Simon_Jester wrote:What I suppose I meant to ask is more: how do those things translate into play style? With the T-34-85, for instance, I took to playing it like an American medium; the turret front is pretty tough and the long 85mm gun is quite accurate. I doubt that'll work later on, though.
The T-34-85 and T-43 are a bit sluggish and don't really play with the Soviet medium tank style, but the T-34, the T-44, and the T-54 all have the true Soviet medium tank style:
BALLS TO THE WALL. Use your speed to rush to a good spot where you can act as a passive scout, take enough time to determine the tactical situation, and when you see an opening to get in and flank enemy heavies while they are engaged with your own heavies, take it: pedal to the metal, and damn the torpedoes. Get right in there, circle those thickly armoured heavy tanks and high-tier TDs, and make them turn to try to track you, so that your own heavies will have beautiful shots at their vulnerable flanks and/or turret side armour.
The Vortex Empire wrote:Soviet mediums are also much more prone to ammo rack detonations.
That's what everyone says, but I have not found it to be the case in my experience. My T-44 was actually surprisingly durable, often lasting much longer than expected in heavy firefights while taking multiple shots, even to its flanks. My T-54 is even more so. I can't recall a lot of ammo-rackings.
Speaking of the T-54, I had a run of bad games when I first got it, but I just got it upgraded, and now that it's nicely equipped, I
love love love this tank. In just my second game with the top gun installed, I got this:
Victory!
Battle: Erlenberg November-13-12 12:44:36 AM
Vehicle: T-54
Experience received: 4,100 (x2 for the first victory each day)
Credits received: 83,722
Battle Achievements: Mastery Badge: "Ace Tanker"
It's fast, it can take a lot of hits, and with the top gun installed, it has enough penetration and firing rate to be a serious threat to anyone on the battlefield. Also, while I save these for emergencies and rarely use them (actually, I haven't used them once yet), the HEAT shells have 350mm penetration, which is high enough to be a threat to even the most heavily armoured opponent.