Supertest WoT: Rockets on the Battlefield and a German Bolt

Wargaming is not afraid to take risks. A new wave of content has hit the test servers, promising to thoroughly shake up established tactics. While the British Pike relies on the raw power of its magazine and the German Radkampfwagen on elusive speed, a new desert map brings something we haven’t seen in WoT yet – interactive rocket launchers for hunting campers.

I have already informed you about the upcoming desert map, and recently WG provided information regarding their planned adjustments.  At the same time, they introduced two newcomers to the Supertest. Let’s look at the details.

A British Tough Guy with an Autoloader

A new British Tier IX Assault Heavy Tank named the Pike has appeared. As the name suggests, its domain will be close-quarters combat and aggressive line pushing. A combination of an autoloader and solid armor is intended to help with this.

The three-round automatic cannon offers a respectable 450 Alpha damage with 246 mm of penetration (total magazine capacity of 1,350 HP). If you have the chance to use a clip of HE shells, you can look forward to an average of 640 damage per shot. The entire magazine reloads in 32 seconds with a 5-second intra-clip. A slower aiming time of 3.2 s is compensated for by a dispersion of 0.34 at 100 meters and a pleasant shell velocity of 1067 m/s for AP, and even 1334 m/s for APCR with a higher penetration of 311 mm. There is also no lack of -9° gun depression.

A turret with a thickness of 280 mm will be a tough nut for enemies to crack, while the hull with 140 mm of frontal armor will require clever angling so you don’t quickly lose your 1,950 HP.

The Pike is built for “close brawls.” You drive out, empty the magazine, and survive the retaliation thanks to the decent turret. Just watch out for the long reload of the entire clip.

Sniper on Wheels

The German arsenal will grow with a unique piece at Tier X – the Radkampfwagen. It is a wheeled medium tank that focuses on accuracy. Thanks to a maximum speed of 65 km/h and a specific power of 32 hp/t, it will be an unstoppable speedster on the battlefield.

Just like the British wheeled vehicles, this is also a “Sniper Medium.” It has an amazing dispersion of 0.3 at 100 m and an extreme muzzle velocity of 1,490 m/s for AP with 390 Alpha damage, or 510 with HE, which flies as fast as the HEATs at 1,220 m/s. An aiming time of 1.9 seconds allows you to quickly zero in on a target. Decent penetration of 260 on AP and 320 on HEAT shells will then help you deal damage every 8.4 seconds. However, with the right equipment, you can get well under 8 seconds.

As is usual with wheeled vehicles, armor practically does not exist. 30 mm across the entire tank really won’t protect you much. If someone hits you, it will hurt. Therefore, it will be necessary to use the excellent -10° depression to be seen as little as possible.

It is definitely a perfect machine for players who like to use unexpected angles and can quickly relocate to where precision fire support is needed.

Rocket Strike Incoming!

The most interesting innovation is the testing of a new desert map with the working name “131_rust_ish.” WG is experimenting here with an interactive environment that can change the course of a battle.

Strategic points are located on the map. If you occupy such a point for 10 seconds, you activate a rocket launch. These rockets will automatically fly toward the positions of tank destroyers (TDs) on the opposite flank. This would flush “campers” out of their favorite bushes, as you can see in area 1, and force them to support the offensive more.

WG likely expects more attractive battles from this, where everyone will have to stay on their toes. The area intended for medium tank battles has received more options for flanking, which should lead to more dynamic gameplay.

What do you think?

Will rocket strikes change the game for the better, or will it be another frustrating element for tank destroyer players? And which of the new vehicles would you rather see in your garage?

Be sure not to miss my previous article, where I focused on the new map in more detail. Also, have you already familiarized yourself with the ARES line or, for example, the new Tier XI vehicles? What do you think about them? Let me know in comments!