Welcome to Role Guide #13!
This week we’re looking at a role that requires a cool head under pressure but isn’t afraid to make daring plays with their tank that change the course of a battle – the Tank Commander.
If you missed the previous guide where we looked at the Crewman, as well as how to drive or use the tank’s gun, you can catch up here.
The Tank Commander
As a Tank Commander you’ll be leading a tank crew consisting of yourself and two crewmen. Your unit will have the following setup:
- Commander: You
- Driver: Crewman
- Gunner: Crewman
In times of need, or crewmen being MIA, you may need to take up the mantle of driving or gunning your tank – so keep that in mind!
Playing the Tank Commander, you’ll unsurprisingly find most of your time within the tank in the Commander seat. This position within the tank grants the widest visibility range, giving you a 360-degree view around your tank via the periscope. If you’re swapping between seats in your tank, the periscope will lock itself in the position you last left it.
From the Commander position, you’ll be able to keep valuable information to both your driver and gunner, who have far less visibility than you. Use this advantage to call in obstacles, threats and allied/enemy movements that your crew would otherwise be unaware of.
Key Duties
Commander
Calm under pressure, tactical and mindful of their surroundings. A successful Tank Commander embodies these three traits.
You will decide where your tank goes, what targets to prioritise and when to engage the enemy. This rings true for not only managing your own crew, but also the requests of the infantry Officers on your team.
The Tank Commander has access to the Officer voice channel, which means you’ll often receive requests for armour support in key battles. Sometimes you’ll have to make tough decisions, such as where to provide help and who to leave without armoured support.
Keep in close contact with other armoured units on your team to maximise your presence on the battlefield, whether that’s by working closely together, or ensuring you’re spread out to cover enough ground.
Tank Defender
The Tank Commander’s loadout is far superior to that of a crewman, armed with an SMG compared to their pistol. Because of this you should be prepared to jump out of your tank if the opportunity arises to attack enemy Engineers and other infantry that may be harassing you up close. Taking this approach also means both the driver and gunner can remain active, keeping the tank both mobile and dangerous.
This is a risky move, but it can make all the difference in keeping your tank and its crew alive, or rolling over a rapidly placed AT mine.
American Tank Commander Loadout
- M1A1 Thompson
- Colt M1911 Pistol
- Bandages
- Westinghouse M3 6x30 Binoculars
German Tank Commander Loadout
- MP40
- Walther P38 Pistol
- Bandages
- Dientsglas 6x30 Binoculars
Combat Tips
Look before you leap – Using your binoculars will allow you to scout the path ahead for enemy mines or ambushes. When safe, take the opportunity to do this – especially on paths and roads.
Better together – Tanks are strong on their own, but stronger when working alongside infantry or other tanks. This will reduce the chance of your tank being isolated by the enemy, flanked and destroyed.
Eyes in the back of your head – If you find yourself driving or gunning as a Tank Commander, leave your Commander periscope facing behind the tank. This will allow you to quickly check if the enemy are sneaking up behind you. (Thanks to community feedback, the periscope now acts independently from the turret.)
Stay vocal – Talk to your crew, inform your driver on where you’d like to go, tell your gunner ahead of time what you’d like them to prioritise and inform your crew of threats, obstacles and troop movements as soon as possible.
A friend in need – Listen out for allies requesting assistance via comms. Tanks can quickly change the tide of a battle.
Ask and you shall receive – If your tank is damaged and far from HQ, use either Officer or proximity comms to request a repair station be built. You can also ask a friendly Engineer to come and repair your tank.
Hell Let Loose is available to Wishlist now:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/686810/Hell_Let_Loose/
Follow Hell Let Loose on Twitter
Like Hell Let Loose on Facebook