How to Play: VK 28.01 mit 10,5 cm L/28

Commanders!

World of Tanks veterans who have been in the game since before Update 9.18 may well remember the days when the  VI VK 28.01  ruled the battlefield: a sturdy light tank that could be equipped with a powerful howitzer. However, with the arrival of new high-tier light tanks, the German tech tree had to be adjusted, and the VK 28.01 lost its outlier armament.

This year, the VK 28.01 with its mighty 10.5 cm gun has returned as a Reward Vehicle! Those for whom the thought of that one fabulous shot still brings a smile to their face, and the recipients of said shot who still mourn the many HP robbed by a light tank will find the new Reward tank VK 28.01 mit 10,5 cm L/28 in their garage for free. It is part of this year’s Well-Deserved Rewards program and a gift to players who have been with World of Tanks for four years or more. You can read all about it in the dedicated article.

CLAIM YOUR REWARD

Can the VK 28.01 10.5 still live up to its old days of glory? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

Overview

In 1943, the Krupp AG received the order to develop a new multipurpose vehicle to replace the Panzer IV. The VK 28.01 project envisioned a vehicle that should not exceed 28 tons, with modified Pz. IV, good armor, and a strong engine. However, development and production took too much time and were subsequently halted before a prototype could be built.

As the name suggests, the VK 28.01 mit 10,5 cm L/28 is the same as the standard VK 28.01 in the tech tree, just with a different cannon. But of course, more often than not, it is the cannon that makes the tank, which holds especially true for the improved VK 28.01 10.5. The light tank keeps its mobility and sturdy structure but receives additional firepower.

Armor

The VK 28.01 10.5 is rather boxy and large for a light tank, making it difficult to hide. If you can, try and squeeze the bigger profile behind cover, as the sloped 50 mm frontal armor will only bounce smaller calibers when correctly angled. Your best defense is the great power-to-weight ratio. Go on the offense and ram into lightly armored enemies, or just dive out of harm's way.

Mobility

Speed is one of the VK 28.01 10.5’s most significant assets, aside from the gun. Use the 64 km/h top speed to race towards your opponents, fire a shot, and then quickly run away to reload. Be aware that the engine has a tendency to catch fire, so keep an Extinguisher at hand.

With great speed also comes the option to play as an active scout. While the camouflage values aren’t the best, the 380m view range can easily be improved with Coated Optics to gather vital intel for the team.

Firepower

There is a good reason why the VK 28.01 mit 10,5 cm L/28 was one of the most popular vehicles among light tank players back in the day. The howitzer with 350 alpha damage could leave a lasting impression in enemy minds, but due to the rather terrible gun handling, it was never possible to guarantee—a fact that has not changed over the years. While this new Tier VI light tank has one of the highest DPM values of all light tanks and one of the most potent punches, it resides near the bottom in dispersion and penetration.

How to Play

Calling this light tank unpredictable is almost an understatement. Will you land a massive hit and send an enemy back to the garage, or miss your target, bounce off enemy armor, and just blow a lot of dust into the air? The chances are equally likely, but of course, you don’t have to completely accept your fate.

If you want your shots to hit and cause chaos on the battlefield, make sure to trust in your most valuable assets: speed and your gun. Get close, use ramming attacks against weaker adversaries, aim carefully at enemy weak spots, frequently switch flanks to spot opponents, and always hope for the best, but expect the worst. You don’t want to get cornered or caught with your tracks down.

Equipment

Recommended Setup
Improved Ventilation	Tank Gun Rammer	Vertical Stabilizer

A setup to maximize your damage potential and improve gun handling.

Alternative Setup
Coated Optics	Improved Ventilation	Vertical Stabilizer

If you don’t have too much faith in your gun, use the second option to improve your spotting capabilities.

Crew Skills

Commander
Gunner
Driver
Radio Operator
Loader

Repair is a crucial first skill to keep you on the move. The additional abilities aim at improving the gun and general performance in battle. Brothers in Arms in particular will give a valuable boost to multiple values. Teaching your crew the Concealment skill is also a solid choice, especially if you prefer to play as a scout.

Get Your Well-Deserved Reward!

The latest German light tank is part of the 2021 Well-Deserved Rewards program, our way of expressing gratitude and appreciation for the World of Tanks community. Every player who has joined the game in the last year will receive a free reward. And the longer you have been a part of the community, the bigger the reward you will get.

Everyone who has been with us for 4 years or longer can look forward to the VK 28.01 10.5. Check out our event article for more details, including an overview of all the rewards and the exact dates for eligibility.

CLAIM YOUR REWARD

Roll Out!