Based on the IS hull, the ISU-122S may look clumsy and cumbersome at first. Under that facade, however, hides an extremely dangerous machine with surprising mobility, decent armour, and high firepower. Is it too good to be true?

Gameplay

A quick look at its armour scheme reveals that the ISU-122S is fairly easy to penetrate, except the gun mantlet that can bounce quite a few shots. So overall, when engaging in combat, expect to get penetrated by most enemies you meet. It also might look slow but it's got a lot of power under its hood, so getting to the important positions shouldn't be a problem for you.

Its 122 mm gun is what makes this tank destroyer so powerful. Despite its high damage per shot, it also has an insanely fast reload speed, resulting in one of the best DPM values in the entire game. This will make short work of any careless opponent crossing your path. Obviously, this weapon also has a couple of downsides: low accuracy, high aiming time, slow shell velocity, narrow gun arc, and limited ammo rack capacity.

You have two different playstyles to choose from:

  • Aggressive: In case you want to be all in the enemy's face, choose your battles. When at the top of the list, you can take on anybody. If you're not so lucky, focus on medium tanks because they are easier to penetrate, and don't deal much damage in return.
  • Support: A more cautious approach. Mind the low accuracy but with its quick reload time, you can be a bit more daring. Carry some HE shells with you for more armoured vehicles.

Equipment

View 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 even more, and the Enhanced Gun Laying Drive speeds up the aiming, so it's easier for you to hit your targets.

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-122S 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%.

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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