Object 252U & Defender

Feared for its overall package, the Object 252U and its branded Defender version are among the most legendary vehicles in World of Tanks. Combining awesome armour and destructive firepower, this Soviet machine is the ultimate frontline brawler. Obviously, there are some shortcomings as well, that you will learn about below. Read more, and get to know this beast inside out!

Gameplay

To start it off, let's have a look at the most important aspect of a heavy tank: its armour. And the Object 252U has a lot – and we mean it! Frontally, it is extremely tough to crack thanks to its pike nose design. Keep in mind that you cannot really angle your tank that much due to this. Doing so will negate the pike nose angles, and also expose the more vulnerable side armour – so make sure to always show your front to the enemy.

The lower plate is the weakest spot, frontally. It's fairly large, but also quite thick – so unaimed shots tend to bounce off. The turret also features a lot of armour, but is lacking gun depression, which is usual for Soviet vehicles. As a result, the Object 252U performs better on flat terrain. Watch out when brawling with taller vehicles: they can easily penetrate your two cupolas on the turret.

As you can see, this Soviet is made for close combat, which is why its view range is fairly low. Concentrate on getting close to the action, and avoid getting caught in the open at all costs.

Of course, it's not all about the armour, but also the massive 122 mm gun. The biggest advantage is obviously the damage per shot, as well as good penetration power. However, many other parameters are suffering – including the reload time, accuracy, and aiming time. Hitting smaller weak spots is very luck-based – even in close combat –, and missing a shot really hurts. The best method is to play aggressively, and trade shots with tanks featuring lower damage per shot.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

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

With the Object 252U suffering from long reload time, as well as the pure fact that it's a Soviet potato launcher, it's best to focus on balancing out these weaknesses with the proper set of equipment. A lower reload time, better dispersion values, as well as lower aiming time, help you deal more damage reliably.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Loader

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

Because you will be fighting a lot at the front, having Repair is a must. Your tracks will be blown off a lot, and getting caught in a bad position can hurt you plenty. Other skills focus on better gun dispersion – very important for this tank –, and a stronger ammo rack. Brothers in Arms tops it all off with a small bonus to most characteristics of the Object 252U.

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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