Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good speed agility
- Great turret traverse
- Autoloader with great burst damage that can cripple any tank it comes across
- Higher drum capacity than its counterpart the T69
- Low profile
- Surprisingly decent health, just enough to survive 3 hits, give or take
- Carries a good amount of ammo
Cons:
- Very weak armor; takes full damage from artillery
- Very long reload time
- Slow track traverse, not good at circling the enemy
- Very weak to ramming
- 2 crewmen are loaders
- Long aim time and subpar accuracy on the 90mm
- Poor elevation and depression
- Sluggish traverse on high speed (clutch braking wil be handy)
Performance
Coupled with the right mindset and determination, the 13 90 can be both a rewarding tank to play, and deadly on the battlefield. The first thing to understand about the 13 90 is that it is not a medium; it never was, and never will be. If you play it like one you will die quite rapidly. The 13 90 is a flanker, but more to the point it is a scout flanker. It has the speed, and coupled with clutch braking, can rival even the t-50-2 in the amount of damage it can do to enemies behind their lines, and on it. The 13 90 also possesses an advantage unique to light tanks: it retains the same camo value when moving as when it is sitting still. This makes the 13 90 superb for sneaking behind enemies and launch surprise attacks from behind. If you make good use of cover and and foliage you can pop up from the most unexpected places.
The key to survival in the 13 90 is mobility. If you're not moving you're dead. The best course of action is to play the 13 90 as a scout, and use your speed to fill in gaps in the line your allies have created. If you see someone in trouble, go help them, run distraction and shoot the enemy in his rear a few times. And while he's looking at you, get under cover and let your friend do the rest. Or even better, do a drive by and shoot him again and take another pass. Keep the enemy guessing and off guard.
The 13 90 is a true Hit & Run tank. It has the firepower to truly cause some damage, it has the mobility and speed to go where needed, and what's more a well driven 13 90 can sow discord amidst the enemy. If the enemy is focusing on you, and shooting at you, then they're not shooting at your teammates.
Use elevation to its fullest potential. Climb the slopes of hills where the enemy can't see you and then swoop down at high speed through gaps in the enemy's line.
Another important point is that auto-loaders in general are both a bane and a boon. They provide serious burst damage, but while they're reloading you're completely vulnerable. Always remember when playing the 13 90 that mobility is the key to your survival and success.
Early Research
- Suspension and engines - mobility is key to survival
- Gun is secondary because you can pen from the rear
(Alternate)
- Research the 90mm - much needed increase in burst damage total
- Research the last Engine and suspension - they will help you fight, but they won't win the fight for you.