Rhyolite, Pointer, and Blitzlicht: Three Styles Forged in Mirny's Wastelands

Greetings, Commanders!

With a new event comes new rewards, and this year, you can unlock unique 3D styles that have been created as modifications for the X IS-7 , X Manticore , and X Leopard 1 to withstand the harsh environment of Mirny. In this article, you will learn about these modifications and find out more about the styles, plus how to get them.

Report on Testing Modifications in Mirny

 
Additional Fuel Tanks
The tanks have been mounted to increase the vehicle's endurance on recon missions. The efforts paid off—additional fuel significantly increases the effectiveness of missions.
 
Antenna of the Radar System
This experimental module can help with detecting enemies under conditions of insufficient visibility in Mirny. It requires adjustment after each mission.
 
Underwater Diving Equipment
A set of equipment that allows the vehicle to ford the water obstacle by driving on its bed It has been mounted for unexpected situations and has never been used in Mirny.
 
Damaged Insulating Cover
Metal insulating casing. It compensates for the uneven heating of the gun, thereby extending its service life and improving firing stability. It was damaged in a clash against a group of Hedgehogs.
 
Modernized KPVT Unit
It should be used to destroy manpower and lightly armored vehicles. Its effectiveness in Mirny is doubtful. There are no records that it was ever used there.
 
Collector for Mirium With Batteries
A collector for Mirium mounted on the turret rear. It consumes a significant amount of electric power, so it was necessary to install additional batteries on the turret. The solution turned out to be controversial in terms of operation—a section of the battery was damaged in combat, and now it requires repair.
 
Damaged Sealing Cover
A sealing cover for the gun mantlet. It was designed to increase the service life of the gun in the difficult conditions of Mirny. It was damaged during a clash against a group of Hedgehogs.
 
Mine Trawl and Its Attachment
This attached tank device is designed to detonate or clear anti-tank minefields. It turned out to be ineffective in Mirny—a single Hedgehog was enough to destroy the device. On the other hand, another Hedgehog was destroyed.
 
Barbed Wire
A creative modification mounted by the crew. The crew feels more secure with it—nothing unknown from Mirny will get on the vehicle. It creates some difficulties when the crew needs to get in or out of the vehicle quickly, but safety is more important.
3D STYLE FOR THE IS-7: RHYOLITE
 
Camouflage Net
It is not included in the list of the standard equipment for missions in Mirny. It is here just in case of some unexpected situations.
 
Spotlight
It ensures visibility in the hard conditions of Mirny. During a mission, some lighting components were damaged and so require repair.
 
Camera
A camcorder on a retractable rod. The model was created using German pre-war developments. Simple and relatively reliable, this is exactly what is needed for the conditions in Mirny. It is used to record information during recon missions.
 
Additional Radio
An additional radio with an arc antenna. This is an experimental model made in Italy. It ensures uninterrupted communication in difficult conditions, which is especially important for a light tank within a recon squad.
 
Collector for Mirium With Additional Containers
A collector for the unexplored matter. In the bustle rack, you can see additional containers in case of field repairs.
 
Smoke Grenade Launchers
Launchers with grenades. They should ensure a safe retreat in a difficult situation.
 
Bustle Rack
A bustle rack for storing additional fuel. It has been mounted to increase the vehicle's endurance on recon missions.
3D STYLE FOR THE MANTICORE: POINTER
 
Rigid Protective Cage
It should provide additional protection for the gun in the unexplored conditions in Mirny.
 
Slotted Muzzle Brake
A customized muzzle brake. It improves the characteristics of the gun in accordance with the conditions in Mirny.
 
Launchers with Smoke Grenades
Two additional launchers on the turret, as well as a 9-round barrel-mounted launcher, provide reliable cover in difficult situations.
 
Camouflage Net
It is not included in the standard set of the improved equipment for missions in Mirny, but it won't make it worse, anyway.
 
Infrared Spotlight
It should ensure visibility for the vehicle in conditions of poor visibility in Mirny. Its effectiveness has not been confirmed.
 
Additional External Air Filter
Due to the need to conduct hostilities in an unexplored area and to protect the crew from the influence of anomalous substances in the air, this vehicle is equipped with an additional external filter that is connected to the standard filtering unit mounted inside the vehicle.
 
Exhaust Grille of the Additional Power Unit
To ensure the continuous operation of the matter collector, the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary small power unit. Its exhaust goes out through an additional embrasure on the left side, covered by a protective grille.
 
Rubber Screens
They provide additional protection to the suspension. Their effectiveness has not been confirmed.
 
Improved Tracks
Shoes with extended grousers mounted on every second track. They increase the vehicle's mobility in the conditions of the anomalous space.
 
Bustle Rack
A bustle rack is mounted at the rear of the hull. That is where the crew stores both spare parts for the matter collector and various tools and service items, as well as new and used personal protective equipment (elements of chemical and bacteriological protection suits and gas masks).
 
Collector for Mirium
A collector for Mirium mounted on the turret rear.
 
Loops for Air Transportation
Since this combat vehicle was sent to the portal that opened unexpectedly, it was transported by air. For this purpose, high-load cargo loops were attached to the hull.
3D STYLE FOR THE LEOPARD 1: BLITZLICHT

IS-7: Rhyolite

Armored, mobile, and reliable. Vehicles of this type became the core of the exploratory raids into Mirny—their mission was to draw enemy fire, giving their allies time to deploy. Not all returned. Being the first is often a difficult task. Perhaps someday we will return for the rest of them and take them home. We have developed a modification that will increase the IS-7's chances during rescue operations. In these operations, the main objective is to get in, watch, and get out.
That's why we used additional equipment to increase the vehicle's protection and survivability. It was also to improve crew orientation while adapting the armaments to the unfamiliar conditions.

  • The mine plow proved its effectiveness. It can withstand at least one if not two Hedgehogs, improving your chances.
  • The radar system improves orientation in Mirny's poor visibility conditions. It helped us better navigate during our search operations. But it requires careful calibration each time upon return.
  • The protective equipment for the gun and gun mantlet proved to be effective (albeit fragile) in operation. The operating conditions and the experience of the returned crews should be studied more carefully.
  • The deep-water fording equipment was not used due to its long preparation time. Continued testing is required.
  • The vehicle's hull is covered with Mirium streaks—the Collector is probably no longer airtight. It is required to detect leaks and take measures to fix them. All crews that were operating the vehicles should be sent for additional examination. This was a direct order from Hope.

Conclusion: The rates of survivability and endurance in Mirny have improved. Further work is required to improve the process of collecting and storing Mirium, as well as to develop gun modifications.

Manticore: Pointer

Vehicles of this type were used as scouts in exploratory raids. The Manticore with the Pointer modification was the only vehicle to return from Group 36, a squad thanks to which we received good information about the possible vulnerability of the Immortal. We believe this is the best confirmation of the effectiveness of the applied modifications. Excessive caution of the crew? The most important qualities a scout can have are caution and circumspection. This modification was created for such purposes. We consider the project a clear success.

  • The systems for recording information and observing worked beyond belief. In Mirny, you can't even trust yourself, your perception, or your rationality. But a Reel recording, preserved in good quality, is the best thing in a dispute with either skeptics or yourself, when you start analyzing your memories and doubting them...
  • The lighting equipment was useful for orientation—when it worked. It's hard to say when exactly it became inoperable. Yes, not completely, and it's better than nothing, like before. But even half the darkness of Mirny is too much. Please modify the design to make it more reliable.
  • The additional radio worked great. We guided the group to the correct area and transmitted information to the base without interference. Great stuff! Thanks to uninterrupted communication with the base, the Manticore returned from Group 36. By the way, the guys asked me to give a big thank you to Hope for her support—and for everything in general. Without her, things would be much different.
Conclusion: The modification should definitely be considered successful. Everything worked effectively within the conditions to achieve the objectives. The lighting equipment is the only thing that requires improvements.

Leopard 1: Blitzlicht

The Leopard 1 modifications were created as the core fire support for exploratory groups. The key goal was to improve fire characteristics and provide a safe environment for the crew, which would provide firing cover for their recon group. It was the Blitzlicht modification that proved to be so successful that we continued to use it during the second stage of the Mirny incident—within Hope's operation.

  • The crew's life support systems turned out to be top-notch. We felt comfortable enough even in the deepest regions of Mirny, and even during active interaction with the enemy. The only difficulties we had to struggle with were our feelings.
  • The effectiveness of the gun modifications is also proven through combat experience. The Leopard 1s were good at suppressing the enemy if they could be kept at a distance. If not... Well, you're aware of this vehicle's protection. The crews were also aware of this.
  • The smoke grenade launchers should be mentioned separately—their placement on the gun barrel proved to be an excellent solution. Thanks to that, we were able to cover our teammates promptly and effectively.
  • As for the suspension improvements, I cannot say to what extent they were justified. The default driving characteristics of Leopard 1s are sufficient to support Rhyolites. Evacuation in emergency situations? I don't know what this means. We all leave together or stay until the end.
Conclusion: The Blitzlicht modification is an effective but difficult-to-use tool set. It demands the crew have high combat skills, and it depends on the coordinated actions of the recon groups. The vehicle's survivability was not improved. All characteristics are on par with the Leopard 1's standard configuration.

How to Get the Unique Styles

Get your hands on the dark 3D styles for these three great tanks directly in the game:

The styles feature powerful searchlights, reservoirs for collecting Mirium, video cameras that are resistant to electromagnetic radiation, and other unusual elements. 3D styles can be purchased for 4,500 gold each in the game client.

Additional 3D Style Offers

The IS-7, Manticore, and Leopard 1 are not the only vehicles that were prepared to face the evils of Mirny. Three mighty German vehicles also fell under the influence of the anomalies and received upgrades to their exteriors. The haunting "Revenant Mk. II" 3D styles for the VIII Panther II , IX E 50 , and X E 50 Ausf. M were created by the iconic Japanese video game artist Masahiro Ito, art director of the first three Silent Hill games. They are available right now in the Premium Shop!

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