As one of the oldest vehicles in the game, the KV-1 has always been a reliable choice to go into battle with. It is considered to be the very first 'real' heavy tank in the game and one of the most beginner-friendly vehicles in World of Tanks, perhaps the very most. This is due to its angled and tough armour, paired with a strong gun, making the first steps into the heavy tank gameplay easy ones. 

Gameplay

Let's take a look at the above-mentioned armour first. Frontally, it can definitely take some punishment. Its surfaces are rather flat though, so well-aimed shots can penetrate it easily. Angle your vehicle to increase your effective armour thickness and thus your chances of survival. The turret is tough as well, at least frontally. With that in mind, you'll be at a great advantage if you hide the lower part of your hull. It's also possible to practice the basics of side-scraping in it.

The KV-1's mobility is rather low but that's to be expected from such a heavyweight. You will still reach the front in a reasonable time, where you can push the enemy defences or support your teammates if you're on the lower end of the team list. Considering its low view range, you want to keep your enemies close, or you'll be an easy target. As for its armament, it has three weapons at its disposal, each with a different gameplay style:

  • 85 mm F-30: The standard choice. It combines good damage per shot with a high rate of fire and an acceptable penetration power. On the other side, you will need to consider its sub-par accuracy and high aim time. 
  • 122 mm U-11: A dangerous howitzer with high damage potential but low reliability. The HE shell may have low penetration, but will absolutely demolish any lightly-armoured vehicle. Also, keep in mind its splash damage, even if the shell doesn't punch through the armour. That makes it a viable choice, even against higher-tier vehicles. Carry some HEAT shells for slightly tougher vehicles.
  • 57 mm Project 413: Low damage per shot but a very high rate of fire. With this 57 mm gun, you can use its superior DPM and accuracy to rip your enemies apart. That, however, also means that you need to keep pushing and exposing yourself, as you'll need to shoot twice or even three times before the enemy does to make up for any potential damage you receive.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

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

To get the most out of any of the guns we just presented, the pieces of equipment above will do the job best. With a faster reload time and better aim speed you can deal damage both faster and more reliably.

If you are a new player, you might want to go for a Camouflage Net, Binocular Telescope, and a Toolbox. They may not be a great fit for the tank, but they can be demounted for free, and ultimately, it's better than nothing.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio Operator
Loader

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

A usual choice of crew skills and perks. Repair is the most important skill to go for in case your tracks get blown off, while Snap Shot and Smooth Ride increase the chance of hitting your targets on the move. Brothers In Arms tops it off with a nice bonus to the crew's training level.

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 targeted 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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