Hey folks,
I wanted to open a discussion on two light tanks that share the same BR 7.0 in RB: the M551(76) (Battle Pass vehicle) and the AMX-13 (SA50).
After spending time with both, I can’t help but feel that one clearly outperforms the other in multiple key areas. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Firepower:
- The AMX-13 does have a slightly better reload (autoloader), unstabilized 75mm gun with a selection of Solid shots and HE with highest penetration beeing 202mm at close.
- The M551(76) boasts far superior turret rotation speed (37.6°/s vs 17.9°/s) with two-plane stabilized 76mm cannon, better vertical guidance, more secondary MGs—great for soft targets or AA defense and more variety of shells (APDS, Solid, HE, Smoke) with highest of 300mm penetration at close.
Mobility
- M551 has 300 hp vs AMX’s 239 hp, and it’s noticeably faster (69 km/h vs 61 km/h).
- It also benefits from a better power-to-weight ratio and feels snappier in actual maneuvering.
Survivability & Layout:
- M551 has 4 crew vs AMX-13’s 3, giving it slightly better survivability in edge cases.
- Armor isn’t meaningful on either, but the crew difference can matter.
Given all that, is it really fair that these two sit at the same BR?
The AMX-13 seems outclassed in almost every department aside from autoloader. It feels like it’s punching up while the M551 has tools that let it punch across tiers more comfortably.
Curious to hear what others think—especially if you’ve had different experiences. Is the AMX-13’s lower profile or reload enough to justify the same BR as a more mobile, better-equipped M551?
7 Likes
it probably could be 6.7, but then again i brung it up to 7.7 and did just fine. auto loaders are just such a big meta in the game it will do well in just about any br as long as its bellow 8.0. the m551 should probably go up if not for the fact the apds is fucking shite and it gets very little ammo. cant even rely on solid shit either, but that goes for both.
1 Like
I get your point but don’t at the same time if it makes sence. Let me explain. There are a lot of tanks that can be brought up 2BRs or more higher and do just fine, but that doesn’t mean they belong there or that their BR is low. Autoloaders are a huge thing, but being outclassed in every other aspect than your enemy at the same BR is huge to me. APDS can be weak at some, but it is still 300mm pen. If you aim precisely you can disable breaches or other components through thicker armor that you couldn’t with solid shots. From my experience I’d like my tank to have two-plane stabilizer than autoloader cuz that extra 1-2 sec that takes to gun to settle down is cruitial at cqc combat.
Sorry, didnt really give a point. The amx13 would do too well moving it down, 6.7 would fit it better but then what line uo would it have? So i dont really see a point, especially how the amx m4 is now 7.0 as well (did they both get moved up as they both used to be 6.7, but cant remember if the m4 was lower for a bit…).
What quickly comes up to my mind is M26(6.7), AMX-13(6.7), AMX-10P(6.3), premium version of AMX-13 with rockets (6.7) + some CAS if you want. The line-up is there to be, yet can’t be made real
tbh i had forgot about the m26, but would you really let yourself suffer by playing the m26? But i do get the amx10p (i tend to ignore premium as not everyone wants to pay), got to love it, but its just straight better bringing it up to 7.7 lol.
My answer to your question is that the amx 13 could do with being moved down but it wouldnt really effect it all that much, but the m551 could be moved up to 7.7 and be fine, if only they give it an ammo crate or more ammo in general.
Judging from my experience I like the M26 or the M46 in general. Fits my playstile and I like to bully tigers with it when I get the chance, but different people have different playstiles so I get it.
That said with the AMX-13 lowered I could have a nice line-up at 6.7 that wont face 8.0 early apfsds/heat stabilized monsters.
Fair. btw, quick question. do you know if the premium one was moved up to 7.0 as well? i swear its still 6.7 lol.
Yep the premium one with rockets is 7.0, just played both of them with M46 from the battlepass and I ran into the M551 what inspired me to make this post. Funny how the same vehicle with 4 ATGMs that gives you more firepower against lets say the IS-3 frontally is the same BR as it’s “brother” without them. Premium is premium i guess…
I mean, those atgms are pretty usless on any map other than ones like maginot, and if your anything like me youll see those maps every 50 games. Ive tried the hot version and i can safely say its not much better, especially at 8.3 when it doesnt even get a laser range finder or anything.
As a “main” weapon yep, they are useless. But from my experience they saved my ass multiple times against armored giants like IS-3. They can be useful, but it’s situational
amx 13 should atleast get its apds if it has to stay at 7.0
or just lower it back to 6.7
2 Likes
I don’t rate the pea shooter M551. A superior battlepass vehicle exists for the US of A in the M6A2E1 @ 6.7.
Reason n°1 :
AMX-13 is a french tank, it HAS to be overtiered, and it will be 7.3 anytime soon.
Reason n°2 :
AMX-13 is played by decent players.
M551(76) is played by terrible players.
Reason n°3 :
Developers don’t use logic or common sens to balance War thunder. They are using raw statistics no one here ever saw. In short, something we can’t trust.
Reason n°4 :
It’s a premium vehicle, it will stay 7.0 for economic reasons.
Conclusion :
Trying to get an answer here will lead you to nothing, you will never get an explanation from the dev’s and nothing is gonna change.
I hope you’ll read my answer before i get censored.
Have a nice day.
People who played french are too good at the game then people belive all their vehicle are under tiered… People complain to Gaijin then Gaijin untier then. I am very sure there was one french vehicle use to be under 4.0 now it at 7.0 as well. And it still very powerful at that BR.
Balancing vehicles just based on how a certain playerbase plays them is wild.
if everyone can be as good as french main I assume the BR will be more fair…
You’re right, the AMX-13 fires a slightly better round while being slightly more mobile.
The M551 76 has a stabilizer.
They’re close enough to be similar.
IMO the T92 is better than both.
It is, it’s a 6.0/6.3 tank at 7.0.
amx 13 fl being 4.3 despite being what the chaffee is but worse due to no stab or 50 cal is never not sad and funny at the same time.