Т-54 First Prototype: Simple and Reliable

The 9.7 update will be released shortly. Among other announced changes, a new U.S.S.R. vehicle will be introduced into the game—T-54 first prototype. It is the first Premium medium tank of Tier VIII in the U.S.S.R. branch.

Distinctive features of the vehicle

• Well-armored
• Simple to master
• Versatile
• Decent damage per minute

Tactical role on the battlefield

The defining feature of the vehicle is its armor protection. This medium tank stacks more armor than some heavies. For instance, glacis plate of T-54 first prototype is thicker than the frontal armor of IS-3 and leaves IS-6 out of competition. Version 1.0 of T-54 (kind of a beta version of T-54) can easily tank a few shots, if the situation on the battlefield so requires.

Life teaches us that nothing comes without a cost. Even for a 36-tonn tank with a 100 mm gun. In our case, T-54 first prototype had to pay for hardness of its armor with modest maneuverability and top speed.

This tank can hardly lead a raiding party of medium tanks to capture key areas on the map. However, it has just enough top speed to maintain the firing distance to the enemy. When it comes to close-quarters combat, the newcomer to the Soviet branch can easily decide the outcome of a clash with its armor—the front of the turret and the glacis plate are very hard to penetrate. If you position your vehicle at an angle to a firing opponent, the hull of T-54 first prototype can deflect shots even from Tier X vehicles.

T-54 Model 1945 HD - World of Tanks by Wargaming.net on Sketchfab

T-54 first prototype encounters little difficulty when facing vehicles of Tier VIII or lower—stay together with your allies, keep your vehicle with its glacis plate towards the enemy, and do not get caught in cross-fire. If your allies support you, you can play aggressively and force close-quarter attacks on your opponents. Your damage per minute allows you to deal with both medium and heavy tanks of your tier.

Gameplay on the tank changes against higher-tier opponents. In this case T-54 first prototype is most effective as a support vehicle behind a group of allied heavy tanks. Try not to get into the enemy’s crosshairs and shoot at weak points in their armor. Sometimes APCR rounds will be your only chance in a fight against heavily-armored opponents.

As you see, the winning formula is easy. Strictly speaking, the tank is simple and has a straightforward gameplay pattern. It will suit well both rookies who are at initial stages of their tanking career, and veterans of numerous tank battles who have already mastered T-44 and T-54.

Remember: the power is in simplicity. Good luck in battles!