Unlike its peers, the Chinese light tank line gets stretched to Tier X with no changes to its structure. Rather, it welcomes two completely new vehicles on Tiers IX and X: the powerful and sturdy WZ-132A and the universal soldier WZ-132-1. In this article, we’ll be covering them in more detail, while also breaking down balance tweaks to the rest of the Chinese LT family, all aimed at making them more fit for ±2 battles.
Gameplay
The Chinese light tank line begins with the 59-16 at Tier VI. An excellent camo rating, good view range and small size turn this tank into a nice blend of an active/passive scout that can remain unseen to the enemy. Above-average mobility allows it to move around the map and promptly react to changing situations. The 59-16 no longer has a 76 mm autoloader and offers two guns: the 76 mm 54-76T and 57 mm 55-57FG. The former is better than the 57 mm in terms of alpha damage and damage per minute, while the 56mm has more accessible firing parameters (accuracy and aim time).
The 59-16 leads to the swift damage dealer WZ-131 (Tier VII). Its powerful 85mm 64-85T gun gives it an edge when hunting down other light tanks, while great mobility and a compact size let it circle enemy tanks and make it a hard target to shoot back at. Thanks to decent view range and gun parameters, it can stay behind the main push and put its good DPM to use by supporting the main line. With the normal ±2 matchmaking spread, the WZ-131 won’t have to face Tier X ever again. So, we revised its firepower, leaving he 85mm 64-85T as a top gun to keep it from being OP and boosted the top configuration's engine power to 550 hp.
The WZ-132 (Tier VIII) is reworked to increase its combat efficiency in close-range engagements. It now equips a more powerful engine at the top configuration (700 hp), gearing it up for more dynamic gameplay. Its rate of fire was also bumped up, but it lost a little accuracy. Overall, it remains a versatile vehicle. Being a light tank with a medium tank’s punch, it is capable of active/passive scouting, supporting allies and putting down lone enemy tanks. Excellent gun parameters allow it to contribute to team efforts in a major way, while decent dynamics paired with its small size turn it into an unseen predator that hits enemies where they least expect it.
The first of our newcomers, the Tier IX WZ-132A follows into its peers’ footsteps. Extreme mobility, solid-for-a-light-tank firepower and just as decent view range make it a natural born scout. It also sports a larger HP pool than its predecessor the WZ-132, and much better gun parameters.
Rounding out the Chinese light tank branch is the WZ-132-1. A true universal soldier, it excels in scouting and sending enemies back in the Garage with its highly efficient 105 mm gun, while its turret armor is thick enough to deflect shells from lower tier light tanks. If you want simplicity and reliability, the [WZ] will prove its worth.
What happens to modules, XP, Crew, emblems and camo you have on light tanks?
Configuration. If you have vehicles that changed a Tier in 9.18 and they’re researched to the top configuration, they retain it upon changing.
Crew moves with the tank. Fully-trained Crew is transferred back to the Barracks and re-trained to 100% for a new Tier. If you have Crew trained to 100% on a light tank that moves up a Tier, but don’t have this tank in the Garage at the update’s release, the Crew will be retrained for a higher Tier regardless.
New French and German Tier VIII light tanks will be credited to all players who have these nations’ Tier VIII vehicles that move up to Tier IX with an extra Garage Slot and a 50% Crew.
The American M41 Walker Bulldog and the Soviet LTTB that both move up to Tier VIII will be credited to all players who have these nations’ Tier VIII vehicles that move up to Tier IX with an extra Garage Slot and a 50% Crew. If you already have the M41 Walker Bulldog and LTTB in the Garage, you’ll receive 1,200,000 Credits.
Emblems and camo. Emblems and camo bought with Gold and mounted on Tier VIII vehicles that move up to Tier IX will be removed. But fear not; you’ll get the amount of Gold they cost you credited to your account. Temporary emblems and camo you have on vehicles that move up a Tier will be removed as well. In this case, you receive the amount in Credits proportional to their remaining duration. Unique emblems and camo are here to stay: they’ll get de-mounted from Tier VIII vehicles and you can apply them to any other tank.
Finally, changes to the branch structure won’t affect XP you’ve earned on light tanks. They stay at the Tier they were earned on.
Be sure to check out recently published spotlights on the Soviet, French, and American branches. And keep your eyes locked on our website for more details about the German light tank line coming in the next few weeks.
Join the Common Test to sample these Chinese light tank developments and let us know what you think!
