After coming from the KV-85 and IS, this line will not play like the previous vehicles at all as there are many major differences compared to other Soviet heavy tanks. The first vehicle of this line is the IS-M, which will give you some insight into how to play this and the following vehicles.

Gameplay

Compared to the IS-3 on the same tier, the IS-M features similarly thick armour, but a different armour layout. Instead of having a pike nose, it's only sloped vertically. The effective frontal armour value is about the same and the lower frontal plate is just minimally thinner than the upper. However, the front can be penetrated by other heavy tanks and tank destroyers rather easily, which is why you must angle your tank.

The side armour is pretty strong, which you can use to side-scrape. Even if this tactic isn't one of your personal strong points, the IS-M is rather forgiving in this aspect, making it a great choice if you're learning how to side-scrape properly. Another thing worth mentioning is the decent mobility that allows you to get to important positions fast enough.

When approaching the enemy, try driving in a zig-zag pattern to significantly increase the chance of bouncing shots.

The top gun is the 122 mm D-25BM that is slightly weaker than the IS-3's BL-9 in terms of penetration and accuracy but features a better reload and aiming time. Apart from that, it's what you would expect from a Soviet gun – at mid and long range, it won't hit much, let alone moving targets or enemy weak spots. Stick to close combat where the bad accuracy doesn't matter as much and you can make the best out of the good rate of fire.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

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

Because of the gun being as precise as a shotgun, it's evident that the equipment needs to balance out this weakness as much as possible. The set above will make the gun more reliable and shoot more often.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Loader

Despite all the differences between the IS-M and other Soviet heavy tanks, the choice of crew skills is similar. In fact, Repair, Smooth Ride, and Snap Shot are way more important; getting tracked with a rear-mounted turret will leave you completely defenceless in many situations. Also, as the dispersion is higher than usual, the bonuses of the two latter skills are more effective as well.

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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