VK 30.01 (D)

Modules

Tier	Gun	Penetration (mm)	Damage (HP)	Rate of fire (rounds/minute)	Dispersion (m/100m)	Aiming time (s)		Weight (kg)	Price ()
	<value_unset_error>			0	0	0			0

Tier	Engine	Engine Power (hp)	Chance of Fire on Impact (%)		Weight (kg)	Price ()
	<value_unset_error>		0			0

Tier	Suspension	Load Limit (т)	Traverse Speed (gr/sec)	Rmin		Weight (kg)	Price ()
	<value_unset_error>	0					0

Tier	Radio	Signal Range (m)		Weight (kg)	Price ()
	<value_unset_error>				0

Compatible Equipment

Compatible Consumables

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Good flanker: Highly mobile top speed, making it easy to flank.
• Capable scout: View range is on par with American mediums, and nice camo.
• Survival potential: Well sloped armor and small turret. Deflects most shots especially at odd angles.
• Good gun depression of -8 allows defensive usage of small ridges and slopes, but not hills
• Sniper capability: Good gun penetration, accuracy, and good shell velocity.

Cons:

• Due to terrain resistance, maneuverability falls short of the Cromwell and cannot imitate a light tank.
• Frustrating soft stats: dispersion on the move mandates a GLD. Gun has below-average DPM.
• Vulnerable: armour unreliable and easily penetrated once spotted. Mantlet is small.

Performance

This is a versatile medium for its tier. As with the rest of this line, it is essentially a (defensive) sniper, and the strength of this tank is its mobility. It is able to position itself across the battlefield, with a high maximum speed, but its acceleration is lacking. The best place for it is on a flank, at medium to long range, where the very typical German gun can put its accuracy and penetration to work. This tank has other features, where it excels at using terrain to stay safe: it has decent camo, excellent view range, and can hide behind ridgelines, where this line's decent gun depression of 8° degrees (with the top turret, a reduction of -2° from stock) allows it to get off shots comfortably while the small turret profile and decent armor allow it to absorb shots.

Although the top gun isn't very different than the other tier 6 German mediums, its accuracy and high penetration allows for a more versatile spotting (and with 6th sense, harassment-subterfuge) playstyle than a dedicated flanker with less speed. The 75mm L/70 has sufficient alpha damage, but poor DPM compared to any other medium. It best engages at long mid-range, where the accuracy advantage is in your favour, but the shell velocity isn't a significant disadvantage. It is vulnerable in close range because other mediums will fire faster and easily be able to blow you up before you can kill them. However, it is a bit more agile than weightier mediums, and the reverse speed is decent enough – you can duck back behind hills in order to put a few shots in them as you go down swinging.

The chassis is arguably better than the other tier 6s, and the focal point of the design. It has decent sloped armor, which can bounce some shots at long range, but it will be reduced if fired down upon at close range by tall tanks. This causes serious problems up close, and gets penetrated by most guns. Thankfully, your view range is excellent and with Coated Optics, clears 400m with ease. It can get up to max with boosts (vents, Commander's Recon skill, chocolate). While you can use your gun to shoot targets lit up by other spotters, you can just as easily do the job yourself if you have several layers of bushes to obscure your fire, or a good ridgeline to poke over. The strategic mobility allows you to relocate across the map, but has poor acceleration meaning that you should position before you shoot. With the top engine, you should rarely use your top speed. It is especially bad when deploying, as it will get you ahead of your supporting team without the option of an easy retreat; instead, use it later when you need to switch flanks. Note that while the top speed is good, this tank is not the most agile: turning and acceleration are subpar, and then further worsened by terrain resistances. This is compounded by comparison: while statistically similar to its Pz 3/4 predecessor, the actual result is far worse due to the different ratios between top and stock engine power. Fuel consumables are suggested until you have a driver with his 2nd skill (ie, able to take Clutch Braking).

While it is somewhat stealthy with its low profile and small turret, it is no tank destroyer, and scouts/spotting tanks have sufficient view range to spot you at 350m even with camo and skills. Positioning yourself against enemy positions is key to not being shot, so unless you are sure nobody has a good shot on you, you should not be shooting nor stopping. It should also be noted that peeking at targets who see you at any range is a bad idea anyway, due to the poor alpha. While it doesn't have great gun depression for targets far below a hill you're on, use the unexpected 8 degrees of gun depression to shoot back at enemies near the , as using terrain is crucial to your survivability compared to the armoured VK 30.02 (M) or the poor 6 degrees angle on the 3/4. It is vital that you understand this, as from now on the relatively high gun depression of this line favours a 'Western'/hull-down approach, as compared to other European mediums. For example, if you are peeking for shots on a ridge or shallow hill, you can still be lit, but threat to yourself is minimal due to the relatively thick turret. At the same time you should not stay in one place too long, in case the enemy pre-aims their guns to your position. Put your mobility into use and shuffle a few metres to either side, or pick a different flank entirely.

As a brief comparison to the other medium sniper, the aggressive British Cromwell, the VK30D is slower in acceleration due to its weight, but has stronger view range. Notably our DPM is lower, but their penetration and accuracy are slightly lower. It is preferable to eliminate the Cromwell at range, especially if he gets too cocky over a hillcrest or ridge, or he is distracted. You can brawl his tank in a pinch, but it may not be wise, especially if the enemy player is experienced.

The matter of equipment and skills compensates for the shortcomings of this tank. Coated Optics is important for this tank as it brings its view range over 400 meters - allowing it to scout and snipe effectively. The Gun Rammer is mandatory whatever you do, as the tank has fairly low DPM - and anything to help this is very important. The last slot is a wash, situational or mainly a matter of choice, and very nearly depends on what you prefer. The Vents will give you an all around boost - but requires a skilled crew, hopefully with skills such as Recon, Camouflage, Smooth Shot/Smooth Ride, and Clutch Braking. It is often said that other boosts are required to make it noticeably useful, such as chocolate, and full Brothers in Arms. The Gun Laying Drive is another possible low-tier substitute for a vertical stabiliser, as you will often be forced to take potshots at medium range while juking about, but it is less useful in sustained shooting from a safe position as the gun will aim for the second shot anyway with the long reload. While it may help in a duel, it should be noted that even with a GLD, you should never peek out of cover due to the horrible dispersion bloom. Additionally your low alpha will mean that you take more damage on each peek, and trade shots poorly. Camouflage Net will do quite a bit to keep you hidden - very important, especially when you aren't top tier, so you can get off more shots before pulling back into cover, but hopefully you would not be spotted with or without it anyway.

Although it takes some getting used to, this tank proves itself quite well and has earned a place in many players' garages due to its versatility. This tank prepares the player for future tanks in the line.

Early Research

• The FuG 12 Radio carries over from the Pz.Kpfw. III/IV. Mount it immediately.
• The Maybach HL 230 TRM P30 Engine can be researched without upgrading the suspension.
• Then research the suspension.
• Research the VK 30.01 (D) turret.
• Research the 7,5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun.
• Go from there.
• If you would rather have more firepower than more speed, research the VK 30.01 (D) verstärkteketten Suspension, the VK 30.01 (D) Turret, and the 7,5 cm KwK 42 L/70 Gun. Alternatively, you only need the turret and then gun if you forgo any equipment and engine upgrades.

Suggested Equipment