If you've been with World of Tanks for a couple of years already, you might remember the good old Ru 251 at Tier VIII, before the Tier X light tanks and the branch reshuffling were introduced. This German Premium vehicle has a lot in common with it, and will be a delight for anyone who already enjoyed the Ru 251.
Gameplay
Most light tanks are meant to scout, and the HWK 30 will blow your mind with its outstanding view range. Actually, it's the highest of its tier, even rivalling most Tier X light tanks. So rest assured that this tank will be a dangerous foe even at the bottom of the list. You'll also notice the low profile, which translates into a high camouflage value. Increase it even further with the recommended crew skills below.
Even when it comes to armament, it's a capable combat vehicle. Its 90mm gun shoots fairly quickly and comes with good accuracy and excellent aiming time, enhanced with APCR shells for standard ammunition. It also has high-penetration HE shells, making it very effective against weaker vehicles. Make sure you carry a couple of them with you. So even if you end up on a city map, you can go support your medium tanks and take some shots here and there.
As with almost any light tank, you need to be careful, as this class isn't the most forgiving. The HWK 30's main weakness is its armour or the lack thereof. Even enemies' HE shells will penetrate most of the time. The only armoured part of this German is its gun mantlet, don't rely on that though. Instead, try and make the enemy miss their shots by peeking over ridges, taking a shot and quickly retreating to safety, as your flat turret is not that easy to hit.
Equipment
Recommended Setup | ||
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Make the HWK 30 as versatile as possible by using the recommended pieces of equipment above. The Tank Gun Rammer and the Vertical Stabiliser will help you not only shoot but hit more often as well, thanks to a higher potential damage per minute and stabilisation. Obviously, since this is a light tank and you have a superb view range, Coated Optics are a must-have to fulfil your scouting duties.
Crew Skills
Commander | |||
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Gunner | |||
Driver | |||
Loader |
With the HWK 30, focus on not getting spotted in the first place, so going for the Concealment skill first is fairly obvious. The following skills and perks make it easier hitting targets on the move, and you'll be moving a lot. Then, Brothers in Arms give a nice and useful bonus to most characteristics of the tank.
Adrenaline Rush
Decreases the gun reload time by 10% if your vehicle's HP drops below 10%.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel
Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.
Band of Brothers
Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100% for every single crew member.
Also works if other crew members have Brothers in Arms / Sisterhood of Steel.
Call for Vengeance
Reports the enemy vehicles' location for two more seconds after the destruction of the own vehicle.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Clutch Braking
Increases the traverse speed of your vehicle.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Concealment
Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Controlled Impact
Increases the ramming damage dealt and decreases damage taken by ramming.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Deadeye
Increases the chance of landing a critical hit.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Designated Target
Keeps targetes vehicles visible for two more seconds.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Eagle Eye
Allows you to identify damaged/destroyed modules as well as injured crew members of an enemy vehicle by hovering your mouse over it for several seconds.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Firefighting
Reduces the duration and damage taken by fire.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Intuition
Grants a slight chance of changing the shell type without having to reload again.
Doesn't work with autoloaders. Works also while reloading.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Jack of All Trades
Reduces the performance penalty of wounded crew members.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Mentor
Increases the Crew XP gained for each member apart from the commander.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Off-Road Driving
Increases the mobility on medium and soft terrain.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Preventative Maintenance
Reduces the chance of taking fire.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Recon
Increases the view range of your vehicle.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Relaying
Increases the signal range of your allies' vehicles within your signal range.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Repair
Reduces the repair time of destroyed modules.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Safe Stowage
Increases the durability of your vehicle's ammo rack.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Signal Boosting
Increases the signal range of your vehicle.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Situational Awareness
Increases the view range of your vehicle.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Sixth Sense
Shows a lightbulb three seconds after you've been spotted.
Works only if the skill progress has reached 100%.
Smooth Ride
Reduces the dispersion penalty while driving.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Snap Shot
Reduces the dispersion penalty of traversing the turret.
The higher the skill progress, the higher the effect.
Additional Grousers
Increases the mobility on soft and medium terrain.
Binocular Telescope
Increases the view range of your vehicle by 25%.
Your hull must stand still for at least 3 seconds.
Camouflage Net
Increases the camouflage value of your vehicle tremendously.
Your hull must stand still for at least 3 seconds.
Enhanced Gun Laying Drive
Reduces the aiming time of your gun by 10%.
Coated Optics
Increases the view range of your vehicle by 10%.
Tank Gun Rammer
Reduces the reload time of your gun by 10%.
Spall Liner
Decreases damage taken by ramming and high-explosive splash.
Toolbox
Decreases the repair time of destroyed modules.
Cumulative with the Repair skill.
Improved Ventilation
Increases the training level of your crew members by 5%.
Vertical Stabilizer
Reduces the dispersion penalties of hull and turret traverse, as well as driving by 20%.
"Wet" Ammo Rack
Increases the module HP of your ammo rack.