The Ferdinand can be researched from two Tier VII vehicles: the Jagdpanther, a versatile tank destroyer, or the Tiger (P) that features great frontal armour. The Ferdinand takes on traits from both of them, and its main strengths are now its armour and firepower.

No matter if you're coming from the Jagdpanther or the Tiger (P), you'll need an additional Loader for the Ferdinand. However, this helps you train the new crew member for the Jagdtiger and Jagdpanzer E100 early on.

Gameplay

When coming from the Tiger (P), you'll already be familiar with the Ferdinand's chassis. There are two weak spots frontally: the lower frontal plate, which can be hidden easily behind debris, and the small angled plates on each side connecting the frontal with the side armour. The superstructure is effective against weaker opponents, but higher-tier vehicles won't have an issue penetrating it. 

You don't need to rely on the Ferdinand's armour only. The HP is on par with heavy tanks, which allows you to trade shots comfortably. Play your cards right and you can easily defeat many vehicles you meet.

The Ferdinand is visibly a tall vehicle, so if you aren't standing behind a huge bush, you can pretty much forget about camouflage. As it counts on its firepower and survivability, the play style is not like the Jagdpanther and more like the Tiger (P). It often makes sense to go with your heavy tanks and either push the enemy yourself or support the assault if you aren't at the top of the list. The good horizontal gun arc helps you peek around corners without exposing too much of your vehicle.

After mounting the final researchable gun, the 12.8 cm Pak 44 L/55, you'll see a massive improvement to the armament for this vehicle. The gun is effective against most tanks it meets, even higher-tier ones, with the high damage per shot and rate of fire. If needed, you can also play defensively on any range. As mentioned before, hide your frontal weak spots and snipe your targets reliably at any range, thanks to your good accuracy.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

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

With this set of equipment, you mainly increase the rate of fire and the view range. The Ferdinand may be a good vehicle for the frontlines, but if you need to defend or want to ambush the enemy, a Binocular Telescope will help you spot them earlier and get the advantage. 

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio Operator
Loader
LOADER

As mentioned before, the Ferdinand is about getting up close and personal, so Repair is a must-have. If you find your tracks blown off, they need to be repaired quickly, else you risk getting destroyed fast without having a chance to fight back – this is the disadvantage of not having a turret.

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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