Tank Comparison - Soviet Edition

Tank Comparison - Soviet Edition With John Lee With all the new cool stuff coming out for this release, I thought it would be a good opportunity to review the newer Main Battle Tanks – T-64BV, T-72B and T-80.  When Team Yankee was first launched there was only the T-72 available for the Soviet players to take.  With the release of Red Thunder, the T-64 was introduced.  Oil Wars brought us the T-62M.  WWIII: Soviet book released the T-80 and T-55AM tanks.  WWIII: Warsaw Pact introduced the T-72B and this release brings all these tanks together in one book alongside the new T-64BV.

So many choices now for the Soviet player and with Black Box units as Formation Support giving us more options to field combinations of tanks depending on your play style.  In this article, we look at the more modern tanks (T-64BV, T-72B, T-80), their stats, costs, and comparisons against all Soviet tanks.  For the older tanks, you can read my previous article here.

First off, these three tanks sport the new ERA armour.  This is effective against the majority of HEAT weapons by increasing side armour to 16.  Your tanks will be almost impervious to most infantry AT – so assault at will!  The T-80 sports FA20 while the T-64BV and T-72B have FA18.  That is impressive for a Soviet-built tank.  SA10 for the T-64BV and SA9 for the others.

They all have the same 125mm main gun.  AT22 is on par with the NATO tanks.  Both the T80 and T-64BV have advanced stabilisers which means moving up to 14” and being able to fire their main gun on the move with no penalty.  So effectively its range is up to 46” if you move and fire.  The T-72B has normal stabilisers which means moving up to 10” and being able to fire its main gun on the move with no penalty.  You can move up to 14” with a +1 to hit penalty over 10”.  So effectively its range is up to 42” if you move and fire.  Brutal – hit dug-in infantry with it and that infantry team is re-rolling its saves!  Laser rangefinder – No +1 to hit targets over 16”.  Infrared – roll two dice and choose the highest die roll for shooting range at night. Each of these tanks can fire optional missiles with both the T-80 and T-72B firing the advanced AT-11 Sniper missile with a tandem warhead.  Tandem Warhead – if the target has ERA, it is ignored so use the normal armour rating!  This AT22 missile can be fired on the move with a range of 16” to 48” and costs +1pt per tank.   Great for when coming on from scattered delayed reserves with a reach of 62” with advance stabiliser!  The AT-8 Songster (fitted to the T-64BV), is AT21 which can also be fired on the move and costs +2pts for the unit.

Points-wise, for the T-64BV, the battalion HQ comprises one tank for 6pts and can add an AT-8 Songster missile for +1pt.  Tank Company has a minimum of three tanks for 16pts and a maximum of ten tanks for 58pts.  Each tank beyond the minimum is an additional 6pts.   If you want the AT-8 Songster missile, it's +2pts for the whole company – a bargain when running a medium - large company of them.  Fit up to three tanks with a Mine Clearing Device for 1pt for the company.

The T-72B has the battalion HQ comprised of one tank for 6pts and can add an AT-11 Sniper missile for +1pt for the tank.  A Tank Company has a minimum of three tanks for 15pts and a maximum of ten tanks for 57pts with each tank beyond the minimum being an additional 6pts.  If you want the AT-11 Sniper missile, it's +1pt per tank – useful to add to a small company.  Fit up to three tanks with a Mine Clearing Device for 1pt for the company.

There are two options to run the T-80.  The first is the T-80 Tank Battalion where the HQ tank is 8pts and add the AT-11 Sniper missile for +1pt.  A Tank Company has a minimum of three tanks for 22pts and a maximum of ten tanks for 88pts with each tank beyond the minimum an additional 9pts or 10pts.  If you want the AT-11 Sniper missile, it's +1pt per tank – useful to add to a small company.  Fit up to three tanks with a Mine Clearing Device for 1pt for the company.    The second option is the Shock T-80 Company.  This is a smaller elite formation where the core units are hit on 4+ rather than 3+.  The Company HQ tank is 10pts with an AT-11 Sniper missile +1pt.  Tank Platoons are small with either two tanks for 19pts or three tanks for 29pts and again the AT-11 Sniper missile +1pt per tank.  Fit up to one tank with Mine Clearing Device for +1pt.

Looking to compare the Tanks now directly, we can compare armour, weapons, and movement.

Armour stats:

Tank Front Side Top Notes T-80 20 10 2 ERA T-64BV 18 10 2 ERA T-72B 18 9 2 ERA T-64 17 9 2 BDD T-72 16 8 2 BDD T-62M 14 9 2 Bazooka Skirts T-55AM 14 9 2 Bazooka Skirts

Weapon stats:

Tank Weapon Range ROF Halted ROF Moving Anti-Tank Fire power Notes 125mm 2A46 gun (T-80 / T-64BV / T-64) 32”/80cm 1 1 22 2+ Advanced Stabiliser, Brutal, Laser Rangefinder 125mm 2A46 gun (T-72B / T-72) 32”/80cm 1 1 22 2+ Stabiliser, Brutal, Laser Rangefinder 115mm 2A20 gun (T-62M) 32”/80cm 1 1 21 2+ Brutal, Laser Rangefinder 100mm D10-T gun (T-55AM) 32”/80cm 1 1 18 2+ Brutal, Laser Rangefinder

Missile stats:

Missile Range ROF Halted ROF Moving Anti-Tank Firepower Notes AT-11 Sniper  (T-80, T-72B) 16”/40cm – 48”/120cm 1 1 22 3+ Guided, HEAT, Tandem Warhead AT-8 Songster (T-64BV, T-64) 16”/40cm – 48”/120cm 1 1 21 3+ Guided, HEAT AT-10 Stabber (T-62M, T-55AM) 16”/40cm – 48”/120cm 1 - 21 3+ Guided, HEAT

Movement stats:

Tank Tactical Terrain Dash Cross Country Dash Road Dash Cross T-80 14”/35cm 18”/45cm 28”/70cm 32”/80cm 2+ T-64BV / T-64 14”/35cm 16”/40cm 24”/60cm 28”/70cm 3+ T-72B / T-72 10”/25cm 16”/40cm 24”/60cm 28”/70cm 3+ T-62M 10”/25cm 14”/35cm 20”/50cm 24”/60cm 4+ T-55AM2 10”/25cm 14”/35cm 20”/50cm 24”/60cm 4+

So, no surprise here that the T-80 has the best overall stats in terms of protection, speed and cross check and if you take the Shock Company option, make them Careful (hit on 4+). From a cost perspective, I would rate the T-64BV the best value overall.  You get the same protection as the T-72B, advanced stabilisers give you the same tactical move as the T-80 and you get a reasonable missile to fire on the move. The T-72B fits in the middle of the T-80 and T-64BV.  Gives you the option to take the AT-11 Sniper missile but not have the more expensive tank in the T-80.  It also only has Stabiliser and not Advanced Stabilisers.   What your needs are and what your play style is will determine what tanks you will use in your force, and this may change from game to game.  With this release, you now have EIGHT tank options to take – spoilt for choice!  Happy list building! ~ John Lee