August 11

[RELEASE] v8.1.4 - Improvements!

Version 8.1.4 is here! We have some changes to the munitions, various improvements to constructions, and quality of life changes!



The Munition System:
* Removed cache munition reward system
* Changed the munition system to reward player score and players who do not die often. For details: https://github.com/DarklightGames/DarkestHour/commit/0d86db5676c52c7b629462ca234d100546755a55

Rallypoint Changes:
* Increased the "enemy encroachment" radius from 25m to 50m.
* Increased the "enemy encroachment" spawn time penalty from 10s to 15s.

Dragons Teeth Changes:
* Can now be dug up when there is a friendly supply truck nearby
* Can now be easily destroyed by satchels and artillery
* Can now be damaged by AP and HE direct hits
* Can now be damaged by direct hits from Rockets and other AT weapons

Watchtower Changes:
* Can now be easily destroyed by satchels and artillery
* Can now be damaged by AP and HE direct hits
* Grenades no longer damage
* Can now be damaged by direct hits from Rockets and other AT weapons

Bridgehead Advance Changes:
* Increased reinforcements for Allies
* Removed Allied reinf bleed for first objectives
* Worked on Honnopel area a bit more

Lutremange Advance Changes:
* Significant reduction in the FogFX
* Destroyed the Rail Bridge
* Replaced the middle bridge with jellysoda's bridge
* Added sandbag cover all over the middle bridge
* Other minor changes

Improvements:
* The 2 minutes round end time should no longer activate if the opposing team's reinforcements are over 50 (instead round will just end with the winner)
* Moved the vehicle spawn for the Vehicle Pool Construction forward (should help prevent tanks such as Panther from spawning stuck)
* Fixed a bug where the "press / to join a squad" message would be sent to spectating players

See you on the battlefield,
Darklight Games

August 3

[RELEASE] v8.1.2 - Bullets and Blood

Version 8.1.2 arrives with bullets and blood. This update focuses on munitions and blood effects.



Darkest Hour is all about having authentic combat situations and until now it has lacked low ammo situations. We decided to implement a munitions system that will decrease infantry starting ammo as the battle rages on; this way low ammo only becomes a problem late in the battle. Players will need to load up on ammo from ammo boxes, loot weapons, and if it comes to it engage with melee. It can be a burden to run out of ammo, so conserve your ammo, pick your targets, and resupply teammates when you can!

The Munition System:
Each team now has a munition percentage that can be viewed on the scoreboard. Munitions will decrease over time on Advance maps. Players spawn with a percentage of their maximum carrying capacity equal to their team’s munition percentage. Munitions does not yet affect tanks or vehicle weapons.

• Munitions drain at a rate of 1.66% a minute, so after 60 minutes, a team will be at minimum percentage
  
• Supply caches raise the minimum munition percentage by 10% (with a maximum of 30%)
  
• Removed ability for Machine Gunners, Anti-Tank Soldiers, and Tank Crewman to carry sharable extra ammo
  
• Only Riflemen spawn with shareable extra ammo (other roles can carry, but don’t spawn with it)

Blood:

• Fixed a bug where the blood impact emitter was not spawning at the victim player
  
• Fixed a bug where the blood splatter projector would appear at any distance behind the target hit
  
• Increased the size of blood impact emitters for all weapons (pistols, rifles, mgs, 50cal)

Constructions:

• Lowered cost of grenade boxes (350 to 300)
  
• Increased cost of panzerfaust box (500 to 750)
  
• Changed distance that inventory spawners (grenade and panzerfaust boxes) so they can be placed closer together (15 to 1 meters)
  
• Lowered health of watchtower (500 to 400)
  
• Increased health of bunker (400 to 500)

Other:

• Players are no longer required to join or be in a squad to select the Tank Crewman role
  
• Objectives can now be set to have different lock down times depending on which team captured it
  
• MP40 should now recoil less when iron sighted (roughly 10% less)
  
• PPH41 should now recoil more when iron sighted (roughly 10% more)

Server Admins:

• Added a Map Vote Hub level which servers should use to load up on (allows players to vote for the map they want instead of always being stuck on the same level after a crash)

See you on the battlefield,
Darklight Games