Modern Warships May 2024 update is named Heralds of Freedom and has version number v0.79. This update brings a new Battle Pass season with ships, aircraft, and weapons originating from the United States of America. The patch also brings balance changes and new and redesigned maps. We have collected everything new in this update in this article!
Balance changes
This patch introduces the third round of balance changes. Many of the older ships, strike fighters, and bombers have been buffed. There are some highlights:
- RF Admiral Nakhimov now has four grenade launchers instead of three.
- ROKS Jeongjo the Great has two more air defense modules.
- RF Shtorm has an additional helicopter.
- CN Type 003 has three additional autocannons.
- PAK DA has an additional nuke bomb
- Scalp Naval has faster speed and less reload time
- X-51 has better speed and acceleration
- Zircon is now faster and locks on more quickly
For a comprehensive list of balance changes, see this blog post released by the developers.
Map changes
A new map has been added to the game in this patch, one map has been redesigned and spawn points have been updated on two maps.
Polar Frontier
This new beautiful night map is based on Monstrous Maelstrom layout and it features a sky with aurora borealis. Due to scattered cover, the map features fast and intense battles. To see the full layout of the map, see our maps page.
Monstrous Maelstrom
The Monstrous Maelstrom map has seen a major redesign. Previously this map suffered from being too large and having too many obstructions. This meant that games dragged on for too long before you could even encounter an enemy ship.
The new map version fixes this by breaking up the big island into several smaller ones and moving the spawn points closer to the center of the map. This still provides cover but makes matches on this map faster and more enjoyable. Below, you can find a comparison of the previous and current versions of the map.
Version 0.78
Version 0.79
Hidden Dragon
The Hidden Dragon retains its layout but the spawn points have been updated. While previously the CV spawns were right behind the regular ship spawns, they now have their own group. You can find a comparison below.
Version 0.78
Version 0.79
New port
To celebrate the third anniversary of the game, a new port has been added to the game which you can enjoy on the game home screen. This port features bright blue waves, buildings in the background, and a fireworks display.
Ships
USS Arkansas (CGN-41)
Just like USS Long Beach (CGN-9), the USS Arkansas was a nuclear-powered warship developed decades ago. It was commissioned before the U.S. Navy decided that nuclear propulsion is overkill for vessels that are not aircraft carriers.
Similarly Long Beach, this ship has gone through a fictional modernization process in the game. While originally sporting twin-arm launchers in the bow, it now has an additional cannon slot. This brings the total cannon count to three, rivaling the tier II IT Caio Duilio. Best of all, all the cannons are replaceable. The default Mark-45-Mod 4 is nothing to write home about but if you replace them with a single-shot cannon like Monarc, A-222 Bereg or TMF 155, the ship can deal a devastating blow in a single salvo.
The triple-cannon setup is definitely a highlight of the ship because the other characteristics are not nearly as good. The cannons are aided by a locked BGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV system which fires two missiles in a single salvo. While it is a reliable damage dealer, its downside is very slow initial start speed. There are also a dual free slot for a missile system.
Where the ship suffers is air defense and anti-submarine/torpedo warfare. It has only a single torpedo slot which makes it very vulnerable to submarines as there are no grenade launchers. That is, unless you sacrifice the missile slots for an ASW missile like the Swarmer. The lack of grenade launchers also leaves the ship defenseless against enemy torpedoes.
The air defense is a single, swappable dual slot. This is aided by six MK 38 Mod 4 autocannons that can destroy both surface and air targets. Needless to say, defense against enemy aircraft is definitely not a strong suit of this ship.
All in all, the triple-cannon setup and three total missile systems definitely makes this a strong ship against enemy surface targets. Just keep your distance from enemy submarines and planes! The USS Arkansas is the final, free reward in the May 2024 Battle Pass.
Aircraft
F-117A Nighthawk
The first operational plane with stealth technology. Despite its advanced materials and low observability, during the NATO conflict in Kosovo, troops of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia managed to shoot down the Nighthawk using a Soviet-era surface-to-air missile.
In Modern Warships, this strike fighter has high durability but a squadron size of just two. While a bit slow, it is very heavily armed. Its first weapon fires a pair of nuclear missiles that can deal heavy damage. The SCALPEL missile in slot two is laser-guided and therefore can bypass enemy flares. The Pyros fires a large swarm of small missiles. Finally, the aircraft features a nuclear bomb. However, because this is a free-fall bomb, you will need to fly right on top of the enemy to successfully use it.
This strike fighter is part of the VIP pass.
V-247 Vigilant
This tiltrotor helicopter looks strikingly similar to V-280 Valor, except for one detail: there is no cockpit as this is an unmanned aircraft. However, appearances can be deceiving. While the Valor has a very balanced layout which allows it to target surface, air, and underwater targets, the Vigilant lacks the torpedo capability.
However, this helicopter has higher speed and maneuverability. It can deal damage to surface targets using its railgun, missiles, and rockets. The railgun is also capable of destroying enemy helicopters and planes.
The V-247 Vigilant helicopter is a VIP pass reward.
Weapons
Maritime Strike
This missile battery fires two missiles in a salvo in a high arc. It features low reload and high speed. However, it takes some time for the projectiles to reach their maximum speed. You can obtain this missile in the VIP Battle Pass.
RIM-162D
This air defense system visually looks like an improved version of Sea Sparrow but it behaves more like Sea RAM or Crotale. It fires two missiles in a quick succession which makes it an effective defense against enemy missile threats. What makes this AA special is that it deals additional AoE damage. This weapon system is a reward in the Premium Battle Pass.
Camouflages
Three camouflages can be obtained using the Battle Pass system. These camos can be mounted on any ship.
Wild West
The Wild West camouflage depicts 19th-century American sunset with a horseback character. The hills in the background have a parallax animation. This camo is a reward in the VIP Battle Pass.
Hot Rod
This camo is themed after a vintage automobile. The animated flame completes the look. Part of the Premium Battle Pass.
Champion
This sport-themed camouflage features the patriotic colors of red, white and blue. It is a free reward in the battle pass.
Avatars
The Battle Pass contains three new player avatars.
DJ Jukebox (Premium Battle Pass)
Anita Ross (Premium Battle Pass)
Billy Barnes (Free 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.
Paraguay
Panama
Libya
Hungary
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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