Hello ladies and gents!
Has it really been 2 years since my last edition of this guide? A lot can happen in 2 years. Not just new tanks added to the game. Balance changes to multiple tanks/trees. The massive HE nerfs (which I arguably think honestly made it stronger, now that it can go through spaced armor/soft cover). Meta shifts. New mechanics. Advice that was good 2 years ago no longer stands or holds up.
Anyway, a common question on here, as it has been for years, is this: "I am a new player, and I have a token for a Tier 6 tank. What should I pick?" For a new player, this choice has massive implications on your early-game career. But, as a veteran player looking to give newbies some good initial advice: As you get more and more experience playing the game, you will start to branch out through different tech trees. This first Tier 6 becomes less of an important pick, and more of a 'pick that I really enjoyed, so I kept wanting to play the game'. Thus, the aim of this guide is to help you find a tank that will likely help you not only to enjoy the game, but want to stick around and keep playing for years to come.
When it comes to a tank (or branch of tanks), as a new player, you should be asking or thinking about these 3 basic questions and criteria:
The tables I have below will have 3 parts.
They will be split into Nations, with each table having 3 Columns: Tank Name, Overall Endorsement, and Comments/Observations. Overall Endorsement will have a score for quick reference.
1 means it will be a perfect first tier 6 to ease you into the game, with a good or great tier 10 that you will likely enjoy.
2 you can't go wrong picking this tank, but there are still better first choices. However, this a great 2nd branch.
3 is a tank and branch you'll want to get eventually, but not in your first 2 choices.
4 means there is something seriously wrong with this tank or branch and you just shouldn't bother until you get more experienced and want to try something different, or just want to complete a national tree to 100%.
Note 1: I can only go over current branches in the tech tree in game as of this post. I am unable to speculate about new upcoming branches (like Italian TD's that are currently on supertest or the possible Czech TD's or Japanese TD's that are also rumored to be in the pipeline) because they are not in the game yet. I will not cover any collector's tanks (tanks that used to be in the tech tree, but are now removed and only accessible if you have a tank of that nation/tier already unlocked). I will also not cover any premium tanks, as the Tier 6 Token is only good for a tank currently in the active tech trees.
Note 2: I will straight out say I will never recommend using your token for a free Tier 6 on Arty. Caveat being: for the 1rst and 2nd season of personal missions, you will eventually want to get them because of missions that specify their use. However, as a first Tier 6, they are in my opinion (and the opinion of many other players) a terrible first choice. A 2nd or 3rd choice then? No. At best 4th choice, and again, mostly for the missions that require their use. Thus, I will not have them in the charts below.
**********
USA
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 2 | Slower and more armored than the Hellcat. Leads into the armored behemoths of the T95 and T110E3 at tiers 9 and 10. This line ends up being great at being in close brawlers. Both TD branches share guns all the way up. |
| Hellcat | 2 | Quicker and less armored than the Jackson. Leads into the monstrous T30 at tier 9, which many will say is better tier for tier than the T110E4 at Tier 10. This line is less about brawling, and more about supporting the heavies up close when the enemies make mistakes. Both TD branches share guns all the way up. |
| M6 | 2 | A rough go as a first heavy, with poor mobility and lacking the armor it needs. But, it leads into one of the most powerful tier-for-tier tanks in the game in the T29 at tier 7, and a great line of hull down brawlers up to Tier 10 T110 E5. This branch shares guns up to tier 7 with the Mediums, and engines with several TD's and the autoloading Heavies. |
| Pawlack | 3 | Similar to the M6, it is a rough go, but also leads into decent hull-down heavies. Lack of shared research means I wouldn't take this branch first, as it won't help you speed up your grinds elsewhere in the USA tree. But once you get up to tier 8 or 9 in the T110E5 branch, this would probably be a fine 3rd branch to pick up and start grinding. |
| M4A3E8 | 2 | Hard to argue with one of the most balanced mediums in the game. Leads to some very iconic, if underappreciated upper tier mediums. Also, this leads into a pair of good autoloading heavies at tier 9 and 10, with the T54E1 and the T57 Heavy. Tons of shared research with lots of engines, and guns in this branch shared with the M6 heavy branch up to tier 7. |
| T37 | 3 | This branch leads up to the iconic T49 at tier 9, and Sheridan at tier 10. It is hard to recommend for new players as even a 2nd scout branch. But once you get some experience in the game, this will be more than fine, and I believe the payoff at the T49 is worth it. |
**********
GERMANY
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Jg Pz IV | 3 | A decent TD and leads to some very loved TD's, especially the JgPz E100 at Tier 10 with its meme 420 pen blaze-it rounds. However, this line can be awkward to play for new players, so is better off as a 3rd or 4th branch of research. Shares guns with the other TD branch up to tier 7 and engines with the E-50M branch. |
| Nashorn | 3 | Awkward TD's until tiers 8 and 9, which many players love. The Tier 10 is often derided. Paper thin armor makes this branch very unforgiving on mistakes. Great as a 3rd or 4th branch for any player. Shares guns with the other TD branch up to tier 7. |
| VK 30.01P | 2 | This leads into one of the longer grinds in the game with the branch split at the Tiger P. Ignore the PzKpfw VII line and go for the Maus. You will not be disappointed. The PzKpfw VII is a rear turreted branch, and they are very difficult to learn to play effectively – especially for new players. As for the Maus, it will make a great 2nd grind. Shares guns with the E-100 line up to tier 8. |
| VK 36.01H | 1 | What a strange journey over the years. What used to be average, leading into a tree of poor heavies, now leads into arguably the best newbie-friendly branch in the game. Buffs to the entire line, comfort of play, and a line of memorable tanks makes for a great entry into this game. Shares guns with the Maus line up to tier 8. |
| VK 30.02M | 2 | A Panther in all but name at one tier lower than the tech tree Panther. Leads to 2 great branches of mediums – one a heavy brawling line that is infamous for ramming other tanks (E-50M branch), the other known for being highly mobile super-snipers (Leopard 1 branch). Shares guns with the heavy tanks up to tier 7, and shares engines with several TD's up to Tier 9. |
| VK 28.01 | 4 | Glory days of the past are long behind it. This branch leads to easily the worst Tier 10 light in the game, with the branch itself not being much better. I wouldn't bother with this branch unless you really have that desire to complete the German Tree. |
**********
USSR
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| SU-100 | 2 | A powerful TD that leads into 2 powerful Tier X's with branches full of fun TD's. The big issue is lack of shared research modules all the way up, making the grind, well, grindy. But once you have some time in game and some free xp banked up – give this TD and the following 2 branches a look. |
| KV-2 | 3 | This score hurts me on a personal level. This is my favorite tank of all time in this game. But I have to be real. This isn't a good heavy. This isn't a good tank. But what it is good for is the laughs, and once you learn how to take advantage of its unique strengths, one of the most fun tanks still in the game to this day. I recommend every player to have this in garage if for nothing else than to take it out for a match or 2 for laughs to change up a grind and relax your mind. |
| KV-1S | 3 | At one time in history, this would have been a definite 1. But times (and game balance and meta) have changed. Still not bad if you want to work down to a classic hull down heavy in the IS-7. I just wouldn't make it one of my first 2 branches. A lot of shared guns and engines with the rest of the tree in this branch. |
| T-150 | 1 | This tank will serve a newbie well, and send you down to the IS-4, with a line of armored behemoths that will help you get adjusted to the game all the way to Tier 10. Also, the very unique double-barrel heavies are past this, though I'd personally recommend holding off on them until a 3rd or 4th branch. As with the KV-1S Branch, there are a lot of shared guns and engines down to the IS-4. Not so much with the ST-II double barrel branch. |
| T-34-85 | 1 | So you don't want a line of slow behemoths. Why not play one of the most versatile and powerful medium branches in the game? Great guns, mobility, and at higher tiers, great turret armor, leads to a great first experience for those that want a faster pace. Both tier 10's past this will be great first tier 10 tanks. A lot of shared research in guns and engines will help you pick up the pace in other branches. |
| A-43 | 3 | Stay away from this branch until you get some experience with the game. Rear turreted vehicles are awkward enough for veterans that know what they are doing. They will be massive turn-offs for a newbie that is struggling to learn. However, as a 3rd or 4th branch, these lead into a highly underrated K-91, with extremely high DPM, extremely comfortable gun handling, and great mobility to go with it. |
| MT-25 | 2 | While the MT-25 itself isn't great, it leads into a line of very good combat scouts. Lack of shared research hurts this line. However, as a 'babies first scout' branch to start with, it is hard to go wrong with learning scouting with light tanks that can punch back. |
**********
UK
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles | 3 | This is branch of fun TD's that lead into the meme-tastic FV4005. While you will eventually want the FV4005 in your garage just for the memes, giggles, and memories it creates, this branch will not be a good choice for beginners. This branch is full of very soft tanks that get punished severely for mistakes. However, once you get a bit of experience under your belt, as a 3rd branch, it is hard to say no. It does share guns with the non turreted td branch all the way up to tier 9. Engines are shared with other TD branch, mediums, and heavies. |
| AT-8 | 1 | What more can a newbie ask for? A whole branch full of great armor, great guns, and it leads into probably the most powerful Tier 9 TD in the game in the Tortoise. Oh, and the Badger at Tier 10 is seen as almost, but not quite, as powerful tier for tier, being no slouch itself. Shares guns with the turreted TD line up to tier 9. Engines shared with other TD branch, mediums, and heavies. |
| Churchill VII | 3 | The Churchills are terrible. They are bad for veterans to play, and worse for newbies. However, once you have some experience under your belt and a better understanding of the game, they are worth the grind as your 3rd or 4th choice. The Tier 8 Caernarvon, Tier 9 Conqueror, and Tier 10 Super Conqueror will all likely become favorites as you grind through them. Shares guns with the Mediums up to tier 8, and engines with the mediums and both TD branches. |
| Cromwell | 3 | Some of the most iconic tanks in the game for history-based reasons, and for gameplay reasons, you will likely not want to play them. The Cromwell is great fun, and many like the Tier 7 Comet. But the Centurions just struggle to keep up with the rest of the game. I wouldn't totally ignore them, but I wouldn't make them my focus either. Decent as a 3rd branch, but probably better as a 4th branch. |
| Crusader | 4 | This is a rough branch. You will hear jokes about their 'battleship guns'. You will have some bright moments in the grind, but they will be far and few between with one of the most awful branches and terrible grinds in the game. The Manticore at Tier 10 is monstrous in the hands of an experienced player, though, so you have some hope once you get better at the game. Ignore this branch until you feel comfortable passive scouting, then do what you can to speed up to the Manticore. Probably best as your 3rd scout tank branch. |
**********
FRANCE
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| ARL V39 | 3 | While there are some great guns in this entire branch, it comes at the expense of often having awkward gun handling and terrible armor weakspots to back them up. Highly mobile at upper tiers. Currently the only autoloading TD branch in the game (until the Italian TD's that are currently on supertest come to the game). I wouldn't make them my first TD branch. However, as a 2nd TD branch, they are worth a look. Shares engines with the heavy tanks. |
| ARL 44 | 1 | This heavy leads into 2 branches with many tanks you will likely enjoy playing. The only really bad tank in either branch after this one is the tier 8 AMX 65t, the worst heavy in the game. However, it is followed by easily one of the best Tier 9 heavies in the game in the AMX M4 51. The autoloading branch of the AMX 50b is quick and dangerous, even in the hands of a new player. As you get more experienced and learn to conserve HP better, you will find yourself absolutely wrecking house late match as you rush in and kill multiple heavily damaged tanks with a single clip. Shares guns with heavies and mediums and engines with the TD's. |
| AMX 12t | 2 | Stealthy little assassins that get more and more powerful as the game goes on. It splits into the Bat Chat 25t and AMX 13 105 at Tier 10, both tanks worth having. Definitely worth taking as your first scout tank branch, though not as your first branch in the game. Shares some guns on the medium branch, and engines on the light branch. |
| AMD 178b | 3 | What's this? Most powerful scouts in the game as a 3rd choice at best? Absolutely. As a new player with your lack of knowledge and skill, you will be a liability to your team in these. The speed of play, lack of view range, needed map knowledge, and knowing how to survive to late game to keep vision up is just too much for a new player. It is perfectly fine to get these as your 3rd branch (especially if you like scouting). But wait until you have a bit more game and map knowledge so you will be an asset to your teammates. |
**********
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda T25 | 2 | There are 2 branches past this – autoloading mediums and heavies. It is commonly agreed upon that the tier 7 and 8 mediums are terrible, with the Tier 9 being quite powerful when fully upgraded. The Heavies are pretty new to the game, but already are making an impact with their big burst 2 shot autoloaders. Lack of shared research of any kind hurts both branches. However, both would make great candidates for a 2nd branch to research, with a lean towards the heavies as a new player. |
**********
JAPAN
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| O-I | 4 | At one point in time, this branch would have been an easy 1. However, the HE nerfs really dumped on this entire branch. Big, heavy, slow, and with thick flat armor. The armor all the way up is basically silver ammo proof when facing tanks at or below your tier. The problem is, premium ammo often just pens through without any issue because it is very difficult to angle the flat vertical hunks of armor in such a way as to create enough thickness to bounce. Unless there are significant balance changes to this line to improve things, I just cannot recommend it to anyone unless you really want to complete the Japanese tree. |
| Chi-To | 2 | A line of softly armored mediums with good to great guns and good to great mobility. The STB-1 at Tier 10 has a variation of siege mode that lets it get over 12 degrees of gun depression, making it an awesome ridge fighter. Many players love this line, and will recommend the tier 9's and 10's when asked. |
**********
CHINA
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| WZ 131G FT | 3 | Total fabrications by the company that used to control the Chinese Server (Khong Zhong). Believable designs that look like they'd fit into history. However, they all tend to be average at best. Serviceable TD's, but I wouldn't take them as my first TD branch. |
| Type 58 | 2 | Chinese rip-off of the T-34 that is worse in every way. However, it leads to a very well received and loved branch of heaviums (heavies with near medium mobility, but heavier armor than mediums and big guns). The mediums are often an afterthought because of awkward play/gun depression issues, though recent buffs to the line have some folks rethinking the branch. Heavies and mediums share guns all the way to tier 9. |
| 59-16 | 2 | Chinese Rip-offs of the Russian lights. Another combat-light branch that is seen by many as a lesser Russian Light branch. It stands pretty well on its own merits and you will likely enjoy them. |
**********
POLAND
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| 40 TP | 3 | A very rough grind for new players. However, starting at tier 8, even stock, the heavies get much better. Fully upgraded, they become battlefield bullies, with the 60TP at tier x loved by many heavy tank players. Lack of shared research does make the grind slow until you have some free xp to speed things up. Best as a 3rd branch that you will likely find a lot of fun with at tier 8+. Just be aware that the grind below tier 7 is considered by many to be the worst stock grind in the game. |
| B.U.G.I. | 2 | The B.U.G.I is a hidden gem in this game, with a DPM gun, and a Derp gun that both give fun, contrasting playstyles in one tank. The mediums after can be a bit bland, as they are sort of just average (which in itself isn't a bad thing). However, at tier 10, the CS-63 has become one of the most loved mediums in the game with its Turbo mode helping it out race all but the quickest scouts to the most important points on any map, as well as having the ability to brawl effectively once there. |
**********
SWEDEN
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| IKV 65 II | 2 | A line of very mobile, very dangerous TD's. High penetrations on standard rounds of the branch at 8+ often mean you rarely need premium rounds. However, siege mode mechanics starting with the tier 8 UDES 03, this is going to be at best your 2nd choice. It will be a great first choice of TDs if you are into ninja snipers vs. in your face brawling TD's. |
| Strv 74 | 1 | An average medium in itself, it leads to easily the currently most powerful auto-loading heavy branch in the game with the Kranvagn at Tier 10. The medium branch that follows it up to the UDES 15/16, while not super powerful in itself, is not bad as a 3rd or 4th branch to play in the game. Not a lot of shared research on either branch. The comfort of play of the Emil I, Emil II, and Kranvagn heavies make for a great starter line. |
**********
ITALY
| TANK | Overall Endorsement | Comments and Observations |
|---|---|---|
| P43 BIS | 4 | The P43 series itself is quite newbie friendly. However, nerfs to the auto-reloader mediums at tier 8+, along with a nearly universally derided auto-reloading heavy branch that leads into arguably the worst Tier 10 heavy in the game in the Rhinocerante, means this is definitely not a good place to start for a new player. After you get your feet under you, the Mediums will be worth a look as your 4th or 5th branch. However, the heavies shouldn't be touched unless you really want to complete the Italian tree, or are a masochist and hate yourself. |
Not being able to craft them sucks. Especially when everyone I talk to about it…
First I'd like to say I absolutely love this game it's quality. Basically I first…
Welcome to Teacher Tuesday, a thread where anyone can ask any type of question without…
I’m kind of new/returning to gwent I played beta and obviously it’s a lot lot…
Level 1 Bag (Free with Atmosphere Level 2) 6 small consumable (First Aid, Repair, Fire…
Here's my crew - T34-85M - for the life of me I cant figure out…