Smoke screen

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Smoke Screen refers to the ability to conceal movement or location by the usage of smoke. It is available to a large number of tanks, in three forms: smoke shells fired from the tank's armament, smoke grenades fired from exterior launchers, and fuel injection into the engine to produce smoke (known as the Engine Smoke generating System or ESS).

Smoke screen is also available on all naval vessels after researching the "Smokescreen" modification. Smoke screens in naval battles produce an effect similar to a tank's ESS when used in a battle.

Ground Forces

Development History

For quite a long time, the rumour of the addition of smoke into the game had been tossed around by the community and developers. Depending on the year, it went from a speculated to a denied addition.

The first tease of the smoke screen was in the 2017 April Fool's events, where the tanks in the event being able to deploy functional smoke grenades, creating a smoke screen around the vehicle. The event showcased the usage of smoke to the community, which was met with much optimism and support, as well as speculation that the feature would be coming in a future update.

The feature was added into the game in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica".

Effect of smoke screen

Using smoke in the game creates a large white cloud at the area of impact. Smoke varies between the application on screen radius, screen time, and screen holding time.

  • Screen radius: How wide the smoke screen is effective
  • Screen time: Time it takes for the smoke to become effective
  • Screen holding time: Time smoke is effective before dissipating

The smoke screen obscures line-of-sight vision rather well once deployed. In addition of concealing movement to the eyes, markers also disappear if obscured by the smoke, granting full concealment to those who use smoke well. While smoke does indeed conceal the precise position of a vehicle, the presence of smoke is also a good indication for the enemy on the general direction the smoke users are, so its use must be exercised with caution.

Smoke shells are generally not an offensive weapon due to its utility and lower muzzle velocity, however, the smoke shells are treated like explosive shells and could be used to devastating effect on open-topped and lightly-armoured vehicles in some cases.

All forms of smoke screens are effective against passive infrared night vision devices. However, while smoke shells and smoke grenades can block thermals, Engine Smoke generating Systems (ESS) do not block thermal sights.

Ground vehicles with smoke

Smoke shells
Rank USA flag.png
USA
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Germany
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USSR
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Britain
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Japan
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China
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Italy
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France
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Sweden
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Israel
I LVT(A)(4)
M3 GMC
M8 HMC
Nb.Fz.
Pz.IV C
Pz.IV E
Pz.IV F1
Sd.Kfz.234/3
Sd.Kfz.251/9
StuG III A
SU-76M Alecto I Ho-I ␗M8 HMC
␗SU-76M
Ikv 72
Sav m/43 (1944)
II ▃Grant I
M3 Lee
M4
M4
M4A1
M4A2
M4A3 (105)
M8A1 GMC
M24
M24 (TL)
Marder III H
Pz.III N
Pz.IV F2
Pz.IV G
Pz.IV H
Pz.IV J
Sd.Kfz.251/22
StuG III F
StuG III G
StuH 42 G
BT-7A (F-32)
KV-1S
▂M3 Medium
▂MK-II "Matilda"
SU-76D
SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps)
SU-122
T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.)
T-34 (1941)
T-34 (1942)
T-34E
T-34E STZ
Achilles
Archer
Churchill I
Cromwell V
Cromwell V (RP-3)
Grant I
Sherman II
Valentine XI
Ho-Ni I
Ho-Ni III
␗M4A4
␗M4A4 (1st PTG)
␗M24
75/18 M41
75/32 M41
▄Pz.III N
AMX-13-M24
▄M4A1
▄M4A3 (105)
Ikv 73
Strv m/42 EH
III Calliope
Cobra King
M4A1 (76) W
M4A2 (76) W
M4A3 (76) W
M4A3E2
M18 "Black Cat"
M18 GMC
M36 GMC
M36B2
T14
Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Jagdpanzer IV
▀M4 748 (a)
Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J
Sd.Kfz.234/4
KV-1 (ZiS-5)
KV-1E
A.C.IV
Achilles (65 Rg.)
Avenger
Challenger
Churchill Crocodile
Churchill NA75
Churchill VII
Excelsior
Sherman Firefly
Sherman IC "Trzyniec"
Chi-Nu
▅M24
␗M4A1 (75) W
␗M41A3
␗T-34 (1943)
Sherman Ic
▄Sherman V
▄M24
▄Pz.IV G
▄StuG III G
AMX-13 (FL11)
E.B.R. (1951)
Lorraine 155 Mle.50
▄M4A3E2
▄M4A4
▄M36B2
Ikv 103
▄Pz.IV
Sherman III/IV
▄T-34
IV M4/T26
M4A3E2 (76) W
M26
M26 T99
M41A1
M46
M46 "Tiger"
M56
T26E5
T30
M109G Object 248
SU-100
SU-100P
T-34-100
Black Prince
Centurion Action X
Centurion Mk.2
Centurion Mk 1
Centurion Mk 3
Charioteer Mk VII
Eland 90 Mk.7
FV4202
G6
Ratel 90
▄Strv 81 (RB 52)
▅M4A3 (76) W
▅M36
▅M41A1
ST-A1
ST-A2
ST-A3
Type 61
Type 75 SPH
␗M18 GMC
␗M36 GMC
M64
␗SU-100
AUBL/74
▄M18
M26 "D.C.Ariete"
M26A1
M36B1
▄Sherman Vc
ELC bis ▄Charioteer Mk VII AML-90
M-51
M-51 (W)
Magach 1
Magach 2
Sho't
V M47
M48A1
M60
M103
▃Magach 3 (ERA)
DF105
E-100
M48A2 C
Maus
mKPz M47 G
T-44-100
T-54 (1947)
T-54 (1949)
T-54 (1951)
TO-55
Caernarvon
Centurion Mk.5/1
▅M47
STB-2
␗M48A1 C13 T90
M60A1 "D.C.Ariete"
OF-40
AML-90
AMX-13-90
AMX-30
AMX-30 (1972)
AuF1
E.B.R. (1963)
Strv 81
Strv 81 (RB 52)
Strv 101
Strv 103-0
Strv 103A
▄T-54
VIDAR
Magach 3
Magach 3 (ERA)
Magach 5
Magach 6
Magach 6A
Sho't Kal Alef
Tiran 4
Tiran 4S
VI M60A1 (AOS)
M60A1 RISE (P)
M60A3 TTS
MBT-70
▃Merkava Mk.1
▃Merkava Mk.2B
T95E1
XM8
XM1 (Chrysler)
XM1 (GM)
XM803
JaPz.K A2
KPz-70
TAM
Object 685
T-55A
T-55AM-1
T-55AMD-1
Chieftain Mk 3
Chieftain Mk 5
Chieftain Mk 10
Khalid
Olifant Mk.1A
▄Sho't Kal Dalet
Type 16 (FPS)
Type 16 (P)
Type 74 (E)
Type 74 (F)
Type 74 (G)
CM11
M41D
␗M60A3 TTS
Centauro I 105
Centauro I 105 R
OF-40 (MTCA)
OF-40 Mk.2A
VRCC
AMX-10RC
AMX-30 Super
AMX-30B2
AMX-30B2 BRENUS
AMX-32 (105)
MARS 15
SK-105A2
Ikv 91-105
Strv 103С
Strv 104
Strv 105
▄T-55M
Gal Batash
Magach 6B
Magach 6B Gal
Magach 6C
Magach 6M
Magach 6R
Magach 7C
Magach Hydra
Merkava Mk.1B
Merkava Mk.2B
Merkava Mk.2D
Sho't Kal Dalet
Sho't Kal Gimel
VII AGS
CCVL
IPM1
M1 Abrams
M1 KVT
Black Night
Challenger 2
␙Challenger 2
Challenger 2 (2F)
Challenger 2 TES
Challenger 2E
Challenger DS
Challenger Mk.2
Challenger Mk.3
Vickers Mk.7
Type 16 CT-CV 105HP
CV 90105
Smoke grenade launchers
Rank USA flag.png
USA
Germany flag.png
Germany
USSR flag.png
USSR
Britain flag.png
Britain
Japan flag.png
Japan
China flag.png
China
Italy flag.png
Italy
France flag.png
France
Sweden flag.png
Sweden
Israel flag.png
Israel
I Marder III
Pz.38(t) F
Pz.III B
Pz.III E
Pz.III F
Pz.III J
Pz.IV C
Pz.IV E
Pz.IV F1
Sd.Kfz.222
StuG III A
▂T-III A13 Mk I
A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.)
A13 Mk II
A13 Mk II 1939
Daimler Mk II
SARC MkIVa
Tetrarch I
Ha-Go Commander
II ▃Grant I
M4A2
M4A3 (105)
M24
M24 (TL)
T18E2
Pz.III J1
Pz.III J1 TD
Pz.III M
Pz.III N
Pz.IV F2
Pz.IV G
Pz.IV J
Sd.Kfz.234/2
Sd.Kfz.234/2 TD
StuG III F
▂MK-II "Matilda"
▂МК-IX "Valentine"
AEC Mk II
Churchill I
Cromwell I
Cromwell V
Cromwell V (RP-3)
Crusader "The Saint"
Crusader II
Crusader III
Grant I
Matilda III
SARC MkVI (2pdr)
SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Valentine I
Valentine IX
Valentine XI
␗M3A3 (1st PTG)
␗M3A3 Stuart
␗M24
75/34 M42
75/34 M43
105/25 M43
▄M3A3
M15/42
P40
P40 "G.C. Leoncello"
▄Pz.III N
Turan I
Turan II
Zrinyi II
AMX-13-M24
▄Crusader Mk.II
▄M3A3 Stuart
▄M4A3 (105)
Pbv 301
III T14 Jagdpanzer IV
▀M4 748 (a)
Panther D
Panzer IV/70(A)
Panzer IV/70(V)
▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill
Sturer Emil
␠Tiger
Tiger E
Tiger H1
VK 3002 (M)
Challenger
Churchill Crocodile
Churchill III
Churchill NA75
Churchill VII
Comet I
Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
Excelsior
Sherman Firefly
Sherman IC "Trzyniec"
▅M24 75/46 M43
▄Sherman I Composito
Sherman Ic
▄M24
M42 Contraereo
M43 "G.C.Leoncello"
▄Pz.IV G
▄StuG III G
Turan III
Zrinyi I
AMX-13 (FL11)
E.B.R. (1951)
M4A1 (FL10)
▄Comet I
▄Pz.IV
SAV 20.12.48
IV 38 cm Sturmmörser
Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Flakpanzer 341
Jagdpanther G1
Jagdtiger
JPz 4-5
leKPz M41
Panther A
Panther F
Panther G
Panther II
Ru 251
SPz 12-3 LGS
Tiger II (10.5 cm Kw.K)
Tiger II (H)
Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Tiger II (P)
ASU-85
BTR-ZD
IS-2 "Revenge"
IS-2 (1944)
IS-2 No.321
T-34-100
▂T-V
▂Type 62
Black Prince
Centurion Action X
Centurion Mk.2
Centurion Mk 1
Centurion Mk 3
Charioteer Mk VII
Conway
Eland 90 Mk.7
FV4202
G6
Ratel 20
Ratel 90
▄Strv 81 (RB 52)
Tortoise
SUB-I-II
Type 61
␗IS-2 (1944)
Type 62
AUBL/74
FIAT 6614
▄Sherman Vc
AMX-13
AMX-13 (SS.11)
E.B.R. (1954)
ELC bis
Panther "Dauphiné"
▄Charioteer Mk VII
Strv 74
AML-90
AMX-13
M-51
M-51 (W)
Sho't
V ▃Magach 3 (ERA) DF105
E-100
Leopard I
M48A2 C
Marder 1A3
Marder A1-
Maus
mKPz M47 G
RakJPz 2
SPz BMP-1
BMP-1
BTR-80A
IS-3
IS-4M
Object 268
PT-76-57
SU-122-54
T-10A
T-44-100
T-54 (1947)
T-54 (1949)
T-54 (1951)
Caernarvon
Centurion Mk.5 AVRE
Centurion Mk 10
Conqueror
Swingfire
Vickers Mk.1
STB-2
Type 74 (C)
Type 87 RCV (P)
Type 69-IIa
ZBD86
ZTZ59A
AUBL/74 HVG
◔BTR-80A
C13 T90
M60A1 "D.C.Ariete"
OF-40
AML-90
AMX-13-90
AMX-30
AMX-30 (1972)
AMX-50 (TO90/930)
AMX-50 Surbaissé
AuF1
Char 25t
E.B.R. (1963)
Ikv 91
Pvrbv 551
Strv 81
Strv 81 (RB 52)
Strv 101
Strv 103A
▄T-54
Magach 3
Magach 3 (ERA)
Magach 5
VI M3 Bradley
M60A1 RISE (P)
M60A2
M60A3 TTS
M247
M551
M901
MBT-70
▃Merkava Mk.1
▃Merkava Mk.2B
XM8
XM803
C2A1
Class 3 (P)
Gepard
JaPz.K A2
KPz-70
Leopard 1A5
Leopard A1A1
Leopard A1A1 (L/44)
M48 Super
M48A2 G A2
RakJPz 2 (HOT)
◊T-72M1
TAM
TAM 2IP
2S25
BMD-4
BMP-2
BMP-3
IS-7
Object 685
T-10M
T-55AM-1
T-55AMD-1
T-62M-1
T-64B
T-72A
Chieftain Marksman
Chieftain Mk 3
Chieftain Mk 5
Chieftain Mk 10
Khalid
Olifant Mk.1A
Olifant Mk.2
Rooikat 105
Rooikat Mk.1D
▄Sho't Kal Dalet
Striker
VFM5
Vickers Mk.3
Vijayanta
Warrior
ZT3A2
Type 16 (FPS)
Type 16 (P)
Type 74 (E)
Type 74 (F)
Type 74 (G)
Type 87
Type 87 RCV
Type 89
AFT09
CM11
CM25
M41D
␗M60A3 TTS
PGZ09
PTL02
PTZ89
T-69 II G
WMA301
ZTZ59D1
ZTZ88A
ZTZ88B
ZTZ96
Centauro I 105
▄Leopard 1A5
OF-40 (MTCA)
OF-40 Mk.2A
◔T-72M1
VBC (PT2)
VCC-80/60
VRCC
AMX-10RC
AMX-13 (HOT)
AMX-30 ACRA
AMX-30 DCA
AMX-30 Super
AMX-30B2
AMX-30B2 BRENUS
AMX-32
AMX-32 (105)
AMX-40
MARS 15
MEPHISTO
SANTAL
SK-105A2
VBCI-2 (MCT30)
CV9030FIN
Ikv 91-105
ItPsV 90
Leopard 1A5NO2
Lvrbv 701
Pbv 302 (BILL)
Strf 9040B
Strv 103С
Strv 104
Strv 105
▄T-55M
▄T-72M1
Gal Batash
Magach 6B
Magach 6B Gal
Magach 6C
Magach 6M
Magach 6R
Magach 7C
Merkava Mk.1B
Merkava Mk.2B
Merkava Mk.2D
Sho't Kal Dalet
Sho't Kal Gimel
VII AGS
CCVL
HSTV-L
IPM1
LAV-AD
M1 Abrams
M1 KVT
M1A1
␙M1A1
M1A1 AIM
M1A1 HC
M1A2 Abrams
M1A2 SEP
M3A3 Bradley
M60 AMBT
M1128
M1128 Wolfpack
▃Merkava Mk.3D
FlaRakPz 1
FlaRakRad
Gepard 1A2
Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123)
Leopard 2 PL
Leopard 2 PSO
Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A5
␙Leopard 2A5
Leopard 2A6
Leopard 2AV
Leopard 2K
Ozelot
PUMA
Radkampfwagen 90
TAM 2C
2S25M
2S38
BMP-2M
T-72AV (TURMS-T)
T-72B
T-72B3
T-72B (1989)
T-72M2 Moderna
T-80B
T-80BVM
T-80U
␙T-80U
T-80UK
T-80UM2
Т-90А
ADATS (M113)
Bhishma TWMP
Black Night
Challenger 2
␙Challenger 2
Challenger 2 (2F)
Challenger 2 TES
Challenger 2E
Challenger DS
Challenger Mk.2
Challenger Mk.3
Stormer HVM
TTD
Vickers Mk.7
TKX
TKX (P)
Type 10
Type 16
Type 90
Type 90 (B)
MBT2000
PGZ04A
QN506
WZ1001(E) LCT
ZLT11
ZTZ96A
ZTZ96A (P)
ZTZ99-II
ZTZ99-III
ZTZ99A
Ariete
Ariete (P)
Ariete AMV
Ariete PSO
Centauro I 120
Dardo
Freccia
KF41
◔Leopard 2A4
OTOMATIC
VCC-80/30
Leclerc
Leclerc AZUR
Leclerc S2
Leclerc SXXI
Roland 1
ASRAD-R
CT-CV 105HP
CV 90105
CV 90120
▄Leopard 2A4
▄Leopard 2A6
Lvkv 9040C
Strf 9040 BILL
Strf 9040C
Strv 121
Strv 122A
Strv 122B PLSS
T 80 U
Merkava Mk.3B
Merkava Mk.3C
Merkava Mk.4 LIC
Merkava Mk.4B
Merkava Mk.4M
Engine Smoke generating Systems (ESS)
Rank USA flag.png
USA
Germany flag.png
Germany
USSR flag.png
USSR
Britain flag.png
Britain
Japan flag.png
Japan
China flag.png
China
Italy flag.png
Italy
France flag.png
France
Sweden flag.png
Sweden
Israel flag.png
Israel
II M4A5
III PT-76B Object 211
␗PT-76
▄PT-76
IV BTR-ZD
V M728 CEV SPz BMP-1 BMP-1
Object 906
PT-76-57
T-10A
TO-55
ZBD86
VI M3 Bradley
M60A1 RISE (P)
M60A3 TTS
▃Merkava Mk.1
▃Merkava Mk.2B
◊T-72M1 2S25
BMD-4
BMP-2
BMP-3
IT-1
Object 279
Object 685
Shturm-S
Strela-10M2
T-10M
T-55A
T-55AM-1
T-55AMD-1
T-62
T-62M-1
T-64A (1971)
T-64B
T-72A
Olifant Mk.2
Rooikat 105
Rooikat Mk.1D
Rooikat MTTD
▄Sho't Kal Dalet
ZA-35
␗M60A3 TTS
Object 122MT "MC"
Т-62 №545
T-69 II G
ZTZ88A
ZTZ88B
ZTZ96
◔T-72M1 AMX-30 DCA
AMX-32
AMX-32 (105)
AMX-40
▄T-55M
▄T-72M1
Gal Batash
Magach 6C
Magach 7C
Merkava Mk.1B
Merkava Mk.2B
Merkava Mk.2D
Sho't Kal Dalet
Sho't Kal Gimel
VII IPM1
M1 Abrams
M1 KVT
M1A1
␙M1A1
M1A1 AIM
M1A1 HC
M1A2 Abrams
M1A2 SEP
M3A3 Bradley
▃Merkava Mk.3D
ADATS
2S25M
2S38
BMP-2M
Khrizantema-S
T-72AV (TURMS-T)
T-72B
T-72B3
T-72B (1989)
T-72M2 Moderna
T-80B
T-80BVM
T-80U
␙T-80U
T-80UK
T-80UM2
Т-90А
Bhishma TWMP
Black Night
Challenger 2
␙Challenger 2
Challenger 2 (2F)
Challenger 2 TES
Challenger 2E
Challenger DS
Challenger Mk.3
TTD
MBT2000
WZ1001(E) LCT
ZTZ96A
ZTZ96A (P)
ZTZ99-II
ZTZ99-III
ZTZ99A
T 80 U Merkava Mk.3B
Merkava Mk.3C
Merkava Mk.4 LIC
Merkava Mk.4B
Merkava Mk.4M

Naval Forces

Effect of smoke screen

After researching the "Smokescreen" modification, every naval vessel can deploy a smoke screen with a similar effect to ESS in ground forces. Upon activation, for the next 30 seconds, a screen of smoke will be laid down in the vessel's wake that lasts for about 25 seconds. Each vessel gets five smoke screen uses and must wait a 60 second cooldown between uses. The default key for smoke screen is "G", and it can be remapped at:

  • Controls > Naval > Weaponry > Smoke screening

Uniquely, the PG 02 can equip the 130 mm Mark 36 SRBOC decoy system, which functions in the same way as smoke launchers in ground forces. There is no keybind for this by default, but it can be remapped at:

  • Controls > Naval > Weaponry > Smoke grenades

In naval battles, smoke screens can obscure visual contact, break locks, and, in Arcade Battles, hide player names and markers.

Hydroplane smoke screens

In addition to the standard smoke screen, certain ships can gain the ability to launch aircraft by researching the "Hydroplane" modification. Each plane can lay up to three smoke screens which behave similarly to those laid by surface vessels. The smoke screens begin to dissipate after 30 seconds and completely dissipate after 60 seconds, and there is a 100-second cooldown between uses. The default key for hydroplane smoke screens is "Alt+G", which can be remapped at:

  • Controls > Aircraft > Miscellaneous > Hydroplane smoke screen activation

To begin laying a smoke screen, the aircraft must be at an altitude of 50 metres or less. If the aircraft exceeds that altitude limit at any point while laying a smoke screen, the smoke screen laying will end prematurely. The height of the smoke screen will depend on the course of the aircraft, so in general, it is recommended to fly as close to the upper altitude limit as possible while laying smoke screens. Additionally, the speed of the aircraft does not affect the density or the laying duration of the smoke screen, so travelling at greater speeds will result in a longer smoke screen.

Naval vessels with hydroplanes

Rank USA flag.png
USA
Germany flag.png
Germany
USSR flag.png
USSR
Britain flag.png
Britain
Japan flag.png
Japan
Italy flag.png
Italy
France flag.png
France
III USS Detroit
USS Raleigh
USS Trenton
HMS Enterprise IJN Kako
IJN Kuma
IJN Sendai
RN Bartolomeo Colleoni Primauguet
IV USS Helena
USS New Orleans
USS Northampton
USS Pensacola
USS Portland
Admiral Graf Spee
Admiral Hipper
Karlsruhe
Prinz Eugen
Kirov
Voroshilov
HMNZS Leander
HMS Kent
HMS Southampton
HMS York
IJN Agano
IJN Furutaka
IJN Mikuma
IJN Myoko
RN Eugenio di Savoia
RN Pola
RN Raimondo Montecuccoli
RN Trento
Colbert
Dupleix
Emile Bertin
V USS Baltimore
USS Brooklyn
USS Cleveland
USS Fargo
Maxim Gorky IJN Haruna
IJN Mogami
IJN Suzuya
RN Zara
VI USS Alaska
USS Arizona
USS Nevada
Scharnhorst Kronshtadt IJN Ise
IJN Kongo

Media

Videos

See also