Some time ago the competitive community, including clans from various nations, sizes, and skill-levels were asked to give their opinion on the current map pool for the Strongholds Mode. Based on the results, some maps were added to the pool, others were removed. Check out the list below:
The playground for newcomers and fun-oriented players. We want to offer variety for them, which is why the number of available maps was increased from 10 to 21 maps in total.
Played by clans from all skill levels. The most static maps were replaced, hence the pool increased from 23 to 26 maps, including newly introduced ones to see if they're fit for competitive play.
Considered end-game content, and mostly played by active clans, but also newer ones can have a go at them. Just like for Tier VIII Skirmishes, some maps were replaced.
Clans use Advances to practice their team play and strategies to use on the Global Map. The map pool was adjusted to be consistent between those, except slower maps since Advances are limited to 10 minutes.
Every advance starts on a random map. No team knows which one it will be, so the pool now consists of 10 maps with no real benefit to any vehicles of a specific class.
Unaffected Maps
Changes
Cliff
Ensk
Fisherman’s Bay
Himmelsdorf
Malinovka
Murovanka
Prokhorovka
Ruinberg
Sand River
Steppes
Mines removed
Siegfried Line removed
How did you decide on the new map pool?
We contacted Field Commanders and strategists of clans from different nations and skill levels for their opinions on each map in the existing pool. Some of the recently introduced maps were added to see if they're fit for competitive play.
Why are there more maps for Tier VIII than for Tier VI?
That is because of the difference in team members (7 vs. 10) and the average view range between Tier VI and Tier VIII vehicles – some maps are just not suitable for lower tiers.
Why are none of the new maps available for Tier X Skirmishes?
As Tier X battles are significantly more competitive than the others, it makes more sense to test the new maps on Tier VI and VIII before directly including them into the top-tier map pool.
When do you plan on updating the map pool again?
Once enough data has been collected, and you had the chance to form opinions on each map. Our development team may implement changes to maps, so it may take more time getting used to them. We expect the next changes to happen in the first quarter of 2019.
How can we influence this decision?
You can do it by simply playing, and submitting your feedback directly in our connected forum thread. In addition, we will contact active clans a couple of weeks before the next change and collect their feedback.
What about the map pool for the Global Map?
For every event or season, we decide on the map pool based on previous feedback and collected data from other modes. Also, keep in mind that Clan Wars are different from Skirmishes because of the Fog of War (hides the tank line-ups) and the playtime of 15 instead of 10 minutes.
