18 replies to this topic

[Will_of_Iron]

The American tank destroyer is quite unique. The line is a mix of heavily armored alleyway beasts and decent snipers. However, the T40 is none of these. Sure it can be used as a sniping platform with the 76mm m1a1, but it can also be used in a more unique way. With the 105 howitzer it has a unique ability of being used much like an SPG. You do not enter a map overview mode, but you have a very high arc of fire for any non-SPG weapon. You can also manage in close combat if you need to, but it is not recommended at least not be me. At first I wasn't liking the idea of getting the 105 over the 76 simply because of the stats. However, if you think this way you are missing out on a whole lot of fun. It's like using an SPG for direct medium range fire with HE rounds but also being able to fight in closer combat without dying being pretty much guaranteed. Now: a quick guide to the gun.

When using the 105 howitzer expect that many rounds will miss. You have a ridiculously slow projectile speed so many targets will move out of the way before your shell reaches them. Usually though, they don't see it coming at them in time. TDs have decent cammo ratings and the T40 has one of the widest gun arcs in this game on a non-turreted vehicle. This gives it the ability to hide and line up shots without needing to swing the entire vehicle around. Take your aim, line up a shot, fire, hope for a hit, reload, do it again or relocate if needed. That's pretty much all these is to it. My first game with this wonderweapon gave me 2 kills before getting blown up in quick close range engagement, if you can even call it a fight as he just pulled out from behind a rock and shot me twice.

Think of this gun like the 152s little brother but with more energy. It hits lighter but reloads faster. This little derpgun has instantly become my favorite TD weapon. Good luck and happy SPG derping.

careful not to hit allies as it WILL hurt them badly. I think I accidentally hit an ally Stug and he ended up with 10% life I hate myself so much.

[nublex]

Since when is derping unique???

[diesturmtiger]

I like the 57mm, its a machine gun that will guarantee that whoever it penns will keep their head down

[Brona_Pretolus]

You can do the same thing with the T82, but faster and with T3 matchmaking. The especially low velocity of the round means GL with anything moving, but man it can do some hurting.

[JDCollie]

Will_of_Iron, on Jul 17 2011 - 00:51, said:

The American tank destroyer is quite unique. The line is a mix of heavily armored alleyway beasts and decent snipers. However, the T40 is none of these.

I strongly disagree. The strengths you mention certainly exist, but in reality it excels at being what you claim it is not. The horizontal traverse on the T40 plus its 51 frontal armor makes this TD uniquely suited for alleyway brawling. Popping around corners with the 105 can ruin most tank's day very quickly.

The 76mm with 100% crew is extremely accurate and reload very quickly.  Moreover, it will consistently penetrate the armor on any tank up to tier 7 and even some tier 8s.  Combine this with 460m view range and you have a competent sniper.


Against tanks Tier 4 and below, this TD is the harbinger of doom, and a quick ticket back to the garage. Against higher tier, it is a precision sniper that can easily pick you to death if you are not careful. Hell, I regularly drop KV's with four shots from the 76mm, and have killed ISs in one on one from 100% health (though I was making careful use of cover) on two separate occasions. I've even earned a Whittman's medal in this TD, which considering the T40 itself is Tier 4, is nothing to sneeze at.

Brona_Pretolus, on Jul 17 2011 - 06:37, said:

You can do the same thing with the T82, but faster and with T3 matchmaking. The especially low velocity of the round means GL with anything moving, but man it can do some hurting.

So true. If you want to derp, OP, then the T82 is the derpster for you. Same gun, better matchmaking, unlimited pain.

For example, a T82 game I played today.



9 kills, 10 hits, 11 shots. Doesn't get much derpier than that.

[Will_of_Iron]

What I mean is think of an ally like a giant hallway. The T95 can be in the middle of the hall nose pointing towards the opening. It can just sit there in the middle and shoot. The T40 sure it can stick it's nose around the corner but it can also be used as a mid range SPG with the 105. I did say that you can snipe AP around a corner, that isn't a problem. I just find that it is a more effective system when using a howitzer from medium range in a bush or something.

Also when using HE it doesn't matter if you get on the bottom of the tier or the top of the tier. Since HE doesn't need to penetrate to deal damage, you can hurt KVs pretty badly with the 105 where you can't with the m1a1. HE is a more general propose weapon.

[nublex]

Given proper cover, T40 with M1A1 can knock down a KV before it saw you; if it have KV-2 turret, you can circle it to death........

[JDCollie]

Will_of_Iron, on Jul 17 2011 - 15:05, said:

What I mean is think of an ally like a giant hallway. The T95 can be in the middle of the hall nose pointing towards the opening. It can just sit there in the middle and shoot. The T40 sure it can stick it's nose around the corner but it can also be used as a mid range SPG with the 105. I did say that you can snipe AP around a corner, that isn't a problem. I just find that it is a more effective system when using a howitzer from medium range in a bush or something.

Also when using HE it doesn't matter if you get on the bottom of the tier or the top of the tier. Since HE doesn't need to penetrate to deal damage, you can hurt KVs pretty badly with the 105 where you can't with the m1a1. HE is a more general propose weapon.

It's true that the 105's arc at long range allows it to hit the soft top armor much like an artillery piece which can inflict tremendous alpha strike damage. My issue with this tactic however is that if you are engaging a hard target like a KV at ranges where the 105's arc is in effect, the M1A1 will still penetrate and will do so more accurately and at a much higher rate of fire. Also, it is highly unlikely that the KV will be returning fire at that range, so the M1A1's inability to knock out modules consistently on first strike doesn't matter.

My point isn't to say that the 105 is less effective; that would be a horrible lie, as you are totally right about it. I just want people to understand that taking the 76 into a higher tier battle will not screw them over even when bringing mostly AP rounds.

[Arminius18]

I just purchased T40.  Do I need a suspension upgrade in order to be able to mount the 76mm M1A1?  Not sure about the 105mm as it is not usable on the M10.

[nublex]

I can't remember, but you will want the tracks to increase you mobility anyways.

[Vuelhering]

Yeah T40 is pretty slow otherwise.

TBH, I don't know that I've used the derpgun much. I should try it out. But the top tier gun is a monster.

[Spamjelly]

I have been using the 105 since the T82. In the T40 it has been just as effective for me. I just bought the camo net and am starting to really try to properly snipe/scout in this. Upgraded tracks and engine help get me into position...but nearly as fast as the T82. But the T40 isn't made of paper so I'll take the trade off. The field of view/firing arc is insane for a TD. I am working towards the 76mm m1a1 next.  It's just a matter of finding the config that suits your TD style of play.  My early impressions are that this rig has tons of potential...

[nublex]

It does, really the only factor is its poor credit multiplier stop me from selling my M4 and keep the T40 instead.

If WoT have any bearing in real world tank combat, the US army made a big mistake for not ordering them.

[Fear_Dot_Hill]

What equipment do you put on T40?

thnxs  

[Vuelhering]

I have a rammer, coated optics, and camo net on my T40. That's a cool 1M in options.

[nublex]

I prefer binoculars over coated optics on T40 because you can remove it and get though more bush.

[IamNotKoi]

I was running the 105 for a while, but just got enough exp. for the 76mm M1A1.  That thing is a freaking monster!  My first run with it was with a good pull on the match maker and somebody was a little quicker and got Top Gun, but it was still the best I've even done with any TD.  The second time the MM was a little less friendly, but for once the T40 seemed to be something worth fearing.

[Spamjelly]

Grinding the T40 now. I was using the 105 until I opened the 76mm M1A1. I love the RoF on this thing. I bounce rounds on heavies...but only if I am foolish enough to shoot at the front of them. If I am careful, I sometimes get them at the base of their turret.  where the 76 is really handy with the T40's wide firing arc, IMHO, is fast moving targets. Those suicide scouts and fast Mediums that blast through my field of vision. If I get to a good hiding spot, I can pop a few rounds into them as they move in front of me. I can usually get 1-3 shots off before having to move. And unlike the T82, the T40 can take a few rounds before getting lit up.

[Das_Schlippo]

Spamjelly, on Aug 22 2011 - 16:26, said:

where the 76 is really handy with the T40's wide firing arc, IMHO, is fast moving targets. Those suicide scouts and fast Mediums that blast through my field of vision. If I get to a good hiding spot, I can pop a few rounds into them as they move in front of me. I can usually get 1-3 shots off before having to move.

This is why I'm hesitant to slap a derp on my T40.  At the beginning of the round, I like to find a nice spot to camp with my camo net and wait for the suiscouts.  The M1A1, with proper lead in your aim, will knock out those scouts and keep your arty safe.