31 replies to this topic

[8PAQ]

This weekend I had difficulty holding my WR in IS-8 above 46% while with similar stats I have 55% in ST-1:

 

Tank	Tier	Battles	STAR1	WinRate	SrvRate	Dmg Ratio	Kills/Battle	Kills/Death	Hit Rate	Avg XP	Avg Dmg	Avg Spot	Mastery	Record Kills
IS-8	9	219	1.1948	46.12	31.51	1.36	0.89	1.30	93.82	779	1944	1.87	Ace
ST-I	9	152	1.0665	55.92	37.50	1.38	0.86	1.38	91.79	947	1947	1.22	1	5K(1)

 

At one point I lost 3 or 4 battles in the row where I had around 2.5K in dmg in each. Finally I won next after I did over 3K. I just don't get it. I am not a pro but I do above average damage for IS-8 yet I might as well be an AFK it seems. ST-1 on the other hand I seems to win without trying that hard.

[8PAQ]

Looking at the stats again it seems I maybe I yolo too much. My spot rate in IS-8 is much better than in ST-1. Having said that ST-1 is just much slower. I will try staying back more in IS-8. So frustrating.

Edited by 8PAQ, 01 June 2015 - 02:53 PM.

[Xavier5A]

I think this has to do with the popularity of each tank. Since the IS-8 is extremely popular people make it a point to take out that tank first. The ST-I isn't quite as popular and is an equally tough nut to crack (or even more so). That means people struggle to take the tank out and it gives you a longer opportunity to do well.

 

Read up on some of the recent IS-8 tutorials. I'm no pro at heavy tanks, so I can't really give sound advice.

[8PAQ]

IS-8 is much easier to destroy. I think I just bounce way more shots in my ST-1 thus staying alive much longer and absorbing more fire thus giving my team more time. Having said that I do about the same average dmg in both yet my WR is about 10% different. That's huge difference! And I was actually at 45% at one point last night but I ended winning 7 of last 8 matches before I went to bed. So it was even worse 8 matches ago 

[dimzzy]

I was struggling with this tank until I started to run with mediums more often; it shines for me when I'm a bit behind making use of that gun )))

[Pitorkas]

Unlucky, the IS8 is a beast. Do not play it like ST1, use like a medium. Think u r a med and can not be shoot. Use soeed to flank heavies. 

[8PAQ]

dimzzy, on 01 June 2015 - 03:04 PM, said:

I was struggling with this tank until I started to run with mediums more often; it shines for me when I'm a bit behind making use of that gun )))

 

Ok I will try that. Also, gun depression is so bad in IS-8. Windmill in Malinovka is hard in this thing. Might as well flank.

[Jaq___]

I love the ST-I and sold the Is8 after I moved to the is7. ST-I is just easier to play for me. reliable armor. I did fine in Is8 (actually got a 7 kill game, yeah) but pretend you have no armor just to be safe. always have cover. use speed to your advantage. some people love is8 though. good gun and mobility. just doesn't play like a heavy weight though. plays more like the conqueror to me.

[Jaq___]

8PAQ, on 01 June 2015 - 03:06 PM, said:

 

Ok I will try that. Also, gun depression is so bad in IS-8. Windmill in Malinovka is hard in this thing. Might as well flank.

 

Please don't flank in this tank on that map (ESPECIALLY if u r top tier). Yes gun depression is bad (like all Russians)  just know where you can hull down at windmill and it is a beast.

[CptCheez]

jaquevius01, on 01 June 2015 - 11:16 AM, said:

Please don't flank in this tank on that map (ESPECIALLY if u r top tier). Yes gun depression is bad (like all Russians)  just know where you can hull down at windmill and it is a beast.

 

The long flank around the swamp area is nutso, but a short flank behind the church can be very effective in a fast Heavy like the IS-8.

[1carburo]

Please don't flank in WM with the IS8 unless you have a very heavy team, and then only the short flank. The IS8 is fast for a heavy, but if you take the long route you'll be late to the fight 9 out of 10 times. IS8 has good mobility, a great gun, and a decent turret.

You have to be flexible with it and adjust to your oponents. I tend to prefer close quarter fights against other Heavies and even some Meds depending on the location, but try to stay away from fast Meds. Your trollish side armor can help you with a lucky bounce vs. Meds trying to COD you. Your front armor is worth little vs. any decent gun so try to keep your hull hidden. Last but not least: stay clear of E5s.

[andyllinger]

I hated IS-8, it has terrible armor.

[dimzzy]

8PAQ, on 01 June 2015 - 03:06 PM, said:

 

Ok I will try that. Also, gun depression is so bad in IS-8. Windmill in Malinovka is hard in this thing. Might as well flank.

 

Yes, it's also a problem of this tank. On WM try to run ASAP to the corner behind the windmill and work from there; it's the only good spot for tanks with bad gun depression; the surface there is relatively flat. But it's still a tough call if the red team is smart enough to get there first and in greater numbers. The worst thing to do there is to stay right next to the windmill so everybody in the red team unload their guns between your tracks; and what's most amazing is that people still do this every fking time I play there.

 

[Rion12]

I'm given to understand the IS-8 plays more to the "heavium" style than anything.

 

As for why you might be getting taken out more often, for most of the tanks I'm driving around at Tier IX and X, IS-8s are very easy prey due to their weak hull armor.

[Kiser_Sosei]

It is much harder than the IS-3 and IS-6. It took me over 200 games to ace it. As stated before you have to play like a medium. Trading hits is not a good idea.

Here is my mastery video.

 

IS-8	9	227	1.0554	49.78	39.21	1.42	0.86	1.41	84.85	857	1832	1.19	Ace
IS-3	8	251	1.0811	58.96	51.79	1.73	1.13	2.35	84.38	894	1723	0.96	Ace	6K(1) 5K(2)
IS-6	8	81	1.0465	61.73	56.79	1.96	1.38	3.20	85.69	957	1831	1.06	1	5K(2)

 

 

[SkiFletch]

It's certainly not a good tank, but it isn't junk either.  You really have to get good at map awareness/prep and loading screen prep with this tank.  Don't be going to spots where you think you'll end up head-to-head with other enemy super heavy tanks.  UNLESS you can find a good defensible hull down position (like malinovka).  Try and work areas where you're second line support.  Sometimes flank with mediums, other times ambush, still others get in positions to take sneaky shots at enemies.  Your turret is decently strong, the gun has great pen/alpha, and you have lots of manueverability.  Your gun depression is junk, frontal armor is mediocre at best, lower plate is horrid, and side armor CAN troll bounce but shouldn't be relied upon.

[CptCheez]

SkiFletch, on 01 June 2015 - 11:48 AM, said:

It's certainly not a good tank, but it isn't junk either.

 

I'd even argue that it IS a good tank.  I had significantly better results in my IS-8 than in many of my other Tier IX tanks.

 

The problem with the IS-8 isn't anything specific to that tank.  It's that it is VERY different than the tanks that come before it in the line and most people struggle mightily with it because of that.  They try to drive it like they did the IS-3, with disastrous results.  Then they come on here and say that it sucks.

 

The Panther and Panther II have this same bad reputation.  They're not bad tanks, they're just driven badly by most people who don't understand how they work best.

[SkiFletch]

I dunno Cheez.  I do SO much better in most of my nines and enjoy them so much more.  Sold the IS-8 cause I just didn't like playing it.  I'm sure I could get more out of it now as it was one of my first nines, but I still am not sure I'd like it if I did buy it back.

[CptCheez]

SkiFletch, on 01 June 2015 - 12:01 PM, said:

I dunno Cheez.  I do SO much better in most of my nines and enjoy them so much more.  Sold the IS-8 cause I just didn't like playing it.  I'm sure I could get more out of it now as it was one of my first nines, but I still am not sure I'd like it if I did buy it back.

 

Different strokes for different folks.  I loved the IS-8.

[_Virtus]

The is8 is my favorite tank currently.

I'm averaging a 84 WR, with 2600+ average damage

I find the speed very nice for a heavy, and the turret is pretty decent with the best gun on a tier 9 heavy.