The ISU-152 is based on the hull of the IS heavy tank and has a similar armour layout. What this Soviet is all about, however, is its 152 mm gun. So how do you play a vehicle that doesn't have much armour, yet the gun is best used in close combat?

Gameplay

As mentioned above, this tank destroyer is based on the IS hull but, on Tier VIII, it doesn't have enough armour to deflect much fire. The toughest part of it is its gun mantlet. However, that relies mostly on its angles and curves, any well-placed shot will still penetrate.

Let's have a look at its 152 mm gun. As you can imagine, there will be some downsides to balance out the highest damage per shot on its Tier and great penetration. Those aspects are the sub-par accuracy and aiming time, which make it rather unreliable. The reload time is still alright, not great, not too bad either. Ultimately, there are two ways to play the ISU-152:

  • Aggressive: Going close to your targets obviously means you're more exposed to enemy fire, yet it will also make it easier to hit your target. The tank may not look like it, but the speed is quite respectable, so getting into the action is easy. Trading shots with your opponents should be fairly easy, as most vehicles you face deal less damage to you than vice versa.
  • Sniper: While you are safer at a distance, it will also be more difficult to hit your targets. Take two or three HE shells with you to have a go at big and very heavily armoured targets – it's better to deal 300 damage than 0.

Overall, it's up to you how you want to play the ISU-152, but we suggest you play as a sniper at the beginning, then take care of the remaining vehicles in the later stages of the battle. You might be missing a couple of shots here and there, but keep in mind that you only need three or four damaging hits to have a good / great battle.

Equipment

Long Range Setup General Performance Setup

Hover your cursor over the images for more information on each piece of equipment.

Depending on your playstyle, you can either go for a Binocular Telescope, for a much higher view range, or Improved Ventilation in case you prefer a small bonus to a wide variety of combat parameters. The Tank Gun Rammer will increase your potential damage per minute, and the Enhanced Gun Laying Drive speeds up the aiming, which is highly required to make this gun work.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
1st Loader
2nd Loader

Hover your cursor over the images for more information on each crew skill or perk.

This choice of crew skills is with the assumption you play the ISU-152 aggressively, which is why we chose Repair as the first skill. However, if you prefer long-range engagements and the view range setup above, choose Concealment instead. The following skills make it easier to aim and improve the tank's characteristics in general.

Adrenaline Rush

Decreases the gun reload time by 10% if your vehicle's HP drops below 10%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.

Band of Brothers

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.

Also works if other crew members have Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel.

Call for Vengeance

Reports the enemy vehicles' location for two more seconds after the destruction of the own vehicle.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Clutch Braking

Increases the traverse speed of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Concealment

Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Controlled Impact

Increases the ramming damage dealt and decreases damage taken by ramming.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Deadeye

Increases the chance of landing a critical hit.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Designated Target

Keeps targetes vehicles visible for two more seconds.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Eagle Eye

Allows you to identify damaged/destroyed modules as well as injured crew members of an enemy vehicle by hovering your mouse over it for several seconds.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Firefighting

Reduces the duration and damage taken by fire.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Intuition

Grants a slight chance of changing the shell type without having to reload again.

Doesn't work with autoloaders. Works also while reloading.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Jack of All Trades

Reduces the performance penalty of wounded crew members.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Mentor

Increases the Crew XP gained for each member apart from the commander.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Off-Road Driving

Increases the mobility on medium and soft terrain.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Preventative Maintenance

Reduces the chance of taking fire.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Recon

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Relaying

Increases the signal range of your allies' vehicles within your signal range.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Repair

Reduces the repair time of destroyed modules.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Safe Stowage

Increases the durability of your vehicle's ammo rack.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Signal Boosting

Increases the signal range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Situational Awareness

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Sixth Sense

Shows a lightbulb three seconds after you've been spotted.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Smooth Ride

Reduces the dispersion penalty while driving.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Snap Shot

Reduces the dispersion penalty of traversing the turret.

The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.

Additional Grousers

Increases the mobility on soft and medium terrain.

Binocular Telescope

Increases the view range of your vehicle by 25%.

Your hull must stand still for at least 3 seconds.

Camouflage Net

Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle tremendously.

Your hull must stand still for at least 3 seconds.

Enhanced Gun Laying Drive

Reduces the aiming time of your gun by 10%.

Coated Optics

Increases the view range of your vehicle by 10%.

Tank Gun Rammer

Reduces the reload time of your gun by 10%.

Spall Liner

Decreases damage taken by ramming and high-explosive splash.

Toolbox

Decreases the repair time of destroyed modules.

Cumulative with the Repair skill.

Improved Ventilation

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Vertical Stabilizer

Reduces the dispersion penalties of hull and turret traverse, as well as driving by 20%.

"Wet" Ammo Rack

Increases the module HP of your ammo rack.

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