Concealment's Current Value

[JediMasterDraco]

Patch 6.3 was something of a controversial patch, with many players describing it as the hammer treatment. One thing that particularly annoyed me was how it affected the concealment value. Concealment became less valuable, especially with virtually everyone taking the Concealment Module thanks to the dispersion affect. And while each ship does have a certain range at which a ship will render, that is always within its outside its gunnery range, unlike in WoT where an enemy can be out in the open but not spotted by something with poor detection range. And, unlike in WoT, there are no concealing terrain features (with the exception of smoke) which can not be fired through. I know one  the arguments was that it was unfair to have ships shooting at you that you can't see and return fire against, but this leaves the question of BBs that easily outrange CLs/CAs and DDs.

Not to mention is eliminated a potential balancing mechanic. A perfect example of this is in the first three DDs lines. US DDs had stealth-firing and RoF, but terrible arcs, Japan's DDs had good arcs and stealth-firing, but lacked the RoF to make good on their guns. And finally S.T.R.O.N.K. DDs had good arcs and RoF, but their stealth-firing windows were much smaller. With the removal of stealth-firing, this balance was thrown off.

And now we have a series of BBs that are specifically advertised as stealthy, but what does that bring them? First-shot in a dual? Only if there aren't stealthier ships nearby and that is one volley is a likely as not to be met by return fire before a second one is fired. Potentially they can disengage with greater ease, but this depends on opposition having a higher value and no other hostile ships are near. I really do think that the time your detection has bloomed should be dependent on caliber as this would allow for manipulation of values. In a period where lines have begun to depend on gimmicks, it's disheartening to see the values that can be used for balancing being reduced. But, when your favorite symbol is a hammer and sickle, subtlety seems to take a backseat.

[ExploratorOne]

Could you clarify a couple of sentences, please:

 

"And while each ship does have a certain range at which a ship will render, that is always within its outside its gunnery range..."

"And, unlike in WoT, there are no concealing terrain features (with the exception of smoke) which can not be fired through."

[Edgecase]

Concealment on battleships is useful for getting the first shot, getting into position to make that shot good, and escaping retribution afterward (stop firing for 20 seconds).

[AJTP89]

First off, I think you mis-typed. You cannot shoot through islands, but you can hide behind them. You cannot shoot through islands (though there is at least on building you can), but there is smoke (though that may change soon).

 

Second, I'm not a WOT player, but I had ideas on concealment there, stopped, read the wiki. Wow, spotting is WAY more complicated in WOT. But I think it is basically the same. Concealment for a tank doesn't affect the spotting equation as much as it does in WOW (that's all there is here), but in return they have spotting range. The result is that for each tank, there is a circle within which the tank is detected by LOS. Only in tanks, it also depends on the tank spotting. Doesn't seem too different.

 

Can't speak to the Stealth firing nerf, as a DD. But it needed to be reduced, if maybe not completely eliminated.

 

As for stealth BBs, well, my personal belief as a USN BB main is that stealth BBs are not how to play a BB. If you need to duck into cover between firing, go sail a cruiser. BBs have hit points and armor and heals for a reason. To take hits so the cruisers and DDs don't. If you're not being shot at, you're not doing your job.

That said, there is a playstyle of stealth BBs. Get in position, nuke cruisers, disappear again. A good player can maintain the distance so he is always popping in and out of detection. A target that constantly goes in and out of detection is one that is not going to be focused. Thus you survive longer, do more damage. Also, you can sneak up easier on things. If you think a DD de-cloaking in front of a BB is scary, you haven't had a BB de-cloak on your cruiser's flank at point blank range. However, I think this a selfish playstyle, as if the enemy isn't shooting at you, they're shooting at someone else on your team, probably someone a lot more vulnerable.

[Xlap]

Concealment is one of the strongest mechanics in game IMO. It allows you to dictate the engagement and positioning.