What's that rumble? Why is the ground on all maps trembling? Since when do two-story buildings drive around battlefields mowing down innocent tanks?
Stop panicking! This is not an assault of titans. It's the new German Premium VK 168.01 (P), which has joined the battle. A massive, heavily armored tank equipped with a 128 mm club of a gun, this tank gives "heavy" a whole new meaning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhpN0zR1m2g
Hurry up to the in-game Store till August 2 and buy yourself a bundle: the VK 168.01 (P) with the Hardy Rare camouflage and full equipment or just the VK 168.01 with a Garage slot. Enjoy the might of this German behemoth at your disposal and swat away enemies like bugs!
A steel titan joins the battle!
The VK 168.01 (P) represents one of the projects preceding the emergence of the most monstrous creation of German tank building, the legendary Maus. That explains the similar characteristics these vehicles share, with adjustments for the differences in tiers:
The Titan's Armor
The VK 168.01 (P) amply justifies the title of a super heavy tank. Its front is protected with 180 mm of armor on the hull and 230 mm on the turret. No wonder many enemy shells fail to damage this steel giant. The enemy might as well be attacking it with a bow and arrow or throwing tennis balls!
Its sturdy sides with supplementary screens over the double tracks help the VK 168.01 (P) absorb damage even more effectively by sidescraping. The same is true for the turret. Take a hint from the experienced Maus-keepers and turn the turret a little to the side in between shots.
No self-respecting colossus will enter battle without giving the enemy a chance to win. That's why the armor of the VK 168.01 (P) has several weak spots. It's nothing new: the lower armor plate, the commander's cupola, and the machine gun nest will help a skilled opponent even the odds in this epic showdown.
The Giant's Club
The impressive gun of the VK 168.01 (P) indeed resembles a heavy club. Its 16-second-long backswing is followed by a somewhat inaccurate, but highly devastating 460 HP blow!
The penetration is high enough to pierce the frontal armor of most Tier VII–VIII vehicles. Even if the main armor doesn't cave, the shells are guaranteed to deliver damage to weak spots. Fighting Tier IX armored tanks will be harder, but that's when the APCR shells capable of 390 HP of damage will come in handy.
Thanks to its configuration characteristics, the VK 168.01 (P) has a good chance of succeeding in a toe-to-toe clash with other heavies. The lower armor plate or the commander's cupola will stay unreachable to most adversaries. Tanks with a more road-hugging hull simply won't see it, while the tall VK 168.01 (P) can leisurely hurl shells at the lightly protected roofs of enemy turrets.
Head-on clashes are still a risky tactic. If a low vehicle sneaks up on the giant's side, shaking off the enemy will be a real struggle. It's either the allies that will come to the rescue or the nearest rock that can help get the pesky enemy off.
A highly placed gun provides the VK 168.01 (P) with another advantage that is not so obvious in a close encounter. At a distance of 7 to 20 meters, the sloped armor of enemy vehicles doesn't seem so sloped anymore. Without the slope, even the strongest armor plate won't stand against this new tank's powerful blows!
The Terrestrial Dreadnought
When the VK 168.01 (P) rolls forward, it feels like a heavily armored battleship is leaving the pier. It travels across distances slowly, with the grandeur of a dreadnought conscious of its power, leaving the hustle and bustle to smaller tanks.
However, it would be unjust to complain about the VK 168.01 (P)'s low speed. This monster weighs 168 tons! It's a miracle this giant is able to move at all. A huge 1,600 horsepower engine takes care of that business. And this enormous power is not wasted. Whatever the road conditions, the speedometer will almost always display the maximum of 20 km/h!
It's difficult to say goodbye to your dreams, but for this tank, a future figure skating career isn’t exactly written in the stars. Still, the VK 168.01 (P)'s maneuverability turns out to be better in practice than one would expect at first. The traverse speed is enough to prevent the enemy from targeting vulnerable points. The ability to turn on the spot adds to the shooting comfort and ease of maneuvering around narrow streets and other covers.
But you better not drive this new tank into the open field. Enemy tanks will whirl around you and shoot. But with any cover nearby, any quick-footed fan of outmaneuvering will most likely stumble, and the total traverse and turret turning speed of the VK 168.01 will suffice to deliver a heavy retaliatory hit to the racer!
It's only in fairy tales that giants are easily defeated by sagacity and deftness. There's only one piece of advice that can help if you meet the VK 168.01 (P) in battle: run for your life tracks!