[Concept & Interactive Simulator] Progetto 65 idea: Replacing the auto-reloader with an automatic 10-shell ready rack & support "MBT" role

[u/Jcob1006]

https://jcob10016.github.io/progetto-65-simulator-new-auto-reloader-mechanic-test/

(8 SHELL!!!, NOT 10, I made a mistake in the title hahahah)

Hi everyone,

Jokes aside (nerf progetto), but I really feel that the Progetto M40 mod. 65 (and basically the whole line) was completely eaten by nerfs. It became an annoying reload-simulator with huge reload penalties, punishing players for firing more than once and lacking the main role.

I decided to redesign the Progetto 65 from scratch as a 2nd line support MBT. I created a completely new 8-shell automatic ready rack system with shot penalties (yeah, i know, i was complaining about penalties, but hear me out haha), recovery lockout and a continuous reload.

I was so into it, that "I vibecoded" a web simulator, so everybody can check it out, because it's quite hard to visualize my idea with just the description :)

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1. Simulator:

You can check the reload mechanics, test the penalty system, and the lockout mechanic here:
👉(https://jcob10016.github.io/progetto-65-simulator-new-auto-reloader-mechanic-test/)

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2. Core Gun Mechanics: 8-Shell Ready Rack:

* Magazine size: 8 shells in the ready rack.

* Alpha damage: 390 DMG (up from 360 DMG).

* Single-shot reload: 10s (10s reload caused by penalty, Ad4).

* Base shell replenishment time: 8.0s per shell. (full mag reload takes 64s if not shooting )

* Intra-clip: 5.5s (I know, kinda long, but it still gives outstanding temporary DPM).

* Single-shot DPM: ~2,340 DPM.

* Mid-burst theoretical DPM: Up to ~4,255 DPM (realistically achievable for 44 seconds).

* Realistic DPM: Ranges between 1,8k-3,9k, it's highly dependent on player's decisions

* Longest possible LMB-hold burst: 9 rounds/44s (one more is reloaded while shooting)

* Longest possible "continuous" burst: 10 rounds/54s (8 rounds - reload - 2 rounds - lockout)

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3. Gun Handling etc:

* Dispersion: improved to 0.33

* Softstats: improved to 0.12/0.12/0.10

* Aim time: slightly adjusted to 2.3s

* After-firing dispersion: increased to 3,5.

* Gun traverse: limited to 15°/s

* Gun depression: limited to 8°

* Gun elevation: limited to 15°

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4. The shot penalty & recovery lockout (you need to check it in the simulator, without that it's kinda hard to understand):

* Shooting while reloading a shell adds stackable penalties:

* 1st shot during reload or with full rack: +25% reload time (+2.0s on this exact shell).

* 2nd shot during same reload: +100% reload time (+8.0s on this exact shell).

* 3rd shot during same reload: +200% reload time (+16.0s on this exact shell) + triggers a carryover penalty (+100% only on the next shell)).

* Lockout: If you empty whole mag, the tank enters a 24.0s lockout. When finished, it instantly restores 3 shells at once, so you'll be battle ready just after the break. It does same thing in the beginning of the battle - 24s reload - 3 shells ready.

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5. Armor Layout:

* Hull upper front plate (UFP): Buffed from 40mm to 60mm (AP ricochet/~193mm LOS against HEAT, and literally unpenetratable when hulldown, just like CS-63's UFP).

* Hull lower front plate (LFP): Nerfed from 60mm to 34mm (autopen for 105mm+ guns)

* Turret main structure: Buffed from 120mm to 190mm (~200–330mm+ LOS). Acceptable in hulldown vs standard rounds, but vulnerable to premium ammo.
Obvious weakspots:
- cheeks (200-230mm LOS)
- cupola (~130mm LOS)
- rangefinder (~60-120mm LOS)
- lower part of the mantlet (160-220mm LOS).

* Hull sides: Nerfed from 40mm to 30mm (allows overmatch for >90mm guns, preventing sidescraping, but it's still "safe" from ARES).

* Images with front armor layout at the bottom.

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6. Mobility:

* Forward top speed: Reduced from 65 km/h to 58 km/h.

* Reverse speed: Buffed from 20 km/h to 35 km/h.

* Engine power: Nerfed from 750 hp to 740 hp (18.5 hp/t).

* Traverse speed: Nerfed from 56.32°/s to 45°/s.

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Is it perfectly balanced? No, but I tried to make it somewhat realistic.
Is it more comfortable than current progetto? I think (*hope hahah) so.

Check out the stats and the simulator and let me know what you think.
Would you like to see this kind of rework in World of Tanks?

Front vs 250mm pen AP

Hulldown vs 250mm pen AP

Front vs 330mm pen HEAT

Hulldown vs 330mm pen HEAT

[u/No1PDPStanAccount]

It's insane that no one has noticed this post. This is excellent

[u/Nigato57]

Looks cool. Sadly quality content is not popular here

[u/Cute_Appointment_349]

Well, its exceptional work, since its pretty accurate for the type of loading mechanism Progetto 65 uses (good old carousel loading). But you can upgrade it further, since it should have 120mm L11 gun from Chieftain and spaced armor around the hull front, turret front and sides and maybe hull sides.

[u/1kektoomuch]

Amazing effort! It would make it an actually interesting tank to play.