Strengths
Use the balance of mobility and firepower to move between attacking and defending.
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ZTZ59A
China · Medium tank · Rank 5 · Premium
Battle Ratings
Arcade8
Realistic8
Simulator8
These are archived ratings; check the game for current values. The history below shows recorded ratings and announced changes.
Vehicle Overview
- Nation
- China
- Class
- Medium tank
- Rank
- 5
- Acquisition Type
- Premium
Battlefield Role
Help hold objectives, move between cover and flank when there is an opening. Choose your approach around the mobility and gun handling of your tank.
When to spawn
A useful first spawn on many maps. In uptiers, work with teammates for side shots rather than forcing a frontal fight.
Common Mistakes
- Repeating the same peek. Once an enemy has your range, move to another angle before firing again. A second shot from the same opening is easier to anticipate.
- Firing without a retreat. Choose cover you can reach during the reload. Do not cross into an enemy firing lane just to finish a damaged target.
Survivability and Armor
- Crew
- 4 persons
Keep the hull covered and check side routes. Medium tanks vary widely in how much armor you can rely on.
Keep exposed sides and the fighting compartment behind cover. Check the incoming round and impact angle in Protection Analysis before relying on the armor.
Ammunition
BR-412 · APHE
A practical anti-tank round when it can penetrate. Aim into the fighting compartment so the explosive filler can reach crew and modules.
OF-412 · HE
Use against exposed crews, aircraft where applicable and lightly protected targets. Avoid spending the shot on heavy frontal armor.
BR-412D · APCBC
Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.
Type 59 APDS · APDS
Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.
Type 73 HEAT-FS · HEATFS
Use against armor where the jet can reach the crew. Composite armor and ERA can defeat it; fences and other obstacles may trigger the shell before impact.
Ready Rack and Carry Load
- First-stage capacity
- 20 rounds
- Maximum capacity
- 34 rounds
Carry enough for the route and resupply plan. A listed first-stage capacity alone does not establish a safe spawn load or prove that another rack is empty.
Mobility
- Maximum forward speed
- 50 km/h
- Maximum reverse speed
- 8 km/h
- Power-to-weight ratio
- 14.4 hp/t
- Engine power
- 520 hp
- Weight
- 36 t
Top speed is not cross-country pace. Check the reverse route before taking a firing position.
Optics
Gunner
- Night equipment
- Unknown
- Magnification
- 3.5×–7.0×
Commander
- Night equipment
- Unknown
- Magnification
- 1.0×–5.0×
Driver
- Night equipment
- Unknown
Target Acquisition
- Rangefinder
- Laser rangefinder
Armaments
- Primary weapon
- 100 mm Type 59 cannon
- Secondary weapons
- 12.7 mm Type 54 machine gun · 7.62 mm Type 59 machine gun (coaxial)
- Reload
- 9.7 → 7.5 s
Economy
- Crew training
- 10,000 SL
- Expert crew
- 490,000 SL
- Ace crew
- 1,200 GE
- Ace crew research
- 1,440,000 RP
Battle Rating History
| Date | Game mode | Battle rating |
|---|---|---|
| No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded. | ||
Archived rating records
| Date / source | Arcade | Realistic | Simulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗ | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
Sources and data checks
Vehicle data checked October 8, 2026. Crew optics checked October 22, 2026. Speeds use Realistic Battles values. Reload depends on crew skills and qualification; damage can reduce performance. Unknown equipment is not a confirmed absence.
Community discussion
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