It’s no secret that World of Tanks presents a steep learning curve for newcomers. Experienced players often dominate in their 2J tanks, while issues like poor balance among low-tier vehicles, insufficient guidance on game mechanics, and unfavorable RNG at these levels create a frustrating environment for beginners. These factors can lead to a negative experience, ultimately driving new players away from the game.

This is precisely why The Armored Patrol, in partnership with YouTuber and Twitch streamer RagingRaptor, is introducing a collection of video and text guides aimed at assisting newcomers in acclimating to the game. These guides will thoroughly explain the game mechanics and provide insights into the overall game environment, making the experience a bit more enjoyable for players.

The initial entry in our collection of beginner’s guides focuses on a class-oriented tank line, designed especially for newcomers to the game.

Beginner’s Handbook – Top Opening Lines

Firstly, it’s important to highlight that the primary criterion for determining whether a tank is suitable for beginners is its effectiveness during the grind, or tank performance. There’s nothing more discouraging than a lackluster tier 7 tank that struggles against its peers. The second consideration is the tank’s learning potential. It should provide a distinct playstyle that allows players to cultivate new skills, such as leveraging camouflage or exploiting terrain features to maximize the effectiveness of its well-armored turret. Lastly, the performance of tier X vehicles is a significant factor, as they represent the ultimate goal of the grind, though the grind’s overall experience is still the primary focus.

For the chosen vehicles, we will identify one from each class that we consider the most suitable for beginners. Our focus will be on every vehicle from tiers V to X, for which we will create an in-depth guide on maximizing their effectiveness. This guide will cover the strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle, the best strategies for gameplay, and the unique advantages they offer to new players.

Now that we’ve covered everything else, let’s move on to the heavy tanks.

Massive armored vehicles, the formidable tanks.

IS-7 tank series.

The IS-7, following its recent enhancements, remains an exceptional tier X tank even after all this time. It competes effectively with contemporary heavy tank giants like the 277 and 5A, and in certain aspects, it may even surpass them. This enduring tier X, combined with a manageable progression and strong performance in the lower tiers, makes it the ideal heavy tank line for newcomers.

Level 5 – KV-1

Survivability

The armor of the hull meets expectations; with proper angling and placement, it can effectively deflect shells from opponents of the same or lower tiers. The turret armor is decent for its tier, and when combined with the gun depression, it can perform quite effectively. However, the vehicle’s hitpoints are the lowest among all tier 5 heavy tanks, at 640, which may limit its durability but also allows for some margin of error.

Firepower

The 85mm gun on this tank has relatively poor accuracy, requiring a significant amount of time to aim after coming to a stop. Don’t anticipate making quick shots, as this vehicle has notoriously low hidden stats. Although the gun’s handling leaves much to be desired, its damage per minute (DPM) and alpha damage are quite impressive, and the penetration is satisfactory. Additionally, the tank features an unusual 7 degrees of gun depression, which opens up many advantageous positions on the map, allowing for effective hull-down gameplay. While it may not be the most conventional option, the 122mm U-11 howitzer is a feasible choice at this tier. It offers decent penetration and an astonishing 410 alpha damage for high-explosive rounds, enabling it to potentially one-shot some vehicles of the same tier, particularly tank destroyers. However, like most howitzers, this gun suffers from significant inaccuracy and has a lengthy aiming time.

Mobility

The KV serves as a quintessential heavy tank, but it’s not built for speed. Both the turret and hull have a poor traverse speed, and the tank itself is quite sluggish, with a maximum speed of just 34 km/h, which is unlikely to be achieved except on a downhill slope, due to its unimpressive base specific power ratio of 10.2.

Spotting

The visibility range is extremely poor, ranking as the lowest among all tier 5 heavy tanks and nearly the worst overall in tier 5, with the exception of the SU-85, which has a view range of 280 meters. In optimal conditions, the view range barely exceeds 400 meters without the use of binoculars, which is quite inadequate, leaving the tank largely ineffective in terms of visibility.

Verdict:

The KV-1 is decent. While it may not be exceptional, it serves as a good opportunity for players to understand armor angling and the significance of proper positioning on the battlefield.

Level 5 – KV-1S

Is it merely an enhanced version of the KV-1?

Survivability

In comparison to the KV-1, the KV-1S has reduced survivability. While the hull armor is largely unchanged, the turret has been redesigned, resulting in less effective armor and angles, and it features a significant weak spot in the form of a large cupola. Although the KV-1S has an increased health pool of 660, it sacrifices the strong turret armor of the KV-1, and the new turret is less reliable, making it vulnerable to penetration from tier 5 tanks.

The KV-1S maintains the same 85mm cannon but experiences slight improvements in maneuverability. However, the gun depression is significantly reduced to -3.5 degrees, making it nearly impractical. Therefore, the 122mm cannon is probably the optimal choice for this tank, offering -5 degrees of depression, which is an improvement. Additionally, the 122mm gun is more suitable for this tank, as it is considerably more agile than the KV-1, allowing for more effective engagements against enemy medium tanks.

The KV-1S offers significantly greater mobility compared to the KV-1, exhibiting characteristics akin to a “heavium” (a heavy tank with the agility of a medium tank). While its performance isn’t exceptional, a power-to-weight ratio of 13.6 hp/t and a top speed of 43 km/h provide enhanced versatility on the battlefield.

The visibility range remains quite poor, though it’s not as abysmal as that of the KV-1. By utilizing binoculars and a few other visibility-boosting tools, achieving the impressive 445m range is relatively achievable.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

This could serve as a good introduction for players transitioning to more mobile heavy tanks found at higher tiers, like the IS-7. The restricted penetration of the top 122mm gun will also encourage players to focus on targeting weak points.

The vehicle is best utilized for engaging enemy medium tanks, as it will struggle to have any impact on heavy tanks at higher tiers.

Level 6 – KV-85

Enhanced KV-1/1S hybrid

Survivability

The hull armor has not changed and continues to be quite ineffective at this level. However, the turret, which has been taken from the KV-1S, has seen some enhancements, increasing the chances of deflecting shots. In general, the KV-85 is relatively easy to penetrate for the majority of tanks, but it does come with a decent amount of hit points to work with.

The 100mm cannon is impressive and effective. It offers sufficient penetration to take on tier 7 vehicles, delivers solid alpha damage, and has reasonably good gun handling. The damage per minute is quite favorable, but the tank is limited to -3 degrees of gun depression, which can be quite challenging on certain hilly maps.

It’s important to unlock the 122mm gun for the KV-85, since it carries over to the IS, the subsequent tank in the progression. However, it’s advisable not to utilize it, as it performs significantly worse than the 100mm gun.

The mobility of this vehicle falls between that of the KV-1 and KV-1S. It boasts a decent specific power of 13 hp/t, yet its maximum speed of 34 km/h leaves much to be desired. While the rotation speed of the hull and turret isn’t exceptional, it does outperform many other heavy tanks.

Has the same field of vision as the KV-1S, but at this level, it’s even less effective.

As a heavy tank, it boasts a powerful 100mm cannon. However, in terms of overall performance, it falls short in both armor and speed, preventing it from being truly exceptional. It’s decent, but not outstanding.

Level 7 – IS-1

Unleash the heavy artillery.

Survivability

The tank features a turret that resembles that of its predecessor, yet it remains vulnerable to shots from tanks of comparable or lower tiers. Unless an opponent targets the turret’s angled sides, the likelihood of a shell penetrating is relatively consistent. The hull, on the other hand, has seen significant improvements, boasting more deceptive angles and enhanced effective armor. Nevertheless, it is important to remain cautious and not rely solely on the armor’s effectiveness.

The 122mm cannon you’ve acquired for the KV-85 performs admirably within its tier. It delivers the strongest damage among all tier 7 heavy tanks, although its penetration and gun handling are average. Additionally, the -6 degrees of gun depression is fairly effective.

It’s advisable to unlock the top 122mm cannon to avoid the need to do so on the IS-3.

Regrettably, the speed remains unchanged, but the vehicle will achieve quicker acceleration due to an improved power-to-weight ratio. While the turret has limited rotation capabilities, the hull offers a turning performance comparable to that of a medium vehicle.

A view range of 350 meters is not particularly impressive, but using binoculars can extend it to almost 445 meters. It’s advisable to equip this vehicle with binoculars, along with vents and a rammer.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The IS-1 stands out as a solid choice among tier 7 heavy tanks. While its armor can be inconsistent, it occasionally deflects shots unexpectedly. Coupled with a powerful gun and respectable acceleration, the IS-1 proves to be a formidable tier 7 vehicle.

The vehicle serves as an ideal urban ambush tank. Allow the opposing heavy tanks to take their shots, then unleash your powerful cannon to inflict significant damage on their health.

Level 8 – IS-3

The finest option so far, a true all-rounder.

Survivability

The IS-3 features the inaugural pike nose armor design in its series. To maximize the effectiveness of this armor, always confront the enemy directly! Engaging in sidescraping will diminish your armor’s strength, so it may be wise to practice reverse sidescraping moving forward.

In general, the armor of the IS-3 is quite impressive. With around 200mm of effective frontal armor, it enables you to dominate lower-tier opponents, and if the hull armor is concealed, it can withstand even tier X shells thanks to its exceptional turret armor. However, keep in mind that when you face-hug taller tanks, the top turret armor is notably weak and can be exposed!

Additionally, the tank boasts an impressive side armor configuration, featuring a multilayered and exceptionally thick upper side armor. When players understand the characteristics of the IS-3 and how to effectively utilize it, the tank excels, particularly with advanced maneuvers like reverse sidescraping.

Having 1500 hitpoints is decent, but this level signifies the introduction of 750 alpha guns, so make sure to utilize it carefully.

The impressive 122mm BL-9 cannon is definitely worth having, but obtaining it will take some effort. If you choose to play with the IS-3 in its base configuration, you’ll need to rely heavily on premium ammunition, so it’s wise to accumulate a substantial amount of credits and free experience to bypass the challenging initial grind.

Once you unlock the 122mm BL-9, the IS-3 stands out as an excellent tier 8 heavy tank. It boasts impressive penetration for its tier, an effective premium shell, and respectable accuracy for a large caliber weapon. Additionally, its aim time is satisfactory, and the gun performs surprisingly well for quick, un-aimed shots or shots taken while moving, allowing for a good chance of hitting the target.

The IS-3 is a heavy tank that offers a decent level of mobility. Although it doesn’t match the top speed of a medium tank, which is 38, it is still relatively quick and can arrive at its destination more swiftly than other heavy tanks.

The IS-3 has a view range of 350 meters, which is quite poor for its tier. Nevertheless, when engaging in close combat with other heavy tanks, this limited view range is unlikely to pose a significant problem until the later stages of the match.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The IS-3 is a versatile tank. As a tier 8 heavy, it performs well overall, though the initial grind can be quite challenging. However, once the primary weapon is upgraded, the experience becomes much more enjoyable.

The IS-3 excels in close-quarters combat and is a master of hull-down tactics. Utilize your tank to confront heavy opponents directly. When facing a team with numerous superheavies or hull-down tanks, the IS-3 is also capable of matching up against enemy medium tanks effectively.

Tier 9 – Vehicle 257

Survivability

The Object 257 has a unique armor configuration. Its upper hull armor is quite robust, while the lower hull is relatively vulnerable. Additionally, the upper side armor is significantly thick, and the lower side is steeply sloped, making side scraping, particularly in reverse, highly effective for this tank, allowing for considerable overangling. Even when facing enemy vehicles from the side, the resilient armor can deflect high-penetration shots. However, it’s important to note that the lower side armor is only 45mm thick, making it susceptible to 150mm caliber guns that can easily penetrate it.

The armor on the turret of this vehicle is somewhat disappointing. While it appears to be thick and well-angled on paper, the dual cupola weak points are quite noticeable and relatively easy to target. Therefore, it’s essential to keep moving constantly to disrupt the aim of your adversaries!

The primary weapon featured is the latest 122mm gun, delivering 440 alpha damage, decent penetration, and satisfactory gun handling (which is only slightly improved over the IS-3). Additionally, it comes equipped with APCR shells as the standard, resulting in significantly higher base shell velocity.

In general, it’s quite an impressive weapon for a tier 9 heavy tank.

With a maximum speed of 50 km/h, decent acceleration, and excellent maneuverability, the 257 is capable of keeping pace with certain medium vehicles while effectively utilizing its impressive armor in engagements with them.

The viewing distance has received a significant enhancement, now standing at a base of 390 meters. By utilizing coated optics and having a crew with good skills or installing vents, it’s possible to easily achieve a base viewing range of 445 meters.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The Object 257 is an impressive tier 9 heavy tank. It boasts decent mobility, effective armor, and a powerful gun, making it a formidable choice when operated by a skilled player.

Object 257 is a straightforward brawler, either in the heavy or medium category. When the unique armor configuration is effectively utilized, players can achieve significant damage absorption, and with its competent cannon, the overall experience can be quite satisfying.

Tier 10 – IS-7 Tank

The genuine heavium.

Survivability

The IS-7 boasts exceptional armor. Its upper hull is virtually invulnerable unless faced with premium ammunition, while the lower plate, measuring around 230mm in thickness, can occasionally deflect incoming shots.

The standout features of this armor include the turret, which is nearly invulnerable to conventional attacks, and the impressive layered design of the side armor. Mastering the technique of reverse sidescraping is essential for effectively utilizing this vehicle!

The sole 130mm artillery piece performs quite well. Although it may not have the highest rate of fire, the best handling, or the highest damage output, it remains a highly effective weapon within its tier.

The IS-7 boasts impressive speed for a tank with its level of armor. It can achieve a maximum speed of almost 60 km/h and has a power-to-weight ratio of around 18 hp/t. This means that under optimal conditions, such as on urban roads, reaching its top speed is quite feasible.

400 meters is still fairly impressive at tier X, though it’s not particularly remarkable.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The IS-7, a high-tier tank, remains a formidable contender on the battlefield. It boasts excellent armor, a solid main gun, and a swift chassis. Although it may not be the top choice for competitive play, it is certainly capable of standing its ground.

The IS-7 excels in a variety of tactics. It can effectively engage medium tanks, engage in close combat with heavy tanks, or maneuver around opponents. This heavy tank is highly adaptable, making it an ideal choice for beginners to unlock first.

Medium tanks are the versatile performers.

Numerous excellent medium tank lines exist, but one stands out for its adaptability and straightforward learning process.

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Centurion AX series

Regardless of opinions on the Centurions, these tanks are highly adaptable and serve multiple roles, emphasizing the significance of gun depression, effective gun handling, and selecting the right ammunition based on the circumstances. This makes the Cent AX a superior option for novice players compared to tanks like the 430U.

Level 5 – Champion

It’s not exactly Cromwell, but it’s still quite good.

Survivability

The armor of British medium tanks up to tier 8 is consistently lacking, offering either unreliable protection or virtually none at all. With low hit points and average mobility, these tanks struggle to withstand damage effectively.

The Crusader is equipped with a modest armament, featuring only a 6-pounder cannon. With a base penetration of 110mm, it will find it challenging to penetrate most heavy tanks of the same tier. Although the premium penetration of 180mm can effectively deal with many tier-matched heavies, the tank will struggle to perform when facing higher-tier opponents. Its primary strengths lie in its high damage per minute (DPM) and a remarkable -12 degrees of gun depression. However, the gun’s handling is relatively poor for a weapon with a fast rate of fire, making it difficult for players to fire rapidly, as the tank lacks both accuracy and quick aiming capabilities. The impressive gun depression, however, allows the Crusader to utilize many positions that would be ineffective for other tanks, helping it to stand out in the battlefield.

The tank offers mobility, though it isn’t particularly swift. It handles turns effectively, accelerates decently, and maintains an acceptable speed. In general, its mobility can be described as satisfactory, with the primary drawback being its average top speed of 44 km/h. However, the 22 km/h reverse speed can be quite advantageous, aligning well with the tank’s intended playstyle.

A base view range of 360 meters will enable you to achieve the maximum view range of 445 meters when using binoculars. While the view range may not be optimal, it remains functional.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The Crusader is primarily designed for support roles. While it may not be the fastest option available, its effective cannon, combined with remarkable reverse speed, acceleration, and a gun depression of -12 degrees, allows for easy flanking and executing surprise assaults.

In general, it’s quite decent and serves as a crucial point for understanding the gameplay mechanics of the entire tree, as well as the significance of proper positioning to leverage your advantages.

Level 6 – Cromwell

Which is the top tier 6 light tank?

Survivability

What sets Cromwell apart as an exceptional tier 6 tank isn’t its survivability; its armor offers little protection. However, its substantial hitpoint pool of 750 is a significant asset, especially when combined with the tank’s highly mobile playstyle, greatly benefiting the player.

Cromwell receives a significant enhancement to its weaponry, with its primary armament delivering impressive damage quickly, making it highly effective against light tanks and certain medium tanks. With a penetration of 145mm, it can handle most opponents within its tier, although the most heavily armored tanks will withstand its fire unless approached from the side. Interestingly, flanking is where the Cromwell truly excels.

The Cromwell’s most remarkable feature is its impressive speed, outpacing even certain light tanks and competing with the fastest vehicles in its tier. It accelerates quickly, maintains its velocity, and handles turns with ease, making it a genuine speedster.

The view range is still set at 360 meters. However, unlike at tier 5, the difference in view range may not be as noticeable, as your primary strength lies in being highly active and effectively targeting enemy light tanks at crucial map locations. Nevertheless, for players who wish to scout and assist their team in the later stages of the game, using binoculars can significantly enhance their ability to achieve that view range limit.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The Cromwell is an excellent light tank, featuring impressive hitpoints, strong speed capabilities, and a solid primary weapon. This combination makes it relatively straightforward to take down other light tanks, especially if you prioritize ramming more powerful opponents like the Type 64 before they can out-DPM you. Its speed enables you to maneuver across the battlefield effectively, facilitating ambushes, quick access to strategic locations, and an overall enjoyable gaming experience.

Level 7 – Comet

An even more unfavorable version of Cromwell.

Survivability

The Comet lacks significant armor, yet it can be effective when utilized properly. When positioned hull down and taking advantage of its impressive gun depression, certain areas of its turret armor can be quite resilient, capable of deflecting shots from lower-tier and some equal-tier tanks. However, it remains vulnerable when facing higher-tier opponents.

The Comet lacks impressive firepower, with its primary advantage being its gun depression rather than its cannon. Although the damage per minute (DPM) is decent, the penetration is subpar for its tier. While the gun handling is fairly decent, the overall damage output is underwhelming due to the low penetration, making it challenging to engage heavier tanks unless you can flank them.

While Cromwell opted to be the quickest contender in the area, Comet reverted to the mobility standards of the Crusader. Although its maximum speed remains commendable, the tank handles well and accelerates swiftly, it doesn’t quite match the performance of the Cromwell.

The Comet receives a significant enhancement to its view range, now set at 380 meters as a baseline. This improvement allows for a potential view range of 445 meters without the need for binoculars, greatly aiding in spotting targets.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

Comet is an average medium tank that has the potential for good gameplay if its strengths are effectively leveraged. Players should aim for elevated positions where the tank’s gun depression can compensate for its weak armor, or use the minimap to outmaneuver and flank opponents.

Level 8 – Centurion I

The inaugural Centurion.

Survivability

The Centurions, recognized as the first modern main battle tank, boasts solid armor protection on its turret. However, the armor on the hull is quite inadequate, making it improbable for the hull to deflect any shots, even at an angle. Nevertheless, the tank is equipped with a substantial amount of hitpoints, and this, combined with its relatively strong turret armor, enables it to withstand a few hits with reasonable assurance.

Centurions now have access to impressive firearm choices. The 20-pounder gun stands out as a highly competitive option. Although its alpha damage may not be exceptional, its standard penetration and gun handling characteristics are quite strong. Additionally, the -10 gun depression enables players to inflict damage while minimizing the risk of receiving hits, especially if their aim is not precise.

The mobility of the Centurion is quite similar to that of the Comet. While the earlier tanks compensate for their weaker armor with impressive acceleration, the Centurion may not be the quickest vehicle available, yet it can consistently achieve a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

We now have the ideal 400m view range, which will greatly assist in choosing the right equipment. With crew skills capable of enhancing this range to 445m, it opens up the option to forgo coated optics.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The Centurion is a solid medium tank at tier 8. Its armor is capable of withstanding attacks from tanks of the same tier and even some higher ones, unless facing premium rounds. Overall, the tank offers a satisfying and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Level 9 – Centurion 7/1

The Centurion 1 is superior, but the grinding experience is frustrating.

Survivability

The 7/1 boasts decent armor for a medium tank. Although its hull doesn’t match the strength of the T-54, it can deflect a significant number of shots from both lower and higher tier opponents when angled properly. On the other hand, the turret is exceptionally robust and nearly impervious when utilizing gun depression, enhancing the 7/1’s effectiveness as a frontally armored medium tank.

The 105mm main gun is an impressive weapon system. It offers excellent standard penetration, powerful high-penetration high-explosive shells, and a specialized premium HESH round for specific situations. Additionally, the gun’s handling is exceptional, with the main downside being a lengthy reload period. Combined with a gun depression of -10 degrees and robust turret armor, this makes for a formidable contender on mountainous terrain.

Its mobility surpasses that of the Centurion I, thanks to an improved engine that accommodates the extra weight from the enhanced armor and upgraded weaponry. The tank maintains excellent maneuverability and acceleration, allowing it to achieve a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

A view range of 410 meters is quite impressive, which could make stealthy tank destroyers that depend on their camouflage more susceptible to detection, and tanks positioned at a distance will be spotted more quickly.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The 7/1 stands out as an excellent choice at tier 9. With an impressive armor layout, good mobility, and outstanding firepower, this tank proves to be highly effective.

Level 10 – Centurion AX

Survivability

The most significant difference from the 7/1 is the introduction of a new turret, which features a more cylindrical shape compared to the classic design of the 7/1. While this alteration can lead to some disadvantages in certain scenarios, the turret still proves to be resilient, especially when utilizing the full gun depression, though penetrating it without premium ammunition can be challenging. Overall, the armor is expected to perform effectively if employed strategically.

The 105mm gun has become quite competitive, featuring a powerful high-explosive shell alongside a new premium shell that offers better penetration than the regular variant. Its damage per minute (DPM) is impressive, and the gun handling is excellent. With a gun depression of -10 degrees and impressive standard penetration, this tank excels in a variety of roles.

It is approximately equivalent to 7/1, as the enhancements are minimal, featuring a top speed boost of 3 km/h and a slight increase in the specific power ratio. In general, this tank demonstrates a high level of mobility.

The 410m view range is excellent for tier X, allowing you to detect tanks from a distance.

Conclusion and gameplay approach:

The Centurion AX may not be the top-tier medium tank at level X, but in the hands of a skilled player, it can effectively take down heavy tanks and, with the right ammunition selection, can wreak havoc on lightly armored opponents. This tank is an excellent option for newcomers, as it emphasizes the significance of ammunition selection, gun control, positioning, mobility, and the art of trading fire when needed.

Light tanks offer a combination of significant risk and substantial reward.

Although it’s gener