Field Modification

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Tanks that reach Elite status and are anywhere from tier VI through tier X can use additional experience for Improved Field Modification. Although the tree looks a little intimidating at first glance, it’s pretty easy to navigate as your choices are limited to 2 options for each level of modification that you complete.
 

To view Field Modification options, click on the Research button for any tank from tier VI through tier X.

 

Tier X tanks have 8 levels of modification

Tier IX tanks have 7 levels of modification

Tier VIII tanks have 6 levels of modification

Tier VII tanks have 5 levels of modification

Tier VI tanks have 5 levels of modification

 

Field Modifications are purchased in a similar manner as researching tank modules. However, you must purchase them in consecutive order. With each researched Field Modification, you will open an option to purchase equipment (two choices) that will tweak your tank one direction or another. Is mobility your primary concern? Then you can choose a higher traverse speed at the cost of suspension durability and maintaining speed across terrain. Every tweak provides an improvement and a similar reduction elsewhere on the vehicle’s stats. Nothing is improved without a likewise reduction in ability in another area.

 

While I believe tweaking a tank to the player’s preferred playstyle is a nice addition to the game, it also creates greater disparity between base tank abilities. The more options to customize a tank, the greater the curve for player skill. A true first-person shooter video game does not allow customization or improvement on the character (tank) within the game and thus produces a game environment that is 100% dependent on player skill. World of Tanks is essentially a “pay to win” type game, and the player who can afford Field Modifications along with the best tank equipment and consumables will always have the slightly better tank because it will be easier to operate and will produce a greater number of penetrations (or bounces if getting shot at). Couple that with a Premium account that gives increased experience per battle to crew members and you have a highly unbalanced first-person shooter game.

 

I have the maximum number of Field Modifications on all of my tanks from tier VI through tier X. It’s important to know, however, that even though I have them researched, I haven’t always chosen option #1 or #2 with each modification. You don’t have to tweak your tank one way or the other. You can simply purchase the modification (with research) and then move on to research the additional modifications.

 

The two most significant modifications are level I and III. These allow you to switch between two sets of equipment and two sets of consumables. This is very handy as you can make a decision on what type of gear to use based on matchmaking. If you are low tier, you might want a survivability set of gear with premium tank rounds. If you are top tier, then you might want a more aggressive damage dealing set of equipment and use only standard rounds.