July #5 Digest

WOWS

Glitchy session today with repeated server disconnections (four in total). Sure enough when it finally "stabilized" I noticed the "new notification" to sign up for a WOWS game account. This situation happens perhaps once a month now. Thing is I joined the game via Steam back in 2019 and it was never an issue. But when WOWS forced everyone to just the one account a couple of years back when I responded with the option to do so by linking my Steam account through WG, nothing happened apart from receiving these repeated notifications to create a new WOWS account. 

Anyway I just cut my session short and logged out because being disconnected would continue until I created a new WOWS account as WG wanted. 

But during the brief "stabilisation" moment I did managed to run Le Terrible in a couple of Operations games primarily for the 10-token reward (Dawn of a Nation event still got two days left). First game I died early so missed out. Second game I lasted to the end and got my 30,000 credit compensation reward. Then I logged out. 

Still adjusting to the French destroyer play style on Le Terrible. She can go toe-to-toe with most DDs but she has weak armour. No smoke. No hydro. Engine boost to her speed helps when at top speed but useless when stationary as she takes a while to get going (unlike the Cossack which has a fast take-off). Gun boost is useful but short timed. Poor rudder shift. Importantly she has poor stealth for a DD - 8 km detection range - which makes her easy target for focus fire. I guess that's why she got the engine boost. Torps are okay but in an odd configuration with two sets one side and one set the other. 8 km range.

I will slug it out though because of the 200% economic bonus boost. And I need to improve playing the French DD line if I am to get the full benefit from them. 

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Same as yesterday only this time no "new notification" to create a WOWS account. Fortunately. Keys kept sticking during game but I persevered and finished getting the daily trio of coal loot crates before getting disconnected. 

Yes, played the Le Terrible or as I now call it, Le Awful. A bit harsh but still adapting to its particular play style which is bold and more hit-and-run than I'm accustomed to or prefer. Guess that discounts me from grinding for Paolo Emilio. 

To be honest, I'm more interested in the Vampire II than the OP "Yolo" Emilio. For one thing, Vamp Deuce is a Commonwealth ship and I am chasing any and all ships from this nation. And playing her requires a different set of skills. 

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So they're changing the regular Event Pass with Battle Pass just for the Update (15.6)

The Battle Pass will run through Update 15.6 and will temporarily replace the standard Event Pass. Instead of unlocking rewards one after another in a linear progression, you will navigate a single strategic map made up of three areas that each contain individual sectors. You will be able to choose your own path of progression and find the quickest way to the rewards you most desire. 

The starter area will be available immediately with the release of Update 15.6, the second area will unlock after one week, and the third area will unlock two weeks after the start of the Update. Once an area becomes available, it will remain accessible until the end of the Battle Pass. This means that even if you start your journey later, you will still begin from the first area and be able to progress normally.

All players start from the same sector. By completing daily and weekly missions, you earn Battle Pass Points, which can be used to claim sectors on the map. Only sectors adjacent to already captured sectors can be claimed, unless additional conditions apply.

Each claimed sector grants a free reward. You can upgrade each of the three areas separately with Doubloons, thus unlocking additional rewards for every sector of a selected area. You will get these additional rewards for sectors you already captured, as well as any new ones you claim in that area. Once you upgrade an area, you can spend Doubloons to instantly claim adjacent sectors, as long as no other conditions apply.

The cost to upgrade the first, second, and third areas will be 2000, 750, and 750 Doubloons, respectively.

Rewards for all three areas will be visible from the launch of Update 15.6, so that you can plan your journey accordingly. This Battle Pass will offer a slightly increased number of rewards over what you would usually expect from Event Passes.

We have also renewed the Battle Pass UI, which will help with onboarding and information.

 

 

What exactly does "slightly increased number" signify? And why are they changing this basic format around? That last question is rhetorical. Junk rewards are listed in the devblog. No ship rewards. Therefore no incentive to bother. This seems the way of the future for WOWS; Battle Pass is the norm in WOTS so why should it be any different for WOWS. Glad I'm finishing as soon as I reach seven hundred and fifty ships. 

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Update 15.6 kicked in today. Loads of new events listed in the Armoury. And loads of ships for purchase or earning from those events. 

Of special interest though for me was the new temporary Battle Pass event. Realised that the start point is not randomised but pre-determined (the coloured polygon on the map below). Instantly put me off from committing. 

Now there are 81 sectors instead of the old 20 or 30 phases. More work for bugger all reward was my initial reaction. 

The usual Event Pass included a daily (250 and 1500 BASE XP) and weekly missions (every Thur earn five 3000 BASE XP). These remain the same for the new Battle Pass event. But a new weekly mission (earn 8000 BASE XP once) has been added. 

Today I simply played for the daily and part of the weekly mission points (see below). But I won't commit just yet.

Still experiencing problems playing Le Terrible. In contrast, Cossack was fine. 

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SurrounDead

Went back to the oil rig today after my shortened WOWS session. Failed to pick the locks on two gun cabinets that required them because the lockpicks I had with me kept breaking. Despite being an easy skill to pick up any other time, for some reason these two cabinets proved stubborn. Even though I took twenty lock picks with me they broke and I failed to open the cabinets. So, I really can't verify if there is a Barret rifle there or not.

I'm wondering if either of the nearby half sunken vessels might have this legendary weapon? 

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Spent the past two days just driving about looting and shooting. In other words, a relaxing session after the annoyance of playing WOWS. No rush going anywhere. 

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Other PC games

Downloaded the Master of Command demo tonight (Wednesday) as I'm keen to play some SYW however it's presented. 

Interesting game. More about logistics than anything else. But then isn't that a fundamental rule in warfare - good logistics being essential to any military enterprise? Anyway, I had fun playing the campaigns. 

You get three campaign maps. I chose the Silesian region. Default army is Prussian (of course). Came up against the Austrians mainly in small brigade engagements. You get additional brigades according to your battlefield successes (loot) and abilities to extract supplies and manpower from the various towns and cities visited. And there are outposts, slums, forts - all either friendly or hostile. And additional "rewards" like finding and adopting a bear mascot. And so on. 

The battles are small affairs (brigade size). Game mechanics are interesting. Make sure your units have full ammo otherwise they just stand there and get kilt.  

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Had another go at Master of Command. Liking it more and more. Finished the demo game. Chose the Silesian campaign. Requirement was control five battlefields and four outposts. Then battle enemy HQ army. Of course, you're outnumbered. Lucky, by this time, I had three brigades - a mix of artillery, cavalry and infantry. Faced off against four enemy brigades with artillery, infantry and cavalry.

Had my cuirassiers and grenadiers on the left flank. Command HQ (Frederick and escort) was in the centre with two musketeer units, two artillery units and one cavalry regiment. My right was occupied by one musketeer and cavalry regiment. 

Enemy advanced. I pushed my right flank cavalry out wide to disrupt the enemy's advance. Only diverted one infantry unit. Meanwhile their centre advanced on mine. Furious firing and melees broke out as I countercharged. Lots of back and forth with enemy winning the centre. Meanwhile my left managed to roll their front and then they advance on the centre from the rear. 

Broke up the enemy's gains in the centre. And that was it. We won. 

Between completing the requirements, you have to contend with patrolling enemy forces whom you engage in encounter battles. 

Will I buy the game? Not right now. I have another SYW PC game that I haven't played yet, and want to try out first. It is more involved in terms of logistic management so it will determine if I get this game or not. 

Some issues with game controls but that's simply lack of familiarity. No doubt it will come right eventually. 

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