Hi!
I spend some time reasearching the M1 Abrams tank doctrine, and made a ducument on how to use the Abrams. I do want to say a few things: I am human, not a robot, so some stuff might not be correct, but I resached alot, I let AI correct my text for any misakes like missinformtion and grammtik. And if you find any mistakes or want to add anything, feel free to say in the comments!
How to M1 Abrams
A beginner guide on how to use the M1 Abrams effectively in War Thunder.
Note: This works for the entire Abrams family!
To begin with: what is doctrine that the Abrams is built on?
The Abrams should move quickly, get into position, see and destroy threats first, and relocate after firing. This is the basic doctrine the Abrams is based on.
The Abrams should operate with aggressive flanking and surprising the enemy. It is not meant to stand still, absorb endless hits, and slowly push forward like a fortress.
The Abrams armor is great, but not good enough to absorb constant hits. Therefore, it should always be on the move, and you should constantly reposition yourself after engaging a target.
As the doctrine says:
“A stationary tank eventually becomes a dead tank.”
The mobility of the M1 Abrams is its greatest weapon.
The Abrams mobility doctrine
As mentioned, the M1 Abrams has a powerful engine. This engine exists so you can move fast, flank, and reposition quickly.
You should not attack directly into strong defenses, but instead flank them unexpectedly.
This here, is a example on how you should play on a map. Note, however, this is a city map, and different rules applies on the abrams, wich we will get later on. ( Red movements is from my experience)
The hull-down doctrine
The Abrams turret is very well protected, and for a reason. You should mostly expose your turret, since it has strong armor and most shells cannot penetrate it frontally.
This significantly increases survivability and therefore your overall lifetime in battle.
You should use terrain such as hills, berms, and natural cover for protection.
The first-shot doctrine
As with every aspect of Abrams gameplay, the tank should be used for flanking, finding strong positions, and repositioning.
Your goal is to:
• identify the enemy first,
• fire first,
• and disable the enemy.
This works in low, medium, and poor visibility conditions because the Abrams’ optics and thermals provide a major advantage.
You should also follow the shoot-and-move principle. Abrams tanks are not meant to stay exposed after firing, but to reposition immediately.
Repositioning provides many advantages, such as:
• disappearing from the enemy’s line of sight,
• and flanking from unexpected angles.
More important Abrams doctrine principles
Abrams tanks are meant to fight as part of a force. Use your teammates—help each other, repair each other, and maneuver together smartly to increase survival.
You also need strong situational awareness. The War Thunder map provides key information, such as:
• destroyed enemies and teammates,
• spotted targets,
• and battlefield movement.
These details help you survive longer.
It is important that you are the one spotting and engaging the enemy first—not the other way around. This is why awareness of terrain and situation is critical. Thermals and optics, as well as tools like binoculars, help significantly.
When defending, you should:
• stay hull-down,
• avoid exposing your hull,
• and relocate after firing.
You should avoid:
• clustering together,
• staying in obvious positions,
• and skylining on ridges.
Cities are very dangerous for all tanks. You should avoid being isolated from your squad and advance carefully and slowly.
The Abrams performs best in:
• open terrain (e.g., Desert Storm-type environments),
• rolling hills,
• and medium to long-range engagements.
You should also confuse your enemies (as War Thunder players are often predictable) by using aggressive maneuvers, flanking, and constant repositioning.
Summary
In basic terms, the M1 Abrams is designed for flanking and surprising the enemy.
