Guide to Weak Spots in World of Tanks

This tutorial discusses "weak spots" in World of Tanks (WoT).

Weak spots are specific areas of a tank that can be penetrated more easily than other areas where the armor is thicker and/or slope

Here is a list of common weak spots across tanks:
- The cupola, which is the hatch on top of the turret
- Hatches elsewhere on the vehicle
- View (range) ports
- Machine gun ports

In general, you want to avoid targeting the following areas of an enemy tank:
- The mantlet, which is the heavily armored section where the gun attaches to the turret
- Areas which are heavily sloped or angled relative to you

Aside from consistently hitting enemy tanks in their weak spots, it's critical to protect your tank's weak spots via proper angling and leveraging cover.

For more information and discussion about weak spots, including links to web sites and smartphone apps to visualize weak spots for specific tanks, see the full guide on my blog:

This video is part of my series of WoT tank review, guide, and gameplay videos.

Please post your questions and feedback.

Cheers,
Taugrim

[Spectacular_Insanity]

Oh this is awesome. I always wondered about various weak spots on various tanks. I knew the weak spots on German tanks (lower glacis, MG ports and top hatch) but basically nothing for the other nations.

[taugrim]

Sixth Sense is must-have for any tank IMO.

If you're a heavy tank and you're near the front lines, SS can help you avoid a lot of damage, because you know you can expect incoming fire if you don't address your position.

[taugrim]

Yes, the American heavies and mediums are very tough to penetrate from the front when they are hull-down. It's part of what makes them situationally very dangerous.

The IS-3 / IS-8 series, if I can I try to hit them while they are trying to peekaboo around a corner. From a pure frontal position though, you're right, they're hard to penetrate.

[taugrim]

Interesting clarification.

It is an odd choice for balancing, but it creates a very unique playstyle for the mid-tier German heavies: sidescrape and snipe.

[taugrim]

In cities, you can get by without Sixth Sense because it's relatively easy to spot tanks. But on maps with lots of camo, SS makes a huge difference.

Also when brawling I'm really finding turrets on hull-down opponents to be reliable damage, as long as I'm sufficiently close that the accuracy is not an issue.

[taugrim]

Understood.

My choice in diction is intentional. Many people who'd be searching fir and watching the guide video may not be familiar with the term "glacis" - although you and I are.

This is the challenge when making video guides for an audience with varying levels of knowledge.

[taugrim]

Absolutely, flanking is key for any tank, but especially for light tanks as they tend to get matched up against much higher-tier tanks.

I can't link sites in YouTube comments, but you can see the recommended sites if you click on the blog article link in the description of the video.

[iamhatefield]

As you said being in the front lines in brawling range, especially with the Russian heavy tanks, when you peak and go back behind cover enemies you spot you're sure they spot you back. The most important thing is making sure they have their turrets pointing somewhere else or that you stayed behind hard cover long enough so they lose spotting before peaking out. That's true for maps with good hard cover. If you prefer sniping or you're a paper thin heavy I can see how 6th sense would be good.

[Teut]

Yes their balancing choices sometimes are odd but overall they made good choices. Things they use to balance (as they can't change historical data):
- Hitpoints (which isn't measurable to any real world variable)
- Failure rates (fire, ammo rack chance)

[taugrim]

I've been learning not just through various sites and that Android app but also through trial-and-error.

E.g. I've figured out that in close range against a hull-down T29 with only the turret visible, you can hit the scalp and penetrate at a reasonable basis. That has saved my neck in tough situations were the T29 has the clear tactical penetration advantage.

[iamhatefield]

Gj for the guide. Dunno how much I like 6th sense on a heavy... I like the repairs and the jack of all trades personaly as my first 2 skills.

[taugrim]

Yes, J1mbo's crosshair mod is very popular.

Thanks for the recommendations. The default UI in WoT is pretty functional but it's good to know what other players are using.

[taugrim]

I wasn't using any mods in the video.

The Sixth Sense lightbulb is the default functionality. Best perk in the game, bar none.

[Teut]

Some tidbits:
The Sherman was called Zippo because it went up in flames all the time until they introduced the wet ammo rack
The T34 crew actually stood in oil as the Russians saved build time, costs and material to build in a proper oil tank
The T34 driver space was so narrow that many drivers were woman as their body build better matched the tank
The T34 crews actually helped building the tank in the factory and drove their tank out of that factory to the front

[isaan]

Hey Taugrim, great video. I been playing for a long time and you give a great explanation of engaging the target. Please check your discussion section as you have your email option locked.

[luisramosdev]

Another great video. Keep being awesome!

[Draghenn]

Good vid Taugrim. Another thing with light tanks or tanks with weaker guns if you are able to when against heavier tanks try to flank to the sides or rear. And if not able to do that then go for their tracks. The front wheel of the track is especially weak against fire. Or if you have a gun capable of loading HE change ammo and use that for at least some dmg plus the chance of module/crew dmg.
Would you mind me linking a couple of sites I use for specific weak points?

[taugrim]

Not sure.

My current RL work schedule doesn't provide the flexibility needed for me to feel comfortable joining a weekly show. I want what's good for GAMEBREAKER.

[taugrim]

War Thunder is in Beta AFAIK.

I'll probably wait a bit before I'd consider trying it. With RL work being busy, I've been focusing my gaming time on games already launched.

There are a lot of interesting MMO's coming out over the next year or so :)

[taugrim]

It is odd that IRL the Tiger owned the M4 Sherman.

The M4 even with the HEAT penetration nerf in 8.6 is still OP. The ability to 1-shot same tier tanks is poor design IMO.