Difference between revisions of "Tank Destroyers"
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| Tank destroyers (except several [[USA|American]], a few [[Germany|German]] and the [[UK|British]] [[FV215b (183)]] tank destroyers) lack a turret and must re-position themselves to aim at a target. However, this design usually gives a tank destroyer more effective use of concealment due to a lower profile. The heaviest tank destroyer can weigh up to 135 tons. The fastest tank destroyer can reach speeds up to 72 kph. Armor on a tank destroyer can be as thick as 305 | Tank destroyers (except several [[USA|American]], a few [[Germany|German]] and the [[UK|British]] [[FV215b (183)]] tank destroyers) lack a turret and must re-position themselves to aim at a target. However, this design usually gives a tank destroyer more effective use of concealment due to a lower profile. The heaviest tank destroyer can weigh up to 135 tons. The fastest tank destroyer can reach speeds up to 72 kph. Armor on a tank destroyer can be as thick as 305 | |||
| mm, and only [[Self-Propelled Guns|artillery]] have more powerful weapons. | mm, and only [[Self-Propelled Guns|artillery]] have more powerful weapons. | |||
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| + | Tank destroyers come in three forms, either heavily armored assault leaders relying on their armor for protection, reasonably armored secondline support tanks and thinly armored snipers who rely on concealment for protection. The former, such as Jagdtigers, T18s, all British tank destroyers from Tier 5-9 and the T95, can effectively use its thick armor to withstand enemy fire while using their powerful cannon to demolish enemy resistance. Reasonably protected support vehicles such as M36 Jacksons, ISU-152s and the AMX 50 Foch are designed to remain on the secondline, providing supporting fire for teammates with devastating cannon. They typically have enough armor to survive a few hits, but rely on teammates for a convenient distraction. Thinly armored snipers such as M18 Hellcats, Rheinmetall-Borsigs, Nashorns and FCM 36 Pak 40s rely on distance and concealment to avoid fire, using powerful cannon to destroy enemy tanks before they can come close enough. | |||
| Tank destroyers are excellent ambush vehicles. Their increased concealment abilities allow them to gain the upper hand in battle by using the element of surprise to acquire a first shot advantage. However, the lack of a turret or in the case of turreted tank destroyers, a slow traverse, means that an enemy can quickly gain an upper hand by using flanking maneuvers, leaving the tank destroyer helpless to defend themselves. Thus, the tank destroyer is generally not effective in close quarters combat unless protected and supported by mediums or heavies or in narrow confines where the lack of a turret or slow turret traverse is less of an issue. | Tank destroyers are excellent ambush vehicles. Their increased concealment abilities allow them to gain the upper hand in battle by using the element of surprise to acquire a first shot advantage. However, the lack of a turret or in the case of turreted tank destroyers, a slow traverse, means that an enemy can quickly gain an upper hand by using flanking maneuvers, leaving the tank destroyer helpless to defend themselves. Thus, the tank destroyer is generally not effective in close quarters combat unless protected and supported by mediums or heavies or in narrow confines where the lack of a turret or slow turret traverse is less of an issue. | |||
Revision as of 21:31, 17 September 2014
Tank Destroyers are vehicles designed specifically to destroy enemy tanks. They have more powerful weapons than most other vehicles of their tier and are able to penetrate most targets they encounter.
Tank destroyers (except several American, a few German and the British FV215b (183) tank destroyers) lack a turret and must re-position themselves to aim at a target. However, this design usually gives a tank destroyer more effective use of concealment due to a lower profile. The heaviest tank destroyer can weigh up to 135 tons. The fastest tank destroyer can reach speeds up to 72 kph. Armor on a tank destroyer can be as thick as 305 mm, and only artillery have more powerful weapons.
Tank destroyers come in three forms, either heavily armored assault leaders relying on their armor for protection, reasonably armored secondline support tanks and thinly armored snipers who rely on concealment for protection. The former, such as Jagdtigers, T18s, all British tank destroyers from Tier 5-9 and the T95, can effectively use its thick armor to withstand enemy fire while using their powerful cannon to demolish enemy resistance. Reasonably protected support vehicles such as M36 Jacksons, ISU-152s and the AMX 50 Foch are designed to remain on the secondline, providing supporting fire for teammates with devastating cannon. They typically have enough armor to survive a few hits, but rely on teammates for a convenient distraction. Thinly armored snipers such as M18 Hellcats, Rheinmetall-Borsigs, Nashorns and FCM 36 Pak 40s rely on distance and concealment to avoid fire, using powerful cannon to destroy enemy tanks before they can come close enough.
Tank destroyers are excellent ambush vehicles. Their increased concealment abilities allow them to gain the upper hand in battle by using the element of surprise to acquire a first shot advantage. However, the lack of a turret or in the case of turreted tank destroyers, a slow traverse, means that an enemy can quickly gain an upper hand by using flanking maneuvers, leaving the tank destroyer helpless to defend themselves. Thus, the tank destroyer is generally not effective in close quarters combat unless protected and supported by mediums or heavies or in narrow confines where the lack of a turret or slow turret traverse is less of an issue.
If it cannot find a position for an effective ambush, a tank destroyer can provide excellent fire support by hanging behind the front lines and engaging targets of opportunity. Alternatively, tank destroyers provide effective area denial in enclosed areas, such as city streets, especially in the case of those with strong frontal armor. More heavily armored tank destroyers such as the T95 and the AT 2 can function as assualt leaders, becoming a moving wall and absorbing hits their more thinly armored brethren cannot take. However, they tend to not function as well in this role compared to similar-tiered heavy tanks due to their lower hitpoints compared to the heavy tanks. Alternatively, fast TDs such as the M18 Hellcat and the E 25 can become effective skirmishers and flankers due to their speed, ambushing distracted enemies.
Artillery presents a significant problem for tank destroyers, as they are easier for artillery to damage due to their lack of turrets and open tops, making their entire topside a weak-spot, and they absolutely must rely on existing cover or relocate if spotted.
Tank destroyers appear as red or green inverted triangles on the mini-map and over target marker.
