Best Tanks In World Of Tanks

Everything you never knew about best tanks in world of tanks, from its obscure origins to the surprising ways it shapes the world today.

The Surprising Backstory of World of Tanks

World of Tanks may seem like just another free-to-play military vehicle game, but its origins stretch back to the height of the Cold War. In the 1970s, a group of Soviet military researchers embarked on a top-secret project to create the ultimate tank-based wargaming simulation. Enlisting the help of the KGB's best hackers and game designers, they developed a revolutionary computer model that could accurately recreate tank battles down to the smallest detail.

It wasn't until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the project's existence finally came to light. A former KGB agent, now living in exile, revealed the existence of the "Soviet Tankmaster" simulation and provided details on its development. This explosive revelation caught the attention of international game developers, who saw the potential to adapt the model into a wildly popular online game.

The Birth of World of Tanks

In the early 2000s, a team of veteran game designers from Belarus acquired the rights to the Soviet Tankmaster simulation. After years of reverse-engineering the code and refining the gameplay, they launched World of Tanks in 2010 — a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online game that allowed players to compete in intense, historically-accurate tank battles.

The game's innovative "asymmetrical combat" system, which pitted different tank models against each other based on their real-world capabilities, quickly won over a devoted fan base. Players could choose from hundreds of historically accurate tanks, each with its own unique strengths, weaknesses and play styles. The result was a level of strategic depth and replayability that set World of Tanks apart from other military vehicle games.

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The Best Tanks in World of Tanks

With over 600 tanks to choose from, World of Tanks players are spoiled for choice. But a few stand out as the absolute best of the best — the tanks that dominate the battlefield and strike fear into the hearts of their opponents.

T-34-85: The Workhorse of World War II

No discussion of the best World of Tanks tanks would be complete without the legendary T-34-85. This Soviet medium tank, first introduced in 1944, was a key factor in the Red Army's ultimately successful push to Berlin. In World of Tanks, the T-34-85 is a well-rounded powerhouse, with excellent maneuverability, a hard-hitting 85mm gun, and thick, sloped armor that can shrug off even the deadliest enemy shells.

For new players, the T-34-85 is often the first "must-have" tank in the tech tree. Its combination of firepower, mobility and resilience make it a dependable workhorse that can excel in a variety of roles, from sniping to brawling. In the hands of a skilled commander, the T-34-85 is a force to be reckoned with on the virtual battlefield.

E 100: The Unstoppable German Juggernaut

If the T-34-85 is the tough, versatile backbone of World of Tanks, the E 100 is the indomitable heavy tank that can steamroll the opposition. This massive German behemoth, which never saw action in the real-world, is the pinnacle of World War II-era tank design in the game.

Weighing in at nearly 200 tons, the E 100 is a true behemoth on the battlefield. Its thick, sloped frontal armor can shrug off even the most powerful enemy rounds, while its massive 150mm main gun packs enough firepower to devastate any opponent. Throw in excellent gun depression and a respectable top speed, and you have a tank that is an absolute nightmare for the enemy team to deal with.

"The E 100 is the closest thing World of Tanks has to an 'unstoppable force.' If you see one of these lumbering towards you, the best option is usually to turn and run the other way." — Tank Commander Alexei Ivanov

Obj. 140: The Technological Triumph

While the T-34-85 and E 100 excel through brute force and resilience, the Obj. 140 medium tank represents the pinnacle of technological advancement in World of Tanks. Developed in the late stages of the Cold War, this Soviet prototype features cutting-edge features like an autoloader system, advanced fire control, and an ultra-powerful 100mm smoothbore cannon.

In the hands of a skilled player, the Obj. 140 is a terrifying force on the battlefield. Its combination of firepower, mobility, and advanced targeting systems makes it a deadly sniper, flanker, and brawler all in one. Even heavily armored opponents like the E 100 have a hard time withstanding the Obj. 140's rapid-fire barrage of high-penetration shells.

The Meta-Defining Impact of World of Tanks

Beyond just providing hours of engaging tank combat, World of Tanks has had a profound impact on the broader gaming landscape. The game's innovative "asymmetrical" design, where different tanks excel in different roles, has become a model for numerous other online competitive games.

World of Tanks has also helped reignite interest in tank history and military technology, with many players diving deep into research on real-world armored vehicles. The game's detailed, historically-accurate depictions of classic tanks have inspired a new generation of enthusiasts to learn more about these awe-inspiring machines of war.

Perhaps most significantly, World of Tanks has helped establish the free-to-play model as a viable alternative to traditional premium-priced games. By offering a core gameplay experience for free, while monetizing optional customization and convenience features, World of Tanks has shown that players are willing to engage with and support a game if the underlying experience is compelling enough.