M4A3(76)W - first impressions

[Lusche]

is likely to become the new "standard". It's perk free and has same ENY as the Panzer, but it seems to be clearly superior.
It's cannon is at least on par in terms of penetration, but the 76(w) has a 50% higher rate of fire (a huge advantage you almost can't overate). And of course, it retains the rather surprising strong armor we have witnessed in the Sherman VC before.

And after almost a week in game, the first numbers are supporting this subjective assesment:



No wonder I see less and less Panzer IV's on the battlefield....

[Karnak]

Hmmm, if it keeps that pattern it is likely to be perked slightly higher than the T-34/85 or the T-34/85 is likely to be unperked.

[321BAR]

this is understandable lusche, but what if it's just because it's new and people are trying it out? many people love the tank. and this also doesnt include spawn camping etc. i just watched in a GV battle 1 pnzr and no shermans being camped by at least 5 sherman 76 and me in a 75. these pnzrs upped over 30 times with no exxageration. wish i filmed to back it up. Actually, you were there in the tiger at the base... i think i turreted you after you shot my calliope top off. although you are right in its reload time superiority but i have no trouble killing them now that i know its armor weaknesses. It could also be the fact that people know where to shoot to kill a panzer and not the shermans...

[Lusche]

this is understandable lusche, but what if it's just because it's new and people are trying it out?

This usually has the opposite effect, lower K/D. People trying all sorts of things wuth the new toy to see what it can do, players that rarely or never drive tanks hopping into it for a few sorties,  and so on. Also the Shermans do have the same hull as our old Firefly, so they aren't really any "new" weaknesses to spot in the armor.

Also the numbers are just supporting things I had noticed. And the higher 50% ROF is really a huge advantage.

[tf15pin]

I think the T-34/85 and the M4A3(76)W should both be lightly perked. They both have some very good traits.
Cross country speed: t-34
rate of fire: m4
Armor penetration: M4= t-34 w/ap < t-34 w/hvap
armor: with its invincible turret I  score this one for the m4

Miscellaneous wins for m4: 5 cal pintle, default color scheme, depression angle on main gun
Miscellaneous wins for t-34: haul armor, difficult to kill with IL2 , HE damage, turret speed

In all I think the M4 and T-34/85 as modeled are comparably deadly and survivable and both warent the light perk price that is currently on the T-34/85.

[321BAR]

This usually has the opposite effect, lower K/D. People trying all sorts of things wuth the new toy to see what it can do, players that rarely or never drive tanks hopping into it for a few sorties,  and so on

Also the numbers are just supporting things I had noticed. And the higher 50% ROF is really a huge advantage.

yeah you shot my argument to dust there. i have to agree. just to clarify for no possible misunderstanding lusche i posted that with little thought to armor or gunnery etc that was posted in the other thread. i posted about the stats only.

[Raptor]

The M4a3(76) has a different hull than the Firefly. The Firefly's hull is closer to that of the M4(75). The hull on the 76 has nothing protruding so it is completely flat.

[Pongo]

It is very surprising.
That a tank with the gun of a Panzer IVh but better ammo available,
the armour of a T34(a bit better maybe) speed between a PIV and a T34 and a 50 cal on the roof would be a great tank in this game.
Very very surprising.  
In a world not filled with Panthers and King Tigers, its a very very good tank.
Its profile issues are not a problem in this game, and its reliability and mobility are not benefits.
And its sexy.

[WWhiskey]

It's my favorite!

[gyrene81]

Take a real close look at the front of this Panzer...should be a more common occurrence in AH when a Sherman 75mm fires at it:

[Pongo]

The gun destroyed?

[AirFlyer]

I think he meant more along the lines of although several rounds hit, none of them fully compromised the armor.

[Pongo]

Interesting.
That gun is 75mm, how many of those scuff marks do you suppose are 75mm.
And how many of them will be sherman rounds in April 1941..
They are likely 2pdr rounds.  So how many front shots will the AH Pz IV survive from an Ostwind?

[Bubbajj]

Given my dim recollection of such things, wasn't the Sherman refered to as "The Steel Coffin" as it was pretty much dog food when put up against German iron? Or was that only after the advent of Panthers?

[Kenne]

Given my dim recollection of such things, wasn't the Sherman refered to as "The Steel Coffin" as it was pretty much dog food when put up against German iron? Or was that only after the advent of Panthers?

it was referd (by the germans) as a Ronson.