It’s not always easy for new players to get used to the game, learn the battle mechanics, and show decent performance, especially if they find themselves in matches with experienced commanders. The Random Battle matchmaker and the introduction of AI players at lower tiers helps novices play in more comfortable battles and hone their skills faster.

Read on below to find out more, and don’t miss the frequently asked questions!

Helping Novices Hone Their Skills

Novices in low-tier Random Battles (Tier I–V) will find themselves matched against fellow novices to ensure they play in more comfortable battles.

If a novice enters a battle using low-tier (Tier I–V) vehicles, the matchmaker will try to assemble the battle in a separate queue involving only novices on both teams. But if there are not enough novices to create two full teams, the matchmaker will try to add regular players to these specific novice battles. If they enter a battle using a Tier VI vehicle as a novice player, they will instantly be placed in a standard Random Battles queue with regular players.

There are five maps for Tier I–III battles: Mines, Himmelsdorf, Abbey, Ensk, and Steppes, which will be randomized regardless of the opponents a player will face in battle (novices, regulars, or AI players). All other maps are available for battles involving Tier IV and higher vehicles.

AI Players at Lower Tiers

Our priority is to make sure that novices play against fellow novices so they can adapt to the game more easily.

But, depending on the server, time of day, and the current state of the queue, the matchmaker may not have enough players to form equal and competitive teams in Tier I–V matches. Adding AI-controlled tankers helps us quickly get players into battle and allows the matchmaker to assemble battles faster. On highly populated servers, players will be less likely to encounter AI players, but it may still happen from time to time.

Update 1.12.1 for World of Tanks is here, Commanders!

Now you can select the default state of hull lock in Sniper mode for tank destroyers and other tanks with limited turret/gun traverse angles. To enable the free movement of crosshairs, untick the box in the corresponding menu. Plus, you’ll be able to switch hull lock on or off in Sniper mode right in battle by using the “X” key. We’ve also added new sounds for the manual activation/deactivation of hull lock.

Matchmaking Improvements: Novice Queue

We’ve improved the matchmaker to make it easier for novices to grasp the basics of World of Tanks and adapt to the game. The matchmaker will create a separate queue for novices in low-tier (I–V) matches so that they can improve in more comfortable and less competitive battles.

The matchmaker will aim to create battles only with novices on both teams. But if there are not enough new players to create 2 full and equal teams, the matchmaker will try to assemble a Random Battle by adding regular players or, rarely, when there’s low population on the server during early/late hours, AI-controlled vehicles. You will instantly be able to distinguish all AI players via the ellipsis (“…”) in the player list interface. Their presence in battle will be completely transparent, and they will only be added in novice battles involving vehicles between Tiers I–V.

MORE INFO

A Feast of Events Awaits!

A host of engaging activities is just around the corner, Commanders! Here’s what awaits you in the near future.

Premium Account

Players with Premium Account will be credited an additional 24 hours of WoT Premium Account time to make up for the update maintenance period. If you’d like to make any in-game purchases, please wait until the servers are running again.

Downtime

World of Tanks servers will be down on 21 April from 02:30 to 09:30 CEST (UTC+2).

Main Changes

Battle Interface Improvements

Players can set the default state of hull lock in Sniper mode in the game settings for tank destroyers and other vehicles with limited turret/gun traverse angles.