Modern Warships August 2024 update (v0.82) is named Wall of Steel. This new version brings balance changes and new Chinese ships, aircraft, and weapons. In addition to new items from the Middle Kingdom, the update also features new customization items like camouflages and avatars inspired by the animal world.
Balance changes
The developers have been hard at work at tweaking the balance of Modern Warships and this update brings the latest round of buffs and nerfs to the game. Many of the older ships, aircraft, and weapons have been buffed so they can keep up with recently released items.
There are also some major changes to all planes across the board: the aircraft anti-missile flare cooldown has been increased from 4 seconds to 5 seconds. The cooldown for resupplying planes over a carrier has been increased from 5 seconds to 10 seconds. This means you can no longer use a VTOL-capable plane to hover over a carrier and fire an endless barrage of missiles at enemy targets.
MW Stats data has been updated so it takes into account all the changes. For the full changelog, see this article released by the developers.
Map changes
The Arid Frontier map has been redesigned in this update. The previous layout was not bad by any means, but the large amount of cover near spawn points meant that some matches could be slow to start or drag on for too long. The new layout makes the islands smaller and more scattered which facilitates faster and more dynamic gameplay. You can find a comparison of the old and new layout below.
Old layout
New layout
The full updated map along with spawn point order information can be found on our maps page.
Ships
CN Type 052DM Dazhou
This month’s Battle Pass ship is Type 052DM Dazhou. This Chinese destroyer is an upgraded and modernized version of the existing Type 052D Xiamen ship, available in tier II. The modernized version is located in tier III and therefore features improved firepower and other characteristics.
The Dazhou is a versatile destroyer with balanced stats and weapons it can use to combat any kind of threat, just like CN Type 055 Nanchang. While it does not have torpedoes, it can use its grenade launchers to repel enemy submarines and torpedoes. Four autocannons and four missiles total provide a lot of firepower against enemy surface threats.
The only weakness is the air defense: there are only two single slots which sound very weak on paper. However, the ship also has the new FM-3000N locked silo-based missile air defense system which is surprisingly powerful. You can also mount a dual-purpose system like the RAPIDFire in the autocannon slot to improve the air defenses. While the AA is not amazing, with these additions the ship can defend itself against air threats decently well.
You can get Type 052DM Dazhou for free by advancing to stage 40 in this month’s Battle Pass.
ROKS Chungnam
ROKS FFX Batch III has a new name: the ship has been renamed to ROKS Chungnam, like the real-life ship of the class. The frigate remains otherwise unchanged.
CN Type 052D Xiamen
The model of this tier II destroyer has been updated based on its modernized variant. The textures are more refined and there are now more details: for example the radar antenna now spins.
RF Admiral Nakhimov
The Admiral Nakhimov has been redesigned and now more closely resables its sister ship Pyotr Velikiy. The deck is much more colorful and detailed and some of the radars and other antennas have been swapped for different ones.
CN Type 003 Fujian
The third ship that has been remodeled is the CN Type 003 Fujian. When the ship was added to the game, the real-life carrier had not been launched yet so the devs had to take some guesses with the design. The new design is accurately modeled after the real ship: the deck is much thinner and the deck island has been redesigned. In addition to visual changes, one extra autocannon has been added to the ship. This brings the total amount to six. Finally, a visual effect has been added: the smokestack now emits white smoke particles.
To compare the old and new models for all the remastered ships, watch the video below.
Aircraft
J-16
This strike fighter is a Su-30 Flanker variant from China. It features a hypersonic missile in its arsenal. Also, there is an anti-air missile which can deal high damage and it not affected by flares. The strike fighter is a reward in the VIP Battle Pass.
Z-20H
A Chinese multirole helicopter. It features a flexible weapons loadout: the cannon and missile can destroy surface and air targets. Its second missile and torpedoes can target surface and underwater targets. The helicopter also features a sonar for detecting enemy submarines. This aircraft is a VIP Battle Pass reward.
Weapons
HQ-26
This anti-air weapon goes in your missile slot. It behaves a lot like RIM-174 (SM-6): it fires a single missile at surface or air targets. However, it has one trick up its sleeve: its explosion can deal area-of-effect (AOE) damage. This means that when aimed at an enemy aircraft, it can damage other nearby units or destroy projectiles launched by them. This weapon is a reward in the VIP Battle Pass.
CS/AN-3 (30 mm)
This is an upgraded version of the H/PJ-17 (30 mm) autocannon. While its design might be familiar, it features improved stats, as expected of a premium item. The damage output has been boosted, the range has been extended and the reload speed is faster. This autocannon is a Premium Battle Pass reward.
Camouflages
Three jungle-inspired camouflages are available through the Battle Pass.
In Ambush
This camouflage covers your ship in jungle leaves. On the side of the ship there is an image of a tiger that features a dynamic effect: when your ship is at a standstill, the predator is hidden in the dark. When you start moving, the predator emerges from the bush. This camouflage can be obtained by purchasing the VIP Battle Pass.
Feathers
A feather-pattern camo with dynamic effect. The color of the camouflage changes depending on the viewing angle. It is a Premium Pass reward.
Jungle
A simple camouflage with a colorful and flowery pattern. There are no animated effects. This camo is a reward in the Free Battle Pass.
Avatars
Three animal-inspired avatars can be obtained in the Battle Pass.
Panther Yachtsman (Premium Battle Pass)
Bull Boss (Free Battle Pass)
Resort Panda (Premium Battle Pass)
Flags
Four new national flags have been added to the store. You can buy them using gold in the shop and put them on your ship.
Armenia
Georgia
Honduras
Sweden
Battle Pass
To see what other rewards are in this month’s Battle Pass, click the card below to see all the details on our dedicated Battle Pass page.
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