Ultimate Armored Vehicle Guide (update on UE5)

This guide should help you understanding armored vehicles fights and how to handle them

📝 INTRODUCTION

Greeting fellow squadies and welcome to my Ultimate Armored Guide, in this guide we will cover some vehicle basics overall, define some point for your gameplay and go in depth to every relevant MBT, MGS and IFV in squad. (Ive also included some relevant APCs)

I go with the nickname ZenLogic ingame and been playing squad for some years now mostly with AT kits and Armored vehicles, resulting on a sum of 700h+ atm

I hopefully can keep this guide up to date and clear any questions you may have, feel free to reach me via steam

ABBREVIATIONS

MBT - Main Battle Tank
MGS - Mobile Gun System
IFV - Infantry Fighting Vehicle
APC - Armoured Personnel Carrier
AR - Ammo Rack

⚠️ UPDATE 8.0

🎉 NEW
● M7A3 BFIST IFV - new US Bradley without TOW
● BMP-1AM - The BMP1 makes its way back to the RU faction, it has a BMP2 body AR/Engine with the BTR82 gun
● BMP-2M - upgraded BMP2 with 4 Kornets w/ precision from 700 to 1000meters and grenade launcher. It has improved layered armor overall and same AR/Engine
● BMP-3M - pretty much an BMD4 on steroids, it has better armor with the same arsenal
● T-90A - The RU upgraded MBT is here, sadly it has no weaponry upgrades from the T72, it does has better armor and should be able to handle fights against US and CN better, more on this soon!!


⚖️ BALANCE
Huge nerf to TOWs overall, most of them are now pretty bad at close/medium range and require the vehicle to stand still for accurate shots

TOW, Konkurs, HJ-73C, AT-3 Malyutka, HJ-8, F2 MILAN
- better for moving targets
- no moving while shooting

Kornet, Bastion, Refleks
- better for long range
- can be countered by gunner smokes

🛠️ FIXES
soon...

❗❗ IMPORTANT POINTS - READ ME ❗❗

• Hull and component are different types of damage, the armored will only explode once hull or Ammo rack HP reaches 0 (Ammo rack upon reaching 0 HP will start a cookoff animation that lasts 30 seconds and ammo will deplete, it will only stop prematurely if hull HP reaches 0)
  
  
• Armor values seem to have no influence on damage, only defines what will penetrate it and component damage, most influential cases where extra layers above components rather than the hull armor itself
  
  
• This being said, you don't need to stay upfront if it doesn't give you any advantage
  
  
• You cannot damage engine and AR at the same time, track can be pierced with those but component damage will split between them
  
  
• Angles matter and are mostly important when playing tanks or long ranges, use this website to test it and dont go always for components https://squad-armor.com/
  
  
• Shoot helicopters and supplies with Explosive rounds
  
  
• All tanks have 3000 HP and their Ammo racks 2000 HP
  
  
• Green boxes stand for Engine or where to hit, Red boxes stand for AR and Black boxes should be avoided

🔵BLUFOR - UK, US, CAN, AUS
🟡PAC - CN
🔴REDFOR - RU
🟢INDEP - ♥♥♥, TR, IMF, INS

Teams from the same faction will not face each other except INDEP, who can fight anyone

🏅 TIERLIST

TANK TIERLIST (8.0)

TIER	NAME
S	ZTZ
A	M1A2/1 - T90
B	T72
C	CHALLENGER - LEOPARD - M60T
D	M1128 - SPRUT - ZTD05 - T62

IFV TIERLIST (7.x)

TIER	NAME
S	BRADLEY
A	M1128 - SPRUT - ZTD05 - HJ73C
B	BMP2 - ZBD04 - FV510
C	BMD4 - LAV6 - ASLAV - ACV15 - BTR82
D	LAV25 - COYOTE - MTLB6M - PARS3 - FV107 - M1125 - AAVP
E	BMP1 - BMD1 - LAV 3 - Bulldog

MGSs will be present in both tierlists
HJ73C stands for the HJ73C variants on the Chinese faction

● TANKs

🔵 CHALLENGER - BRITISH

☕ Defensive tank

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐

● Front (2 HTK) - It's a shoebox, exposed AR, aim anywhere in the middle except blackbox, carefull on fighting it on a distance as it can non-pen often



● Side (2 HTK) - Same as the ZTZ, aim at track height for a AR and track hit



🛡️ Defending

Good luck, try to play more passive and good positioning, also, you can try to angle your front to misleading gunners to aim at the window or ricochet at angled track

🔵 LEOPARD - CANADA

🍁 Defensive tank

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐

● Front (2 HTK) - another shoebox with exposed AR, just aim on the lower right section and secure a 2htk



● Side (2 HTK) - Take care aiming on the side, AR is located in the front bellow its nose



🛡️ Defending

Another MBT you need to take care while playing, avoid frontal engagements, play with information and good positioning. If you find you to be in a frontal engagement, you could also try to angle your tank to “hide” the AR

🔵 M1A2/1 - USA/AUS

🦅 Offensive tank 🦘

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐


● Front (4-2 HTK) - another beast when it comes to tanking, it can be killed with 4 shots to the neck/mantle or you can TRY to hit AR but it's very difficult as hitting the upper part will cause a non-pen



● Side (2 HTK) - Careful as its one of the slimmest ARs, aim precisely for AR + track hit



🛡️Defending

Another tank you can be aggressive with and will win most trades by front engaging

🟡 ZTZ - CHINA

🐉 Offensive tank, GOAT

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

● Front (4 HTK) - PRAY for your life, this beast can only be damaged on its turret, disabling track will not do damage and you cant hit engine or AR upfront



● Side (2 HTK) - Aim below the turret on track height, will dmg both track and AR




🛡️ Defending

No fear on this war machine, face the enemy tank with your front and if possible angle to hide neck, also equipped with TOW

Be careful when playing against USA as experienced Bradley crew may 1HTK your AR upfront

🔴 T72/S - RUSSIA/♥♥♥ 🟢

🐻 Hybrid tank 🐪

⚔️Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐⭐

● Front (2 HTK) - Can be an easy to takedown tank if on the right angle, big and exposed AR in its middle section



● Side (2 HTK) - AR right in the middle of its turret, can be shot on AR + track



🛡️ Defending

Another tank you can be aggressive with and will win most trades by front engaging as you have TOWs in your favor
After the TOWs rework and the new T90, the T72 should be played more passively against better factions like RU/US/CN and can be aggresive againts the others

🔴 T90 - RUSSIA

🐻 Offensive tank

⚔️Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐⭐⭐

● Front (4-2 HTK) - This new piece of Russian armory can be a pain for existing MBTs, the upgraded frontal armor makes most of its AR be protected excluding a thin line not that reliable to hit





● Side (2 HTK) - AR right in the middle of its turret, can be shot on AR + track, SAME AS T72

🛡️ Defending

A worthy opponent for the Abrams and ZTZ, can be aggressive and can win trades if taking good positioning or first shot

🟢 M60T - TURKY

🕌 Defensive tank

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐⭐

● Front (2 HTK) - Also an easy 2 shot AR kill, go for it in stronger MBT




● Side (2 HTK) - consistent and easy to hit AR



🛡️ Defending

Try to avoid front confrontations and and play on info with this tin box

🟢 T62 - INS/IMF

⚔️ Engagement - difficulty ⭐

● Front (2 HTK) - This is a meme MBT, huge AR,
no armor whatsoever


● Side (2 HTK) - An AR buffet, just pick your favorite

⚠️ This MBT AP rounds have less penetration than the others

● MGSs

The Sprut, ZTD and M1128 are Mobile Gun System armored vehicles, they are equipped with 105mm cannons and can damage most MBT on mantles and side/rear

They should be used as long range MBT hunters and treated as most IFVs, as they armor is weak and will get 2HTK by any MBT

They can still penetrate Leopard, Challenger, T62 and T72 front to hit AR. M1A2/1s and ZTZ will only take hits to the mantlet/neck

🔵 M1128 - USA

The MGS Stryker is here, the first BLUFOR faction MGS is equiped with powelfull weapons and its wheeled, assuring great movespeed (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Zoom through the map and hunt down other armored vehicles, same as others MGSs, information is key, also make sure to hide your AR behind the big Engine
🛡️ Fighting against: This slippery one may be hard to catch, upon frontal engagement go for the right side and hit AR, else disable engine and target hull

Stronger than: MTLB6MB, BMP1, BMP2, BTR82, ZBD04, ACV15, PARS3

Equal to: ZTD05, Sprut

Weaker than: Tanks

🟡 ZTD05 - CHINA (NAVY)

One of the first Mobile Guns System, its job is to use his powerful weapons and mobility to takedown any armored, ⚠️ unfortunately the ZTD has the same T62 debuff and can only pen up to 550mm (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Stay away from combat and if possible hide your AR by putting your engine on front of it
🛡️ Fighting against: Try to hit the AR in the front if static, else aim for the engine and disable gun while going for its back, if shooting the AR on the side aim above the tracks

Stronger than: FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, AAVP, LAV25, ASLAV, Coyote, LAV6, FV510

Equal to: M1128, Sprut

Weaker than: Tanks, Bradley

🔴 Sprut - VDV

The Sprut does the same function as the ZTD, with improved weapons but weaker armor (1250HP)


⚔️ Fighting as: Play carefully and with info, you're capable to takedown IFVs and Tanks and they can take you down as well pretty quickly, play on the distance

🛡️ Fighting against: Use better mobility to make him miss shots and try to kill the exposed AR to stop it from firing


Stronger than: FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, AAVP, LAV25, ASLAV, Coyote, LAV6, FV510

Equal to: M1128, ZTD05

Weaker than: Tanks, Bradley

● IFVs

🔵 AUS

🦘 ASLAV

The weakest faction IFV wise (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: try to disable engine and damage gun while going for the enemys back

🛡️ Fighting against: shoot anywhere on its engine, hes pretty weak

Stronger than: BMP1
Equal to: BTR82, MTLB6MB
Weaker than: BMP2, ZBD04, HJ73C, ZTD05, Sprut

🔵 BRIT

☕ FV510 UA

A strong IFV with powerful armor, it lacks firepower as the fire rate is slower than the FV520 (2000HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Go for most of the other IFVs and face them with your front, be careful with moving as you dont have stabilization
🛡️ Fighting against: avoid confrontal engagements, disable its engine and evaluate the fight

Stronger than: BMP1, BTR, MTLB6MB, ACV15, PARS3
Equal to: BMP2, ZBD04
Weaker than: ZTD05, Sprut, HJ73C

The guide above is for the UA version that has the same armor improvements as the FV520, the normal version of it can be penetrated anywhere on the side

☕ FV107 - The sniper

Basically a paper box with bad fire rate, can be taken down by a single AT (750HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Hide on mountains and stay away from infantry and other armored vehicles, try to snipe them in the distance
🛡️ Fighting against: rush it as you want, it will die pretty quick even to .50cal when shot in the turret

Stronger than: BMP1
Equal to: .50cal
Weaker than: BMP2, BTR82, ZBD04, ZTD05, MTLB6MB, Sprut, HJ73C, ACV15, PARS3

☕ Bulldog APC

There's nothing much you can do with it other than kill infantry, and its RWS (closed) variant do no damage to armored (2000HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Play with info and help other stronger armored vehicles, you're a support

🛡️ Fighting against: kill exposed gunner and then disable engine

Stronger than: none

🔵 CAN

🍁 LAV 6

The main canadian IFV is solid and better when in duo with another LAV/Coyote due to its low ammo (1750HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Most of layers you're against better IFV and should played as a group with other armored

🛡️ Fighting against: disable its engine, then go for turret and fire at will

Stronger than: BMP1, BTR82, MTLB6MB, PARS3
Equal to: ZBD04, ACV15
Weaker than: BMP2, HJ73C, Sprut, ZTD05

🍁 Coyote

It's pretty much a copy of ASLAV with a smaller engine (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Use from its speed to fly through the map and duo with a LAV6 for better results
🛡️ Fighting against: disable engine and kill it

Stronger than: MTLB6MB, BMP1, BMD1
Equal to: PARS3
Weaker than: BMP2, ZBD04, HJ73C, ZTD05, Sprut, BTR82, ACV15

🍁 LAV III M2

It's a Stryker copy, should be used carefully as it will lose most fights face to face (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Be a support and play with information, don't face other IFVs

🛡️ Fighting against: top engine will not penetrate, only damage hull. Disable turret it has low HP

Non M2 variants are pretty much useless

🔵 USA/NAVY

🦅 M2A3 - Bradley

The old reliable bradley, a US warmachine, well armored and equipped with TOW capable of 1HTK T72 and ZTZ ammoracks upfront (2000HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Face up anyone, just beware being taken by surprise as tracks are slow
if you are a experienced crew, go for tanks as well

🛡️ Fighting against: Try surprising this monster, you cannot AR it from the front, Engine can only be hit on the lower body. Be careful as tracks protect the lower parts of components


Stronger than: MTLB6MB, BMP1, BMP2, BTR82, ZBD04, ACV15, PARS3, HJ73C, ZTD05, Sprut

🦅 M1125 - Stryker

US main IFV has a .50cal? yes, and it goes head to head against the BTR82 (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Careful who you're playing against, use info, shooting first is very important as the gun will heat up and needs to cooldown

🛡️ Fighting against: Remove his mobility asap, destroy the engine and keep shooting, the .50cal cannot damage components of most IFVs

Stronger than: BMP1, BMD1
Equal to: BTR82
Weaker than: ZTD05, Sprut, BMP2, ZBD04, MTLB6MB, HJ73C, PARS3, ACV15

🦅🌊 AAVP - The turtle (NAVY)

The AAVP is a moving fortress, equipped with a .50cal, construction points and 2000HP

⚔️ Fighting as: The perfect tool to kill BTRs and infantry, comes equipped with 600 constructions points, you need to help infantry or play as a safe supply truck
🛡️ Fighting against: it has no stabilization, make rounds around it and disable engine

Stronger than: BMP1, BMD1
Weaker than: ZTD05, Sprut, BMP2, ZBD04, BTR82, MTLB6MB, HJ73C, PARS3, ACV15

🦅🌊 LAV 25 (NAVY)

Copy of Coyote (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Use from its speed to fly through the map and play with info
🛡️ Fighting against: disable engine and kill it

Stronger than: MTLB6MB, BMP1, BMD1
Equal to: BTR82
Weaker than: BMP2, ZBD04, HJ73C, ZTD05, Sprut

🟡 CHINA

🐯 ZBD04

A well equipped IFV for the CN faction (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Hide your ammo rack behind the engine and use the TOW to AP for max damage

🛡️ Fighting against: Stay in the front and right side to consistently hit AR, you cannot hit it from the side with AP as its protected by extra armor and tracks

Stronger than: ASLAV, FV107, Coyote, LAV III, M1125, LAV25, AAVP, ACV15, PARS3, LAV6
Equal to: FV510, BMP-2
Weaker than: Bradley

🐯🌊 ZBD05 HJ73C (NAVY)

This ZBD counts with the HJ73C variant, that introduced the combo TOW kit, unfortunately it has bad armor and 1250HP

⚔️ Fighting as: You can use 2 TOWs at the same time with precision up to 300m, use and abuse it

🛡️ Fighting against: Use from speed and info to flank this beast, jamming gun or getting up close is key

Stronger than: ASLAV, FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, LAV25, AAVP, FV510, LAV6, PARS3, ACV15
Equal to: Bradley

Weaker than: Tanks

its non HJ73C variant is pretty weak

🐉 ZBL08 HJ73C (BOTH) - The hunter

This IFV has the same power as it tracked brother but is fast af boiii (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Play as a armored hunter, being able to output 2000HP damage in a few seconds with such speed through the map makes you a huge threat, info is key

🛡️ Fighting against: Play with info and try to catch it lacking, if upfront aim on the upper body for more damage on components

Stronger than: ASLAV, FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, LAV25, AAVP, FV510, LAV6, PARS3, ACV15
Equal to: Bradley
Weaker than: Tanks

the non HJ73C variant should be treated as a armored BTR, the ZSL has the same hitbox but its open

🔴 VDV

🐻✈️ BMD4

The BMD4 is a solid IFV but it have the same HP issue the BMP2 does (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Use the TOW to AP mechanic and play with info to overcome stronger enemies

🛡️ Fighting against: Even with the high DPS the BMD4 has a very exposed AR, aim for it on the front and if on the sides make sure to hit it above the extra armored part

Stronger than: FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, AAVP, LAV25, ASLAV, Coyote, ACV15, PARS3

Equal to: LAV 6

Weaker than: Bradley, FV510, ZBD04

🐻✈️ BMD1

It's basically the BMP1 (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Play from the distance and with info, you only have HEAT rounds

🛡️ Fighting against: Focus its turret as it lacks the fire rate to kill you fast, try to engage first

Stronger than: tracked .50cal

🔴 RU/♥♥♥ 🟢

🐻 BMP2 🐪 - The glass cannon

RU/♥♥♥ strongest IFV, packed with TOWs and an amazing fire rate, unfortunately it has only 1250HP

⚔️ Fighting as: Use info to be effective with this glass canon, if played correctly it can kill most of the others IFVs, you can also help against MBTs with the TOW and good positioning

🛡️ Fighting against: disable engine, and run close/past it while hitting the turret, close combat disables its TOW

Stronger than: ASLAV, FV107, Coyote, LAV III, M1125, LAV25, AAVP, LAV6, ACV15, FV510, PARS3

Equal to :ZBD04, FV510

Weaker than: Bradley

If you manage to get its side aim for the top part so you don't split component damage with the tracks

🐪 BMP1/1AM 🐻 - WIP

🐻 BMP2M & BMP3M - WIP

🐻 BTR 82

The fast boy russian IFV, its unique for having the engine placed on its back (1000HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Swarm the battlefield the speed, disable components and go for stronger IFVs back

🛡️ Fighting against: Go for the turret neck ring as it is reliable damage and no option to damage engine from the front

Stronger than: FV107, Coyote, LAV III, Stryker, LAV25, AAVP
Weaker than: Bradley, FV510, LAV6, ASLAV, ACV15

🐻 MTLB 6MB 🐪

Basically a worst BMP, it has the same issues and slower due to tracks and exposed engine (1000HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: Try to play from a distance and with info, if encountering another IFV pray for the fire rate gods

🛡️ Fighting against: Shutdown its exposed engine and aim above track with explosive for 3x damage


Stronger than: FV107, LAV III, Stryker, AAVP
Weaker than: Bradley, FV510, LAV6, ASLAV, Coyote, LAV25, Coyote, ACV15

6MA variants should be treated as an APC as they lack the 30mm cannon

🟢 TURKY

🕌 ACV15

A pretty mediocre IFV, lacks extra armor and is slow with no TOW available (1250HP)

⚔️ Fighting as: you can't do much, try to help infantry and engage other armored with info

🛡️ Fighting against: hit the engine and go for the turret, should be an easy kill. From the front you should hit the lights or lower body

🕌 PARS III - The meme

This should not even be on the list as it can be 3x damage by the wheels area with explosive ammo and on the back as well

⚔️ Fighting as: Try to use speed in your favour, avoid frontal engagements

🛡️ Fighting against: front face it or easy kill with Explosive on wheels or back

❤️ Props

Thank you for reading this guide and i hope it helps improving your gameplay!! Always seek knowledge

Thanks for my clan 156th for all this years of gameplay and the great South American servers hosts

Props to:
❤️ Burgues my armored homie
❤️ cannon_fodder0 for the ingame armored mod
❤️ MJH1606 for the amazing armored website
❤️ Keystone for the OG armored guide i used for years and inspired me to make this one

If you have any suggestion or find errors please comment below, peace 😊

[IKiINIgTv]

Update?

[Sgt. Sniper]

praying for a update

[✪ Twicé ✪]

Need to update Abrams moved AR From Left To Right.

[Karvlek]

Add a small note below IFV's tierlist that it's created by you, and it's your opinion. Bots will see this and acknowledge this as true fact that Bradley is the best IFV (it's not)

[ZenLogic]

ty for your amazing feedback

["Kabareciarz" Gregorij Floidenko]

remove the IFV tierlist because clearly you never played ifv's in your life

[ZenLogic]

i started on a new job and having my finals exams, the full 8.0 update will take some time

[Mabeco]

É o professor Zen, caralho, não tem jeito.

[Side33]

Good guide except the BMD-4 is an S tier APC, and a skilled M1A2 crew beats a skilled ZTZ crew anyday of the week.

[ZenLogic]

ill make tests with the BMP1 asap