MAJOR Mud and Blood update for 12 September 2023

Good evening, folks! It's Urb here with a beefy update to share.

But first thanks for playing and checking out on MNB. It warms my heart to know that Mud and Blood is appreciated and it's really cool to watch or hear about some of the crazy fights you guys got yourselves into.

Version 0.4.4 has been in the works for a while, and it's jam-packed with exciting content and changes. Let's dive right in:

Trains and Railways:

Train wagons can now appear on any railway track in the game, and there are five types:

Regular Flatbed: These standard wagons don't obstruct line of sight and offer no cover. Keep an eye out for crates with interesting items.

Reinforced Flatbed: These wagons have been retrofitted to provide protection for infantry units. They can house plenty of enemies and are ideal for defensive purposes.

Box Car: Box cars offer decent cover and block line of sight. You can fortify them with a sapper to create impromptu strong points.

Tanker: These generic tankers carry flammable substances and block line of sight. Be cautious—destroying them can set the area ablaze.

Armored Wagon: By 1943, the Germans had developed the BP42 armored train, equipped with AAA capabilities and a mounted Panzer4 turret. These wagons often house infantry and spell trouble.

Memorial:
Fallen soldiers from your campaign will be honoured in the memorial, allowing you to pay your respects.

UI Changes in the Campaign:
The soldier portrait now provides more information, including the number of veteran saves and Ranger training.

Particle Engine Improvements:
Particles now interact with the ground, producing realistic sounds when shells hit different surfaces.

Airborne Challenge:
In the classic mode, players can now attempt the paratrooper challenge once per promotion. Reach wave 50 with airborne troops to succeed and earn silver wings, increasing the number of troops in an airdrop from 4 to 6. Accumulate enough combat drops, and you might earn rare gold para wings, but remember, you must meet the 82nd's high standards to keep your wings.

Gunners and Assistants:
Qualified gunners can now be assisted by nearby soldiers when reloading or fixing jams, making efficient squad placement crucial.

AI and Loot:
Enemies can now pick up items from the ground and use them, creating dynamic situations on the battlefield. The enemy AI also cooperates more, such as assisting Panzershreck soldiers or providing first aid.

Hardcore D-Day:
This mode intensifies the D-Day experience, removing nerfs on beach troops, adding more defenses, and enabling all enemy support options.

Classic Rush Mode:
Rush mode shortens the time between enemy waves, creating frantic battles and memorable comebacks.

Sarge Returns:
The grumpy old Sarge is back, ready to kick some more butt. He now has increased hit points, deals more hand-to-hand damage, and can unpin nearby troops automatically.

Land Mattress:
The Allies get a new rocket artillery that can fire a volley of 16 rockets every 2 minutes, making it a powerful asset but also a potential hazard if used incorrectly.

M1A1 155mm Gun:
You'll now have access to the Long Tom, a 155mm artillery piece with the ability to switch between different ammunition types, adding versatility to your artillery tactics.

Nebelwerfer:
The Germans had a new 6-tube artillery piece for countering enemy artillery, capable of causing chaos on the battlefield.

Deuce:
A 2 1/2-ton service truck delivers Allied troops through the "big red one" command ability, and you might encounter them on roads during open warfare.

17 cm K 18 in MrsLaf:
This artillery piece fires slowly but packs a punch, making it a significant threat to your artillery units.

Messerschmitt Me 262:
The enemy has a new plane that flies incredibly fast, called in by firing a red flare. It performs rocket runs, and you can't prevent it with air superiority.

Flak 38:
A static 20mm flak cannon manned by a single enemy can be found in campaigns and classic mode, often seen in circular trenches.

Kettenkrad:
This German light-tracked vehicle helps transport troops and supplies, and if the driver is killed, your men might loot its contents.

Weasel:
The Allies have their frontline supply vehicle, which delivers supplies directly to your front lines.

These are just some of the changes in this update, and you can find the complete list below:

• Stuka sprite added; Germans can call in Stuka airstrikes using pink smoke.
• NebelWerfer added for Germans to counter enemy artillery.
• Paratroopers receive a combat skill increase in NG+ challenges.
• SS soldier and FJ soldier art and animations are completed.
• Fixed bullet trajectory issues.
• Improved walking sounds on wood and metal surfaces.
• Introduced the Red flare: ME 262 for campaign and anti-tank measures.
• Fixed German arty support range issue.
• Fixed Victoria Cross ribbon rewards in classic runs.
• Improved Ambulance AI in the campaign.
• Fixed a typo regarding vehicles leaving the area.
• Added heavy tracers for vehicles with heavy calibers.
• Debuff text no longer appears for dead soldiers.
• Officer tier 1 skill Rally now affects all allies.
• Fixed terrain discrepancies in Hurtgen and Ardene.
• Axis flares no longer affect allied bomb runs.
• Panthers can spawn on roads in the campaign.
• Added Flak 38, 20mm cannon for Germans on maps.
• Fixed road placement issues.
• Reduced repair distance for engineers on vehicles.
• Airborne troops can take damage when landing in trees.
• Reduced soldier hotspot size when dead.
• M10 explosions create more unexploded ammo.
• Improved mouse-over text for lootable ammo.
• Increased variety of wagons on railways.
• Added new wagon types, including armored ones.
• Flak 38 AAA cannon can be deployed in the field.
• Soldier icons display veteran saves and Ranger training in classic.
• Fixed bipod bug and AI usage.
• Round trenches have a chance to spawn Flak38.
• Fixed medic picture in campaign class descriptions.
• Soldiers create ripple effects when walking in water.
• Shells create ripple effects when falling in water.
• Added props in OG ruins and houses.
• Allied airborne troops have a saving throw vs. small arms.
• Increased AI airborne troops' combat skill in NG+.
• Pak 40 range reduced.
• Land Mattress rocket launcher added to allies.
• Fixed special ammo labelling in classic.
• Added voice lines for crate soldiers in classic.
• Removed "debugUiOff" message from hotkey.
• Removed glancing blow sounds for vehicle collisions with pillboxes.
• New sound for the Stuart main gun.
• Stuart coax now fires at the proper rate.
• Added obstruction for hand-to-hand combat.
• Gunners with LMGs can be assisted for reloads.
• Fixed mine and loot stash interrogation issue.
• Tigers can't save against AT mine or Howitzer explosions.
• Brest fortifications can't be fortified.
• Added option to make dead soldiers unselectable in the campaign.
• Added hardcore DDay mode.
• SARGE is back!
• Snipers in classic have a minimum combat skill.
• 29th Let's Go skill resets all soldiers' skill timers in the campaign.
• Long Tom added to allies with versatile ammunition types.
• Resized French clown car and Jeep.
• Fixed ribbon mismatches in Brest.
• Primary fix for turret "jitters."
• Optimized turret angle and rotation.
• Changed empty shell patterns for vehicles.
• Added the Kettenkrad for supply transport.
• Added a memorial screen for fallen soldiers.
• Changed generic error sound.
• Troops engaged in hand-to-hand combat can't break off until one is knocked.
• Removed artillery vehicles after retreat or squad wipe.
• Destroyed allied vehicles no longer announced as leaving your AO.
• Added M29 Weasel for supply transport.
• Fixed naval guns missing names.
• Added Panzershreck AT rocket launcher.
• Coded AI with spare ammo to assist Panzershreck soldiers.
• Added mine detector with radius and durability.
• Fixed roof fade timer in classic options.
• Panicking troops will now be deselected.
• Added med kit equipment in classic.
• AI can use med kits and shovels.
• Reduced Palisades target priority on Faust-wielding German infantry.
• Enemy AI can pick up and use colored smokes and loot.
• Added floaty text for grenade range.
• Added new allied troop sprite for campaign.
• Soldiers can be heard switching weapon safety.
• Added a few achievements
• R key can be enabled in options in order to quick reset campaign at the beach (useful for speed runners and beach enthusiasts)
• Added workshop building to Vire
• Added brick piles and wire coils for cover in Vire
• Added German horse cart which can carry troops.
• New asset large trench.
• New building workshop in vire.

I also want to highlight some incredible community content, including videos showcasing the new features and challenges.

First thing first, have a look at Tulte's progress in the master mode. That's 4 times thru the campaign with increasingly difficult enemies. Pure madness.

If you wish to check out the new hardcore DDAY in action check out this vid from Zeterman. He then proceeds to the hedgerows with lots of aggressivity. Fun to watch.

We got an H-Hour fight by Lance here, pretty nasty when the two big groups collide.

We got MT starting to give another go at the beach in the older version here. MT is always fun to watch because his tactics are sound and deliberate. I find it very easy to learn by watching his stuff.

Funnies

Check these this gem by Tutles

Thank you for your continued support, and feel free to share any suggestions you have.

Respectfully,
Urb