IS-4 Successfully Out of Difficult Situations

Endgame Achievements Received: Radley-Walters’ Medal, Top Gun, Steel Wall, High Caliber, Spotter, Fire for Effect, Bruiser, Duelist, Shellproof Game Statistics: Map: Erlenberg Player: mashinegunman Damage: 9014 Damage blocked by armor: 5600 Damage due to the player’s assistance: 2696 The IS-4 is a Soviet tier 10 heavy tank. The project was developed by the Design Bureau of the Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant starting in December 1943. In April 1944 two prototypes of the Object 701 were built. After prototype trials, the design was improved. In late 1944 and early 1945 two more prototypes underwent trials. The Object 701 No. 5 was recommended for adoption into service. However, production was called off in favor of the IS-3 just entering mass-production. After IS-3 production was suspended in 1946, production of the IS-4 began, continuing until 1949. A total of 25 IS-4M tanks were built in 1951. Later all previously produced tanks were modernized to the level of the IS-4M. According to different sources, between 235 and 258 vehicles were built in total; they were stationed in the Far East. As t development of its Heavy Tank tech tree, the IS-4 goes for the more versatile “Jack-of-All-Trades/Master-of-None“ approach to its in-game performance. Its gun is adequate for its tier, but is quite unimpressive in any single aspect such as accuracy or DPM. Its turret armor is quite strong frontally, but can be easily over-matched when shot through the exposed roof, where it is much weaker. Its hull armor is decent, boasting a tough all-around layout which gives the tank good side-scraping capabilities, but is relatively easy to punch through from the front, even if angled properly. Its mobility is totally different from its quick and nimble brother, the IS-7 with the IS-4 being very sluggish and slow by comparison. The culmination of these characteristics makes the IS-4 feel like more of a support tank rather than an all out assault leader. While the IS-4 mounts a more accurate 122mm main gun as opposed to the 130mm cannon of the IS-7 and the Object 705A, it still isn’t very well suited for long range sniping and if you miss a shot it can be a painful experience. In addition, the tank does not have the speed and maneuverability to get itself into position quickly and relocate if needed. These drawbacks largely restrict the efficiency of the IS-4 to medium and short range brawler-type combat. However, due to the low vertical profile of the tank, it enjoys a somewhat better camouflage rating and can utilize many forms of cover much more effectively - peek out, fire a shot at the enemy, then dive back into safety. But due to its below average dispersion, it will require a few seconds to fully aim or risk a hard miss otherwise. All of the above points demonstrate the IS-4 for what it currently is - a Jack-of-All-Trades tank, permitting its driver greater versatility at the expense of any exceptional capabilities. The IS-4 marks the end of its Soviet heavy line. Send your wot replays at: woftanksreplays(@) Only link from privately (secret) uploaded wotreplays website (Make available by direct link only) or I accept the replays sent as a mail attachment that has not been uploaded to the wotreplays website.