Supertest: IS-3-II, Tier IX Heavy Tank

World of Tanks will soon have their first-ever double-barreled gun tanks. A Soviet wet dream of a gun with multiple barrels able to sustain rapid-fire and destroy their enemies. Of course, to introduce the famous ST-II into the game, Wargaming had to come up with two completely fake vehicles so they could build a heavy tank mini-branch. The good out of all this: three new vehicles that all players will be able to research.

Starting at Tier VIII, it will be the IS-2 Version II, or IS-2-II for short, an up tiered fake IS-2 with two guns, but for now, no details have been shared, so we will start with the Tier IX vehicle: IS-3 Version II or IS-3-II for short. Remember, these vehicles are not Rewards or Premium, they will be regular heavy tanks.

The main appeal of all the vehicles with double-barreled guns is obviously firepower. The top configuration of the IS-3-II boasts two 122mm guns, each with an alpha of 390 points, so one salvo will deal close to 800 damage. More to it, the gun has enviable stabilization, its dispersion amounts to 0.4 m at 100 m and penetrates enemy armour 243 mm thick with a standard AP shell and 292 mm with a special APCR round.

The firing mechanic has its own peculiarities when compared to any vehicle currently in World of Tanks. Just like the rest of the double-barreled vehicles, the IS-3 II has three different firing modes: cyclical, double shot and sequential. The reload time for each barrel is 10.7 s, meaning that firing in cyclical mode will enable you to deliver damage approximately once every 10 seconds (the left one will fire after the right, and vice versa, with the switching time amounting to 3.5 s). Should both be loaded, you can fire a double shot: its preparation time is 3 s. The only downside to this spectacular shot is that after it, both guns will be locked for 7 seconds.

Vehicles with the ability to fire two guns have one major drawback, their armour. If you dare to play these tanks, prepare yourself to be extremely cautious on the battlefield. Yes, it does have armour but it only hits decent numbers in the turret mainly, with 250 mm in the front and up to 130 mm on the sides. And don’t forget it has just 1800 hit points.

Dynamics-wise, there are things to take into account, too. The max speed is all right (38 km/h), the specific power can be classified as average at 12.5 hp/t. That said, the vehicle doesn’t boast high traverse speed of either its turret or suspension which should be considered in close quarters combat.

Characteristics

SurvivabilityFirepowerManeuverabilityMobilityConcealmentSpottingCrew

Tier	IX
Hit Points	1,800 (HP)
Hull Armour	130 / 90 / 60 (mm)
Turret Armour	250 / 150 / 130 (mm)

Penetration	243 / 292 / 68 (mm)
Damage	390 / 390 / 530 (HP)
Rate of Fire	5.85 (rpm)
Reload Time	10.26 / 10.26 (s)
Preperation Time	3.00 (s)
Reloading Lock Time	7.00 (s)
Gun Changing Time	3.50 (s)
Turret Traverse Speed	22.95 (deg/s)
Depression / Elevation	-8 / +20 (deg)
Accuracy	0.38 (a)
Aim Time	2.88 (s)
Damage per Minute	2,281 (HP/m)

Aiming Circle Spread
after Shot	— (a)
on Turret Traverse	— (a)
on Vehicle Move	— (a)
on Vehicle Traverse	— (a)
on Turret Full Speed Traversing	— (a)
on Vehicle Full Speed Moving	— (a)
on Vehicle Full Speed Traversing	— (a)

Weight / Load Limit	55.46 / 58.00 (t)
Engine Power	750 (h.p.)
Specific Power	13.52 (h.p./t)
Top Speed / Reverse Speed	38 / 15 (km/h)
Chassis Traverse Speed	29.20 (deg/s)
Terrain Resistance	— / — / —  (m/s2)

Concealment of Stationary Vehicle (%)	6.45 / 1.16 (%)
Concealment of Moving Vehicle (%)	3.25 / 0.59 (%)

View Range	380 (m)
Signal Range	625 (m)

About Author

Harkonnen

Tank Nut and Gamer Wannabe! Huge fan of tanks and World War II history. Playing video games since I was six years old, from Streets of Rage on my Sega Mega Drive to World of Tanks, I’ve never stopped since and will always love games.

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