before putting it on the Dev server wipes out any ounce of positivity the player-base could demonstrate.
Players are not only looking to see the VEXTRA 105 being added in-game, players also want to have fun while playing this vehicle. Not putting any research into said vehicle is the best way to ensure the players won’t be having fun playing this vehicle, which ultimately ends up in negativity.
Hopefully the issues above will be fixed before the end of the Dev server and perhaps the Devs will learn from this feedback for the future.
Currently, the VEXTRA 105 is sitting at BR 8.7. While this is probably a placeholder, the BR given to a vehicle during a Dev server usually gives the player base an approximate idea of its final placement in terms of BR, Tier, and position in the tech tree.
Placing the VEXTRA 105 at BR 8.7 is incorrect and should be changed … if the historical inaccuracies, are fixed. Once fixed, the VEXTRA 105 should be placed at a much higher BR. I suggest a BR of 9.7-10.0 and at Tier VII. This placement would be appropriate for a vehicle of this calibre and era, allowing it to use the thermals-equipped micro-drone, which also fit late 2000s vehicles.
The VEXTRA 105 is a welcomed addition that could be seriously game-changing for France’s tech tree. Unfortunately, the vehicle has a large number of historical inaccuracies and performance issues that require fixing so that it can live up to its promising potential as a top-tier light tank.
We realize that development is complex and requires much effort in creating these vehicles; still, good representation of vehicles added in War Thunder is what maintains player satisfaction and engagement.
I invite other players to express their thoughts and notes because the collective voice is one way the Developers will consider modifications. We can ensure the VEXTRA 105 will not only be a notable addition but a truly extraordinary one.
Good tanking and I hope I will see you all on the battlefield.
