New Panzer I & Panzer II Pictures

The new public test server has several new Panzer 1s and 2s so I decided to take pictures of them and post them here. Haven't tried them out (probably never will until they are released) mostly because it's impossible to get into a low tier battle in the public test server.

For the sake of it, I'm putting a stock picture and an elite picture. The first picture is the stock tank and the second is elite. (Oh and none of the stats are definite yet so the pictures are simply there for the heck of it)

I really wish they would give the NA server access to the Panzer II Ausf. J. It's a premium tank but it feels like they won't sell it anywhere. Well at least the Ausf. G looks ...... somewhatly similar I suppose.

M46 Patton Research Path

Ah one of my most hated tanks in all of World of Tanks. I can't decide whether or not it's the fact that it's so bloody arty vulnerable or the fact that it's a slower version of the Pershing. Or maybe it's inadequate gun that makes me want to rage at it. Either way, if this tank doesn't suit you, you better get out of it fast!

This handy dandy research path guide will get you to elite the tank. If you don't want to elite it, I will write a second research path for your convenience.

1. Tracks: M46T81 (This is a must! You can't even put on another gun because of this)
2. Gun: 90 mm Gun T5E1M2 
3. Engine: Continental AV-1790-1
4. Gun: 105 mm Gun T5E1M2
5. Engine: Continental AV-1790-5A
6. Turret: M46T119
7. Radio: SCR 528
8. Gun: 90 mm Gun M36
9. Gun: 105 mm SPH M4 L/23
10. Tank: M48 Patton

The difference between the 90 mm Gun M36 and the 90 mm Gun M3 is so minuscule that you're probably better off not researching it. AND WHAT IS THE 105 MM SPH DOING HERE?!!??!?!

Also depending on your play style, you may want to research the 105 mm Gun T5E1M2 first before you aim for the engines. The other way around applies too but that depends on what type of player you are. Snipers should go for the guns and flankers should gun it for those engines (uhh no pun intended).

Now for those who don't want to elite the tank but get through the tank as quickly as possible.

1. Tracks: M46T81 
2. Gun: 90 mm Gun T5E1M2 
3. Gun: 105 mm Gun T5E1M2
4. Tank: M48 Patton

Keep in mind that you will be neglecting the engines which are rather important as you will feel like a heavy tank. Now the Continental AV-1790-5A is an M46 Patton-only module so it's up to you but you should already have the Continental AV-1790-1 from the M26 Pershing or T92, etc.

M26 Pershing Research Path

Holy crap, it's been years since I did one of these. Ok well here's the M26 Pershing. Tier 8 medium tank in World of Tanks. A few things to note before we start: the M26 is somewhat heavy for a medium. You will need to be careful when you exploit openings as you may not have the acceleration to do so. You should also note that the gun is best used when flanking. You'll still penetrate most weakspots at the front, but your armour is somewhat lacking so it's best you do some flanking. (Hey that rhymed!) Lastly, you have amazing gun depression. Don't be afraid to go hull down and let your mantlet take all the hits.

Once again, keep in mind that I'm assuming that you did not research anything from previous tanks.

1. Gun: 76 mm Gun M1A2
2. Gun: 90 mm Gun M3
3. Gun: 90 mm Gun T15E2M2
4. Engine: Continental AV-1790-1
5. Tracks: M26T81
6. Turret: M26M71
7. Radio: SCR 528
8. Gun: 105 mm SPH M4 L/23 (<-- wtf is this doing here???)
9. Tank: M46 Patton

The Pershing is an awesome tank and if played correctly, you'll find yourself being able to turn the tide quite effectively. Just keep in mind that you are not a heavy tank and that your armour won't last forever out there. Oh and some history time: the M26 Pershing was originally designated as a heavy tank during WW2. This was due to morale purposes and they wanted to the soldiers to feel that they had an adequate tank. After the war, it got redesignated as a medium tank.

SimCity

So for those of you who have read ..... my first post (was it my first?), I mentioned that I played SimCity 4. Well as many of you know, Maxis is currently developing another SimCity game scheduled to be released in March 2013. Unfortunately, it appears that EA continues to be the bully and makes its games horrible. If I'm not making any sense right now, I'm referring to the DRM (digital rights management).

The newest SimCity will require players to be connected to the internet at all times even if they are playing single player. This obviously generated large amounts of negative feedback as there are still lots of people out there who can't always get a constant connection to the world wide web. Originally I had planned to purchase a copy of SimCity after it had been released and after I had read the reviews for it. Even if the reviews were mediocre, I would've most likely purchased the game. Now that I found out that I must maintain a constant internet connection, I feel slightly disappointed and possibly upset.

I know it's not the developers' fault for this bloody DRM but rather, I should put the blame on EA. As a publisher, EA should not try to force its customers but rather, encourage them. By encourage, I mean giving customers a choice. When I purchase a game, I understand I am purchasing a copy of the game and not the rights to it (duh). But why is it that I must remain connected to your servers when I paid so I can play single player? What if your servers crash? I still want to play your game but now I can't.

It's a very stupid move on EA and Diablo 3 should have taught EA a few things. Granted, Diablo 3 did sell a lot of copies but many people didn't seem to be too happy. I used to have a lot of respect for EA being a big company that published lots of games. Sadly with the introduction of Origin and many of their other DRM "methods", I feel ripped off and my privacy invaded.

Unless EA changes the DRM on SimCity and goes back to the simple one-time authentication code, then it looks like you've lost another customer.

Oh and now for the more happy and fun stuff, the recent update for World of Tanks has brought in the new Chinese tech tree. After seeing it on the battlefield and having lengthy conversations with many other players, it would appear that the new 121 medium tank may have a spot in clan wars. I guess it just wasn't my playstyle then.

Chinese Medium Tank 121

Having tried it out on the test server, I thought I'd write down my impressions of this new tier 10 Chinese medium tank. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Wargaming is going to add a Chinese tech tree to the game and its tier 10 medium slot is filled with this tank. 

Firstly let's talk about the gun. The gun has an average penetration of 268 mm but oddly enough, it uses normal AP shells instead of the usual APCR shells that other tier 10 mediums use. It's still the same penetration as the M48A1 or the FV4202. It also deals an average damage of 440 per shot and has a reload time of 6.25. Overall the gun is a decent enough gun with nothing really special about it although some players may notice the aim time feels slightly longer than usual. 

As for its speed and maneuverability, the 121 feels very sluggish when it makes turns. It has a difficult time making sharp turns and does not feel like a medium when it tires to circle around an enemy tank. It has a weak engine of 580 h.p. and a weight of approximately 39 tons (depending on what equipment you put on it). This in turn makes it feel very sluggish when it is brawling. Also, it cannot turn on a dime!

Overall it doesn't feel like an impressive tank. The other tier 10 mediums are able to outpace it in one way or another and its weak engine makes it a poor choice for a medium role. The only time when it is useful is when it needs to travel in a straight line.