Review of light tanks of all nations

Light tanks in WOT are fast, maneuverable vehicles, but they are usually lightly armored, and they have rather weak armament. In general, the calling of such machines is certainly intelligence. Although there are a lot of nuances in the huge selection of RT.

Divide LT into 4 categories:

  1. Tanks of the sandbox (LT up to the 3rd level)
  2. Nedost ST.
  3. Shine.
  4. Combat LT.

1. Sandbox Tanks

With these tanks, every novice who plays in WOT faces - all, almost without exception, cars up to the 3rd level are light tanks in their historical essence. However, to use them exclusively for reconnaissance is of course pointless - all the first battles take place among these "sandy LTs", small art and PTShek.
In general, these tanks model the future development - breaking up into branches in which some cars are more "armored" if one can say so about the tanks below the fourth level, and some are more nimstra. Playing them you can get an approximate idea of ​​their gaming preferences, in order to not be sad in the future, trying to use the average tank for a frontal attack.

The pumping of these machines is usually carried out according to the scheme - "gained experience, and forward to new levels." However, it is worth noting that some machines, if successfully pumped - can give you a lot of fights for the fan, as well as good statistics. Whether it is worth spending time and money on them is up to you, of course.
Among the tanks of the 1st level, the German "Tractor" can be noted. With 100% crew, reconnaissance, mesh and ventilation, it was easy to take 18 "warriors" in a hundred battles, although it is recommended to use only the stock gun.
Also of interest are the premium PzKpfw 38H735 having chic armor, M2Light Tank and possibly BT-7.
Another rare use of such tanks is the "score points" for high-level mouths. In this case, sometimes the tanks of the first levels are relevant - as a "firefly-altar", occasionally take premium T2 Light Tank at the expense of excellent speed. However, this is a rare phenomenon.

2. Nedost ST.

These machines include Soviet A-20 and premium Valentine, German PzKpfw 38 nA, AMX 40 from France, Valentine and Covenanter from the British.

By and large these machines are already medium tanks with light armor, while the French AMX can be safely attributed to the mini-strand. Quite a weak armor, as well as balancing issues, did not allow developers to transfer them to the category CT, but they need to play on them already focusing on understanding their combat, rather than "observant qualities." Each of these machines has its pluses and minuses - the A-20 prepares the player for the USSR ST branch, in particular to the T-34 and Kamen T-43, the Covenanter similarly weakened version of Crusader and Cromwell, AMX is the last opportunity for the French to feel " Protected "thick armor.

3. Fireflies.

And now we finally got to the main thing - that's what light tanks are intended for. Exploration and detection.
The category of light in update 0.8.3 includes:
USSR - T-50 and T-50-2
Germany - Leopard and VK 2801 (Tolstopard)
USA - M5 Stewart and M24 Chaffi .
France - ELC AMX
All these tanks have absolutely different system of work "firefly", on this we will analyze them separately:
THE USSR. T-50-2, in today's gameplay is perhaps the best of the intelligence machines. Almost the best speed in the game, excellent maneuverability, a good cannon-"needle" make this tank insanely popular both in single and in the company game. (Of course, we are talking about the T-50-2). All the above parameters lead us to the fact that: This tank is used for active reconnaissance - trying not to lose speed, choosing a certain route on the enemy detection boundary, cruising in the folds of the terrain, constantly monitoring the enemy's movement. Subsequently, with a reduction in the number of tanks, one can choose single slow lugs and PTs and destroy them using the "carousel" technique, or by observing the map to find holes in the defense and break through to the enemy artillery.

It is very bad to do so, as many newcomers do - just go to the enemy base in the hope of seeing it all. You, probably, will reach, and even receive a medal of the "Scout", but the question of your destruction equals to seconds. For the team, you are almost useless in this case - one or two artillery shots will not replace a long quality light, and you will also get a very small amount of experience - after all, it is calculated not only for damage, but for the damage that the Allies place on your light.
Recommended modules: Enlightened optics - the maximum detection range, the sender and the third one to choose from. Equipment - repair kit is absolutely mandatory (standing on the gusla = death), the first-aid kit is desirable, the third one is either oil or "twirled turns". For the crew it is desirable to pump the masking with the first skill, otherwise depends on the style of the player.
USA. Chaffee is a great machine of support and passive light. Unlike the T-50-2 does not have enough speed for active driving, it has rather large dimensions and is easily destroyed in close combat. However, in comparison with other reconnaissance tanks - Chaffee has a better overview in the game, as well as a fantastic cannon. Thus, the best way to play for Chuffy is to choose a handy bush, from which the camouflaged Chuffy conducts a long view, and if possible, an active fire. Armor-piercing guns are enough to break through the sides and stern of almost any heavy tank up to the 9th level, and if you choose the angle, then the 10th, and the rate of fire - to inflict over 2500 damage per minute, which is a very significant indicator. The active game on Chuffey leads to a quick death, so try to keep the movement to a minimum and move only along safe routes.

Recommended Modules: The style of the game determines the first two modules - The masking network and the periscope are just needed by Chuffey. We must see the enemy - he does not exist. The last module at the discretion of the player, I note that optics set is pointless - in parallel with the periscope, it does not work. The equipment is identical - repair kit, first aid kit, oil. For the crew is similarly insanely important disguise, in the future "combat skills".
Germany: VK 2801 (Tolstopard) ambiguous machine. She does not have either a Chaffi review, or the speed and dodge of the T-50-2. However, it is the most massive among peers, has a very powerful selection of guns, and very serious armor. It is rather difficult to use it as light, which is justified by the very small number of VK 2801 in the game, mainly its task is to intercept the enemy's LT, as well as attempts to break through to artillery, which he easily destroys due to the quality of the weapon. There are also possible attempts to support their CTs and other tasks for which this tank is suitable.
Recommended modules. Since this machine is probably the fastest CT - put in the main thing necessary for combat - enlightened optics, senders, mixing. For the crew, perhaps the first can be professional skills (sixth sense, shooting on the move, smooth running) and only then disguise and repair.

France: ELC AMX. The French amphibious tank, commonly called the "tree", is a very interesting and complex machine. Use it as ordinary light is very difficult due to the low view, but if you get used to it - it can be very fond of. The main advantage of the tank is its minimal profile - the tank is so low and at the same time quick - that getting into it during a maneuvering stroke is really a difficult task, especially on maps with uneven terrain. The cannon at the "Christmas tree" resembles the PT - it does not have a tower as such, and the barrel moves only at the rate of the tank, but using the "tree" as a PT is a stupid exercise.
In fact, the analogy with the sea and torpedo boats is much closer - ELC easily enters the side of the enemy, drops (shoots) a powerful torpedo - damage from the "tree" is significant, like penetration, and immediately changes course leaving for a new approach.
By combining these two styles of play - the ELC can break straight into the enemy's location, "torpedo" it, and retire. A lot depends on the choice of the right route, terrain and luck - but when combined these parameters, ELC can cause a lot of headaches to the enemy.

4. Combat LT.

These machines include LT tanks above level 5 - French drum AMX and innovation - American T21 and T71 - however, the volume of this review already exceeded all limits, so a brief summary will be the fact that these machines, using their excellent firepower, with Remarkable speed used to support the attack and destroy the enemy.

Chinese light tanks:

With the latest update, a new nation is added to the game - China, and together with it a line of light cars is presented to our attention. It is worth noting that most Chinese machines, especially the initial levels, are modifications of foreign tanks.
Let's consider them carefully:

Renault NC-31 - Chinese version of the French Renault.
In general, there are no distinctive differences, booking and configuration are identical, although the Chinese version does not have a top-level engine of the 2nd level (is it necessary?), But it is more maneuverable.
Also, the top gun by the Chinese craftsmen is taken in the German version, but the tank does not make a fundamentally new jet into the "sandbox", yielding nominally both to the Soviet MC-1 and the German "tractor".

Vickers Mk. E Type B is an English model not adopted. Delivered to the USSR where on its basis was created T-26, as well as in China.
In comparison with the T-26 has a slightly thinner body armor, although these two millimeters do not have the slightest value, the tower in the top version is identical to the Soviet one in the stock version, but it turns like a Soviet TOP. To be seen was the cunning design of the developers. The assortment of trunks for this tank is great, and what's even more amazing is the second level gun of 45 mm 20K stronger than the 40 mm Pom Pom mounted on the tank of the tank in all respects. Logic .. Where in China did you find logic? Comparing with the Soviet top gun - the Chinese is slightly weaker, but more biting, allowing you to punch a slightly thicker armor. With the engine still as sad - the T-26 is much more dynamic, the maneuverability is the same, the radio itself also.
In general, Vickers loses to the Soviet counterpart in all respects.

Type 2597 Chi-Ha is the first truly Chinese tank, in any case, no direct analogs. For comparison, we use Soviet development - T-46, the successor of the T-26.
On armor, the Chinese machine is superior to the "big brother", second only to the frontal armor of the tower, which is more mobile and gives a better view.
Gun - here the Chinese have surpassed themselves. 47 mm Gun Type 1 is a fantastic tool that allows you to easily break through all peers, including the French "sandcastle", and even fight with tanks above the level. T-46 has a larger selection of guns, including automatic, but inferior in all variants.
The engine continues to be China's weakest spot - the maximum speed of 40 km / h is much more suitable for the average ST than for a light tank. Maneuverability is similarly terrible - T-46 gives a double head start.
Nevertheless, in general, this "chihuahua" as it was already nicknamed on the battlefields, a very comfortable car, which is much more suitable for the class of medium tanks, having all the signs of this class.

M5A1 Stuart - actually is almost the absolute "clone" of the classic American Stewart M5, implying a similar game on the machine as a scout.
The only nice difference is the baggage removed from the tank, and 47 mm Gun Type 1 inserted in its place - of course, at the fourth level it is no longer as comfortable as for Type 2597, but still allows to "protect".
59-16 - another "real" Chinese tank.
The car is very mobile, has a very good gun for the fifth level, and a wonderful walkie-talkie. Alas, "work" high-grade firefly 59-16 is hampered by a rather mediocre survey in 360 m, and not the fastest acceleration. However, it is not worth underestimating this tank, in fact it represents an "average light", combining the advantages of both Soviet tactics of active light and the combat power of German scouts.
WZ-131 is a very seriously light version of the well-known average premium T-50 tank. The first thing that the Chinese engineers sacrificed was armor - that's why the tank is almost deprived of it. Thus, direct combat clashes are not for this machine, a very good review - 390m, a good mass and a good gun dictate the use of this tank as "anti-light" or "passive light," with fire conducting for convenient purposes. You can also try to arrange bypass maneuvers, provide support for the CT. In general, the machine is multitasking, although not so simple.
WZ-132 - the actual continuation of the idea of ​​the previous machine, with all its pluses and minuses preserved. Although taking into account the fact that this is a tank of the 7th level, and most of the battles it spends with the top cars - this is much more disadvantages. The gun does not allow you to effectively attack, speed and maneuver is not enough for active reconnaissance, armor does not allow you to cope even with the CT-peer. Tank "for endure" and go on.

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