Difference between revisions of "Self-Propelled Guns"

Self Propelled Guns (also known as artillery or arty, hereafter SPGs) provide powerful indirect fire support, even as far as completely across a map. They stay safe by staying well within friendly lines, and provide support against tough stationary or slow targets.

Almost exclusively, SPGs use high explosive shells lobbed in an arc to distant battles. The inaccuracy of their weapons, particularly at higher tiers, makes the splash damage caused by the explosion often the primary source of damage, with direct hits being crippling to the target tank. The heaviest SPG can weigh up to 59 tons. Speeds vary greatly and range from maximum speeds of 20 km/h to 56 km/h. Armor is usually negligible, and with a maximum armor thickness of 60mm, SPGs are vulnerable to light and medium tanks. However, SPGs load the most powerful weapons available, being able to deliver over twice the damage of the most powerful cannon on a tank or tank destroyer. However, poor accuracy, aiming speed, and reload time make their weapons effective only against slow and stationary tanks, or tanks moving in a straight line at a constant speed.

SPGs are capable of using artillery mode (Left Shift), which gives them a bird's-eye view of the whole map, thought due to screensize limitations you see only a small portion, but you can easily navigate around the map. Be aware that moving sideways in the map will move your hull which greatly reduces your firing accuracy. Their reticle is displayed as it should, but varying in shape with the terrain. This eliminates the need to get reasonably close to the target to hit it.

SPGs work closely with scouts, using them to spot targets for the artillery piece to fire on. SPG support is essential for smaller tanks to defeat more powerful tanks, and can quickly turn the tide of a battle. SPGs are also one of the best weapons against enemy artillery, quite able to fire blindly at potential enemy positions by spotting tracer fire.