Low survivability, sure, but it gets lethality and mobility - one of the best at that BR range.
The mobility is its survivability, and being able to run away or get to the flank of enemy tanks extremely quickly makes it incredibly good.
BMP-3 does not have the great reverse speed that the regular BMD-4 gets, nor does it get the 5s reload ATGMs or the great acceleration that both the BMD-4s get.
It’s still a pretty good vehicle for 9.0, though.
I think both being 10.0 with APFSDS sounds more reasonable.
Keep in mind, though, that the ZBD04 is 10.0 and it gets APFSDS, 8x ATGMs (albeit the ATGMs are not as good as the BMD-4’s) with a 4s reload and much better armour for a light tank (at the cost of the much better moblity),
I think the ZBD04 should go to 10.3 too.
Bagel is also another interesting light tank.
It’s definitely not as good as the 2S38, but its firerate and great post-pen damage on the 57mm AP makes it quite good on the flanks, and can even tank a few shots due to how small the turret is when hull-down. Its ATGM is kinda lacking though, so you really have to rely on flanking in uptiers or complete downtiers.
I think it could go to 9.7.
Most of the other autocannon light tanks are relatively fine at their BR, with the VCC-80/60 going back down to 9.0 making more sense.
Fair points, but I never use BMP3 as a flanker in the first place, they have different playstyles, for sure. I’m of course biased, as the BMP3 is only there to support my 279.
I love the Bagel for its HE-VT, and it’s sad it didn’t get an ammo box to use for its limited ammo capacity.
I just don’t think a lot of people realise what 150mm extra pen means, seems pretty non relevant but actually is, it is the difference between able to pen abrams lower glacis and leopard upper glacis.
I don’t really see that happening with the capability although don’t mind, every one brings that to 10.3 with the MBTs anyway.
If u are talking about MBTs sure, but for light tanks 7 km reverse is sub optimal, neither is their depression and vertical drive. Workable, not great. I don’t actually play 9.0 but 9.3 instead cause I love ZTZ96 with 125-1.
A reminder BMD4 is actually the best armoured out of the 3, both of the Chinese ones are cardboard, with 10/8mm armour on the side 20 on the front at best, slightly better with PTL02’s turret, but anything above a 14.5 will pen no problem.
I am not saying they are weak, but just not as strong as it may seem. I do support BMD4s to 9.7 though that said (went a bit off topic I’ll admit), plus I just saw the 1:17 nuke with BMD4 video so yeah.
Not talking about armor thickness, I’m talking about surviving hits. The fact that the BMD4 has more armor probably contributes to it not surviving as much. And when I say hits, i mean from APFSDS which most enemies will be firing at you, or will have loaded. AFT09 and PTL survive some funny situations. PTL often survives because there is so much space in the interior.
True, I am just more paranoid about BMDs, BMPs and anything in general that has a quick firing gun, like bagel, 2s38 (I am honestly scared of that), or even Puma.
In this meta 9.7 basically never faces 10.7, I’ve been running a LOT of Russia 9.7 and it’s basically top br 50% of matches, I don’t think I’ve seen 10.7 in the last couple months.
I’m assuming your 9.7 gets sucked up to 10.3 to face the premium spam, more often than not. Since USSR 9.7 hardly exists, and 9.7 is dead for most nations since the decompression. I guess 9.3 would influence matchmaker also, since that is very popular. Then again, prior to the decompression my 279 would see premium players in Turms and other 10.0 premiums every other game.
It’s about a 50% chance of 10.3 but that’s as high as I ever go, I’ve also been grinding 10.7 US and I have not got a single game top br since I started. Gaijin just keeps “decompressing” and that doesn’t do anything but fix the br where the compression started and messes up everything else.
Makes me wonder why you even bother. 10.3 is super strong (even with low-level premium teammates), and you have Strela there to make a no-fly-zone. I’d either do 9.3 or 10.3 if I didn’t have 279. You just a big fan of the T-64B? or is that just where you’re up to in the grind? (I’ve got the tree all grinded out, just play these BRs for fun).
Yeah I have the full tree also I just enjoy that lineup and you have a good chance at nice matchmaking. Plus it’s a more laid back playstyle. I also play Israel 9.7 they have a great lineup.