Erlenberg: Reducing the Sniper Standoff

Update 2.1.1 brings Erlenberg back into the Random Battle pool with significant structural changes. The map was notorious for “camping” where teams would refuse to cross the river. To fix this: the developers added more indestructible cover along the riverbanks. New buildings and rubble piles now protect tanks from long-distance fire when they attempt to push into the city center.

The hills on the forest side have been flattened. This prevents tank destroyers from controlling the entire map from a single bush. These changes aim to speed up combat: which is necessary for the high-velocity Tier XI vehicles. The river itself is now easier to cross in multiple locations: making the “encounter” and “assault” modes feel less like a defensive stalemate.

Klondike: Optimized for High-Tier Speed

The massive Klondike map has also returned to the rotation. This map was originally designed for Grand Battles: but it has been adjusted for standard 15v15 matches. The industrial zone now features tighter corridors to prevent light tanks from spotting the entire team within the first thirty seconds.

The primary changes focus on the “outer ring” of the map.

  • Terrain Smoothing: Steep cliffs that caused tanks to flip or get stuck have been removed.
  • New Brawling Zones: The central factory now has more “hull-down” positions for heavy tanks.
  • Tier XI Visibility: Brush density was reduced in the open fields to account for the superior optics of modern Tier XI mediums.

Community Verdict: Better Flow or Lost Identity?

The reaction on Reddit and the official forums is cautiously optimistic. Many players are happy to see map variety return: especially those who were tired of the same five maps in the competitive rotation. The consensus is that the new Erlenberg feels more active: with matches ending through aggressive pushes rather than time-outs.

However: the community has some specific concerns:

  • The “Corridor” Complaint: On the forums: some veterans argue that the new cover makes the maps too linear. They feel that the tactical freedom to flank has been sacrificed to prevent camping.
  • Light Tank Utility: Reddit users in the scouting community claim that the reduced bush density on Klondike makes light tanks less relevant. They argue that if everyone can see everything: the role of the scout disappears.
  • Performance on Klondike: Due to its size: some players on older PCs report frame rate stutters when moving through the high-detail industrial sector.

Overall: the return of these maps is a win for the 2.1.1 meta. They provide more room for the fast-paced Tier XI tanks to maneuver. While the “purists” miss the old: more open versions: the current changes effectively kill the “draw” meta that made these maps unpopular in the past.