Expression Games announced the release of Hotfix 1 for Update 18 today via their Discord server. There were delays mentioned previously due to an AWS and EOS outage that prevented the deployment for other platforms. You can read a bit about the outage from the HLL post on Monday, here. As always, you can take a peek at the official hotfix #1 notes on their website, here.
As I mentioned previously, our last attempt to play some Hell Let Loose was cut short. Kilen was having issues loading, and Error and I were both met with a bit of some performance issues playing on Fedora 42 KDE Plasma Desktop. We ended up scrapping the attempt and moved back to R.E.P.O if memory serves me correctly.
HLL is still a game we love to frequent now and then, and I’m sure at some point we’ll be back for some more WWII action. For the now, we have other games that have been occupying our attention, and The Quinfall has certainly been keeping Kilen and I busy as well.
Stay safe out there soldiers! – Hobbit
Update 18 – Hotfix 1
General Bug Fixes
- Enemy flares can be seen on the tac-map by the opposing team
- All Recon Tanks and Half-Truck wheels can not be repaired with a blowtorch
- Killed In Action screen shows an issue when killed by environmental fire
- Kubanka hat has incorrect ribbon model and colouring
- Panther tank has a very difficult time dealing with terrain variance
- Addressed reports of collision inconsistencies and reduced performance with the Panther. Adjustments have been made to the vehicle’s suspension behaviour and physics collision system to align its performance with its original specifications.
- Artillery Strike can trigger the “Rain Hell” achievement
- Artillery Strike ability can take out spawn points
- The commander artillery strike ability can no longer destroy garrisons
- Tank skin preview can be seen through geometry to all players
- The recoil on the Luchs is excessive, making it difficult to aim as an autocannon
- Following the implementation of the new tank knockback, the Luchs experienced excessive recoil due to its high rate of fire. Adjustments have been made to the recoil and knockback force to restore proper control during rapid fire.
Artillery Strike Balance Adjustments
- The commander artillery strike ability has had several balance changes:
- The strike zone radius has been slightly increased, making the shots less accurate
- The number of shells that fall has been decreased from 16 to 12
- The munition cost per placement has been increased to 125
- The cooldown time has been increased to 430seconds
- On top of this, the model used has been adjusted and the smoke trail removed.
Armor Tank Balance
- Following playtesting and community feedback, it was determined that tank handling was not performing as intended, particularly in higher gear ranges. The balance between applied braking and thrust during steering has been adjusted to deliver a smoother and more responsive experience.
- To continue the Armor update, all tanks have undergone suspension and physics collision updates. These adjustments aim to reduce issues with vehicles becoming immobilized on uneven terrain or smaller objects, particularly those located directly beneath the tank. This change is a part of an ongoing effort to enhance Armor and provide a more consistent driving experience for future updates.
Gameplay Balance
Following player feedback and testing, several gameplay balance refinements have been made:
- Blowtorch Repair Speed: Increased slightly, improving repair efficiency on all tank components
- Anti-Tank Launcher Damage: Increased from 325 to 380. This adjustment preserves the same number of required hits to destroy tanks while heightening the threat level to Armor units
- Anti-Tank Gun Damage: Increased from 350 to 400. This adjustment makes these weapons more potent against all tanks; particularly heavy tanks which can now be destroyed in fewer hits compared to the anti-tank launchers
