XM1-V Build Guide

Introduction

The XM1V tank serves as a defensive alternative to the M1E1 for the Chopper agent in Project CW. Unlike the M1E1's focus on raw offensive power, the XM1V excels at battlefield control and holding ground. While some may initially perceive it as weaker, this perceived vulnerability can be a significant advantage, often leading opponents to underestimate its capabilities in direct engagements. This guide will explore two distinct XM1V builds, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal deployment scenarios.

Build Suggestion 1: The Brawling Bulwark

By sacrificing armor protection and utility, this build aims for a significant boost in direct combat effectiveness, focusing on increased hitpoints and superior gun performance. Its core strategy involves aggressive engagements, leveraging the conditional ability (Aegis) to dominate opponents up close.

Slot 1 - Ability Mod - Minefield Pack (5KWH)

Our first module slot equips the 'Minefield Pack' as our base. While providing standard, unremarkable mines, they remain valuable for flank protection and slowing down fast tanks, granting you reaction time. Don't rely on them for kills or halting a determined push. Their primary purpose is to force opponents to use repair kits or block their retreat, making them most effective offensively

Slot 2 - Ability Mod - Demox (5KWH)

In our second module slot, we'll equip a basic but effective rocket modification, which lowers the ability's cost by 10%. While these rockets typically won't secure kills on their own, they become potent when used with your mines. Hitting your deployed mines with rockets initiates a chain explosion, greatly amplifying damage to anyone nearby. You can also deploy the rockets independently to force opponents to use repair kits, stop flanking or pushing maneuvers, or dislodge enemies from cover.

Slot 3 - Survivability Mod - Aegis (30KWH Legendary)

This is the core of our build. This exceptionally powerful modification trades armour and status effect resistances for a significant HP and repair boost. Its conditional trigger (taking 3000 HP damage in a single life) unleashes immense gun buffs: penetration and damage skyrocket, allowing the XM1V to aggressively engage any tank head-on with rapid, high-penetration shots capable of breaching even an M1E1's turret cheeks for 30 seconds. Following this the ability enters a cooldown of a couple of minutes. During this time we should play defensively and utilise its enhanced repair kit to recover before the next push.

Slot 4 - Survivability Mod - Absorber (15KWH)

Our fourth modification is 'Absorber'. It addresses some of the downsides of Aegis while also helping us trigger its powerful effect. This grants us an 8% increase to our hit points, elevating us to 4655HP (At time of writing), and bolsters our side armor by 4%, partially restoring the protection sacrificed for Aegis. While this enhancement only really helps against autocannons and HE, it's a beneficial addition to our survivability.

Slot 5 - Mobility Mod - Besns Prim (15KWH)

We'll equip 'Besns Prim' in our fifth module slot. This modification helps with our sluggish turret rotation and also boosts hull traverse, allowing for quicker repositioning to address threats and maintain frontal engagement and denying light tanks easy flanks. This improved agility, combined with the handbrake (SPACE), provides us with a fighting chance in extreme close-quarters if our mines and rockets haven't successfully created distance.

Slot 6 - Lethality Mod - Ravage (25KWH)

For our final slot, we select 'Ravage'. This potent gun modification provides a flat 15% damage increase and boosts critical damage across the board. Whilst it reduces our top speed, the trade-off is invaluable. Pairing with Aegis, Ravage significantly and consistently amplifies our damage output, granting us the power to decisively influence engagements.

Build Suggestion 2: The Stalwart Tactician

Prepare to move like a Tiger with transmission issues – your mobility is severely hampered by this build. However, this sacrifice transforms you into a stalwart defender, boasting immense armor and a significantly enhanced mine lethality. Despite this resilience, you are not the spearhead, but the shield: an enabler. Secure your allies' flanks, and they will secure your survival.

Slot 1 - Klyukva

Our first module in this build is to heavily invest in our mines. While their raw statistics might seem comparable to standard versions, the ability to rotate your minefield provides a game-changing tactical edge. This allows for precise placement to intercept advancing enemies or create impassable roadblocks in tight spaces. Opponents unfortunate enough to trigger the length of a rotated minefield face potentially devastating damage. Combined with a small damage buff, this makes pushing your team a highly risky proposition

Slot 2 - Ability Mod - Demox (5KWH)

In our second module slot, we'll equip a basic but effective rocket modification, which lowers the ability's cost by 10%. While these rockets typically won't secure kills on their own, they become potent when used with your mines. Hitting your deployed mines with rockets initiates a chain explosion, greatly amplifying damage to anyone nearby. You can also deploy the rockets independently to force opponents to use repair kits, stop flanking or pushing maneuvers, or dislodge enemies from cover

Slot 3 - Meditec

We select 'Meditec' for our third modification, a choice that provides two nicely complementing bonuses with negligible downsides. It grants a substantial 12% HP boost, recovering some lost health and settling us at a respectable 3395 HP. However, the primary draw is its potent repair buff: 10% that increases by 2% every 40 seconds, to a maximum of 20% if you remain unrammed. Ramming by enemies will not only reset this valuable buff but also cause you increased damage. Employ your mines and rockets to keep opponents at bay.

Slot 4 - Fortifier

Our fourth slot houses 'Fortifier', a module true to its name. It boosts our side and rear armor by 10%, our turret sides by 20%, and our energy by 10%. Additionally, blocking 1200+ damage in a life grants a 30-second, 20% resistance to all status effects with a short cooldown. While this further hinders our mobility (partially addressed by the next module), it makes reacting to ambushes more challenging. Vigilance on your flanks is crucial.

Slot 5 - Mobility Mod - Besns Prim (15KWH)

We'll equip 'Besns Prim' in our fifth module slot. This modification helps with our sluggish turret rotation and also boosts hull traverse, allowing for quicker repositioning to address threats and maintain frontal engagement and denying light tanks easy flanks. This improved agility, combined with the handbrake (SPACE), provides us with a fighting chance in extreme close-quarters if our mines and rockets haven't successfully created distance.

Slot 6 - Lethality Mod - Ravage (25KWH)

For our final slot, we select 'Ravage'. This potent gun modification provides a flat 15% damage increase and boosts critical damage across the board. Whilst it reduces our top speed, the trade-off is invaluable. Ravage significantly and consistently amplifies our damage output, granting us the power to influence engagements.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No tank is without downsides and our beloved XM1V is unfortunately no different. However, the key to being effective is to know and manage your strengths and weaknesses. Here is a quick overview of some of the more pressing ones.

Strengths

Creating space and controlling engagements The XM1V's abilities make it exceptionally adept at dictating the flow of combat and carving out space for allies. Whether it’s delaying an enemy advance or aggressively initiating a fight, its tools are versatile. Deploy mines and rockets strategically to disrupt pushes, cut off enemy withdrawals, or secure your flanks.

Holding ground - Thanks to its versatile abilities, the XM1V excels at area denial and holding objectives. Its suite of tools allows it to effectively resist enemy pushes, providing valuable time for teammates to reinforce its position.

Substantial Health Pool - Depending on the configuration the XM1V can have a significant 4655 HP. This considerably increases the time-to-kill against XM1V, bolstering its ability to hold ground or push aggressively.

Balanced Firepower - The XM1V's main gun offers consistent performance with a respectable 6-second reload. Although it lacks some penetration compared to other vehicles, it features decent gun handling allowing for accurate shots and providing reliable DPM in direct combat. It has favorable ballistics over the M1E1 allowing the XM1V to maintain engagement range without substantial damage falloff.

Weaknesses

Low overall mobility - The XM1V suffers from subpar mobility. Consequently, switching flanks or crossing dangerous zones without being intercepted will be challenging. While its theoretical top speed of 45 appears decent, the XM1V rarely reaches and cannot sustain it. Therefore, careful advance planning is crucial to avoid becoming isolated from the main engagement

Poor turret traverse - The XM1V suffers from one of the slowest turret traverses in the game. At a mere 20/24 degrees per second, a full 360-degree rotation can take up to 18 agonizing seconds. Opponents will likely exploit this weakness in close-quarters combat if they breach your initial defenses. Avoid isolating yourself where allies cannot provide support.

Ability heavy tank - This tank's effectiveness hinges on its abilities more than raw stats. In a pure gun duel, the XM1V's vulnerable areas and limited mobility put it at a distinct disadvantage, making disengagement difficult. Consequently, strategic and well-timed ability usage is crucial in every encounter. Squandering a minefield or misdirecting rockets can leave you critically exposed.

High Skill ceiling - The XM1V presents a higher skill ceiling than its more forgiving sibling, the M1E1, demanding a shift towards controlling engagements and directing the flow of battle, rather than engaging as the direct combatant. This distinct playstyle can lead to difficulties for those transitioning from the M1E1 often leading to fatal mistakes. Mastering the XM1V requires the ability to anticipate the flow of battle, Proactively and preemptively adjust your tactics.

Conclusion

The XM1V carves out a niche as a powerful defender, though its intricate playstyle, unlike the more accessible M1E1, may result in a smaller dedicated following. Nevertheless, dismissing it in combat is a surefire path back to spawn. While its paper statistics might not immediately impress compared to others, its focused yet adaptable toolkit provides surprising versatility in both attack and defence. A seasoned XM1V commander can directly and indirectly dictate the flow of battle, significantly easing their team's struggles.

However, XM1V commanders must always be aware of their inherent weaknesses. Should a focused enemy breach their defensive abilities and overwhelm their toolkit or exploit an unsupported flank, the XM1V's limited reactivity will make it very difficult to counter and survive.

Disclaimer

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