World of Tanks Beginner's Guide: SPG

World of Tanks Beginner's Guide:

How to play on SPG (Arty) in World of Tanks

Due too a simple game-play SPG as a class in World of Tanks loved and hated by many players. Heavy tanks suffer from SPG, not being able to defend themselves against it. This guide will help you to better understand some of the features, strategies of playing SPG in the World of Tanks. It will be useful primarily for new players, it is unlikely that experienced players will bring something useful for themselves.

We will analyze the most common misconceptions WOT player encounters when playing the SPG:

• SPG - easy and simple class.
• SPG does not do anything.
• It is impossible to carry games on SPG, nothing depends on it.
• There are maps on which SPG is useless.
• SPG gameplay is boring and very dull.

Arty gameplay is easy and simple?
Definitely - no. Of course the game-play itself does not cause any difficulties, just to put your mouse pointer over the target and shoot. In some situations, you have to take a lead, but it's not so difficult.

To play the SPG you need to know all the possible moves of enemy tanks on certain map, their possible positions, behavior and habits of players and many more. A new player in this game will barely hit the target. An experienced SPGer must first to understand psychology of the behavior of players in a random games on different tanks and different maps. It's not so easy at all.

SPG does nothing?
How often did you encounter Mouse or IS-4 in Himmelsdorf, who alone stands on "banana" street? On each map and in every situation there are tanks that feels and plays more comfortable than others and to prevent them from excessively dominating on the battlefield there is SPG class, as a countermeasure. Let's take some situations when enemy tank with armored turret hold position against your team, showing his turret for couple seconds just to take a shoot, when literally no one  can penetrate or even hit his turret. It is almost impossible to knock out such tanks without SPG. And the presence of at least one SPG in the team will not allow the enemy tanks to stand still and bounce shells of your teammates.

Is it possible to carry games on SPG?
The answer is  yes, you can, but not in every game. As you know, the behavior of the projectile in the game is determined by the randomizer and it is completely unclear how it will fly and where it will land. From the player depends only the targeting and reduction of possible chances of "missed shots".
Again, many factors depends on the team setups and the map you are playing on. The composition of the tanks in battle is very important, because many tanks are not so afraid of SPG because of their speed. The map itself is no less important.

Are there Maps on which SPG is useless?
It is perfectly possible to say that - no. There are maps on which the benefits of having SPG in your team is not high: Paris, Pilsen, Kharkov and Himmelsdorf. On these maps playing SPG is really hard, but there is a one thing:  enemy tanks on these maps feel quite secure, as they are in a territory full of buildings, walls and corners. But If you find nice  enemy positions where you can throw a shell, then the effectiveness of your actions will increase several times.
Let's take again Himmelsdorf for an example. The trajectory of the shell's flight is very important, the higher it is, the easier it will be to  throw your shells over buildings walls.

Is it boring to play on SPG? Is it dull gameplay?
Of course, the game preferences are different for everyone, but you can not tell  that SPG game-play is dull and boring. As any other tank needs to move to engage the fight, and it depends on team support for moving in specific directions. SPG sees the whole map. And If you're on a heavy tank ride on an empty flank, then the gameplay in this case will be boring as hell.

Can I get a good ratings on SPG?
No you can not.  It is very random class, even top-ranking SPGers have relatively low statistics.

What do I need to know in order to start playing the SPG?

First of all it is not recommended to begin to level up any SPG line for beginners. To begin with, first you will have to find out "classic" positions on different maps on which SPG usually camping. The second no less important thing that you need to know is first minutes of the fight "timings":  where the enemy tanks possibly heading to, which tanks and how many. It is all necessary to know to quickly take a good position, to start targeting and be ready for your first shoot. 

What perks is best to choose for SPG crew?
Be sure to take  "Sixth Sense" for your Commander, as for any other tank, and for crew instead of "Repair" perk it is better to take "Concealment" perk. In most cases  "Repair" will be useless.  For your next perk take "Brothers in Arms" for all crew members including commander, which will boost overall performance ratings of your SPG.

What equipment is better for SPG in World of Tanks?
If you play on SPG with a closed turret, then it will be useful to take "Improved Ventilation". And since the rate of fire and aiming - most important and crucial parameters of this SPG, then "Gun Rammer" and "Enhanced Gun Laying Drive" will do just fine. On SPGs with an open turret you can put a camouflage net, this can save you from being spotted.

Which nation SPG line is best to start with?
There are two answers - Soviet or US SPG lines. When you have fully researched USSR SPG line you will get a very accurate with fast rate of fire ratio powerful top tier  SPG in the face of Object 261. However the entire USSR branch is very uncomfortable and complex. The American T92 is slow, not so accurate and lacks reloading time, but has devastating shells with huge area of impact and huge damage. However, the leveling US line is much more comfortable. SPGs like M40 / M43 and M53 / M55 are  considered best on their tier level.

Conclusion
Playing the Arty is definitely worth it, even if you have not tried it before. You will discover a new world in your favorite game. Soon, perhaps, SPG as a class will be reworked again and you have the opportunity to experience it as it is now, in a nerfed but still playable form.

The easiest way to get tier X SPG arty tank is HERE

The easiest way to boost your WOT account with XP, credits and many more click here.