Hell Let Loose

Hell Let Loose Dev Brief #218 | Update 20 Experimental Branch Test

Version
Dev Brief #218 | Update 20 Experimental Branch Test
Version Date
May 21, 2026
Links
Source

Patch Notes

Dev Brief #218 | Update 20 Experimental Branch Test

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Welcome everyone to the Update 20 Experimental Branch. After our previous test earlier this month on Juno Beach, we are returning this weekend with our Update 20 Exp Branch complete with our latest map Juno Beach, the Canadian Forces, and a host of armor changes that we cannot wait for you to experience. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]For more information on Juno Beach and the Canadians, head over to Dev Brief #217. In this blog we will dive deeper into some of the upcoming armor changes that you can expect in Update 20 and during your testing this weekend. [/p][p][/p][p]We are also excited to reveal some of our brand new War Correspondents joining the programme. Be sure to read on to find out more. [/p][p][/p]

Armor Changes

[p]With a lot of tanks having new health values, new damage outputs and the damage resistance system in place, the following rules will apply when landing shots on armor hull:[/p]
  • [p]Heavy damage on Heavy health = 3 shots to the front, 2 shots to the side and rear.[/p]
    • [p]The Firefly, with its increased damage output, will only need 2 shots to the front on other Heavies[/p]
    • [p]Heavy damage on Medium health = 2 shots.[/p]
    • [p]Heavy damage on Light and Recon health = 1 shot.[/p]
    • [p]Medium damage on Heavy health = 3 shots to the side, 2 shots to the rear.[/p]
    • [p]Medium damage on Medium health = 2 shots.[/p]
    • [p]Medium damage on Light and Recon health = 1 shot.[/p]
    • [p]Light damage on Heavy health = 3 to 4 shots to rear.[/p]
    • [p]Light damage on Medium health = 3 shots.[/p]
    • [p]Light damage on Light and Recon health = 1 to 2 shots.[/p]
    • [p]Recon damage on Heavy health = 5 to 6 shots to rear.[/p]
    • [p]Recon damage on Medium health = 4 to 6 shots.[/p]
    • [p]Recon damage on Light and Recon health = 2 to 3 shots.[/p]
    [p][/p][p][/p][p]There are also a number of changes being made to specific tanks. The following are a handful of tanks being balanced to fit these new rules. All tanks have been balanced but here is a small preview of what is to come:[/p][p][/p]

    German Forces

    Panther
    [p]This balance change is to make a clear distinction between the Tiger I and the Panther. While both classed as Heavy tanks, the Panther has kept its damage output as a Heavy but now has the health as a Medium. These changes are also reflected in its fuel cost and armor values detailed later on.[/p]
    • [p]Hull Health - 1170 → 930[/p]
    • [p]Turret Health - 990 → 850[/p]
    • [p]Tracks Health - 910 → 730[/p]
    • [p]Engine Health - 550 → 480[/p]
    • [p]Turret Rotation - 12 → 10[/p]
    • [p]AP Ammo Count - 40 → 45[/p]
    • [p]HE Ammo Count - 40 → 30[/p]
    • [p]Fuel Cost - 600 → 430[/p]
    • [p]Cooldown - 600 → 420 seconds[/p]
    [p][/p]

    British/Canadian

    Sherman Firefly
    [p]Similar to the Panther, the Firefly has had big adjustments. It now has the health of a Medium tank and changes to its armor values, however has seen a large increase to its damage. This is to reflect its role as a tank killer.[/p]
    • [p]Hull Health - 1180 → 900[/p]
    • [p]Turret Health - 1020 → 830[/p]
    • [p]Tracks Health - 920 → 710[/p]
    • [p]Engine Health - 580 → 460[/p]
    • [p]Turret Rotation - 10 → 12[/p]
    • [p]AP Damage - 850 → 920[/p]
    • [p]Fuel Cost - 600 → 560[/p]
    • [p]Cooldown - 600 → 630 seconds[/p]
    [p][/p]

    US

    Sherman Jumbo 75
    [p]During gameplay, players will still tend to lean towards the 76 version of this tank. With its adjusted values and cheaper cost, the 75 is now more of a point control menace. Its high HE count and large HE explosion radius, this tanks primary function is anti-infantry. If players aim to destroy enemy tanks, the 76 is still the go to.[/p]
    • [p]Hull Health - 1170 → 1230[/p]
    • [p]Turret Health - 1050 → 1020[/p]
    • [p]Turret Rotation - 14 → 12[/p]
    • [p]AP Damage - 700 → 710[/p]
    • [p]HE Ammo Count - 60 → 65[/p]
    • [p]Fuel Cost - 600 → 410[/p]
    • [p]Cooldown - 600 → 430[/p]
    [p][/p][p]We will add even more information to the Update 20 Changelog, so be sure to tune in once it drops in June. [/p][p][/p]

    Armor Values

    [p]We have also made changes to armor values on tanks. These changes are to better reflect their real world counterpart but balanced within the world of Hell Let Loose:[/p][p][/p]
    Heavy Tank
    [p]Top of Heavy turrets decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
    • [p]Panther updates:[/p]
      • [p]Side hull decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
      • [p]Turret front increased. Only Heavies can pen this armor.[/p]
      • [p]Turret sides and rear decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
      • [p]Firefly updates:[/p]
        • [p]Front hull decreased. Mediums can now pen this armor.[/p]
        • [p]Side hull decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
        • [p]Turret front, side and rear decreased. Mediums can now pen this armor.[/p]
        [p][/p]
        Medium Tank
        • [p]Side hull of all Medium tanks decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
        • [p]Panzer IV updates:[/p]
          • [p]Turret sides and rear decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
          [p][/p]
          Light Tank
          • [p]Front hull on all lights, not including the T-70, decreased. Lights can now pen this armor.[/p]
          [p][/p]
          Recon Tank
          • [p]All armor on Recon tanks have been decreased slightly. AT launchers should destroy these tanks with 1 shot.[/p]
          [p][/p]

          Armor resistance changes

          [p]All tanks now feature a new Armor Resistance system. Armor thickness now provides a percentage based damage reduction depending on its thickness. The values have been updated from feedback.[/p]
          • [p]Heavy frontal armor now provides a 32% resistance, up from 25%.[/p]
          • [p]Medium frontal armor and Heavy side armor now provides a 16% resistance, up from 15%.[/p]
          • [p]Light frontal armor, Medium side armor and all rear armor now provides a 8% resistance, up from 5%.[/p]
          [p][/p]

          Fuel Balance

          [p]With the new resistance system and balance changes, a fuel cost balance was required. This involved updating armor fuel costs as well as other vehicles. All fuel updates apply to each category of vehicle, across all factions. The new values for vehicles are:[/p][p][/p]
          Half Track
          • [p]Fuel Cost - 300 → 150[/p]
          • [p]Cooldown - 300 → 240 seconds[/p]
          [p][/p]
          Trucks
          Supply
          • [p]Fuel Cost - 100 → 70[/p]
          • [p]Cooldown - 90 → 75 seconds[/p]
          Transport
          • [p]Fuel Cost - 100 → 50[/p]
          • [p]Cooldown - 90 → 60 seconds[/p]
          [p][/p]
          Jeep
          • [p]Fuel Cost - 80 → 30[/p]
          • [p]Cooldown - 300 → 180 seconds[/p]
          [p][/p][p] [/p]

          Salvage Return Balance

          [p]Now that most of the vehicles have had a fuel balance pass, the amount of fuel and time taken to salvage have been updated. Here are the updated values:[/p]
          • [p]Heavy - 60 fuel in 12 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Panther and Jumbo 75 - 40 fuel in 10 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Medium - 20 fuel in 8 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Light - 15 fuel in 6 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Recon - 10 fuel in 4 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Half Track - 15 fuel in 6 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Truck - 5 fuel in 3 seconds.[/p]
          • [p]Jeep - 5 fuel in 3 seconds.[/p]
          [p][/p]

          Smoke Launchers

          [p]We’re excited to announce that a select few tanks will be gaining a new weapon; smoke launchers.[/p][p][/p][p]Set in the Commander/Spotter seat, players will now be able to fire smoke grenades, pressing Spacebar on PC and Right Bumper/R1 on controller, for some extra cover.[/p][p][/p][p]Smoke launchers can be different on a tank by tank basis. Some fire internally, some fire externally and some generate smoke from their exhausts. We’ll reveal the full list on the Update 20 changelog, however test them out this weekend and let us know your thoughts! [/p][p][/p]

          Shell Unloading

          [p]As previously mentioned in Dev Brief #217, all tanks now feature the option to unload a fully loaded shell. If you are in a situation where you have the wrong shell loaded, you can now simply unload it. No more firing the shell and revealing your location.[/p][p][/p]

          Tank Commander and Crewman Loadouts

          [p]For each faction, both the Tank Commander and Tank Crewman have had all their loadouts updated meaning that they both now carry a hammer. This will allow them to help out in building structures and have an easier time salvaging vehicles as you play.[/p][p][/p]

          Anti-Tank Updates

          [p]We have also made changes to the Anti-Tank role, with the rocket count reduced to 2 whilst damage increases (330 → 420), as well as the Anti-Tank Gun for all factions seeing a significant damage increase (400 → 535). [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

          Community Update

          [p]There is loads happening in the community currently. First up, tomorrow we will be livestreaming when the Exp Branch goes live over on the Hell Let Loose Official Twitch showing off the new update to the community. Be sure to jump into the chat and get chatting! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

          Introducing our New WCs

          [p]We have also been on a recruitment drive for the war effort, and we are excited to announce our next set of War Correspondents who have recently been drafted into the programme.[/p][p][/p]

          McBluffin

          [p]“McBluffin here! I have been playing Hell Let Loose for many years, on my channel you will find community/game analysis, updates on future projects and epic/hilarious gameplay all saturated with excessive sarcasm and buffoonery. See you on the battlefield.”[/p][p][/p][p]McBluffin can be found across YouTube, Twitch and TikTok.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

          Freckals

          [p]“Anti-Nonsense Nonsense Zone - Providing the hottest gameplay and coverage from deep down in the trenches to commanding in the back lines. We're here to game, but most of all, entertain and have fun with the community. Nonsense vibes encouraged. Content channels:”[/p][p][/p][p]Catch Freckals livestreaming on his Twitch, or on his YouTube and TikTok.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

          MrMG42

          [p]“When I’m not deploying my machine gun, I spend my free time in admin cam, capturing footage from both public and private matches. I also take screenshots in the midst of the chaos, preserving the true visual fidelity of this game. You can find me on my TikTok account.[/p][p][/p][p]I also run a community of 66,000 on Facebook called “Hell Let Loose Fans”, dedicated to sharing those memories and clips of the battle. Join the community on Facebook today!”[/p][p][/p][p]Check out MrMG42’s latest cinematic video over on Reddit.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This is not all however and in our next Dev Brief we will share details on three more War Correspondents joining the battle…[/p][p][/p][p]Stay tuned to see more content from all our WCs very soon on both Hell Let Loose and Hell Let Loose: Vietnam [/p][p][/p]

          War Correspondents Content

          [p]As always, our War Correspondents have been on the front-lines creating some incredible content. Check out some of their latest releases below:[/p][p][/p]
          IronHeart:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://youtu.be/7Un7V2B2SdU"][/dynamiclink][/p]
          TheFreshBakedGoods:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF7aV6uKhmM"][/dynamiclink][/p]
          DasAltberg:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://youtu.be/m7z4Cp3KJSo"][/dynamiclink][/p]
          Gebatron:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://youtu.be/Iwb9FInUJhE?si=kDohr498jXgjKqDx"][/dynamiclink][/p]
          Razbora:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPL-icrAhT8"][/dynamiclink][/p]
          SoulSniper:
          [p][dynamiclink href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsPMJJIZ_Gc"][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p]