Charlemagne Review: Rule the Battlefield

Commanders!

The latest season of Ranked Battles has just ended, but exclusive items are still available for bonds. A brand-new British heavy tank is one of the most recent additions to the roster of vehicles that can be acquired for bonds after reaching the Second Division. Let's take a closer look at the  VIII Charlemagne .

Overview

The British School of Tank Technology (STT) set out in 1958 to develop a new medium tank with a high crossing capacity, a 120 mm low velocity gun, and a narrow silhouette. Its frontal hull and turret armor were meant to be strong enough to withstand the latest Soviet heavy tanks, while the overall weight should not exceed 30 tons.

The designers tried to accomplish this difficult task with new armor layouts inspired by their Soviet counterparts but added a distinct Britishness. Compromises had to be made in terms of the weight, exceeding the initial goal by 50%, but they succeeded in armor development. The result is a unique heavy tank with a strong pike nose, a perfectly stabilized gun, and excellent gun depression angles.

Armor

Compared to more extensively armored traditional heavy tanks, the Charlemagne seems lightweight, weighing around 45 tons. But a raw amount of steel is not the only thing that counts when it comes to protection. As every well-versed tank commander knows, it's all about the angles.

Designed with a steep pike nose and well-rounded turret sides, this British brawler can bounce lower-tier shells without much trying and can even deflect shots from same-tier opponents when angled just right. Of course, the Charlemagne is not without its weak spots, so stick with other heavy tanks to avoid getting rushed.

Mobility

Low weight with a strong engine usually means a solid power-to-weight ratio. And while the Charlemagne ranks among the best Tier VIII heavy tanks in this matter and can quickly reach its top speed, 35 km/h is nothing to brag about. Faster vehicles with high DPM will try to outmaneuver you, so you'd better have some allies at your side when defending or going on a hunt. The Charlemagne can keep up with other heavy tanks but will often arrive late to a medium tank party.

Firepower

The Charlemagne sports a 120 mm low velocity gun, a name that tells you everything about this armament. A hefty 440 alpha damage and 220 mm penetration will leave a mark on your enemies once the shell finds its target. With one of the lowest shell velocities of all Tier VIII tanks, you have to get up close and personal to hit reliably. Luckily, an excellent gun depression and solid gun handling will allow you to take advantage of the terrain to hide your weak spots.

How to Play the Charlemagne

The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks and skills, as well as special in-game items.

 

Main Characteristics
Firepower
Survivability
Mobility
Charlemagne
VIII
Average Damage
440/440/530 HP
Average Penetration
220/270/60 mm
Hit Points
1,500 HP
Top Speed / Reverse Speed
35/15 km/h
Commander
Gunner
Driver
Loader (Radio Operator)
Firepower
Average Damage
440/440/530 HP
Ammunition
60 shells
Average Penetration
220/270/60 mm
Gun Reload Time
16.7 s
Dispersion at 100 m
0.44 m
Gun Depression / Elevation Angles
-10/15 deg
Aiming Time
3.5 s
Shell Types
Shell Velocity
AP
597 m/s
AP
924 m/s
HE
597 m/s
Survivability
Concealment of Moving Vehicle
3.53/0.67%
Hit Points
1,500 HP
Concealment of Stationary Vehicle
7.07/1.34%
Hull Armor
130/70/38 mm
Signal Range
750 m
Turret Armor
170/80/70 mm
View Range
380 m
Turret Traverse Speed
28 deg/s
Mobility
Engine Power
750 h.p.
Specific Power
16.7 h.p./t
Traverse Speed
26 deg/s
Top Speed / Reverse Speed
35/15 km/h
   

The Charlemagne can take the fight to the enemy and defend the base, but usually not by itself. It is a team player that needs as much support from its allies as it provides for them. While the armor can take a beating, it is better to rely on the qualities of the gun to keep weak spots hidden and enemies at bay.

Equipment

Recommended Setup
 

Hover your cursor over the images for more information on each piece of equipment.

Consider the setup above to improve the qualities of the gun even further and mitigate its weaknesses, like the subpar reload time.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Loader

Hover your cursor over the images for more information on each crew skill or perk.

Repair is crucial as a first skill to remain in the game for longer. You don't want to be caught without your tracks, especially when getting into a brawl. The additional skills improve your gun and the general performance in battle, especially Brothers in Arms.

If you managed to make it to the Second Division in the recent Ranked Battles Season, you'll be able to grab the Charlemagne from the Items for Bonds section of the in-game Store. You can even make use of your personal cumulative discount to get it for less.

Don't miss your chance to add a unique heavy tank to your collection and experience the mix of British tank design with Soviet inspiration for yourself!

Additional Grousers

Increases mobility on soft and medium terrain.

Increases hull traverse speed.

Increases the ability to maintain speed.

Adrenaline Rush

Decreases the gun reload time by 10% if your vehicle's HP drops below 10%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.

Band of Brothers

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.

Also works if other crew members have the Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel perk.

Call for Vengeance

Reports the location of enemy vehicles for two more seconds after the destruction of your own vehicle.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Clutch Braking

Increases the traverse speed of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Commander's Vision System

Reduces the concealment of moving enemy vehicles.

Reduces the concealment of enemy vehicles behind foliage.

Concealment

Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Controlled Impact

Increases the ramming damage dealt and decreases damage taken by ramming.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Deadeye

Increases the chance of landing a critical hit.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Designated Target

Keeps targeted vehicles visible for two more seconds.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Eagle Eye

Allows you to identify damaged/destroyed modules as well as injured crew members of an enemy vehicle by hovering your mouse over it for several seconds.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Firefighting

Reduces the damage and duration of fire.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Intuition

Reduces the time to switch between shells in a fully loaded gun, double-barreled gun, or magazine.

The skill is effective after training starts. The average skill level is applied if multiple loaders are trained.

Minimum time to switch: 1 second for standard guns, or 2.5 seconds for double-barreled guns and magazines.

Improved Aiming

Smaller aiming circle size.

Improved Hardening

Fully restores suspension hit points after repairs.

Increases suspension load capacity.

Increases vehicle hit points.

Enhances suspension durability.

Reduces hull damage caused by suspension damage during impact.

Faster suspension repair speed.

Improved Radio Set

Increases the time an enemy vehicle is visible.

Reduces the time your vehicle is visible to the enemy.

Improved Rotation Mechanism

Reduces dispersion during vehicle movement and traverse, as well as during turret rotation.

Improves hull and turret traverse speed.

Jack of All Trades

Reduces the performance penalty of wounded crew members.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Low Noise Exhaust System

Reduces the visibility of a stationary or moving vehicle.

Mentor

Increases the Crew XP gained for each crew member apart from the commander.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Modified Configuration

Prevents one fuel tank fire, ammo rack explosion, or engine destruction in one battle.

Increases engine durability and the capacity of the ammo rack and fuel tank.

Reduces the damaged ammo rack penalty and damaged engine penalty.

Reduces the chance of engine fire.

Increases repair speed.

Off-Road Driving

Increases mobility on medium and soft terrain.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Preventative Maintenance

Reduces the chance of engine fire.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Recon

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Relaying

Increases the signal range of allied vehicles within your radio coverage.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Repair

Reduces the repair time of destroyed modules.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Safe Stowage

Increases the durability of your vehicle's ammo rack.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Signal Boosting

Increases the signal range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Situational Awareness

Increases the view range of your vehicle.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Sixth Sense

Shows a light bulb three seconds after you've been spotted.

Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.

Smooth Ride

Reduces the dispersion penalty while driving.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Snap Shot

Reduces the dispersion penalty when traversing the turret.

The higher the skill progress, the stronger the effect.

Spall Liner

Decreases damage taken by ramming and high-explosive splash.

Turbocharger

Increases engine power.

Increases top forward speed.

Increases top reverse speed.

Binocular Telescope

Increases the view range of your vehicle by 25%.

Your hull must be stationary for at least 3 seconds.

Camouflage Net

Significantly increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.

Your hull must be stationary for at least 3 seconds.

Enhanced Gun Laying Drive

Reduces the aiming time of your gun by 10%.

Coated Optics

Increases the view range of your vehicle by 10%.

Tank Gun Rammer

Reduces the reload time of your gun by 10%.

Toolbox

Decreases the repair time of destroyed modules.

Cumulative with the Repair skill.

Improved Ventilation

Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.

Vertical Stabilizer

Reduces the dispersion penalties when moving and during hull and turret traverse by 20%.

"Wet" Ammo Rack

Increases the module HP of your ammo rack.

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