Hello, hello, hello!
As announced in our previous DevBlog, one of the first hot new tickets to come to WARNO is the upcoming major LANDJUT expansion.
In today’s DevBlog, we’ll highlight three new divisions out of eight new ones coming with LANDJUT. Now, you might recognize these battlegroups, as they have been featured in previous Nemesis options. We’ll let you know why we chose them, and which steps we took to update and refresh their upcoming appearance on the West German and Danish battlefields.
Ready for a deep dive into what’s coming to WARNO?
LANDJUT in brief
First things first, the LANDJUT expansion takes WARNO’s sweeping wildfire that is World War III and brings it into Denmark. In our 1989 timeline, the Warsaw Pact invades both the Jutland peninsula and the Zeeland islands in a multi-pronged amphibious and airborne offensive, while NATO’s LANDJUT command rushes in reinforcements to stem the communist assault.
Part of the offensive sees East German, Soviet, and Polish units advance through northern West Germany, through Schleswig-Holstein, to cover the flank of a subsequent invasion of Denmark.
The LANDJUT expansion will bring 8 new Divisions in a Tribute-style DLC, playable in Skirmish and Multiplayer, with one brand-new nation, Denmark. This means a host of new weapons, units, vehicles, and battlegroups, but no new Operations or Army General campaigns.
A new LANDJUT appearance
As mentioned at the beginning of this DevBlog, we have decided to dust off three divisions that have been showcased in our previous Nemesis community votes. Specifically:
- The West German 6. Panzergrenadier.
- The Soviet 94-ya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya (the 94th Guards Motorized Rifle Division).
- The East German 20. Motorisierte-Schützen-Division.
We’ll not only detail the reasons for saving each of these divisions further below, but also highlight some of the changes we plan to incorporate.
The West German 6. Panzergrenadier
This West German division was first proposed as NATO’s option for our Nemesis #4.2 - Northern Edge. Read more about the division’s history and unit roster in the DevBlog below.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/538843836072329383
Why did we decide to save this battlegroup? The 6. Panzergrenadier was literally part of LANDJUT, being its biggest and probably strongest NATO formation on the ground in Europe at the start of our war. In any combat scenario involving Denmark being invaded through West Germany, the 6. Panzergrenadier would have been one of the first to be engaged. Their task was to delay enemy actions in Schleswig-Holstein and give the Danish Armed Forces time to mobilize and regroup.
There is more: the 6. Panzergrenadier is also a very interesting formation, being the only hybrid Bundeswehr mechanized/armored division without the formidable Leopard 2. In effect, this means the battlegroup is a “light” West German mechanized division. This weakness will be compensated in WARNO by the inclusion of German Navy ground and air units.
Only a few minor details changed since the division’s Nemesis showcase.
- FELDJÄGER squads will come riding in the new TYP 181 FELDJÄGER vehicle, but the FUCHS FELDJÄGER is replaced with the VW T3 FELDJÄGER, more suited for a small 4-man Military Police squad.
- In the ART tab, we forgot to mention that the division retains the usual complement of the LARS-2 MLRS.
- And some more details on the new KAMPFSCHWIMMER special forces from the REC category: they will be 6-man squads with 3x MP-5SD, 2x HK21 LMG, one G3A3ZZ scoped rifle, and Satchel charges.
The Soviet 94-ya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya
Much like its NATO counterpart, the Warsaw Pact 94-ya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya (the 94th Guards Motorized Rifle Division was part of Nemesis #4.2 - Northern Edge.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/538843836072329383
For the exact same reasons as the West German battlegroup, the Soviet formation based on the Baltic shores of East Germany would be directly involved in a communist offensive against Denmark. The 94-ya Gv. MSD would be intent on pushing as far north-east as possible, to create a springboard for the follow-up Polish forces to attack the Danish units.
Again, not many things have changed since its Nemesis showcase.
- In the LOG department, the PTS-M amphibious supply vehicle has been replaced with the bigger (and new) PTS-2.
The East German 20. Motorisierte-Schützen-Division
The Warsaw Pact’s 20. Motorisierte-Schützen-Division was proposed as an option for Nemesis #4.1 - Covering Force Area.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1611600/view/536591401308127321
Although not intended to enter LANDJUT or Danish territory, this East German division was to secure the left flank of the aforementioned Soviet 94-ya Gv. MSD and Polish forces. Our upcoming WARNO expansion is one of the last opportunities - for us - to include an interesting East German division, especially one with a potential for a notable difference in playstyle.
What has changed?
- In LOG, the command SPW-50PU has been removed. In place, we’ll offer the SPW-60PUM.
- In the INF category, the RESERVISTEN and RESERVISTEN (s.MG) will not come in SPW-125Ks anymore, but in their own turretless RES. BTR-60PA.
- In ART, the lone (and in real-life few) Soviet 2S12 120mm mortars have been excised. Their numbers have been merged with their East German in-game counterparts already present in the battlegroup. Also, in the same category, the RM-70s from the division’s attached artillery brigade have been removed. These would be too redundant with the division’s BM-21 (featuring both HE and Napalm payloads).
- In TANK, the MT-12 100mm has been replaced with the older T-12 100mm (lacking the ATGM). Also, the division’s main tanks are now both T-55A and the new RES. T-54AM, the latter being more numerous and without the Resolute trait.
- The Soviet tanks present will actually be T-64A Obr. 83 (in command and "vanilla" variants), with the rarer T-64AM with upgraded engine also making an appearance.
- In AA, the very (rare) Soviet BIRYUSA is no more. They have been merged with their East German in-game counterparts. The KRUG, having made its appearance already in other divisions - and nobody wanting to have too many of those, has been replaced by the KUB-M1 (an older variant).
The result is an East German motorized division with older equipment and two-thirds of non-Resolute units, backed by a smattering of powerful weaponry, especially T-72 and Soviet T-64As.
Nemesis #5 - Southern Flank
Nemesis #5 - Southern Flank has just been released. This mini-expansion keeps the SOUTHAG theme in focus with two new battlegroups locked in combat on the southern reaches of the West German front, near the Austrian border. The DLC features the Spanish División de Infantería Mecanizada «Guzmán el Bueno» n.º 2, or Mechanised Division No.2 "Guzmán el Bueno" for NATO, and the Czechoslovakian 2. Motostřelecká Divize, or 2nd Motor Rifle Division, fighting for the Warsaw Pact.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4100510/WARNO__Nemesis_5__Southern_Flank/
Until Next Time
We’ll be back soon with another LANDJUT expansion preview! From now on, we’ll showcase one new division each week.
Don’t forget to check out the vibrant WARNO community. Find the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
As always, see you on the battlefield, commanders.
