The combat path of any tanker begins with light tanks, which allow you to learn the basics of maneuvering and guidance, gaining valuable experience in confrontation with more vigorous opponents.
Not taken seriously by most players in WoT, lightly armored but highly mobile and high-speed combat vehicles under the control of an experienced user can become a powerful argument in any battle.
What ten best light tanks in World of Tanks in 2024 can replenish the hangar of a professional tanker? We will tell below.
VK 16.02 Leopard
Honorable 10th place in the ranking is occupied by a light and compact German tank VK 16.02 Leopard, which belongs to Tier V according to WoT classification, costs only 355 thousand silver in the store, and can not earn coupons or bring additional bonuses.
Given the insignificant acquisition cost, the advantages of the weapon at its maximum development can be attributed to:
- Not destructive firepower, allowing you to do 1826 units of damage per minute with a combination of characteristics:
- 70 damage from a single shot that penetrates 100 mm of armor;
- a rate of fire of 26.09 rounds per minute;
- aiming in just 1.7 seconds.
- Medium speed allows it to accelerate to 60 km/h in 34 seconds.
The indicators of survivability and maneuverability look worse, which can be attributed to disadvantages because:
- hit points 580 units, which is enough for 2-3 accurate hits;
- weak armor, which has the most significant thickness of only 50 mm in the frontal part of the hull and turret;
- Mediocre maneuverability because the turning speed of the hull and turret is only 36 and 40 degrees per second, respectively.
Summary: its Tier-V tank is quite good, but only as a temporary weapon, fighting on the principle of “hit and run,” preferably in a straight line, because maneuverability leaves much to be desired.
ELC EVEN 90FL
The light tank ELC EVEN 90FL, taking the 9th place according to the results of the comparison, is in service with the French army, and in World of Tanks, it belongs to Tier VIII and has a premium status so that you can buy it only for 5800 gold coins.
The advantages of this unusual weapon with an eccentric gun and drum loading system are:
- The maximum speed is 70 km/h, and acceleration takes 42 seconds.
- Good mobility is due to quickly rotating the hull by 45 degrees/second and the turret by 46 degrees/second.
Other parameters do not look so attractive and should be attributed to disadvantages:
- damage inflicted in 1 minute is only 1131 units due to the low damage per shot of 220 units combined with a firing rate of no more than 5.14 volleys per minute;
- the sights take as long as 2.9 seconds to lock on, and reloading the drum takes half a minute;
- The armor is only 900 units and can be exhausted after 3-4 aimed shots because the armor is nominal and has a thickness of no more than 15 mm in the frontal part of the hull and turret.
Conclusion: ELC EVEN 90FL is not worth its money, even considering the gain in experience and income after battles. Good speed and maneuverability cannot compensate for low firepower and a “cardboard” armor system. All you have to do on this tank is to constantly dodge shots and collisions with the enemy because each hit can be fatal.
T-54 Lightweight
The deserved 8th place goes to the lightweight version of the Soviet medium tank T-54, which belongs to the armament Tier IX, is sold in a regular store for 3.5 million silver coins, and has several modifications of the installed equipment.
The advantages of this combat vehicle after full equipping include:
- The high top speed of 69 km/h is reached in 28 seconds.
- Good mobility due to the rotation speed of 50 and 48 degrees per second for the hull and turret, respectively.
- Not destructive firepower of 2,083 units per minute with a combination of the following characteristics:
- 1-shot damage of 250;
- armor penetration of 208 and 235 mm when using conventional and premium shells, respectively;
- firing rate of 8.33 rounds per minute;
- Aiming Time: 2.2 seconds.
The thickness of the turret armor can withstand a single hit – 180 mm in front and 120 mm on the sides.
The weaknesses of the T-54 Lightweight are as follows:
- low survivability – 1300 units;
- weak hull armor;
- low accuracy at long ranges due to a 0.42/100 meters dispersion.
Overall impressions: the tank is not bad for its level, and proper maneuvering on the battlefield can add a lot of trouble to the opponents, scoring many damage points.
T49
On the 7th line of the rating of light tanks is the American representative of the light tank class T49, which has Tier IX on the internal gradation of WoT and is sold in the regular store for 3.55 million silver coins.
The strengths of this armament are:
- The ability to accelerate to a marginal 65 km/h in 23 seconds.
- Damage inflicted at 2400 units/minute, when combined:
- 240 damage on a precision hit;
- 212 armor penetration on conventional rounds;
- a rate of fire of 10 volleys per minute;
- Aiming time: 2.3 seconds.
- It was not lousy mobility, allowing us to turn the hull and armor by 44 degrees per second.
The disadvantages of the T49 include:
- weak armor, even the maximum thickness of which in the frontal part of the turret (38 mm) does not protect in case of an accurate hit;
- low strength reserve of 1400 units.
As a result, the tank can do good damage if it attacks the enemy from the rear or flanks under the cover of more armored fighting vehicles, calling fire on themselves. Otherwise, the durability will run out after a few accurate hits.
Panhard EBR 105
According to the comparison results, the 6th position is won by the wheeled French light tank Panhard EBR 105, which has Tier X of armament according to the WoT classification, can be bought in the store for 6.1 million silver, and gains bonuses in battles.
The advantages of this unit are:
- A maximum speed of 91 km/h, forbidden for tank vehicles, is reached in only 27.5 seconds, thanks to the specific power of 42.35 hp per ton.
- A minimum aiming time of 1.4 seconds combined with a rate of fire of 5 rounds per minute and damage output of 390 rounds allows it to inflict up to 1,950 rounds of damage every minute.
Along with the advantages, the disadvantages should be noted:
- low overall durability of 1300 units, which ends after 3-4 aimed hits;
- thin armor, which at the turret is only 15 / 10 / 10 mm and is penetrated by any ammunition.
Summary: the highest speed is not so much a virtue as a necessary compensation for the “cardboard” armor that cannot withstand a projectile hit even tangentially. On principle, it can be suitable for surveillance and illumination of enemy forces: approached from the rear – shot – quickly disappeared in the fog.
AMX 13 105
On the 5th line of the rating is a firmly settled French representative of light tanks AMX 13 105, which belongs to the Tier X of technology, can be bought for 6.1 million silver in a regular store, allows you to get coupons for participation in battles and has a distinctive feature in the form of a drum loading system.
The merits of the lightweight from France are:
- A high rate of speed, allowing it to accelerate to the 68 km/h limit in 24 seconds.
- Good maneuverability due to the ability to turn 40 and 38 degrees per second with the hull and turret, respectively.
- Good firepower of 2163 damage per minute due to the combination of:
- 390 damage per shot;
- armor penetration of 234 and 280 mm on standard and armor-piercing shells, respectively;
- a rate of fire of 5.55 rounds per minute.
- Capable of inflicting 1,170 damage in just 10 seconds thanks to a three-shell drum that reloads in just 2.73 seconds.
Counterbalancing the advantages of this weapon are its weaknesses:
- A safety margin of only 1,400 units;
- low thickness of armor, which has a maximum value in the frontal part of the hull and turret – 50 and 40 mm, respectively;
- an extended drum reloading time of 27 seconds;
- low accuracy at long distances to the target due to projectile Dispersion of 0.42/100 m.
In summary, it is a good option for a quick foray to the rear or flank of the enemy to inflict massive damage, capable of destroying even a heavy tank, followed by a quick maneuver to relocate while the drum is reloading.
Manticore
A little behind the leaders, the 4th position is occupied by the Manticore, which is in service with the British army and has Tier X, which allows you to earn coupons in battles but is sold in the regular store for 6.1 million silver coins.
The advantages of this lightweight include:
- High quickness, allowing a maximum speed of 68 km/h in just 21 seconds.
- Good damage per shot of 390, armor penetration to a depth of 248 mm, and aiming in 1.9 seconds.
- It does not impair mobility, achieved with high speed through rapid hull and turret rotation at 45 and 40 degrees per second.
Against the background of not the most outstanding advantages, the disadvantages stand out:
- The Low strength value of 1400 units;
- thin armor, which has the most significant thickness of 80 mm in the frontal part of the turret, unable to withstand any direct hit;
- low average damage per minute of 1671 units due to a low rate of fire of 4.29 volleys per minute due to a lengthy reloading time of 14 seconds;
- poor accuracy at medium and long ranges due to a 0.38/100 meters dispersion.
Conclusion: the tank is fast and maneuverable but cannot withstand any hit and cause severe damage. It can be used for surveillance and rapid lunges towards the enemy.
T-100 LT
Among the rating winners was the Soviet lightweight T-100 LT, which took the 3rd place. It has Tier X according to WoT grading, is sold in the regular store for 6.1 million silver coins, and allows you to earn coupons.
The following characteristics are positively received:
- Premium maneuvering ability due to the aggregate:
- 48 hp per ton, allowing acceleration to the 72 km/h limit in just 19 seconds;
- a high hull and turret rotation rate of 56 and 53 degrees per second, respectively.
- Good firepower of 2307 damage per minute, thanks to the combination of:
- 300 single damage with an armor penetration of 230 and 248 on standard and premium shells, respectively;
- a rate of fire of 7.69 rounds per minute with a 2-second ducking time.
- Not bad frontal armor of the turret and hull – 180 and 90 mm, respectively, allowing it to withstand a hit of 90-mm ammunition at any distance.
The weaknesses of this armament are:
- Low strength of 1,500 combined with the hull and turret’s thin side and rear armor (only 40 mm).
- Reduced accuracy at long ranges due to a spread of 0.46/100 m.
Conclusion: the T-100 LT light tank is an excellent option for fans and connoisseurs of maneuverable combat, requiring rapid movement on the location for a surprise attack on the enemy from the rear and flanks.
Rhm Pzw
The conditional silver medal is won by the German Rhm Pzw, which has moved up to the 2nd rank. The Rhm Pzw is a Tier X vehicle that can be purchased in the store for 6.1 million silver coins and allows you to earn coupons.
The advantages of this unit include:
- Excellent quickness, providing acceleration to a maximum speed of 75 km/h in 22 seconds.
- Good mobility, allowing you to turn in 1 second at 54 and 44 degrees by the hull and turret, respectively.
- Not destructive combat power, which allows you to do up to 2400 units of damage every minute when combining the indicators:
- 320 rounds of damage;
- 242 mm armor penetration with standard ammunition;
- 7.5 volleys per minute;
- aiming time – 1.4 seconds.
The disadvantages of this weapon model are:
- A relatively low Hit Points of 1,600 units;
- Fragile armor, the thickness of which does not exceed 30 mm at the front and sides of the hull and the rear, is only 8 mm.
Conclusion: It is not a lousy fighting vehicle, allowing competent maneuvering to cause significant damage to the enemy if you can avoid hits, each of which penetrates the “cardboard” armor.
XM551 Sheridan
The winner of the rating, which took the 1st position of the rating, was a light tank XM551 Sheridan, created by Cadillac Motor Car Division and belonging to the Tier X of armament in WoT, which will be able to give a head start not only to the representatives of the same class but also to heavier combat vehicles.
The indisputable advantages of this tank are:
- Significant damage inflicted per minute, which can reach 2,543 with a light 105mm gun installed, due to:
- high damage per shot, amounting to 390 units;
- good armor-piercing power of conventional 236mm shells;
- a good reload speed of 9.2 seconds, allowing 6.52 rounds per minute.
- With a premium aiming time of 1.7 seconds, they are combined with a low projectile dispersion of 0.4/100 meters.
- Excellent maneuverability thanks to:
- a top speed of 65 km/h;
- perfect turning circle of 55 degrees per second;
- power of 41.74 hp/ton, allowing acceleration to full speed in about 20 seconds.
The high mobility and damage are counterbalanced by the disadvantages inherent to all light tanks:
- low HP of 1600 units;
- thin hull and turret armor, even the frontal plate is only 38 mm thick.
The XM551 Sheridan can be optionally equipped with a 152 mm gun, which has the following characteristics:
- 1-shot damage of 910 with 76mm and 152mm armor penetration with standard and premium projectile, respectively.
- A reload time of 20 seconds, combined with a 3.3-second convergence time, does not allow more than three shots per minute.
- The Dispersion of 0.51/100 meters does not affect long-range accuracy best.
As a result, it is an excellent unit for quick maneuvering and bypassing sluggish medium and heavy tanks from the rear and flanks for massive shelling and rapid change of position. Any collision with the enemy is contraindicated due to only the nominal presence of armor.
