High-Tier Italian Heavy Tanks Are Coming!

Greetings, Commanders!

The Italian medium tank branch in World of Tanks has proven to be very popular, thanks to its unique autoreloading mechanic and dynamic gameplay. Now it's time to add heavy tanks from this nation to the game, but with some changes to the autoreloading system.

With Update 1.11.1, a new branch of high-tier Italian heavy tanks will make their debut on the battlefield. There will be four researchable Tier VII–X vehicles in total, all with good dynamics, decent armor, and excellent gun depression angles. But most importantly, they feature a modified autoreloading system from Tier VIII onwards. Let's take a look at the new branch.

Carro d’assalto P.88

Researching the new heavy branch will start from the Tier VI P.43 bis, with the Carro d’assalto P.88.

This Tier VII vehicle is a transitional step from medium to heavy tanks. Its gameplay is more like that of the mediums, but with better armor to help you feel more confident in close combat. This is a versatile and maneuverable tank that can attack and retreat quickly, allowing you to make a notable contribution on any map. It’s also the only new Italian heavy that doesn’t have a modified autoreloader.

Progetto CC55 mod. 54

This is the fastest and most mobile tank among the Italian heavies. For a brawler, it accelerates almost instantly and boasts excellent maneuverability, enabling the Progetto CC55 mod. 54 to change flanks quickly and easily. While it has better frontal armor and a powerful 105 mm gun, the most interesting feature of this vehicle is the new and improved 3-shell autoreloading system (more on this below).

Progetto C50 mod. 66

This menacing gladiator has all the features of a mobile heavy tank. The great dynamics, decent frontal armor, and powerful 120 mm gun with good elevation and depression angles transform the Progetto C50 mod. 66 from a support vehicle into a self-reliant combat specialist. It also boasts impressive alpha damage compared to that of Tier X vehicles.

And, of course, the Progetto C50 mod. 66 has very high combat potential thanks to its improved autoreloader. Let’s see how it works.

New Tanks, New Mechanics

When there’s no danger, the shells of these vehicles autoreload similarly to Italian medium tanks. The first shell loads the slowest, the last the fastest. The difference begins once you start firing. If a vehicle fires while autoreloading, it will receive a bonus to the speed of loading the next shell to compensate for the spent one. The longer the shell reloads and the less time remaining before it’s fully loaded, the greater the bonus.

The reload bonus automatically starts accumulating 2 seconds after reloading, and you will see this via the first of four special indicators. The second indicator will show when you have a reload bonus of 16%. The third indicator will trigger when the bonus reaches 33%. Two seconds before the shell is ready, the final indicator will appear, showing the maximum bonus of 50% to reload time. In addition, you will hear a special notification sound once the bonus has reached its maximum.

This mechanic doesn’t increase a vehicle’s DPM, but it helps you adapt better to different combat situations where every shell and every second is critical—for example, when you need to fire immediately to finish off an enemy but lack the time to wait for a full reload. Having 2 more shells in your back pocket for almost 1,000 damage could mean the difference between victory and defeat!

Rinoceronte

The crowning glory of the heavy branch is the Tier X tank named Rinoceronte, which means "rhino" in Italian. The vehicle and the animal it's named after share many of the same attributes—with its striking design and massive frame, you can tell it’s built for battle. Due to its unusual shape, the turret can only accommodate 3 crew members, not 4 like the other Italian heavies.

The Rinoceronte is highly mobile and can easily spearhead an attack on the flanks alongside medium tanks. Its great turret armor, which possesses few vulnerable zones, enables it to lead the advance and exploit the map’s terrain. Equipped with a 127 mm gun, it deals an impressive 490 damage per shot, which is about 30% higher than that of medium tanks.

Also, the Rinoceronte boasts one of the best armor penetration values among heavy tanks (268), and comes equipped with both standard and high-explosive shells that have a very high velocity. Like other Italian heavies, it features great gun depression and elevation angles. Finally, this mighty gladiator accelerates quickly and maintains its top speed well. But its reverse speed is rather low—this rhino only knows how to attack, not retreat.

Complete Special Missions to Earn Exclusive Customization Elements!

To help you master the Italian heavies faster, we have prepared special battle missions for Random Battles (including Grand Battles) and Team Clash 2021. They will be available when Update 1.11.1 goes live, and will reward you with four customization collections inspired by the legendary legionaries of Ancient Rome.

There will be four sets of battle missions, one for each of the four brand-new tanks, all of which can also be completed with just the Rinoceronte or the Bisonte C45, a Tier VIII Premium tank. Each set of missions rewards you with a collection of unique Roman-themed customization elements consisting of an emblem, inscription, and a decal. In addition, you can earn the gorgeous "Testudo Formation" 2D style*, outfitted with Roman legionary shields, by completing the Rinoceronte mission (also available in Team Clash 2021).

A fifth customization collection will also be available, exclusive to Twitch Drops—check back on the Portal in the coming days for more information.

Get ready to take the brave Italian heavies for a spin, Commanders! We hope you will enjoy their unique autoreloading mechanics and dynamic gameplay!