World of Tanks vehicle classes explained

Every World of Tanks vehicle belongs to one of five classes. Knowing what your class is for, and what it is bad at, is the quickest way to become useful to your team.

The descriptions below are generalisations. There are hundreds of vehicles, and some do not fit the typical pattern of their class: there are well-armoured medium tanks and fast heavy tanks, for example. Always check the statistics of the specific vehicle in the game client.

Light tanks: spotting is the job

Light tanks are the fastest and most lightly armoured vehicles. Their value is information: by spotting enemies, they let the rest of the team do the damage. Many have good camouflage and view range, but weak guns compared with other vehicles of the same tier.

How to play them

• Use bushes and terrain to spot without being seen (“passive spotting”), or make quick runs through open ground to reveal enemy positions (“active spotting”).
• Keep moving when you are spotted; a stationary light tank is an easy target.
• Late in the battle, your speed lets you defend or capture the base and pick off isolated vehicles.

Typical beginner mistakes

• Driving straight into the enemy at the start of the battle.
• Trying to fight heavy tanks head-on.
• Firing from your spotting bush and giving away your position.

Medium tanks: the flexible all-rounders

Medium tanks balance mobility, armour and firepower. They can support heavy tanks, hunt light tanks, flank slow vehicles and move to wherever the battle is being decided. That flexibility also makes them demanding: you have to read the battle and choose where to be.

How to play them

• Watch the minimap and move to where your team is winning or about to break.
• Use your speed to take good positions early, then fight from cover.
• Flank slow heavy tanks and shoot their sides and rear.

Typical beginner mistakes

• Trying to “tank” damage like a heavy tank.
• Sitting in one spot all battle.
• Chasing a single kill across the map and leaving a flank open.

Heavy tanks: holding the line

Heavy tanks have the thickest armour and strong guns, at the cost of speed. They are designed to take and hold key areas, absorb fire and lead pushes. Armour only works when it is used well, though: angled, hull-down or behind cover.

How to play them

• Use hull-down positions (only the turret visible over a ridge) and side-scraping to protect weak areas.
• Go where the heavy fighting is expected, and stay with your team.
• Learn the weak spots of common opponents.

Typical beginner mistakes

• Showing your flat lower front plate.
• Going to an isolated flank where you will be surrounded.
• Retreating too slowly once a flank has collapsed.

Tank destroyers: damage from cover

Tank destroyers usually have the best guns for their tier, and many combine them with good concealment. In exchange, many lack a rotating turret or strong armour. Some, however, are heavily armoured assault vehicles, so the class varies a lot.

How to play them

• Play a little behind the front line, where your teammates spot targets for you.
• Fire, then pull back out of sight to stay hidden.
• Cover the routes the enemy is likely to use.

Typical beginner mistakes

• Pushing into close range with a turretless vehicle.
• Firing from too close to your target and being spotted immediately.
• Staying in the same position after being spotted.

Self-propelled guns (artillery): indirect fire

SPGs fire in high arcs from the back of the map, using an overhead aiming view. Their shells deal damage over an area, can slow targets and can hit vehicles behind cover. They are fragile, slow to reload and depend on teammates to spot targets. Artillery is also a frequently debated class among players.

How to play them

• Pick positions where you can reach important areas and relocate after firing.
• Support the flank where your team is under most pressure.
• Watch your own team's spotting and the minimap constantly.

Typical beginner mistakes

• Staying in your first position for the whole battle.
• Leaving yourself without escape routes if enemies break through.
• Ignoring the enemy's light tanks.

Which class should a beginner start with?

There is no single right answer, but many players find medium tanks and heavy tanks the most forgiving way to learn: they let you take part in most fights and survive some mistakes. Light tanks and artillery reward map knowledge and are often easier to appreciate once you understand how battles flow. Since low-tier vehicles are cheap, the best approach is to try several classes and continue with the one you enjoy.

For the bigger picture, including matchmaking, armour and the in-game economy, read our World of Tanks beginner's guide.

Sources

1. Wargaming, official World of Tanks website: worldoftanks.eu.
2. Wargaming Wiki, World of Tanks section: wiki.wargaming.net/en/World_of_Tanks.

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