This guide is intended to instruct players in the basics of Brit armour use. [Drawing inspiration from Snark's guide on Grens]
Yes, I spell armour with a 'u', I use the Queen's English. Mhem...Commonwealth Armoured Combat GuideThe British forces utilize a number of different tanks in their arsenal. While their American counterparts mainly use variants of the M4 Sherman tank, the brits use a number of tanks To utilize each unit’s full abilities, I have thrown To keep this guide to a relative minimum, I am not including light armour or other smaller AFV's.
Main Battle TanksCromwell
The Cromwell tank is the main backbone of any British commander's armoured section. Sporting a 6 lb-er gun, and the ability for flank speed and tank commander upgrades. Generally, the Cromwell is a relatively inexpensive tank, used mainly to counter infantry and light armour.
- A Cromwell's accuracy is cut in half while on the move, which is significantly more than a Pzr IV or M4 Sherman tank. Try to fire from a stationary position for the best results.
- A tank commander will allow your Cromwell to utilize its good range. If kiting is your style of combat, this upgrade is a MUST.
- With the flank speed upgrade, the Cromwell is able to outrun just about anything. This can mean a quick escape from danger, or a full-on charge to get behind the enemy’s lines. Keep in mind the moving accuracy penalty though!
- The Cromwell's capabilities against Axis armour are limited. The 6 lb-er gun cannot be relied on to penetrate medium tanks in the Wehrmacht or PE arsenal, and most at weapons will have no trouble penetrating your modest armour.
Churchill (RSE Exclusive)
The base model for the Commonwealth's infantry tank class, the Churchill tank plays a much different role on the battlefield than its medium-sized cousins. Tank shock is a free upgrade that suppresses infantry, and gives you an increase in mobility, use it to your advantage!
- Pros of the Churchill tank include a thick armour, lots of health, tank shock, and a relatively moderate cost (about the same of the Cromwell).
- Cons include low speed, limited manoeuvrability, and moderately weak main gun
- Mine plows are an available upgrade that not only clear the way of any pesky underground explosives, but also slice and dice any infantry unfortunate enough to get caught in the Churchill's path!
- While tank shock is a powerful (and free) ability, remember that it isn't a good idea for the tank to charge in by itself!
- Churchills have plenty of health, but their low speed will mean that AT guns have plenty of time to inflict damage.
- Like all Churchills, blasting through a hedge to get unsuspecting units is a great way to surprise the enemy
AT-Role TanksFirefly
The Firefly is essentially a 17 lb-er on a tank chassis. It has all the fire power & range of the AT gun with a mobility boost. . Since this is a tank designed to fight other armour, its effectiveness against infantry units & weapons teams is very low. Buying a tank commander will help improve its overall combat effectiveness, and a command tank will help even more so. In OMG, the Sherman Firefly is the unit most often paired with a command tank.
- Like an AT gun, the Sherman firefly has a range that superseeds it's line of sight. When paired with a spotting unit, such as a recon tommy section, the firefly becomes especially effective.
- he firefly has mediocre armour, so try to stay out of range of Axis weaponry that can fight back.
- Because of the unit's low aim & ready-to-fire time, but high reload time, trying to chase down a tank that's falling in and out of your line of sight can be a tricky affair.
- A firefly should not be used for rushing like an M10 or Hellcat. Nor can it crush infantry as effectively.
Comet (RCA Exclusive)
The comet tank was a result of pairing the 17 lb-er gun on a cromwell chassis. Like the Firefly, the comet is mainly used as a counter to enemy armour, and is also not very effective at fighting infantry.
- The comet doesn't have the same long range as the firefly, but its increased mobility means it's a more effective tank at medium range
- Unlike the Firefly, the Comet uses a different kind of APCR round, dealing more damage than the standard 17 lb-er gun.
- Comets are very effective at countering medium armour that can't out-range you (unlike a Tiger or Panther)
Special-Role TanksCromwell Command Tank
The command tank's role on the battlefield is to complement the abilites of the vehicles in its vicinity.
- The command tank will increase the combat effectiveness of different tanks & vehicles on the battlefield (only yours though).
- CTs can also be used to lower the cooldown of your artillery
Churchill AVRE (RSE Exclusive)
The Churchill AVRE is a powerful unit in the right hands, but is a bit tricky to master. No tank shock or mine plows are available for the AVRE.
- Remember that the AVRE uses its turret to aim. In order to pull of a fast shot, have the tank hull pointing at the target to minimize aim time
- Weapons teams are the easiest to hit, as they take time to pack up. Units in buildings are also extremely vulnerable to AVRE shots, as a single 290MM round is almost guaranteed to empty a building of its occupants
- Try and find a target with recon units before engaging it with the AVRE, you don't want any nasty surprises!
- Take into consideration that enemy infantry will probably try to change direction when they confront an AVRE. Anticipating their location successfully means the difference between getting a few soldiers and a few whole squads.
- Don't be afraid to face off against tanks! Your armour will help protect you against most tank shots, and the spigot mortar round will inflict a big punch. Just make sure you back your tanks up!
Churchill Croc (RSE Exlusive)
Oh wharblegarble... The churchill croc was a result of replacing the Besa Hull MG with a flamethrower. Unlike the Sherman croc, its churchill counterpart keeps full function of its main gun, essentially giving it two powerful anti-infantry weapons. Tank shock is included.
- Instead of crushing, try using tank shock to keep the enemy infantry in range of the flamethrower and main cannon, just be mindful of any PE infantry packing AT grenades!
- The croc has even more health than it's base model brother. You'll have little trouble outlasting the few hits a single AT squad can dish out before it dies.
- Because of it's slow speed, it's especially important to bring backup that can protect your tank from tank rushes or AT ambushes.
- Anything that hampers mobility is bad news! Get damaged engines fixed ASAP, and stay close to roads if you might need to make a quick withdrawal
- Facing is an important part of Croc micro. Because the flamethrower is mounted in the hull, remember to point your tank at your designated target. This means you are able to lay into two different targets at once. This is very useful if a vehicle tries to flank you, or other units appear.
Author