Hell Let Loose U21 Experimental Branch opens Aug 7 with Conquest and new rifles
Hell Let Loose's first Update 21 Experimental Branch playtest goes live Friday 7 August at 6am PDT | 9am EDT | 2pm BST | 3pm CEST, and it's a substantial one. Update 21, due later this year, brings Conquest to the game alongside two new Springfield rifles, a fire-selector system, major armor changes, and a higher vehicle spawn limit. The branch will be live through the weekend on Steam, with the team asking players to fill in a feedback form after playing.
Conquest returns on Juno Beach and Carentan
Conquest, previously tested in v1 and v2 earlier in 2026, is officially joining Hell Let Loose in Update 21 and is also one of the four game modes planned for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. This playtest runs Conquest on Juno Beach – Day and Carentan – Day. The team points to an earlier Dev Diary with Matt and Xander covering the mode's fundamentals.
New Springfield rifles and fire selectors
Two weapons join the test: the M1903A3 Springfield bolt-action for the US Forces, and the M1903A4 Springfield, which replaces the existing Springfield Sniper rifle. More weapons are planned for future Experimental Branches.
Weapons that historically had fire-select modes now support switching. The playtest maps feature US, Canadian, and German forces, so the available weapons in matches are:
- MG34
- FG42
- STG 44
- BAR (fast and slow auto)
- Thompson M1
- Thompson M1928a1
- Bren Gun
- Sten Gun MK2
- Sten Gun MK2 (Canadian)
- Sten Gun Mk5
- PPSH 41
Other weapons can still be tested in the Practice Range. Fire modes are currently toggled with Caps Lock, and the switch audio and animations are a work in progress.
Loadout and handling changes
- Rifleman: new level 6 US loadout "Marksman," equipped with an M1903A3 Springfield and an explosive ammo box. It has no level requirement in the Experimental Branch.
- US Tank Commander's default weapon changes from the Thompson to the M3 Grease Gun.
- The blowtorch is now available on all default Crewman loadouts.
- The Technician wrench can now build nodes.
- Default US Anti-tank primary weapon changes from the M1 Garand to the M1903A3 Springfield.
Handling changes are also being tested:
- Weapon sway has been increased visually on the M1 Garand, M1903A3 Springfield, Kar 98k, SMLE No 1 MK III, and all non-sniper Mosin Nagant variants. The team says it should not affect accuracy when aiming.
- The STG 44 has received a small recoil increase.
- The Bren Gun has greatly reduced visual screen shake and slightly increased recoil, matching its actual recoil more closely.
Armor and vehicle rebalance
- Commander ability vehicle spawn limit increased from 5 to 8.
- The Luchs can now damage the engines of all tanks, and can damage and destroy any Light tank from the rear. Recon tanks are work in progress but will behave the same.
Armor roles have been rebalanced:
- Heavy tanks now focus on anti-tank work, carrying more AP and less HE.
- Medium tanks focus on anti-infantry, carrying more HE and less AP.
- The Sherman Jumbo 75 remains the exception as a heavy anti-infantry tank.
- HE blast radius has been adjusted, with medium tanks getting a larger radius than most heavies.
Other armor changes:
- Increased turret rotation speeds for several German and British tanks.
- Firefly damage increased.
- Fuel costs adjusted for the Panzer IV and Sherman Medium.
- Improved low-speed handling for the Sherman Medium.
- Experimental collision and physics improvements for the Panzer IV, aimed at reducing unexpected tank flips and launches.
- All SPAs now have an extra gunner zoom level.
Survivability changes:
- Heavy tank front hull resistance: 32% → 36%; side hull: 16% → 28%.
- Panther upper side hull resistance: 16% → 23%.
- Medium tank front hull resistance: 16% → 30%.
All vehicles' salvaged fuel returns have been increased, landing between 1.5x and 2x their previous amount.
Prone collision improvements
The test includes a work-in-progress prone collision system designed to reduce player models clipping into walls, terrain, and other objects. Players may be gently pushed when rotating near obstacles. The team acknowledges existing issues and wants feedback on the early implementation.
Server Slam and War Correspondent content
The Experimental Branch is live through the weekend. War Correspondents including SoulSniper, TheFreshBakedGoods, and RubberDuck are hosting a "Server Slam Community Event" on Saturday 8 August at 10am PDT | 1pm EDT | 6pm BST | 7pm CEST.
Latest War Correspondent videos:
