Greetings, Generals!
Open Beta |
Open Beta 01 |
Open Beta Update 02
Please share your feedback for this beta version in this dedicated thread. If you encounter any bugs, kindly report them in the appropriate bug report forum. If you choose to start a new thread, please include “[open beta]” in the title so we can track it easily.
I’m Zwirbaum, a Game Designer for Hearts of Iron. After a short hiatus last week, I am back with another Open Beta update. My original roadmap for this initiative was to conclude the beta alongside the release of Peace for our Time. Given that the launch date is nearly upon us—next Friday, to be precise—we are reaching the final stretch. Nevertheless, this week still includes a series of refinements; you can find the specifics in the patch notes below.
With Peace for our Time launching next week, you might wonder about the future of this Open Beta. While I initially intended to wrap things up now, the process had its share of hurdles. We missed a week of updates, and I spent roughly two weeks prioritizing adjustments to Submarine Visibility to ensure they reached a balanced state. Balancing my standard duties with community engagement, dev diary production, and active balancing was, frankly, a significant time crunch.
That said, I am considering continuing this Open Balance Beta after next week’s release. The goal would be to transition from the current version to a new build based on the 1.18 patch. If we proceed, updates will likely shift to a bi-weekly cadence to better accommodate my schedule. I would love to hear your thoughts on whether you would find value in a post-1.18 version of this balance beta.
That is all for now. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Until next time!
/Zwirbaum
If you are interested in joining the Open Beta but aren’t sure how, please review the instructions provided in the initial Open Beta announcement here.
Current Beta Client: Musketeer v1.17.5.2.446d (3124)
- Advanced Destroyers: Naval Dominance Factor increased from 40 to 42.
- Coastal Defense Ship: Max Strength (HP) increased from 100 to 110.
- Fuel Efficiency Updates: Reduced fuel consumption across various hulls, including Early through Advanced Heavy Ships, Modern Heavy Ships, Super Heavy Ships, and various Carrier/Cruiser configurations.
- Naval Dominance: Increased factor for Early Heavy Ships and Improved Carriers to 325.
- Light Ship Engine III: Fuel consumption slightly reduced from 10 to 9.
- Submarine Engines: Engine II now provides a -3.5% visibility bonus. Engine III provides -7% visibility and improved fuel economy. Nuclear engines now offer -15% visibility and a boosted speed of +20%.
- Cruiser/Heavy/Carrier Engine Rebalancing: Various adjustments to production costs, speed, and fuel consumption to better align naval performance.
- Doctrines: Mine-laying bonuses for Submarines have been redirected to Destroyers (+25%). Long Range Submarine sub-doctrines now provide specific buffs to Nuclear Submarine detection, visibility, and torpedo attack stats.
- Support Ships: Removed base 1 Sub Detection/Depth Charge stats. Increased Max Strength to 30 and improved operating range for Support and Repair vessels.
Bug Fixes
- Screening Efficiency: Effects are now calculated based on actual efficiency values rather than applying full bonuses at any level above 0%.
- Carrier Logic: Carrier Stance settings now apply to the first 24 hours of combat consistently, preventing issues caused by reinforcing carriers entering the fray late.
UI Improvements
- Ship Designer/Cards: Now display a “Hit Profile” stat. Hovering over this will reveal the unmodified hit chance for various attack types.
- Note: Under base game defines, hit chance remains capped at 10% for the hit profile modifier, though this is calculated after other variables. (Note: Localization for non-English languages is pending).
- Cleanliness: Naval Minelaying and Minesweeping stats are now hidden if the value is 0.