China at BR 10.3
ZTZ96A lineup
Choose from the tech-tree combat vehicles at this BR. Add lower-BR backups only where needed to reach four combat vehicles, then bring SPAA separately.
Tech-tree combat vehicles at this BR1
These are the tech-tree combat vehicles at this Ground RB rating, including foldered vehicles. Choose a mix of roles; you do not need to buy or crew them all.
Suggested starting selection: ZTZ96A, CM11, ZTZ96, ZBD04A.
Lineup completion choices3
Lower-BR vehicles or clearly labeled special vehicles used to round out this lineup.
Air defense3
Add SPAA alongside your four combat vehicles. Choose it for the aircraft and helicopters you expect to face.
Premium and other optional vehicles · 1
Optional alternatives1
Use these if you own them or can obtain them. Premium, event, squadron and restricted vehicles are labeled.
How to play this lineup
Opening spawn
ZTZ96A is the default opener. Use different tank roles to set up crossfire, and choose a gun that can handle the opponent in front of you. Choose a different core vehicle when the map favors its role.
Urban maps
Cover one approach at a time, settle the gun before exposing the hull and leave yourself a way out. Heavier vehicles require teammates watching the path around their armor.
Open maps
Inspect the firing ridge before crossing. Gun depression, rangefinding and optics vary by vehicle; pick terrain that allows a shot without unnecessary hull exposure.
Uptier plan
Seek side angles and lanes you can cover with teammates when frontal armor or penetration is unreliable. Lower-BR carryovers serve specific roles; their rating does not change when brought into this lineup.
Downtier plan
Apply supported pressure after identifying the opposing gun and reload window. Favorable armor or ammunition is an opportunity to control a lane, not a protection guarantee.
Replacement spawns
CM11, ZTZ96, ZBD04A provide the other core combat roles. Change lane or role after a loss. Suitable SPAA occupies an additional slot.
Across three matches, make an aimed shot from cover, pull back into cover and contribute on a different lane with a backup vehicle.
Fire from cover and leave room to get back behind it. After a death, try a different route or role.
Get four combat vehicles and suitable SPAA ready before moving up. Research a useful shell and repair/firefighting upgrades first, then the equipment each vehicle needs.
Ammunition and stock grind
Check the vehicle guides for shell choices and ready-rack capacity. Start with useful anti-armor ammunition and available repair/firefighting upgrades, then unlock the equipment your role needs. Use your stock shells while researching better options.
Core lineup budget
Core lineup budget
For featured lineups, the total covers new core vehicles at this stop. Alternative lineups show the full core. SPAA, optional vehicles and the research path leading here cost extra.
| Vehicle | Research RP | Purchase SL | Basic crew SL |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZTZ96A | 260,000 | 710,000 | 200,000 |
| ZBD04A | 300,000 | 830,000 | 240,000 |
| Total | 560,000 | 1,540,000 | 440,000 |
Purchase + basic crew: 1,980,000 SL
Your remaining cost depends on what you’ve already researched, prerequisites, discounts and crew slots. Expert/ace training, modifications and repairs are extra.
When to move up
- You have at least four combat vehicles that give you different options after a loss.
- You have an SPAA option for the aircraft you expect to face; its BR can be lower than the lineup.
- You’re comfortable aiming the gun and using cover during the reload.
- You have useful backups for the new vehicle while you unlock its modifications.
Likely opponents
Examples from lower, equal and higher BRs to help you prepare. Which ones can be enemies depends on the nations on each team. This is not a ranking of how often they appear.
Leopard 2A4 · 10.7
Sweden · Higher BR · uptier range · Medium tank
Threat: A medium tank can fight in the main lane, then move to get a shot from another angle.
ZTZ96A approach: Keep your hull covered, watch the return-fire lane and create crossfire instead of repeated frontal trades.
Aiming check: For the available kinetic rounds, test a shot path through crew or critical modules; penetration alone does not guarantee a knockout.
Opponent specifications ↗
120S · 10.3
USA · Same BR · Medium tank
Threat: A medium tank can fight in the main lane, then move to get a shot from another angle.
ZTZ96A approach: Keep your hull covered, watch the return-fire lane and create crossfire instead of repeated frontal trades.
Aiming check: For the available kinetic rounds, test a shot path through crew or critical modules; penetration alone does not guarantee a knockout.
Opponent specifications ↗
2S25M · 10.0
USSR · Lower BR · downtier range · Light tank
Threat: Light tanks can reach your flank quickly. Check side routes before focusing on the main lane.
ZTZ96A approach: Cover its escape route and avoid chasing into exposed ground. Recheck the flank after firing.
Aiming check: For the available kinetic rounds, test a shot path through crew or critical modules; penetration alone does not guarantee a knockout.
Opponent specifications ↗
Opponent shortlist · 12 vehicles
| Vehicle | Nation | Ground RB | Matchup | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2S25M | USSR | 10.0 | Lower BR · downtier range | Light tank |
| AMX-40 | France | 10.0 | Lower BR · downtier range | Medium tank |
| Dardo | Italy | 10.0 | Lower BR · downtier range | Light tank |
| Leopard 2K | 10.0 | Lower BR · downtier range | Medium tank | |
| 120S | USA | 10.3 | Same BR | Medium tank |
| Ajax | Great Britain | 10.3 | Same BR | Light tank |
| Harimau | Japan | 10.3 | Same BR | Light tank |
| Puma | 10.3 | Same BR | Light tank | |
| Leopard 2A4 | Sweden | 10.7 | Higher BR · uptier range | Medium tank |
| ◔Leopard 2A4 | Italy | 10.7 | Higher BR · uptier range | Medium tank |
| Arjun Mk 1 | Great Britain | 10.7 | Higher BR · uptier range | Medium tank |
| Hunter AFV | Israel | 10.7 | Higher BR · uptier range | Light tank |