Thermal Chaos: How the Ares Autocannon Works

Update 2.1.1 introduces a new branch of US medium tanks starting from the T20 at Tier VII. The line features the Ares 75 (Tier VIII) and culminates in the Ares 90 C (Tier XI). These tanks scrap traditional loading times for a Thermal Overheat Control system. You can fire continuously without a fixed reload between shells, but every shot builds heat on a dedicated HUD meter.

  • The Accuracy Penalty: As the gun heats up, its dispersion increases. Rapid fire makes the tank significantly less accurate at long ranges.
  • The Lockdown: If you max out the heat meter, the gun locks completely. You cannot fire until the barrel cools down fully, leaving you defenseless for several seconds.
  • The Yoh Legacy: These tanks also inherit the Emergency Track mechanic. Even if your primary track is destroyed, you can still limp to cover at a reduced speed.

Community Reaction: DPM Monster or Gimmick?

The World of Tanks community on Reddit and official forums is currently testing these machines, and the feedback is polarized. Many players are excited about the “Dakka” playstyle, noting that playing an autocannon on a medium tank is more forgiving than on a light tank. The ability to “clip out” low-health enemies without waiting for a drum reload is a massive tactical advantage in close-quarters brawls.

However, the “Tier XI” factor is a major point of contention.

  • Tier XI Power Creep: On the Common Test forums, veterans argue that the Ares 90 C feels “oppressive” compared to Tier X vehicles. The raw damage output (DPM) when managing heat correctly far outclasses most existing mediums.
  • The Accuracy Struggle: Early testers on Reddit have labeled the base accuracy “terrible.” Critics point out that after just three or four shots, the reticle blooms so much that hitting weak spots becomes impossible.
  • The “Console-ification” Fear: Some players expressed concern that the game is moving too close to the “Modern Armor” console version. They worry that rapid-fire mechanics will ruin the traditional “alpha vs. reload” tactical depth of the PC game.

Tier XI Rebalancing and Map Changes

The Ares line isn’t the only change in 2.1.1. Wargaming is also rebalancing several “older” Tier XI vehicles. The Object 432U received a significant hull armor buff (from 40mm to 55mm) and a health boost to 2,200 HP. Meanwhile, the Leopard 120 Verbessert saw improvements to its gun handling on turret traverse.

The patch also reintroduces Erlenberg and Klondike with updated layouts to accommodate the higher speed of Tier XI combat. On Erlenberg, new cover has been added to the riverbanks to prevent the “dead zone” cross-fire that previously plagued the map. While the community is happy to see map variety return, the focus remains firmly on the Ares 90 C and whether its overheating gun will break the high-tier balance or simply overheat and fail.