German efficiency isn’t just reserved for the nation’s cars—their tanks are pretty robust, too. Built to last and synonymous with high quality, German light tanks stand out from the crowd thanks to excellent firepower and equipment. In Update 9.18, the Tech Tree was extended to Tier X, unleashing two new vehicles onto the battlefield: the HWK 12 (Tier VIII) and the Rheinmetall Panzerwagen (Tier X).
Today, we’ll be taking a trip through the updated German Tech Tree and checking out the changes along the way.
Gameplay
A decent scout with a great emphasis on sudden high-damage strikes, the VK 16.02 Leopard (Tier V) no longer gets matched against Tier VIII vehicles and can be much more productive, if you play your cards right. The transition to ±2 battles brings a boost to its firepower. Now, its 5 cm Kw. K. 39 L/60 gun can pierce 100 m with AP shells, picking off enemy arty and sending light tanks back to the Garage. The tank loses a bit in specific engine power and view range to keep it from being OP, but retains excellent mobility and on-the-move camouflage.
An excellent anti-scout and dedicated arty hunter, the VK 28.01 receives a more powerful top configuration engine (700 h.p.). It waves goodbye to its 10.5 cm howitzer that, while notorious for poor shell velocity, aim and reload time, was capable of dishing out solid damage. To make up for this change, we significantly ramped up the VK 28.01’s top gun parameters, increasing its AP shell penetration to 132 mm.
The Spähpanzer SP I. C. (Tier VII) remains a zippy, sneaky assassin, capable of getting in quick damage and retreating back to safety. You can use even the smallest bush to your advantage, as this Tier VII is just tiny! Following the transition to ±2 battles, we had to bring its top gun parameters down a bit, while also replacing its magazine loading system with a traditional one. On the upside, it benefits from a considerable boost in mobility thanks to a more powerful engine, which, paired with great camo and small size, makes it even harder to spot and/or hit.
Rolling out at Tier VIII is the HWK 12. Sleek and nimble, it takes a lot after the Spähpanzer SP I. C., but is far ahead in terms of gun parameters and mobility.
The agile beast Spähpanzer Ru 251 moves up a Tier. This tank has long since built a name for itself by being an amazing scout that hits hard and is maneuverable enough to pivot and circle enemy tanks. In 9.18, it receives a bump in firepower and mobility, which should raise its chances at contributing to the battle and surviving daring maneuvers.
Topping the German light tank line is the Rheinmetall Panzerwagen. Very similar to the Ru 251, it packs a powerful, accurate gun and great gun depression, which, combined with its excellent mobility and solid-for-its-class penetration, makes it a perfect pick for positional fire. Load it with HE shells, jump out of shade and punish lightly armored enemies!
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.
Check out the recently published spotlights on the Soviet, French, American and Chinese branches. Be sure to take new and rebalanced light tanks for a spin and let us know how you like them!
