The armor should see a huge buff in next update. For APFSDS, I am afraid the community has tried its best to submit various evidence but at the moment I don’t see any hope.
It seems that armor buffs are coming for the VT-4 and also for Chinese ERA in general, and I made a bug report in the dev server about the underperforming armor which was acknowledged: Community Bug Reporting System
From what Gultrama has already posted, it seems the current estimates are more or less in line with my bug report
for vehicles that have spall liners implemented, there are lines with “spall_liner” in it, but at the moment I don’t see it in any chinese vehicles.
Well hopefully they come sooner than later, although I’m not sure how much we’re gonna get for the VT-4. I might have to look again, but the report I saw for it only showed spall liner in the turret
Good to hear that we’re at least getting something for the armour. I hope we can get the 1500hp engine as well, especially with how the current 1300hp engine is just insufficient to use the vehicle - even with armour buffs, I doubt the VT-4A1 will have sufficient performance, especially if they choose to up the weight. There’s seemingly no reason why they can’t give it the better engine, since it’s more than likely the Chinese would probably outfit their own versions of this vehicle (which is clearly what we have in game) with the best engines they can, right?
It definitely feels like it could fit that light MBT niche that vehicles like the AMX40 fill in other tech trees nicely, especially if Gaijin was willing. A smaller, faster, higher-penning (but less protected) vehicle that would work well in flanks, brawls, and sniping isn’t something the Chinese exactly have in-game at the moment (if you don’t count the ZTZ99s themselves).
I think it’s still gonna be a competitive MBT, but it definitely won’t be absolutely dominate like some others. The APS will make it a nice late game pick tho.
Also I would hold my breath on the engine at all. The problem is that there is simply no proof that it was ever fitted, and thus Gajjin probably won’t add it. The 1500 HP engine claim seems to be more of a suggestion for future variants of the vehicle, rather than an actual tested version.
It’s the same issue with the purposed side ERA kit that would cover the sideskirts. It has yet to be physically shown, and has thus never left the paper, and so probably will not be implemented unless gajjin is feeling very generous.
For ground vehicles, Gaijin seems very reluctant to add something that does not exist in a real vehicle, even though all the components are there and appear in manufacturer brochure or designer interview.
We can only hope Norinco can show off the real VT-4B in next expo with all high end options installed.
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Well, there’s no evidence it’s been fitted to the VT-4A1, but it’s clearly been fitted to other VT-4s and there’s plenty of mentions of that being the engine fitted to it all over the place. Even the Wikipedia article states very clearly that 1500hp is an option. So given that it can be fitted to the VT-4, and the VT-4A1 is a modification of the VT-4 that simply adds an active protection system to the turret, there should be no real reason why the engine wouldn’t be able to be mounted. It also wouldn’t be the first time something like this has been done - I point to the Challenger 2s & mere existence of the Japanese F-16 for this (though in the case of the former, it’s for the worse).
The VT-4A1 right now isn’t at all up to standard, and it probably never will be in its current state unless Gaijin manages to make it an equal to the ZTZ99A & WZ1001 with the coming changes. This probably won’t happen, so I can see a few ways the vehicle could be made to stand out without bending the rules:
- The improved round mentioned beforehand could be introduced, which would allow the vehicle to function more effectively as a sniper (and thus stand out more from the WZ1001, which currently looks like an overall better option).
- The 1500hp engine (which can and has clearly been mounted in other VT-4s) can be introduced, allowing for the vehicle to perform better in the way most people (myself included) currently use it, which is as a flanking sniping vehicle.
- The armour can be brought to be on par with the ZTZ99s, which can make it work as a good alternative to them while having the unique dynamic of being smaller and having an APS.
It may bend the rules a little bit, and I doubt Gaijin will act upon it, but this vehicle has been a real let-down so far, and the way people treat it in game only consolidates that. Most of my kills with it are from people underestimating it & rushing it, or from the stars aligning enough for me to sneak into a good sniping spot without dying on the way (that is if there even is one - god forbid you get an urban map like Sweden). There is absolutely no reason why your performance in any top-tier vehicle should rely solely on chance.
VT-4 seems to of gotten some of its buffs in the game right now! looks like vertical, horizontal speeds buffed, and armor as well, including ERA
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Hasn’t shown up for me - still the same old.
you might have to update it you havent
its on live for me right now
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Yeah, it didn’t notify me about the update. I see it now. Definitely a step in the right direction, but unfortunate that the engine still hasn’t been upped.
I’ve just noticed this, but it seems like there’s a bug with the textures on the mantlet cover when using a different camoflague? Does this happen for anyone else? Maybe I could chalk it up to my ancient device rendering it weirdly - I don’t know, no clue how these things work. :P
(edit: happens for the other camos too)
FY-2 is still not changed on the turret roof and sides for the VT-4 lol, not a big deal but still, i think they forgor.
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Considering that the mod has said it will be fixed but still not implemented, we should raise a new bug report for it?
Top ERA of VT-4A1 has incorrect performance // Gaijin.net // Issues
cant hurt, because to be honest i think its very likeley they just forgot
also the new UFP armor on the ZTZ-99’s is chefs kiss lmao
Is the turret side ERA on the ZTZ99s meant to have less protection than the front?
no, is all supposed to be the same, so most likley an overlook