Let's take another look at these active wheeled scouts! We'll give you more details about each vehicle in the new branch, as well as some useful gameplay tips that will allow you to play more effectively.
New Branch, New Mechanics
Our dev team spent a long time discussing which vehicles should be included in the new wheeled branch. As a result, we opted for six wheeled vehicles of which five can be researched from Tier VI to X, and one is Premium. All of them have historical origins, and only the Tier X vehicle was slightly changed from its historical counterpart.
Tier VI: The AMD Panhard 178В
An entry-level wheeled tank that took part in battles during World War II. The AMD Panhard 178B is a transitional step from light tanks to wheeled vehicles. Its dynamics and maneuverability don’t differ much from most light tanks in our game. However, with this vehicle you will encounter the first unique mechanic of the entire sub-branch, the lock-on feature. It allows you to automatically aim at enemy vehicles just by simply right-clicking close to the target.
Tier VII: The Hotchkiss EBR
This wheeled tank is armed like a regular light tank and has two more wheels compared to the AMD Panhard 178В. If one wheel is damaged, the Hotchkiss EBR will keep on moving. Not as fast, but you need to deal considerable damage to its suspension to make it finally stop.
Tier VIII: The AML Lynx 6x6
A serious adversary on the battlefield. It has another unique feature – fast switching between the two driving modes, Drive and Default. Drive allows you to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and is best suited if you need to cross an area of open space as quickly as possible. On the other hand, such a high speed affects handling and increases the risk of a crash, especially when playing in urban environments.
Default mode will allow for better maneuverability, which will be useful in tight spaces and roads. When activated, the maximum speed of your wheeled vehicle is 58 km/h.
Tier IX: The Panhard EBR 90 (mle. 64)
This wheeled vehicle boasts excellent movement, and its maximum speed reaches 85 km/h. The Panhard EBR 90 (mle. 64) can drive forward and backwards at the same speed. It’s in this vehicle that you can most fully feel the difference between the two speed modes. An accurate 90-mm gun serves as a good complement to its high maneuverability.
Tier X: Panhard EBR 105
Historical armored cars of this modification didn't have a 105-mm gun, so we had to rework the suspension and turret to make it possible. The Panhard EBR 105 will have the highest speed among all the vehicles ever introduced in World of Tanks – 95 km/h! Also this wheeled tank has the biggest speed difference between the two modes. Its fast-firing 105-mm gun has a high Alpha damage (390 points) and is a real menace to all adversaries.
Gameplay Tips
To make it easier for you to master wheeled vehicles, we've prepared some useful tips that will allow you to play more effectively.
- One of the most important features of wheeled vehicles is their record high speeds (up to 95 km/h), unavailable to other tanks in our game. Thanks to such high speeds, wheeled tanks can travel long distances in a short time, unexpectedly rush into the enemy camp and serve as active scouts.
- Many wheeled vehicles can move backward at the same speed as forward. For those vehicles that don't have that capability, the speed of moving back is still pretty high.
- If one or two of the eight wheels are damaged and you're moving when they are struck, it's better to keep driving so that you do not have to accelerate with reduced dynamics.
- Wheeled vehicles cannot turn around on one of their tracks, like regular tanks. If you encounter an obstacle, you cannot simply turn to the side: you will first have to roll back, and then again forward and to the side, trying to go around the obstacle.
- To switch modes of movement, use the "X" key, if you’re using the default layout. Switching modes can be performed both when stationary and while moving.
- Speed and maneuverability of wheeled vehicles allow you to make spectacular jumps. In case of landing on the suspension (wheels), the wheeled vehicles take less damage compared to tracked vehicles.
- High camo values allow you to get that bit closer to the enemy than other vehicles, while remaining unspotted. Good gun stabilization and the lock-on feature let you fire effectively on the move, without the need to aim precisely.
- Sometimes high armor penetration with high explosive shells will allow you to cause more damage to lightly armored adversaries.
We've put a lot of effort to adjust the characteristics of wheeled tanks, making them truly attractive and effective on the battlefield. Now it's your turn - play, use new tactics and win!
Take wheeled vehicles for a ride and share your impressions!