An overview of the new Japanese branch of medium tanks in World of tanks. Comparison with other classmates and discussion of effectiveness in combat.
Not so long ago, a new branch of Japanese tanks was released, led by STB-1. Many people ask themselves the question: "Do you really need to download them?" I will try to answer this question.
I started pumping out the "Japanese" as soon as they appeared. Moreover, there was an action for the "Masters" with a prize in the form of in-game gold. To be honest, I managed to get only one, but "free" 500 gold is also good.
I must say right away that up to the 8th level I did not like the "Japanese". Perhaps only 6 lvl Chi-To more or less corresponds to its level. They have no armor, weak dynamics and low penetration and one-time damage, which makes the gameplay very difficult, especially for inexperienced players.
Here is lvl 8, the STA-1 tank, is already starting to please. The main advantage is the high penetration of the main shells (218mm), which allows you to save silver even in high-level battles. Also, the tank has excellent elevation angles (hereinafter UHN), which makes it even better to use an excellent penetrating gun showing the enemy only the turret. However, here you need to remember that the tank has practically no armor and it is penetrated by all tanks that come across in battles in any projection. Is that the mask sometimes "catches" non-penetration. Particularly dangerous are artillery land mines, which can penetrate the STA-1 even head-on with a bunch of "crits", which complicates the game, given the tank's not very high dynamics. Comparing with classmates, we can say that STA-1 is very good. Its playing style is comparable to the American Pershing. The only difference is better dynamics, larger dimensions and better tools. We can definitely say that the STA-1 is one of the best medium tanks at its level and is capable of "dragging" battles to the top of the list.
Next comes the Type 61 at level 9. I must say right away that I really liked the tank and I consider it the best item at level 9, on a par with the T54. What is he good at? He is the owner of a unique weapon. And the most interesting thing is the "stock" one. The one that stands on the STA-1. Therefore, pumping to the "top" gun will not be so burdensome. This "gun has a rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute! With the rammer and brotherhood, the CD is about 4 seconds, which allows you to simply shoot any enemy, and sometimes even two. The only drawback of the gun is its relatively low penetration, which is compensated by premium shells. And the main zest "top" gun with a penetration of 257mm, with which you can punch "head-on" almost all tanks in the game (targeting especially armored ones) without using "gold." The only difference is that the Japanese is better at everything. He has better penetration, the same average damage, higher damage per minute, the same elevation angles, better dynamics. However, again it is worth remembering about weak armor and large sizes. land mines no longer pierce as much as his younger brother, but all the same, the full damage from the "art" can upset. In general, I really liked the tank, since at the top of the list you can "drag" almost any fight. After all, the Type61 penetrates any classmate, which allows you to use the auto-sight, especially since the "Japanese" has excellent stabilization on the move and personally I often used it. The tank is great in capable hands and is capable of a lot even at the bottom of the list. The main thing is not to climb forward and play on the second line or because of the hillocks or hills using the UVN.
And finally, the crown of the Japanese branch is the long-awaited STB-1. The tank is ambiguous. It has many huge pluses and huge minuses. Let's start with the good. STB-1 has one great plus - crazy DPM. He is able to simply shoot any item 10 lvl, except for the French "drummer" of course. The interval between shots with "alpha" 390 with rammer, brotherhood and ventilation is 6, 6 seconds. Even the T62-A, which was previously out of competition, cannot oppose anything to the "Japanese" in close combat. However, there is one "But" here. The gun has too long aiming 2, 7 sec. and is characterized by "obliquity" at long and even medium distances, so the DPM is not always fully implemented. The pluses also include excellent dynamics, UVN and a low silhouette with high camouflage, which sometimes allows you to "jerk" and "shine". Of the bad moments, I will single out the same oblique "cannon" and still poor booking for level 10. Although the tower is a recochet tower, it also has a bunch of weak points, into which shells fly through with penetration. Although, 8 levels will give recochets not only from the tower, but also from the hull. The tank is unusual and its potential has not yet been fully explored. It is best to use it in a platoon game with other PTs, when you can fully use its DPM in close combat, and taking into account its dynamics, you can "carousel" enemy PTs and heavy tanks.
Whether it is worth downloading Japanese medium tanks is up to you. Personally, I liked the 8-10 levels. It is interesting to play on them, since the real skill is best shown on tanks without armor.
