The AMX-30 S DCA was placed at 8.7 because of its 30mm APDS belt, which gave it exceptional anti-tank capability and compensated for its many shortcomings. That APDS belt was removed a long time ago. The vehicle’s BR has never been revisited since.
Without APDS, the AMX-30 S DCA is now inferior to the Gepard (Germany, BR 8.3) in literally every category, yet it sits 0.4 BR higher:
- Stabilizer: Gepard has a full two-plane stabilizer. AMX-30 S DCA has none. You must stop completely and wait for the gun to settle before firing – unacceptable for an SPAA.
- Radar: Gepard has independent search and tracking radars, both reliable. AMX-30 S DCA has only a combined search/tracking unit (no separate tracking radar), no IFF, loses lock constantly, and cannot track targets behind the turret (limited to +/-100 degrees azimuth). It is widely considered one of the worst radar sets at its tier.
- Ground belts: Gepard has its 35mm APHE (68mm pen, high explosive filler) and 35mm APDS (~127mm pen). AMX-30 S DCA lost its APDS entirely; the best remaining belt has only ~53mm pen – lower pen AND lower explosive mass than Gepard’s APHE, making it worse in both penetration and post-pen damage against any target.
- Survivability: AMX-30 S DCA has exposed ammo in the turret cheeks and a 40-65 second reload. Gepard has a better-armored turret profile and standard reload.
- Muzzle velocity: lower on the AMX, making AA work harder despite the worse radar.
Summary: no stabilizer, no APDS, no independent tracking radar, lower muzzle velocity, worse survivability, longer reload – and yet it sits at 8.7 while the Gepard sits at 8.3.
If a vehicle is comprehensively inferior to another vehicle, it cannot be placed at a higher BR. Even 8.3 (equal to Gepard) would be hard to justify given the gap. 8.0 is where it belongs.
Proposed change: AMX-30 S DCA 8.7 → 8.0 (RB)
This is not a buff request. The vehicle was nerfed and its BR was simply forgotten. Please bring it in line.