We want to thank you everyone who has been jumping onto the Branch and giving us feedback. We hope you enjoy the improvements being made with this build.
SPAs:
Reload times increased to 10 seconds, previously 8 seconds.
Explosive radius increase to 31m, previously 16m.
Firing range on SPA increase to 600m, previously 500m.
Operational limit decreased from 1200m to 1000m.
Removal of the outpost accuracy system on SPA rounds.
Velocity of shells has increased-shell accuracy is improved at close range.
The damage of SPA AP rounds has been slightly increased. Was previously 800, is now 950.
US Sherman SPA re-textured.
Artillery Unit Changes
Artillery Units re-increased to 2.
Both Artillery Observer loadouts come with a flare gun.
Smolensk has additional sites to build artillery cannons in all HQs
3 in central HQ and 1 in each of the outside HQ's (for a total of 5 per team)
Commander Changes
Commander artillery rebalanced
Per strike it is 150 munitions (was tested at 375 in Build #3, and was previously 125)
Increased the commander ability cooldown so that it takes 16 mins to recharge
Smolensk
We have also been hard at work on other bugs that have been reported as well. Thank you to all of those who have submitted any issues you've noticed with Smolensk on the Bugs Reports Form.
This Sunday, SoulSniper and his Soldiers of Fortune, will be joining forces with the folks over at DraftHaus to host a few games on Smolensk on the Experimental Branch Build.
The goal is to get as many players as possible to join the server so we can get some full matches in on Smolensk, the new map coming next month with Update 19!
When: Sunday, 23 November 2025
Time: 9am PST | 12:00 EST | 17:00 GMT | 18:00 CET
Where: On the experimental build (see instructions on how to access this below)
Server Name: SOULSNIPER'S EVENT AND TESTING SERVER
Who: Open to anyone (on Steam) - invite your friends!
As a reminder, Build #3 tested changes included:
AT Launchers ammo count increased from 2 to 3
Ammo Depot ammo count increased from 10 to 20
Supply crate added to Mechanic loadout for Crewman
Artillery Strike now costs 375 Munitions > Previously 125 Munitions
Artillery Squad reduced from 2 to 1
As a reminder, Build #2 tested changes included:
Further Smolensk map improvements
Improvements made to SPA projectile motion
Improvements to the Killed In Action screen
Artillery Squads can dismantle their own OP
All maps are now available on the Experimental Branch. This means you can now test artillery squads on different maps to give us feedback on how they perform.
Also, as we look forward to Update 19, Ben is back this Friday for Episode 5 of our 'Best of the Community' series, this time co-hosted by our newest War Correspondent; IronHeart Gaming. 🎥 Be sure to tune into us over on the Hell Let Loose Official Twitch 📆 Friday 21 November
🕓 8am PST | 11am EST | 4pm GMT