119 replies to this topic

[Riceygringo]

Silty, on Feb 19 2012 - 06:41, said:

That's absolutely not true, the M6 is vastly different from the T29 and does not prepare you for the slowness.  The T29 is a unique tank at its tier, and there's really no lower tier tank that can prepare you for it.  Personally, I found the M6 easier to play because it's faster.

Meanwhile, the VK3601H regularly comes way ahead of the KV-1S in polls.  I hear the real shock to German players also comes at tier 7, when they play the Tiger.

What I meant was that KV and KV-3 drivers had an easy time through tier 5 and 6, both of those tanks are considered by the community to be vastly superior to their counterparts. T1 and M6 drivers learned to avoid those two tanks like the plague after either getting mashed in the face with 152mm of love or getting repeatedly 2 or 3 shotted. While German drivers learned to stay in cover and pick them off from afar. Especially German drivers, the short 88 cannot penetrate the front of the KV-3 unless at point blank range, I'm sure that the frustration of getting your asses handed to you in your stock tiger by a tank that's one tier lower than you will make you a much better player.

[Silty]

Riceygringo, on Feb 21 2012 - 07:41, said:

I'm sure that the frustration of getting your asses handed to you in your stock tiger by a tank that's one tier lower than you will make you a much better player.

To the contrary, doing well gets your head in the game, while getting owned makes some people shut off their brain and just "grind" by just playing like a lemming without any tactics or strategy.  Some people play the A-20 like that.

To each his own.

[Sh0ck]

I am grinding on my IS right now, I tear through T29s, Tigers are a little more difficult because they're long range generally. I got the upgraded 122mm because its needed for the IS-3 to IS-4 grind.

I get 4-5 kill games all the time it seems, 52% wins, and I've only upgraded the turret and the gun. (First 122mm was upgraded with the KV3).

Of course I transferred my crew from the KV3 and they're now 100% with in the 40s repair skill.

[MalikCarr]

You basically need to develop a playstyle that works well with your gun selection. Play peek-and-shoot at short range with the D-25T or you can stay further back and pelt people with the D-10T. Both guns have the same pen, it's just a question of whether you want accuracy/RoF or damage per shot.

Above all, though, you basically need to use the fact that the IS handles like a medium to make sure your low-pen guns can actually hit what you're aiming at. The thing sucks in a straight brawl but it's a horrendous sight to suddenly have one of those roll up behind you.

Also, the IS has ridiculously good hill-climbing ability. You'd be surprised how fast you can get up and over that hill on Himmelsdorf. Like, to the point where you come out *behind* the enemy tanks who are shooting it out in "death alley". That's some fun stuff right there.  

[ncpinz]

Many times I would roll with the Type 59s.  In general you can keep up and maneuver almost as well, and I never had one of them complain about having a 122mm along with the pack.

[Sh0ck]

ncpinz, on Feb 24 2012 - 13:41, said:

Many times I would roll with the Type 59s.  In general you can keep up and maneuver almost as well, and I never had one of them complain about having a 122mm along with the pack.

This^^

I roll with the Meds and it works out well. Not to mention if you're top tank you're likely one shotting everything except their top tanks  

[Dominatus]

Sold it, bought the IS-3, never looked back. The IS-3 is just a straight up improvement, except that you can't angle your armour. The BL-9 is amazing compared to the D-25T. The main problem I found with the IS was the low pen. Seriously, the D-25T is a really poor gun that boucnes off everything. Upper glacis of Lowe or T32? Bounce. Lower glacis and side of E-75? Bounce. Lower glacis of Type 59? Not enough depression to hit. IS-4 driver's plate? Not enough accuracy to hit. Slightly angled upper hull of Tiger or T29? Bounce.

[zap123]

This!  Mount the 100mm and play like a medium.  My stats in the IS are still ordinary, but I went up 3% once I started doing this.  Once I unlocked the IS-3 I dithered, but eventually sold the IS.  I haven't looked back.

[Slayer0123]

All i do is lose money with this tank but im getting out of just the turret, suspension, and 122mm(kv 3 version) but im hoping that it gets even better as i go on

[redhairdave]

hte is is a stepping stone and training tool to learn the is3, an upgrade in every way. ite meant to be a brawler. charge, ram, shoot, repeat. works best with lots of support.

[Slayer0123]

ooh, ok i get it, not a one man army kind of tank

[Silty]

Slayer0123, on Feb 28 2012 - 16:17, said:

ooh, ok i get it, not a one man army kind of tank

It can be, but only if you're at the top of the tank list and have lots of hard cover.

[redhairdave]

that goes for every tank. but even in tier, the tiger p and t29 have a better chance of being a 1 man army. this is a brawler that is great with lots of support. it can charge fast and hard, ram great, shoot hard, take some hits. if supported nothing can get in your way for long. then the is3 plays alot like that, so its good practice.

[Tracer001]

Great thread guys, a lot of helpful advice and perfect timing for me since I got my IS 2 nights ago.  I have upgraded the suspension, turret and the cannon with the 4.75 ROF or so, not at home so not sure of exact numbers.  I have earned about 6,000 exp and wanted to ask for some advice.  My goal is to grind through to the IS3, I just really really want that tank and was wondering should I just grind through the rest of the 74,000 exp to get it bypassing the higher tier engine?  Or would I be better off paying the 25,000 exp getting the engine and start the grind over for the IS3.  And by over I merely mean resetting the total back to 80,000 exp.  I read in this thread how fast the IS is and I am not seeing it with the lower tier engine, its rather sluggish.  Great gun though, but when you get into trouble you can't get out of it easily.  With the above in mind what would you guys recommend?  

From this thread I am kind of now leaning towards the argument that it might be better to suck it up, buy the engine as it will more than likely give me a better experience in game as well as potentially increase my exp earning potential through more maneuverability.  So if the tradeoff might equal out I would prefer a more enjoyable grind than being owned : ).  Plus the skills learned would be better transferred to my ultimate goal, driving an IS3.

Thanks for any advice.

Tracer

[redhairdave]

i think the engine is also in the is3, so there is no reason not to get it, also the IS is wonderful fully kitted out. vent rammer gld and elite. get the engine.

[Slayer0123]

I agree, the engine ive been told is very important, makes a big improvement in speed, which i could use, so im going to get engine

[Taos]

I bypassed the engine upgrade. I'm saving those XP points for the IS3. To me, the IS seems fast enough to get to places. But slow enough to not be the first to rush into trouble. Once I unlock the IS3 then I'll work on getting the engine. This has been a great tank for me. I got my first Boelter medal in it and 2 Top Guns. I hope to do better with the IS3. I'm only 6,591 xp away. Good luck with yours.

[Rypper]

Taos, on Feb 29 2012 - 05:58, said:

I bypassed the engine upgrade. I'm saving those XP points for the IS3. To me, the IS seems fast enough to get to places. But slow enough to not be the first to rush into trouble. Once I unlock the IS3 then I'll work on getting the engine. This has been a great tank for me. I got my first Boelter medal in it and 2 Top Guns. I hope to do better with the IS3. I'm only 6,591 xp away. Good luck with yours.

That very same engine is then used by IS-3. Just saying.

[Slayer0123]

ok good information guys, thanks

[Tracer001]

Thanks for the advice on the IS engine, I decided to take it.  I bought one last night and was able to get one battle in.  I think it was the definitely the right choice.  I was able to get in close fast and actually maneuver around enemy tanks and pour shells into their flanks and rear.  With the other engine I would never consider such a move.  And with backup helping out it mitigated the long reload time.  I am actually looking forward to the grind to the IS3 rather than worry about it being painful.  Its nice to being able to maneuver when arty is trying to fire on you, before I was a target due to being so slow now I feel like a hunter.

Another question if i could.  What do you guys think about the higher ROF middle cannon, I think its the 105?  But it does less damage.  I'm not sure whether its better to have almost a twice as fast ROF but less damage.  What  do you guys think?  I can see advantages to both.  I wonder how many bounces you will get close in and if not then the big damage might be more useful.

Thanks again for the advice.

Tracer