Japanese Tanks

## Medium Tanks

Although Japanese heavy tanks greatly differ from Japanese medium and light tanks, they all share few similarities; All Japanese tanks have great gun depression, (with exception being Chi-Nu Kai and some heavy tanks that have limited depression above their mini turrets), lack of sloping on armor (except on tier 8 - 10 medium tanks), and good firepower.

Japanese medium and light tanks have few more things in common. They all have poor armor thicknesses; however, higher tier mediums (most notably the STB-1) have sloped armor, which may result in lucky bounces. They also combine good gun depression with guns that have excellent penetration and a good balance between alpha and ROF. In the first few tiers, the Japanese tanks can seem to prove to be a real turn off. Guns have generally average accuracy and handling. Most Japanese medium and light tanks have decent camo values for their class.

Past tier V, the medium tanks take rather wild variations between tiers. The tier 6 Chi-to is known for its overall good maneuverability for its size. The tier 7 Chi-Ri is notable for its very large size, rivaling the bulkiness of the German tanks found in the E50M line, being even bigger than some heavies of its tier, which makes it an enticing target. Yet to trade for its large size, the Chi-Ri has the ability to equip a dangerous autoloader. In addition, to compensate for these wild variations, all of the late-tier Japanese tanks feature above-average to good health pools, some rivaling those found along the E 50 M line as well.

In the last few tiers, the turrets of the Japanese tanks, while not greatly increasing in armor thickness, begin to become well-rounded and sloped like their Chinese counterparts. The top of the tree; the STB-1 for instance has among the shallowest sloped turrets in the game, able to bounce nearly any shot, as well as having a special hydropneumatic suspension shared with Swedish high tier heavy tanks, which allows room for more terrain usage. They also likewise have cramped modules and crew. However, in contrast they still retain their excellent gun depression but also abysmal hull armor.

In essence, they are not jack-of-all trades and masters of none like the Russian Mediums, but are extremely potent as second line support tanks, and if handled properly can even take on primary roles in a pinch, if only temporarily.

## Heavy Tanks

Other than few similarities mentioned earlier, Japanese heavy tanks are nearly polar opposites of medium tanks. They generally have terrible mobility, flat but extremely thick armor (After tier 5), good gun depression, huge HP pools and large, inaccurate guns. Japanese heavy tanks lack real weak spots on front, but at cost they are much worse at angling than their German counterparts due to either terrible side armor or having weak cheeks on front that becomes easily penetrable when angled. They are also the biggest tanks in the game, being notably bigger than even the Maus, making them very easy targets. They're also known for great module compatibility, making the Japanese heavy line fairly easier to grind than others tech line in the game.

The tier 5, Mitsu 108, is the transit between starting tiers and higher tiers. It has drastically changed from its predecessor by turning into giant, heavily armored tank that offers excellent protection for its tier. However, its size can be troublesome because you'll easily get hit by enemies. In addition, unlike the higher tier Japanese heavy tanks, the O-I Experimental has several issues - it suffers from poor roof armor, frontal weak spots and lower caliber guns. However, also unlike the higher tier Japanese heavy tanks, the O-I Experimental has relatively decent rate of fire with both guns, as well as moderately good accuracy and gun handling with the 7.5 cm gun

From tier 6 and above, Japanese heavy tanks are generally quite similar: they are generally bad when stock, but with top modules become fearsome fighters. They have very tough frontal armor with few weak spots, are gigantic, have poor mobility, generally poor side armor (that, however, gradually increases at higher tiers) and very high health pool. In addition, starting from Tier VII, each tank has a choice between increasing gun depression and elevation or increasing mobility.

## Tank Destroyers

Japanese tank destroyers start at Tier VII, at the Chi-To SPG. They go on to have three Ho-Ri tank destroyers, monsters with high penetration and strong armor.

## Japanese Tank List

Underlined are gold vehicle, underlined and italicize are collection vehicle

**L:Light, M:Medium, H:Heavy, D:TankDestroyer**

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