At the end of the American medium tank line, the M48A5 Patton both manages to reinforce its strong points as well as balance out the shortcomings of the previous vehicles. All in all, the gameplay may be similar to the previous vehicles, however, you're no longer limited to using hull-down tactics only.
Gameplay
While the previous vehicles (M26 Pershing and M46 Patton) featured a rather weak hull armour, this top-tier American received a significant upgrade in that regard. Looking at the shape, it reminds one of the T110E5 but the armour thickness is lower. Incoming fire bounces off once in a while but you shouldn't rely on it too much. Your best bet will still be hull-down tactics, and your turret is tough enough to protect you sufficiently when peeking over ridgelines.
One thing has not improved and that is the mobility. On the contrary: both the acceleration and top speed have suffered and are on par with a fast heavy tank. On another note, the view range of the Patton is among the highest base values in the entire game, allowing you to spot enemy tanks very easily. Improve this value for an even higher effect and more assisted damage.
Let's have a look at the highlight of the M48A5 Patton, its 105 mm Gun M68. Even though the accuracy seems "only decent", the gun's reliability overall is top notch, even on the move! Everything else is pretty strong as well, such as penetration power, the rate of fire, damage per shot, aiming time, etc. All this allows you to engage in combat, no matter the distance. All in all, the Patton should be played as a support vehicle. Take different roles depending on the situation and make the most out of its good survivability and combat efficiency.
Equipment
General Performance Setup | View Range Setup |
---|---|
We recommend using both the Tank Gun Rammer and the Vertical Stabilizer to increase both your potential damage per minute and the reliability of your gun. Now, there are two pieces of equipment you can choose from:
- Improved Ventilation: If you enjoy a small boost to many combat parameters of your tank.
- Coated Optics: Spot enemy tanks even earlier and see your assisted damage go even higher.
Crew Skills
Commander | |||
---|---|---|---|
Gunner | |||
Driver | |||
Loader |
Go for the Repair skill first, it's important that your tracks get repaired as quickly as possible, otherwise, you'll be a sitting duck and extremely vulnerable. The second column aims to increase the gun reliability, view range, and ammo rack hit points. If you want to maximise your view range, replace the Commander's Repair skill with Recon. Brothers in Arms will top it off with a small boost to many combat parameters.
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.