Bit late to this, but I figured I'd give credit where it's due. The YOH tanks are a perfect example in my opinion of a balanced but fun tech tree that doesn't break the game. WG I think did a really good job making them all at least semi-competitive for their tiers and also not making the Tier VIII premium flat out OP, but still different from the regular Tier VIII so there's reason to play it.
As unpopular as they are, here's why the YOH tanks are a shining example of a tech tree done right:
- It's one of the first tech trees in years where all the new tanks introduced are actually decent. Normally new tech trees suck until Tier IX, but this one all the YOH tanks can actually hold their own. Ironically, I think the Tier IX is the weakest tier-for-tier out of the whole line, which is inverse to how it usually is. The Tier VIII in particular is the first since probably the Swedish mediums where the tech tree tank is at least on par with the Tier VIII premium that goes along with it. The premium hits harder but has a worse turret and DPM. So even trades.
- The Tier X doesn't flat out render any other tank obsolete. I guess you could argue the T110E5 is kind of irrelivant compared to the M-V-Y, but the T110E5 has better alpha, comparable DPM, and much better gold pen. The T110E5 also has a much more troll hull. The M-V-Y doesn't just replace it – it offers an alternative with less alpha but a more aggressive but riskier playstyle.
- All the tanks are fun, and reward skill! The reserve track has saved me on multiple occasions, but the flimsier hull armour offsets the advantage so you still have to be careful playing as a true heavy. The gun choices are also an interesting dynamic – normally heavies want higher alpha so they can trade more effectively, but if you play super aggressive, the high DPM gun is probably what you want. It's not like the Czech heavies where you'd be stupid to pick the single shot gun – there is a genuine decision to be made.
- Most important, all the tanks are counterable. They all have a turret weakspot and not great hull armour, and their side armour isn't fantastic either. Even the Tier X can't hide it's weakspot because the gun is fixed to the turret, so you always have a chance to pen it even when it's on a ridge. The reserve track is something you have to bear in mind when fighting them, but it's not gamebreakingly good. And finally, they all have fairly low alpha for heavies (even with the higher alpha guns) so you can easily outtrade them in other heavy tanks.
It's a fun tech tree that rewards aggressive play, but requires some skill to know when to be aggressive because the hull armour on them is fairly weak. I personally think they all look really cool as well. I honestly don't know why they aren't more popular – is it because people like forgiving hull armour? I just love the tech tree and hope WG go this path with tech trees going forward, instead of focusing on Tier IX and X.
What do we all think?