Tank Wars: How to Play the T-34 and M4A1 Sherman

HOW TO PLAY THE T-34 | HOW TO PLAY THE M4A1 SHERMAN | CONTENT CREATOR GUIDES

Commanders!

With the first round of Tank Wars now in full swing, we'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the two beasts up against one another. The robust V T-34 and reliable V M4A1 Sherman emerged as giants of the Second World War, with over 100,000 machines built between them. Their famed legacy is undeniable and they continue to be popular in the virtual world too!

Below is a quick guide and a few top tips to help you get familiar with the tanks, unlock Stage Rewards and catapult your team to victory.

If you haven't done so already, you can register in-game, pick your team, complete repeatable missions, and earn Tank Wars Points to unlock bountiful Stage Rewards and exclusive bragging rights!

Tank Wars: Round 1

Both registration and the event started on May 3 at 07:00 CEST and the event lasts until May 10 at 07:00 CEST (UTC+2).

How to Play the T-34

FIREPOWER | SURVIVABILITY | MOBILITY | EQUIPMENT | CREW

The V T-34 was a Soviet powerhouse. Cheap and simple to produce, it proved extremely versatile on the battlefield and made use of its solid firepower, brisk speed, and good maneuverability.

Firepower

When it comes to firepower, the T-34 packs an impressive punch and its rapid reload is its top trump. Out of the four options, the top two guns, 76 mm S-54 and 57 mm ZiS-4, are the preferred choices. The former packs good penetration and will tear apart most same-tier or lower-tier vehicles. Meanwhile, the 57 mm offers slightly less penetration with standard shells, but is able to reel off 26 rounds a minute, has an amazing penetration of APCR shells, and a great 2,217 DPM.

Top tip: Flank enemies, catch them in the open and take advantage of your DPM to help you win most one-on-one engagements. Just make sure you have cover and support. Your bite won’t be powerful at long range, so no need to get ghillied up and snipe from afar!

Survivability

The main chink in the T-34’s armor, is… well… its armor. Sadly, you’ll soon come to realize and hopefully make peace with the fact that most hits will penetrate the reasonably thin skin. The front plate is well-armored for a Tier V medium tank, and the angled side armor can bounce, but it is best not to rely too heavily on repelling many attacks.

Top tip: Counteract your weak armor by carefully going on the offensive, flanking opponents, and using hulldown tactics where possible. Only show yourself when enemies haven't spotted you or aren't shooting at you.

Mobility

Thankfully, the thinner and therefore lighter armor means the T-34 is mobile. It boasts some good agility with a top speed of 56 km/h and a decent reverse speed. The wide tracks help on off-road terrain, where other vehicles may get bogged down, while the power-to-weight ratio can help you get out of a tricky spot if you’re cornered.

Top tip: Flanking is a great tactic. The T-34 lets you dictate how you play, switch roles accordingly, and relocate to another location with relative ease.

Equipment

Check out the setup below to ensure the maximum performance of your tank.

Recommended Setup

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

Crew Skills

Commander
Radio Operator
Driver
Loader

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

'Repair' is crucial as a first skill to remain in the game for longer. You shouldn't lead the charge or fight in the first line, but even in the second line, your tracks could be destroyed and you don't want to be caught without them. Make sure you are always ready for a quick escape or to change to a more advantageous position. The additional skills improve your gun and your general performance in battle, especially 'Brothers in Arms'.


How to Play the M4A1 Sherman

FIREPOWER | SURVIVABILITY | MOBILITY | EQUIPMENT | CREW

The most produced western allied tank, several variants of the V M4A1 Sherman were made, including the M4A3E8 Fury, Loza's M4-A2 Sherman, and the Sherman VC Firefly. This legendary American offers great firepower, solid spotting capability, fantastic gun depression, and versatile gameplay.

Firepower

This American medium boasts two solid firearms that stack up well against same-tier vehicles.

The 105 mm HE ‘derp cannon’ is an unrelenting assassin capable of delivering devastating damage to lightly armored targets. It’s not so accurate at long range, but the HE shells deal solid damage to weaker armor. Make sure to pack some HEAT rounds if you find yourself in a juicy position and you are guaranteed some high damage. The 76 mm high-velocity gun offers a more all-around option with a high rate of fire, good penetration, and solid damage with AP and APCR rounds.

Top tip: The incredible 12 degrees of gun depression will give you a great advantage when you’re in a hulldown position. Like the T-34, it is best to focus on flanking enemies when the time is right and help allies to victory.

Survivability

The M4A1 Sherman offers classic medium tank protection. It’s fairly average, but there are ways and means to use it to your advantage. The turret front and gun mantlet armor may hold up against some shots, and won’t offer an easy target to attacking opponents.

Top tip: The hulldown playstyle and use of cover will keep you in a battle for longer. Make most of the gun depression. Show only your turret, and fire at your enemies comfortably. If you’re not in the mood to engage, use speed to relocate to safety or regroup with teammates.

Mobility

The M4A1 Sherman isn't quite the fastest medium tank there is. You'll still get where you need to be in time, though. Assisting and supporting your team isn't just about dealing damage and rushing into the red team's flanks, but also about enabling your team to shoot any target, be it through spotting or destroying a target's tracks.

Top tip: Be your team’s eyes on the battlefield—make good use of your impressive view range to spot unsuspecting enemies.

Equipment

Check out the setup below to ensure the maximum performance of your tank.

Recommended Setup

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

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio Operator
Loader

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

'Repair' is crucial as a first skill to remain in the game for longer. You shouldn't lead the charge or fight in the first line, but even in the second line, your tracks could be destroyed and you don't want to be caught without them. Make sure you are always ready for a quick escape or to change to a more advantageous position. The additional skills improve your gun and your general performance in battle, especially 'Brothers in Arms'.


Content Creator Guides


So what are you waiting for Commanders? Back the tank you want to win, start completing repeatable missions, and earn Tank Wars Points to unlock Stage Rewards. Roll Out!

Additional Grousers

Increases mobility on soft and medium terrain.

Increases hull traverse speed.

Increases the ability to maintain speed.

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 the Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel perk.

Call for Vengeance

Reports the location of enemy vehicles for two more seconds after the destruction of your 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 stronger the effect.

Commander's Vision System

Reduces the concealment of moving enemy vehicles.

Reduces the concealment of enemy vehicles behind foliage.

Concealment

Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Controlled Impact

Increases the ramming damage dealt and decreases damage taken by ramming.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger 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 damage and duration of fire.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Intuition

Grants a slight chance to change 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%.

Improved Aiming

Smaller aiming circle size.

Improved Hardening

Fully restores suspension hit points after repairs.

Increases suspension load capacity.

Increases vehicle hit points.

Enhances suspension durability.

Reduces hull damage caused by suspension damage during impact.

Faster suspension repair speed.

Improved Radio Set

Increases the time an enemy vehicle is visible.

Reduces the time your vehicle is visible to the enemy.

Improved Rotation Mechanism

Reduces dispersion during vehicle movement and traverse, as well as during turret rotation.

Improves hull and turret traverse speed.

Jack of All Trades

Reduces the performance penalty of wounded crew members.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Low Noise Exhaust System

Reduces the visibility of a stationary or moving vehicle.

Mentor

Increases the Crew XP gained for each crew member apart from the commander.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Modified Configuration

Prevents one fuel tank fire, ammo rack explosion, or engine destruction in one battle.

Increases engine durability and the capacity of the ammo rack and fuel tank.

Reduces the damaged ammo rack penalty and damaged engine penalty.

Reduces the chance of engine fire.

Increases repair speed.

Off-Road Driving

Increases mobility on medium and soft terrain.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Preventative Maintenance

Reduces the chance of engine fire.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Recon

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Relaying

Increases the signal range of allied vehicles within your radio coverage.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Repair

Reduces the repair time of destroyed modules.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger 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 stronger the effect.

Situational Awareness

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Sixth Sense

Shows a light bulb 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 stronger the effect.

Snap Shot

Reduces the dispersion penalty when traversing the turret.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Spall Liner

Decreases damage taken by ramming and high-explosive splash.

Turbocharger

Increases engine power.

Increases top forward speed.

Increases top reverse speed.

Binocular Telescope

Increases the view range of your vehicle by 25%.

Your hull must be stationary for at least 3 seconds.

Camouflage Net

Significantly increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.

Your hull must be stationary 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%.

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 when moving and during hull and turret traverse by 20%.

"Wet" Ammo Rack

Increases the module HP of your ammo rack.

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