The AMX 65 t is the first vehicle of the alternative French heavy tank line that focuses more on armour, survivability and damage per shot instead of mobility and burst damage. It will slowly introduce you to what you can expect at Tier IX and X but of course, there are a couple of differences you need to pay attention to.

Gameplay

Let's start off first with what seems to be the main trait of this tank line, the armour. The AMX 65 t is quite large but the hull armour is not that strong, it only gets better at Tier IX. It can be difficult to hide the most vulnerable parts but it also allows you to shoot weak spots on top of other tanks more easily. The turret can take more punishment unless you get hit in the rangefinder. Peek-a-boo is strongly recommended, as it lowers the chance of getting hit there.

There are a couple of other characteristics you need to pay attention to. The gun depression angle may look decent at first, but remember that a tall vehicle doesn't benefit from that as much as a smaller one does. Also, don't get fooled by its power-to-weight ratio. It only goes fast on hard terrain but on medium and soft terrain, it will struggle.

You'll have the choice between two different guns, a 100 and a 120 mm gun, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

  • 100 mm SA47: If a better rate of fire and better accuracy are what you want, this is the gun to go for. It also has a higher penetration value, which helps greatly against heavily armoured targets. However, the aiming time is extraordinarily high and the damage per minute is rather low. Usable at any range, despite the downsides.
  • 120 mm D.1023: This one has got way more punch, and even the reload time is decent. The penetration power is a bit lower though, and the accuracy is rather mediocre. The best choice for close combat and peek-a-boo.
Some players also prefer mounting the first turret because it's better armoured and its weak spots are smaller. However, remember that you cannot mount the 120 mm gun, and you'll sacrifice rate of fire, aiming time and HP for this.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

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

This setup is recommended for both the 100 and 120 mm guns as they both benefit greatly from higher damage per minute, aiming speed, and stabilisation. 

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio operator
Loader

The choice of crew skills is pretty consistent throughout the branch. Repair is required for a close-combat vehicle. The driver's second skill is Off-Road Master as it makes a noticeable difference when going on medium/soft terrain, alternatively, you can go for Smooth Ride if you don't mind the lower mobility.

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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