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Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose
May 21, 2026
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Dev Brief #218 | Update 20 Experimental Branch Test

3/5 Moderate

EXPERIMENTALUpdate 20 introduces the Canadian Forces and Juno Beach map alongside a massive armor overhaul and new tank smoke launchers.

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Key Changes

  • 1Introduction of the Canadian Forces faction and Juno Beach map
  • 2Complete Armor Overhaul with new damage resistance and penetration rules
  • 3Anti-Tank role rebalanced with higher damage but lower rocket capacity (2)
  • 4Panther and Firefly reworked into high-damage glass cannons with Medium health
  • 5New Smoke Launcher weapon added to select tanks for tactical cover
  • 6Tank Commanders and Crewmen now carry hammers in all loadouts
  • 7Significant fuel cost and cooldown reductions for all non-heavy vehicles
  • 8New shell unloading mechanic allows switching ammo without firing
  • 9Heavy tank turret tops and Medium tank sides are now penetrable by Light tanks
  • 10Anti-Tank Gun damage significantly increased from 400 to 535

All Changes

🆕New Content(2)

  • newCanadian Forces: Added the Canadian Forces as a playable faction
  • newJuno Beach: Added Juno Beach as a playable map

🚜Armor & Vehicles(15)

  • changeArmor System: Implemented Armor Resistance system providing percentage-based damage reduction (Heavy front 32%, Medium front 16%, Light front 8%)
  • newSmoke Launchers: Added smoke launchers to select tanks, operable from the Commander/Spotter seat
  • newShell Unloading: Added ability for all tanks to unload a fully loaded shell without firing
  • nerfPanther: Panther: Hull health reduced from 1170 to 930 and Turret health reduced from 990 to 850
  • buffPanther: Panther: Fuel cost reduced from 600 to 430 and cooldown reduced from 600s to 420s
  • changePanther: Panther: AP ammo increased from 40 to 45; HE ammo reduced from 40 to 30
  • nerfSherman Firefly: Sherman Firefly: Hull health reduced from 1180 to 900 and Turret health reduced from 1020 to 830
  • buffSherman Firefly: Sherman Firefly: AP damage increased from 850 to 920
  • buffSherman Jumbo 75: Sherman Jumbo 75: Hull health increased from 1170 to 1230 and HE ammo increased from 60 to 65
  • buffSherman Jumbo 75: Sherman Jumbo 75: Fuel cost reduced from 600 to 410 and cooldown reduced from 600 to 430
  • nerfHeavy Tank: Heavy Tank: Top turret armor decreased; now penetrable by Light tanks
  • nerfMedium Tank: Medium Tanks: Side hull armor decreased for all models; now penetrable by Light tanks
  • nerfRecon Tank: Recon Tanks: All armor values decreased; AT launchers now destroy in 1 shot
  • buffHalf Track: Half Track: Fuel cost reduced from 300 to 150 and cooldown reduced from 300s to 240s
  • buffJeep: Jeep: Fuel cost reduced from 80 to 30 and cooldown reduced from 300s to 180s

🔫Infantry & Gameplay(5)

  • buffAnti-Tank: Anti-Tank: Rocket damage increased from 330 to 420
  • nerfAnti-Tank: Anti-Tank: Rocket count reduced to 2
  • buffAnti-Tank Gun: Anti-Tank Gun: Damage increased from 400 to 535 for all factions
  • buffTank Crew: Tank Commander & Crewman: All loadouts now include a hammer for building and salvaging
  • changeSalvage System: Updated salvage return values and times for all vehicle classes

Summary

New Content & Factions

This experimental branch test introduces the Canadian Forces and the Juno Beach map. These additions are accompanied by a fundamental rework of how armor functions in Hell Let Loose, focusing on realistic penetration and damage resistance.

Armor Overhaul

The update implements a new Armor Resistance system, providing percentage-based damage reduction based on hull thickness. Most tanks have seen significant stat adjustments; notably, the Panther and Sherman Firefly have been transitioned to Medium-tier health pools while retaining Heavy-tier damage output to better define their battlefield roles.

Vehicle & Infantry Adjustments

Beyond health and damage, vehicles across the board have received fuel cost and cooldown reductions to increase availability. The Anti-Tank role has been rebalanced with higher damage per shot but a reduced rocket capacity, while Tank Commanders and Crewmen now carry hammers in all loadouts to assist with repairs and salvaging.

← OlderDev Brief #217 | Juno Beach & Armor Changes | PlaytestApr 30, 2026

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