Battlemaster Tank

56 (Elite)

74 (Heroic)

167 (Heroic)

Thermite Shells

## Introduction

The **Battlemaster Tank** is a T1 MBT used by General Huang Lin Bao, it is the standard battle tank for early skirmishes. General Tsing Shi Tao also uses a nuclear variant.

## Overview

The Battlemaster Tank has served the PLA well for several decades already, but there's no doubt that even with constant modernization, the venerable tank is now reaching its limits. Even though Chinese Generals were increasingly ditching the old-fashioned Battlemasters for newer-better tanks, both Tao and Bao decided to keep the Battlemasters in order to save costs for their respective costlier technologies. These tanks might look quite crude compared to the latest standards, but their raw firepower makes them quite valuable assets.

The Battlemaster is a main battle tank that consists of a semi-spherical "pudding bowl" turret that's typically found on Russian and Chinese designs connected on a rectangular chassis. Its locomotion system is fairly conventional: dual tracks driven by a diesel engine. Its main armament is a 120mm cannon with AT shells strong enough to tear armor off of light vehicles and other similar MBTs. Interestingly enough, Bao's own Battlemaster AT shells are thermite-loaded, meaning this tank can now inflict area of effect incendiary damage, which is especially good against incoming infantries.

The Party's indoctrination has lead to the tankers having faith in the power of "Unity" and the "People", when a large number of Battlemaster tanks group together, the tankers become emboldened and more confident in their victory due to their sheer numbers, allowing them to fight more ferociously. Mandatory nationalism classes are set for the drivers before operating to boost their morale alongside mental performance. A nuclear engine can be installed in order to increase its speed.

## Strategy

Battlemasters are pretty much the first hands-on tanks when any player starts a battle as Bao. They're best described as "middle of the road", much more powerful and durable than the average Scorpion Tank but falling short compared to the War Master or the Challenger II. These tanks are powerful enough to counter enemy vehicles, but with the Thermite Shells upgrade they can also deal with occasional AT infantry groups, which is not a frequent advantage of most MBTs.

Due to its low price and built in Horde Bonus, the Battlemaster is a unit designed to be fielded in large numbers. So the player can build as many Battlemasters as they could and go for early rushes. Still, be warned that the bonus of one of the Battlemasters will disappear if one tank moves too far from the group (losing even one from a five-tank-group will immediately cause the bonus to be ceased on the remaining four tanks) and cannot attack aircraft.

## Upgrades

**Nationalism**

* Increase the effect of horde bonus on the Battlemaster by 25%, available at the Propaganda Center at Rank 3.

**Nuclear Tanks**

* Increase the speed of the Battlemaster by 25% but it will explode and leave behind radiation when destroyed. Available at Rank 5 at the Scientific Laboratory.

**Thermite Shells**

* Increases Battlemaster weapon damage by 20%.

## Assessment

Pros:

* Strong against vehicles and buildings.
* Relatively inexpensive ($750).
* Above average speed and firepower.
* Somehow effective against infantry with its built-n napalm shells.

Cons:

* Horde Bonus breaks when led astray from group, making it losing its firepower bonus.
* Helpless against aircraft.

## Quotes (in English)

The Battlemaster reuses its vanilla *Zero Hour*quotes.

### When Selected

* Battlemaster Tank reporting.
* Where is the battle?
* Fighting for the Red Army.
* Serving China's needs.
* Right here.

### When Ordered to Move

* Carrying out orders.
* Moving to new area.
* Yes General!
* China need us there.
* We will defend this territory.
* Move order confirmed.

### When Ordered to Attack

* For the Red Army!
* We will prevail!
* We are invincible!
* Destroy China's enemies!
* Attack!
* I have China's blessing!
* They won't escape!
* Crush the enemy!

## Quotes (in native Chinese language)

### When Selected

* 主战坦克报到。
* 战场在何处？
* 为红军而战。
* 我们是中国军队的主力。
* 在这呢。

### When Ordered To Attack

* 红军万岁，中国万岁！
* 坚决服从命令！
* 将敌军击溃！
* 进攻！
* 他们逃不掉的！
* 消灭中国的敌人！

### When Ordered To Move

* 执行命令。
* 转移阵地。
* 是的，将军。
* 祖国在召唤我们。
* 我们会坚守这片领土。
* 移动命令确认。

## See also

* **War Master**
* **Nuclear Battlemaster**
* **Dual Battlemaster**