[Tank Guide] The VK 75.01 (K)

In World of Tanks, there are two lines of German heavy tanks with rear-mounted turrets. One leads to the X Maus , the other to the X Pz.Kpfw. VII . The latter is famed for its thick armour and high overall survivability, as well as good firepower, and so is the VIII VK 75.01 (K) .

VIII VK 75.01 (K)

Strengths

Thick armour
High HP for soaking up damage
Good penetration
High alpha damage potential

Weaknesses

Slow-moving—pick your battles wisely
Reloading takes a while
Weak lower frontal plate—avoid uneven ground

Gameplay

Armor & Survivability

Like many high-tier German heavy tanks, the VK 75.01 (K) boasts amazing survivability. With its thick, angled frontal armor, you should be able to deflect most of the shots fired at you. You can increase your effective armor thickness by moving in a zig-zag pattern; even some Tier X tanks will have trouble penetrating it.

Its side armor is not as substantial, but it's still thick enough to make side-scraping tactics a viable choice in battle.

The lower frontal plate, however, is its main weakness. Its armor is still reasonably thick, but as you climb hills, its effective armor thickness drops, so be always aware of the terrain you are engaging on! Your commander's hatch is another Achilles' heel, but it's tiny and easily mitigated as long as you keep moving and prevent your enemies from focusing on it. The final vulnerable point for you to note is the front and rounded base of your turret–it can easily be penetrated, especially by enemies of higher tiers.

Mobility

Heavy armor means heavy weight; this tank's maneuverability is below average, as you might imagine. Decide during the countdown where you want to go, and then stick to the flank for the duration of the battle. Also, faster vehicles can easily get to your sides and rear, so keep a little bit of a distance.

Firepower

The VK 75.01 (K) comes equipped with a powerful gun—its damage, aiming speed and accuracy are all excellent. Its normal shell penetration values are the highest among all Tier VIII vehicles. You will however experience a high degree of gun dispersion when in motion, so be sure to account for it in making your shots! The gun depression angle is also poor, so uneven terrain should be avoided.

Advantages like this obviously mean there are drawbacks you need to pay attention to. That would be the very high reload time–make sure to trade shots, as most opponents could shoot you multiple times while you reload, and stick with your allies rather than going it alone. Again: stay close, but not too close, to your targets.

Camouflage & View Range

As a heavy tank, its camouflage values are low, but its view range is comparable to other tanks of its tier.

Equipment

Recommended Setup

The weaknesses mentioned above can be compensated for by using suitable equipment. The Tank Gun Rammer will reduce your loading time, while the Vertical Stabilizer increases the accuracy of your shots. Improved Ventilation is a solid choice for many tanks and will improve the overall performance of your vehicle.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio Operator
Loader

A pretty standard setup for a heavy tank. Take the ever-essential Repair in combination with your Commander's Sixth Sense to improve your survivability on the battlefield. Snap Shot and Smooth Ride will allow you to hit your targets more reliably. Last but not least, Brothers in Arms is the cherry on top, boosting your combat parameters (as with the Improved Ventilation).