Light Tanks

Light tanks are small, agile tanks which often take the roles of flankers or scouts. They are represented by a solid green or red diamond on the mini-map and over their respective target marker.

Characteristics

Most light tanks sacrifice armor protection for speed and maneuverability. This makes light tanks the fastest class of vehicles in the game, but also the most fragile (second only to artillery). They lack the armor necessary to protect them from most guns in the game and are especially vulnerable to ramming. Light tanks usually feature smaller, rapid fire guns and typically fall just short of medium tanks with regards to firepower (though this disparity becomes smaller in the higher tiers). In return for their lack of firepower and protection, light tanks get superb view ranges and also benefit from great camo values which stay the same regardless of whether the tank is stationary or moving (a feature unique to light tanks). Light tanks prior to update 9.18 received special matchmaking where they were treated as being a tier higher than they actually were, but now receive normal matchmaking.

Role

Because of their physical frailty and their strong spotting and concealment abilities, light tanks are usually best played as scouts. Light tanks are well equipped to spot enemy targets in order for their more heavily armed teammates to safely take shots at them, all while staying safe from enemy fire themselves. Light tanks become especially dangerous later in the game when the map is less populated. With more room to move around, light tanks are capable of aggressively spotting or flanking unsuspecting targets and escaping just as quickly. Light tanks can easily circle tank destroyers and slow moving heavy tanks when caught without support. Light tanks are also adept at hunting down enemy artillery batteries and are incredibly difficult for artillery to kill due to their small size and incredible speed.

Variety and Examples

As with all classes in the game, while most light tanks share similar characteristics there are those which deviate from these norms. This is most true at the lower tiers, where most of the early historical light tanks are. Many of these older light tanks were designed as more general-purpose vehicles, and thus many of their in-game representations are more well-rounded than the dedicated scout lights of the middle to upper tiers. Tanks such as the Valentine and T-80 reflect this more general-purpose performance, whereas others such as the AMX 40 buck the trend completely and behave like pocket heavy tanks. BEFORE UPDATE 9.18 Light tank development stops at tier VIII, with no light tank currently in the game above this tier. IN UPDATE 9.18 light tanks were extended to tier X

External Reviews and Opinions

Light tanks have the highest "skill cap" of any class, as they are fragile, possess relatively weak guns, and have enough mobility to get the driver into trouble. The following in-depth community guide reviews common mistakes and break downs effective tactics to help you understand how to play light tanks correctly.