Sep 1, 2026
View on Steam↗Dev Brief #220 | What's Coming Next to Hell Let Loose?
2/5 Minor
Update 21 introduces the Soviet ROKS 2 Flamethrower, Rifle Grenades, and fire-mode selectors, while the new Lake Balaton map is confirmed for Update 22.
Key Changes
- 1New Soviet ROKS 2 Flamethrower and Springfield M1903A3/A4 variants
- 2Introduction of Rifle Grenade launchers for US, German, and British factions
- 3New fire-mode selector feature for 11 historically appropriate weapons
- 4Conquest game mode officially arriving in Update 21
- 5Major armor and anti-tank balance pass including Luchs rework and AT gun buffs
- 6New Lake Balaton map announced for Update 22 winter release
- 7Seelow Heights map delayed to 2027 for further quality refinement
- 8Default Crewman roles now include a Blowtorch across all factions
- 9Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) now auto-respawns after 7 minutes and 30 seconds
- 10New Level 6 and Level 8 loadouts added to accommodate new weaponry
All Changes
🔫Weapons(19)
- newM1903A3 Springfield: Added the M1903A3 Springfield, an iron-sighted variant of the bolt-action rifle for the US faction.
- changeM1903A4 Springfield: Updated the visual model for the existing Springfield Sniper rifle.
- newROKS 2 Flamethrower: Introduced the ROKS 2 Flamethrower for the Soviet faction.
- newM7 Grenade Launcher: Added the M7 Grenade Launcher for the M1 Garand (US), capable of firing HE, Smoke, and AT grenades.
- newSchiessbecher Grenade Launcher: Added the Schiessbecher Grenade Launcher for the Karabiner 98k (Germany).
- newNo.1 MK I Cup Discharger: Added the No.1 MK I Cup Discharger Grenade Launcher for the SMLE No.1 MK III EY (Britain/Canada).
- newMG34: Added fire-mode selectors to the MG34, allowing toggling between semi-auto and fully automatic.
- newFG42: Added fire-mode selectors to the FG42.
- newSTG 44: Added fire-mode selectors to the STG 44.
- newM1918A2 BAR: Added fire-mode selectors to the M1918A2 BAR, allowing toggling between fast and slow auto.
- newM1A1 Thompson: Added fire-mode selectors to the M1A1 Thompson.
- newM1928A1 Thompson: Added fire-mode selectors to the M1928A1 Thompson.
- newBren Gun: Added fire-mode selectors to the Bren Gun.
- newSten Gun Mk.II: Added fire-mode selectors to the Sten Gun Mk.II and its Canadian variant.
- newSten Gun Mk.V: Added fire-mode selectors to the Sten Gun Mk.V.
- newPPSH 41: Added fire-mode selectors to the PPSH 41.
- nerfSTG 44: Increased recoil for the STG 44 due to the addition of fire-mode selectors.
- nerfBren Gun: Increased recoil for the Bren Gun.
- fixBren Gun: Fixed an issue where the Bren Gun's recoil was incorrectly applied as visual screen shake.
🎒Loadouts(10)
- newUS Rifleman: New Level 6 US Rifleman loadout added with M1903A3 Springfield and explosive ammo box.
- newSoviet Support: New Level 8 Soviet Support loadout added with ROKS 2 Flamethrower.
- newRifleman: New Level 8 Rifleman loadouts for all factions featuring Rifle Grenades (4 HE, 2 Smoke).
- newMedic: New Level 6 Medic loadouts for all factions featuring Rifle Grenades (6 Smoke).
- newEngineer: New Level 8 Engineer loadouts for all factions featuring Rifle Grenades (3 AT, 2 HE, 1 Smoke).
- changeUS Anti-Tank: Changed default US Anti-Tank primary weapon to the M1 Carbine.
- changeUS Tank Commander: Changed default US Tank Commander primary weapon to the M3 Grease gun.
- buffCrewman: Added a Blowtorch to all default Crewman roles across all factions.
- changeBritish Engineer: Changed default British Engineer primary weapon to the Rifle No 4 MK 1.
- changeGerman DAK: Replaced German DAK M43 grenades with M24 grenades for historical accuracy.
🚜Vehicles & Armor(5)
- buffLuchs: Reworked the Luchs to improve combat effectiveness against enemy armor.
- buffTank Smoke Launchers: Improved tank smoke launchers to provide larger screens and longer-lasting coverage.
- changeArmored Vehicles: Implemented a balance pass for armored vehicles covering HE splash radius, ammo counts, and fuel costs.
- buffSPA: Added a single zoom level for the Gunner seat in Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA).
- buffSPA: Default SPAs at HQ now auto-respawn after 7 minutes and 30 seconds and do not count toward vehicle limits.
🎮Gameplay & Systems(4)
- newConquest: Introduced the Conquest game mode to the wider community in Update 21.
- buffAT Guns: Increased turning speeds and updated rotation angle limits for buildable AT Guns.
- buffAT Guns: Performed a damage balance pass for buildable AT Guns to increase effectiveness against armor.
- newRifle Grenades: Added the ability to fire Rifle Grenades from the hip or shoulder.
📅Coming Soon(4)
- changeSeelow Heights: Delayed the release of the Seelow Heights map from 2026 to 2027.
- newLake Balaton: Announced Lake Balaton, a new Eastern Front map set in Hungary, for the Update 22 winter release.
- newNew Vehicle Class: Teased a new class of high-firepower vehicles arriving in Update 22.
- newRifle Grenades: Planned expansion for Rifle Grenades in Update 22 to allow planting and indirect fire.
Summary
Developer Briefing #220 outlines the roadmap for 2026 and 2027, highlighting major content additions for the upcoming Update 21 and Update 22. Update 21 focuses on expanding the arsenal with the Springfield M1903A3, Soviet Flamethrower, and Rifle Grenade launchers for multiple factions. It also introduces a fire-mode selector for 11 weapons and significant rebalancing for armor and anti-tank systems. Looking further ahead, the Seelow Heights map has been moved to 2027 to ensure quality, replaced in the 2026 winter schedule by the new Eastern Front map, Lake Balaton.