The M36 is actually fast, reaching 49 km/h and sharing the same 500 hp engine while being slightly lighter. I wouldn’t say the ST-A is better protected. I’ve played enough of them to understand that they really can’t take hits from anything, and despite being covered on top, machine guns and cannons from planes can easily penetrate through their top parts.
Optics are more of a personal preference. Personally, I hate the zoom on the ST-A; it’s only good for sniping, but in close range, the gun sight is incredibly frustrating to use. This was also the reason why I made a bug report for the ST-A 3, suggesting its gun sight be changed from using the same zoom as the ST-A 1 and 2 to using the same optic as the Type 61, which is 4x - 8x and is much better balanced for various situations.
I still stand by the fact that the only reason I would pick the ST-A over the M36B2 is because of the higher reverse speed. This is the main reason the ST-A can be quite effective in a hulldown position, where you can pull back after each shot quickly enough to avoid getting hit. This isn’t possible in the M36 and the number one reason in always getting me killed. Additionally, the ability to pivot with both tracks is very useful in tight spaces.
If there’s anything that could justify why the ST-A 1 and 2 are 0.6 BR higher, I suppose these small improvements are the reason for it.
The M36 remains useful up to even 7.3 BR because of its shared firepower. I use the M36 for my 6.0 and 6.3 lineup as soon as I unlock the HEAT-FS round.
Just a nitpick, but the Japanese M36 is not a B2 variant. It is a post-war / upgraded standard M36. This is proven by a look at its engine deck, which features a grill unique to the standard M36. Calling it a B2 could actually be detrimental because the B2 has a weaker engine and thus worse mobility. We wouldn’t want Gaijin second guessing themselves and making an unhistorical change as has been done before.
Spoiler
Japanese M36:
Standard M36 engine deck:
M36B2 engine deck:
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I agree mostly, but from the front the STAs will survive much better against SPAA than the M36.
The 4-8x unit is much better (and damn right near perfection), but the M36’s was definitely worse for long range (where you really want to be with such a vehicle) than the 8-16x - even though I hate all the 8-16xs like 80% of the time.
I don’t like the M36, no reason to bring it out unless I had more crew slots. STAs are better, Type 75 SPH is funnier. Two fighters to swat flies.
I can recall ONE TIME where the STA1’s horrible side armor saved me - I was fighting for my life in the B cap on the abandoned quarry map trying to hold it so we didn’t lose. Stuff happens, and I’m mid reload and staring down a Centurion mk1 about to shoot me.
I remember he only has solid shot and APDS with very poor postpen, so I take the chance and turn my flat side to him, daring him to pick between driver, gunner, and ammo. He shoots… nobody dies, somehow, and my ammo is still fine.
He, however, died the next shot. M348 is better than most players claim.
So hey, that’s a funny lil story I got.
Ah i see, i was wondering why our M36 is not called a B2.
Now that i’m looking at the US and French B2 i realized the Japanese M36 actually has 90 HP more.
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Yep. Many people see roof armor or the M3A1 cannon and immediately assume B2 variant when, in reality, these upgrades were performed across all variants of the M36.
It also means that Japan currently has arguably the best M36 in-game lmao.
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Some things are moved down cause they perform worse. It isn’t always about how many kills it gets or what the caliber is.
If you have a slower speed often that is enough to change it.
30 less may not sound a lot but in game that’s detrimental between survival and being shot.
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