Boat Crew: Relentless Cannonade - Developer's Diary F3
Nov 15, 2024We're with you in the third diary of this series, talking about some additional tools to help you on your request to reclaim the Solomons. Let's start this off with a bang.
In the last diary, we had promised that there would be another big gun, and here it is. We are adding the M1 75 mm Pack Howitzer as a usable utility weapon. The larger, bulkier cousin to the fan favorite 60 mm M2 Mortar, the Pack Howitzer is more expensive, bulkier, and slower to fire, while requiring 2 crewmen to operate it to boot.
As a howitzer, a new type of utility weapon, it will also require considerably better aim to use; coming with an artillery sight instead of the top-down view like on the Mortar.
To compensate, it has noticeably increased damage, range, explosion radius and smoke radius compared to the Mortar. In addition, it has dramatically increased damage per ammo box, above that of any other type of utility weapon.
We are aware that the mortar is a very popular weapon enjoyed by many of you, so we can't wait to hear what you think about the Pack Howitzer! It's different in some substantial ways, but should offer its own brand of high explosive fun.
Joining your side is the P-39 Airacobra, a rather underrated low altitude fighter, equipped with a 37 mm cannon nested within the engine block. Not a particularly tough or fast fighter, the powerful autocannon is what turns it into a remarkable support aircraft.
Carrying HE shells by default and joining airfield-based air wings on occasion, P-39 has plenty of ammunition with which to destroy soft skinned targets, assuming it's lucky enough to survive for a while. An alternative variant with AP shells will also be available, costing a bit more in heat and having less splash damage while hitting much harder on direct hits, allowing it to methodically dismantle tougher targets, again assuming it lives long enough to do so.
Overall, the P-39, while not anything groundbreaking, should be an interesting sight on the battlefield and add variety to the already expansive list of support powers. As with all Army aircraft, it will be available through the reward system at higher threat levels.
During your campaign to retake the Solomons, you will encounter a wide array of boats, aircraft, and ships—both friend and foe. As the saying goes, "knowing is half the battle," so to equip you with crucial intel, we're introducing a feature we affectionately call the Boatuary—a contraction of "Boat Bestiary." While it began as an internal nickname, it stuck around and has now become the official title. It might not be formal, but it’s memorable, and we think it captures the spirit perfectly!
The Boatuary is your go-to guide for every boat, ship, and aircraft you’ll face. Each entry provides a detailed description, an assessment of its threat level, and a 3D model you can rotate and zoom in on for closer inspection. It's designed to give you the edge, helping you anticipate what to expect from any unit you encounter.
Eventually, we would like to integrate it into the Campaign, but for now, it remains as a separate mode accessible straight from the main menu.
We should also add that this was a previously requested feature that we thought would be a fine addition to the tools available to you, so thank you for the suggestion!
As you'll have noted with the 3"/50 Dual Purpose Gun, lately we have been experimenting with alternate ammunition types for use against different target types. Entering the enemy's arsenal are the San Shiki or beehive shells, which are, to be brief about it, are special shells that explode just before reaching their target, showering them in an incendiary blast. Meant for and ineffective at anti-aircraft combat, they're nevertheless effective against soft surface targets.
After all, what is made out of plywood and has the crew exposed on the deck? Your boat, Captain!
Certain variants of certain enemy ships, starting from the Fubuki and going heavier, will be firing beehive rounds at small targets such as yourself, to much greater effect than they have been reported to have in real life. Not every shot will be of this variety, but rather there will be a certain chance that whenever you or an other allied small target is fired at by a shell, that said shell will be a beehive shell.
You can expect to see all of these in the next Experimental update, coming before the end of the week.
That's all we have for now,
Captain,
T.T.