Looking through this selection of screenshots for the upcoming 8.6 update to World of Tanks, I'm starting to think it's a shame these giant metal machines were designed for war and destruction. There's just something adorable about the way they position themselves around the map, cocking a inquisitive turret as if thoughtfully peering into the distance. It seems a waste to make them fight each other.

But fight they will. "Update 8.6 is a major step in game balance enhancement and is really going to make SPGs players happy," said Mike Zhivets, producer on World of Tanks. "Artillery gameplay is going to feel a lot more balanced with a normal ten tier structure, making advancing through that class of armor more comfortable for players."

Aside from the balance changes and new SPGs, the update will also add a Korean based map and the British A33 Excelsior.