The tank game "World of Tanks" has a conditional division of the self-propelled artillery class based on the type of chassis. There are casemate vehicles where the gun is mounted on a turret, and there are vehicles where the gun is directly mounted on the hull. 

Each group has its own advantages and disadvantages. A few years ago, "World of Tanks" introduced new tank destroyers that can be considered a separate category within the tank destroyer community. These are representatives of the Swedish branch of armored vehicle development. How do they differ from other vehicles?

Swedish High Schoolers

At the eighth tier, players encounter the wedge-shaped casemate vehicle UDES 03. It has a low-profile hull that widens towards the rear, and the gun barrel is recessed in the upper plane of the vehicle. Apart from its unusual appearance, there are no noticeable differences. But when you enter a battle and wait for the command "Engage," the advantages of the vehicle become evident.

The player takes a suitable position and presses the "X" key (in the English keyboard layout). From this moment, the siege mode is activated for the vehicle. And a fantastic transformation of the gun into a precise sniper tool takes place. Let's take the UDES 03, the first vehicle to have this special mechanic, as an example. The top-tier gun with 288 millimeters of penetration and 390 hit points damage receives double aiming advantage. 

In travel mode, it takes 3 seconds, now it's 1.5 seconds! The dispersion decreases. If in the regular firing mode it is 0.35m per hundred meters, which is quite good in principle, in siege mode, it's 0.25 meters! With such accuracy and penetration, the damage is guaranteed when targeting any weak spots on the enemy's armor. Commanders' cupolas and observation ports, machine gun nests, and driver-mechanic hatches. There's no need to mention the lower plate armor. With such precision and penetration, the damage will be guaranteed!

What causes such a transformation? It turns out that starting from Tier 8, Swedish tank destroyers receive a hydro-pneumatic suspension for their tracks. The vehicle stops, enters siege mode, and the tank's geometry changes in relation to the ground surface. Its rear part lifts up, and the gun gains additional degrees of vertical traverse.

Experienced players, when choosing a position for battle, prefer small hills, elevations, or depressions if the terrain is completely flat. By positioning the vehicle in front of an earth mound and activating the hydro-pneumatic suspension, the vehicle will be hidden behind natural cover, while the gun will be slightly elevated, allowing for firing.

Advantages of Siege Mode

All casemate vehicles without turrets face an important problem in combat. If the hull is moved horizontally, the camouflage net and the stereoscopic tube stop working. The vehicle instantly becomes visible to the enemy. The outcome of such a scenario is well known - the destruction of the vehicle and premature termination of the battle.

For Swedish Tier 8, 9, and 10 tank destroyers, the following happens. When the suspension is activated, the hull transforms into a kind of turret, allowing the vehicle to rotate 360 degrees. In doing so, the stereoscopic tube continues to work, and enemy vehicles enter the line of sight. The same applies to additional equipment such as the camouflage net. Its effect also does not disappear when the tank destroyer's hull is turned. 

However, there is an important detail that any owner of Swedish tank destroyers must keep in mind. If the combat unit is moved forward or backward even slightly, the effect of the additional mechanisms disappears.

Serious disadvantages of vehicles of this type

Unfortunately, despite the mass of unique qualities, Swedish self-propelled anti-tank artillery units have a number of drawbacks that significantly reduce their combat effectiveness during battle.

The transition from one mode to another takes time

Switching from travel to siege mode takes a couple of seconds. In order to assume a combat position, you need to stop, press "X," and wait. During this time, the vehicle is completely defenseless. It is impossible to fire during this time. And if an enemy appears, you won't be able to respond with fire.

Do you need to leave your position urgently? The reverse procedure takes place. You press a key, and precious time is lost. But there's nothing you can do!

In siege mode, the vehicles become sluggish and slow.

Naturally, Swedish tank destroyers move in a special manner when firing. UDES 03 can move forward or backward at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour, while Strv 103-0 and Strv 103B (9 and 10 tier) move at 10 km/h. This is enough to move slightly forward from cover and take a shot at the enemy. But it's barely enough to timely get out of enemy fire. It turns out that revealing the vehicle means its quick destruction. In a couple of seconds, while the suspension geometry is being adjusted, the tank destroyer will be sent back to the garage!

What additional equipment is best to install

Taking into account the specifics of the highest-tier Swedish tank destroyers, it's necessary to select additional equipment. It's highly recommended to install a camouflage net and stereoscopic tube. There's no point in installing enlightened optics. It's inferior to "horns" in terms of its characteristics. In the first slot, you can install either an upgraded ventilation system to slightly boost the crew's characteristics, or a gun rammer to reduce the reload time.