The devs really messed up this game with one hit magical SPG (self propelled gun or specially privliged gun however you want to call this magic weapon).  No skill whatsoever to use it just click and magically you get a satellite view where you can zoom in on any enemy tank any where on the map as they are lit up by the magic gheydar.

Game is a worthless arcade version for tanks of naval field.  

I in some ways agree. I think SPGs are a good idea, however the orbital view is rediculous. I mean they are WW2 tanks, not modern day laser guided/ target painted artillary or airial drone missiles. The suggestion I came up with seems a bit more balanced and timeline correct. My suggestion is that instead of a overhead camera view of the detected tanks they instead shade in areas of the overhead view as an approximate area of the scouted tank. That way getting direct hits is more challenging and its more like WW2 style radio ins for artillary.  Also the skill level of the SPGs commander crew member would adjust the approximatey of the shaded area on the overview. So in other words, a commander of said SPG with a skill level of  100% would have a smaller  more approximate area of shading to indicate where their target is.  A commander with a skill level of 50% would have an area or approximatey that is maybe 50% larger. Also to balance it out a bit more they would need to make SPG fire act more like splash explosive damage rather than direct fire. The closer the shell hit to the tank the more damage it inflicts on the tank. Currently shells that dont hit the tank directly rarely inflict any damage at all. Direct hits from the higher tiered SPGs would likely 1 shot most tanks aside from T8-T10 tanks.

-Harder to hit target cause you dont actually see the tank, just an approximate area.

-Increase area of splash damage (bigger shells have a larger AOE)

-Direct hits would be a lot more uncommon (especially on the faster light tanks), so make direct hits 1 shot most tanks.

Just my 2 cents.

My fixes:

1) Remove them from the game. They weren't tank killers in reality, and they shouldn't be the best tank killers in the game here.

2) If they remain then do the following:

  a) Add the ability for the light tanks to actually "scout". Give them a binoc view that lets them zoom in on an area.

  b) In artillery mode: Increase the default area (note, area, not radius) "aiming ring" by 20x. These are self propelled guns firing low velocity HE shells in lob style trajectories, they are not pinpoint accurate.

  c) IF a light vehicle goes into scouting mode and is "aimed" at an area, reduce the aiming ring area by 75% (so it's only 5x as large as it is now) of any arty within its signal range (and give scouts radios with increase signal range as options).

  d) In artillery mode, make the ring static sized (and of course, I would have a modifier for commander/gunner skills, but not too much, maybe if both were 100%, decrease the size by 10%). Movement of the vehicle/gun wouldn't make the circle spring to a larger size, it's already large enough.

  e) In artillery mode: Increase firing rate of arty by double (make it more of a barrage than the indirect SNIPEZOR CANNON of doom it is now).

  f) Increase ammo amount by 20x.

  g) decrease ammo cost by 20x.

  h) Leave direct fire mode the same as it is now. To avoid reloading abuse by switching to arty mode and back out, halve the "amount" reloaded when leaving arty mode, even if it's fully loaded in arty mode, its now half loaded (think of it more of adjusting to using Direct Fire sights instead of indirect fire sights).

This would make it more of an artillery barrage style of play, which would mimic reality a bit better, and add more action (explosions, etc) to the game, and you could "blind fire" on the usual spots where the ENEMY artillery sets up without having to worry about wasting precious (and expensive) ammo.

you have no idea on how much SPGs suck until you sit in a t8-t9 close to immovable object called a "hvy tank". With a usual top speed of 13-16 and some maps lacks cover well... its a 20k loss at start of map.. well sometimes anyway but having good scouts and decent SPG allies well... usually minimizes that problem.

Whats annoying is especially those fucking sovjet t6 SPG that does almost 1k dmg at a hit, sure the shells their firing probably cost about 5k each but its still frustrating since the super heavy t8 and t9 (german) cant really avoid them.

Saying they destroy the game might be a.. well its a small nuiscens but not anything more, so long as you can use cover artillery isnt a problem. In general Im much more afraid of the Jagdtiger then any SPG but Il agree to not liking SPGs in WoT even though I play as one (secondary, t9 VK4502 as main).

One thing that should be altered for sake of balance.. or well I dont think indirect fire should be able to injur crew men or cause damage to sub systems, not because of realism but simply because SPGs are powerful as it is. Having your tracks destroyed in the open is a death sentence, especially for lighter vehicles..

Originally posted by PapaB34R

you have no idea on how much SPGs suck until you sit in a t8-t9 close to immovable object called a "hvy tank". With a usual top speed of 13-16 and some maps lacks cover well... its a 20k loss at start of map.. well sometimes anyway but having good scouts and decent SPG allies well... usually minimizes that problem.

Whats annoying is especially those fucking sovjet t6 SPG that does almost 1k dmg at a hit, sure the shells their firing probably cost about 5k each but its still frustrating since the super heavy t8 and t9 (german) cant really avoid them.

Saying they destroy the game might be a.. well its a small nuiscens but not anything more, so long as you can use cover artillery isnt a problem. In general Im much more afraid of the Jagdtiger then any SPG but Il agree to not liking SPGs in WoT even though I play as one (secondary, t9 VK4502 as main).

One thing that should be altered for sake of balance.. or well I dont think indirect fire should be able to injur crew men or cause damage to sub systems, not because of realism but simply because SPGs are powerful as it is. Having your tracks destroyed in the open is a death sentence, especially for lighter vehicles..

 I drive a TD as my main, with 30mm of armor, arty is a one hit kill on me 90% of the time, and I have to stop to shoot with any accuracy at all.  I like to think I'm a pretty good player, I have over a 1:1 k/d with the TD, even when facing vastly superior tanks/arty most of the time (the SU-85 w/107mm is what I currently use)... what's sad is with the SU-5 (my first "alt"), I have over a 2:1 K/D ratio against the same tanks (and a better winning percentage, nearly 60%, vs something like 54% in my TD).

Originally posted by angriff

The devs really messed up this game with one hit magical SPG (self propelled gun or specially privliged gun however you want to call this magic weapon).  No skill whatsoever to use it just click and magically you get a satellite view where you can zoom in on any enemy tank any where on the map as they are lit up by the magic gheydar.

 

Game is a worthless arcade version for tanks of naval field.  

 " AUCTUNG "

Da Hummel wir beobachten sie. " Lipscomb "

You do all realize that all it takes to remove the enemy spg's is one of your spgs and a competent light tank driver? I can not tell you how many times the heavy and medium tanks let the a-20 and leopards stroll right into our home base, and watch as the enemy arty destroys their arty. Not too menion that a leopard alone destroys arty as soon as it gets behind it.

And how about the fact that without scouts, arty is useless. How a TD can see an arty long before the arty can see it and destroy it in one hit? How about how fast some of the medium tanks move and how it can destroy everything on the map? Don't tell me you've never seen a medium tank running circles around a heavy whose turret can not keep up with the movement of the med tank. There are so many checks and balances in this game and it really comes down to who has the better team work in an even tank match. Sadly too many wanna be super solo'ers think they should be allowed free reign all over the map with no one there to stop their assault.

Arty has limited shots as it is, with incredible reload times, use your head and cover and they are not too difficult to beat.

I agree with the OP, SPG does in fact ruin the game. I would not spend one red cent on this game if it in the game at release.

I have read some of your comments and I totally disagree. I play arty I have a SU-8 SU-14 Hummel and a m-12 . It appears to me you are typical persons that like to jump to conclusions without merit.One thing that none of you have mentioned is the following.

1. I find that alot of players dont move they just sit there camping and when an arty hits them and perhaps has a good shot they r dead. My suggestion is that u need to move . Majority of player that I dmg or kill dont move. Su-14 takes approx 32 seconds to reload another 13 sec to target in other words getting the reticle small and shot within that circle., then its 50-50.

2 The dmg that each arty piece is based on actual dmg of each shell blast during the war. Su-14 has dmg 2300 max  there is an AP shell with values of penetration 195-325 dmg 1800 now again it takes approx 13 sec to get a good aim on target. So if you it the top side of the tank chances r that u might get a one shot kill, but it is rare. Please note they say it takes 6 sec to aim Bugged.

5. Each shell has a splash radius the HE shell of the Su14 has a 6.8m  but we all know that great explosiveness of the shells greater and smaller radius.

For the players that come here and say it ruins the game are not being objectional. They have nerf the arty in the gamenow players cry that arty must be afk or asleep. Yes there are those that will complain about antthing especially what they dont like. At this present stage and its sill in BETA  and got a ways to go.

 I have to disagree, any sort of mortar type weaponry, will add a challenge than destroy any portion of the game. Those of you saying that it takes no skill to drive an SPG are way off. For one, they are slow, so shooting and skooting tends to be the only way they can survive. Provided they have a competent support group with them. If you want easy mode, you could always go play WoW or Hello Kitty Island Adventures. If you want a challenge that will keep you on your toes, and provide hours of fun. Then this game is for you. On a side note, I would like to say that I despise straight player vs player games. But this is the first time I ever had fun with it, and keep going back in to take more lumps.

 Word of warning to our veterans. If you have ever drove armor while in the military. This may very well set off your PTSD. Speak with your physician or stop playing if you ever feel yourselves about to "lose" it.

http://www.zam.com/bffreport.html?bffreport=44

MikeB talks about your concerns in here.

I used to be annoyed by SPGs, but after the recent nerfs they are very inaccurate.  Gone are the days of 4 or 5 SPGs per side as a lot of people have stopped playing them now that they're not EZ mode.  I play on the russian live server and over the last couple weeks I've been put in more and more matches without any arty at all.

 I don't know what nerfs you were talking about. But I've had zero problems with accuracy. If your gunner isn't doing his job, then it's probably because you don't have him trained. About the only thing that's harder than hitting a moving target for an arty, is getting enough xp for that next tier.

Originally posted by jihashi

 I don't know what nerfs you were talking about. But I've had zero problems with accuracy. If your gunner isn't doing his job, then it's probably because you don't have him trained. About the only thing that's harder than hitting a moving target for an arty, is getting enough xp for that next tier.

 may help you to read latest patch notes Overlord calls it a bug hitting outside the circle. But They way arty plays now it does give you the impression that its been nerf. I have noticed a big different in the way it plays not especially the Hummel. Here we have the most accirate arty gun in game ( supposedly) and the russain arty does a much better job at it.

Along with a better coefficient  for tanks camo on Td's etc russians have a better coefficient

Originally posted by Smintar

Originally posted by jihashi

 I don't know what nerfs you were talking about. But I've had zero problems with accuracy. If your gunner isn't doing his job, then it's probably because you don't have him trained. About the only thing that's harder than hitting a moving target for an arty, is getting enough xp for that next tier.

 may help you to read latest patch notes Overlord calls it a bug hitting outside the circle. But They way arty plays now it does give you the impression that its been nerf. I have noticed a big different in the way it plays not especially the Hummel. Here we have the most accirate arty gun in game ( supposedly) and the russain arty does a much better job at it.

Along with a better coefficient  for tanks camo on Td's etc russians have a better coefficient

 Speaking of reading. Maybe you should reread my statement? Here, I'll even put a seperate line in there so you won't get confused.

 I had ZERO trouble with accuracy.

If your gunner isn't doing his job, then it's probably because you don't have him trained.

 Once again, there really was no nerf for artillary. Notice, also, that artillary has a target reticle. As in, that small circle of dots that slowly gets smaller. If you wait just long enough, it will give you a better chance to hit your target.

Does that clarify my statement up enough?

I disagree, SPG brings another dimension to the game. Taking arty away would make the game flatter, with players only having to worry about direct fire. ALso, having arty gives players with different playstyles something to choose between. 

To make it short, removing arty from the game would make it too simplistic in my view.

Spg doesnt ruin the game lol, they are part of the game, the game IS with spgs, you cant say it ruins the game, caus they are part of it and that is how the devs want their game to be. ANd they arent that annoying and nowadays 75% of games a sgp free, and with the recent nerf its way harder to be of any good with spgs

"SPG ruins this beta" fixed.

i dont think arty is ruining the game, i hate it to no end and would play without it if i could but only because it seems to be the only thing in the game where good tactics dont help you defend against it, the only tactic is to counter arty which only a few arty players are good at, or suicide scout and hope arty can hit it or the scout can get it, those are offensive tactics not defensive.  the only defensive tactic is to get in a spot where arty cant hit you or camp and try to remain hidden, staying on the move wont help unless you are in a light or medium tank cause a heavy cant move fast enough or turn fast enough, it has to move in a predictable straight ahead pattern pretty much which arty can easily pick out.  against other tank you can angle your tank to bounce or move behind cover to avoid fire but arty is much harder to do that with and good arty just wait till you pop out and then they do crazy insane damage and destroy modules which make you combat inneffective even if you dont die from it.  arty dont ruin the game but it does make it more annoying in certain maps and at certain times, it needs to be limited to one arty per side per match, if youget more than that arty can be devastating. one is just a nuisance.

I disagree with the OP - they recently nerfed arty accuracy. And the reload time for the higher tiers is so long that it makes playing arty kind of boring. I don't like em. I played the tier 1  american arty and became excited because the reload time isn't so bad even with the accuracy issues but, the higher tiers are just so slow to reload - F that...

FIRE! miss... reload...read a book, watch some tv... FIRE!

I don't care for arty players however - they are basically playing "I'm too lame to do any real tank battling" kinda gamestyle.

What would be nice is if they limit how many arty can be on a team.