USSR at BR 5.7
85 mm guns and scouting
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 BR4
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: T-34-85, IS-1, ISU-122S, 2S1.
Air defense1
Add SPAA alongside your four combat vehicles. Choose it for the aircraft and helicopters you expect to face.
Premium and other optional vehicles · 5
Optional alternatives5
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
T-34-85 is the default opener. Use a supported firing lane. Heavy guns reward aimed shots; keep enough cover to survive the reload.
Urban maps
Stop before corners, settle the gun and cover one approach at a time. Keep a teammate watching the route around the vehicle.
Open maps
Check gun depression before committing to a ridge. Use folds in the terrain to conceal the hull; do not force a firing position that requires exposing the whole vehicle.
Uptier plan
Favor side angles and lanes you can cover with teammates when frontal armor or penetration becomes unreliable. Select the round for the exact target, range and impact angle.
Downtier plan
Apply pressure with teammates after an opponent fires. Stronger armor is an opportunity to control a lane, not a guarantee against every enemy gun.
Replacement spawns
IS-1, ISU-122S and 2S1 provide three further combat spawns. Change the lane or role after each loss. Air defense occupies a separate slot.
Across three matches, make an aimed shot from cover, retreat safely and contribute with a backup vehicle on a different useful lane.
Shoot from cover, pull back to reload and change your approach after a death. Get comfortable with all four combat vehicles before moving up.
Get the four core vehicles ready before moving up. Unlock useful ammunition and repair/firefighting upgrades first, then the equipment you need for each role.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-34-85 | 20,000 | 135,000 | 39,000 |
| IS-1 | 40,000 | 135,000 | 39,000 |
| Total | 60,000 | 270,000 | 78,000 |
Purchase + basic crew: 348,000 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.
IS-2 · 6.0
China · Higher BR · uptier range · Heavy tank
Threat: Check the heavy tank before pushing. Its gun or frontal armor may make a head-on fight a bad choice.
T-34-85 approach: Use a covered side angle or crossfire. Do not rely on your lineup’s armor to absorb the return shot.
Aiming check: For available armor-piercing rounds, check penetration at the actual range and angle before choosing a crew or module shot.
Opponent specifications ↗
T-34-85 (S-53) · 5.7
China · Same BR · Medium tank
Threat: A medium tank can fight in the main lane, then move to get a shot from another angle.
T-34-85 approach: Keep your hull covered, watch the return-fire lane and create crossfire instead of repeated frontal trades.
Aiming check: For available armor-piercing rounds, check penetration at the actual range and angle before choosing a crew or module shot.
Opponent specifications ↗
ISU-122 · 5.3
China · Lower BR · downtier range · Tank destroyer
Threat: A tank destroyer or missile carrier may already be watching your crossing. Do not keep peeking from the same spot.
T-34-85 approach: Break line of sight and approach from a different direction with support; do not repeat the same peek.
Aiming check: For available armor-piercing rounds, check penetration at the actual range and angle before choosing a crew or module shot.
Opponent specifications ↗
Opponent shortlist · 12 vehicles
| Vehicle | Nation | Ground RB | Matchup | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISU-122 | China | 5.3 | Lower BR · downtier range | Tank destroyer |
| Comet I | Sweden | 5.3 | Lower BR · downtier range | Medium tank |
| ARL-44 | France | 5.3 | Lower BR · downtier range | Heavy tank |
| Challenger | Great Britain | 5.3 | Lower BR · downtier range | Medium tank |
| T-34-85 (S-53) | China | 5.7 | Same BR | Medium tank |
| M109G | Italy | 5.7 | Same BR | Tank destroyer |
| M36B2 | France | 5.7 | Same BR | Tank destroyer |
| T-34-85 | Sweden | 5.7 | Same BR | Medium tank |
| IS-2 | China | 6.0 | Higher BR · uptier range | Heavy tank |
| Charioteer Mk VII | Sweden | 6.0 | Higher BR · uptier range | Medium tank |
| M109A1 | Great Britain | 6.0 | Higher BR · uptier range | Tank destroyer |
| M18 | Italy | 6.0 | Higher BR · uptier range | Light tank |