With the recent introduction of the Sturmpanzer — an open-top German SPG at Battle Rating II — a strong precedent has been set, against which the current state of the KV-2 at Battle Rating V appears completely inadequate.
Sturmpanzer Characteristics (Battle Rating II):
Gun: 150 mm
Reload: ~10 seconds
Ammunition Types:
- HEAT shell capable of penetrating any armored vehicle at its level and higher
- HE shell with amatol filler, creating a large blast radius (can incapacitate crew even in well-armored vehicles)
The Sturmpanzer is capable of destroying any top-tier U.S. and Soviet tanks simply by landing a HE shell (without even needing to aim at weak spots precisely).
KV-2 Characteristics (Battle Rating V):
Gun: 152 mm
Reload: 30 seconds (!) — that’s 3 times longer than the Sturmpanzer
Ammunition: one type — HE shell with tnt_cutted filler, significantly less effective than amatol
Mobility: limited
Armor: formally heavy, but at Battle Rating V, the KV-2 is penetrated frontally and from the side by absolutely all opponents
As a result, the KV-2 is practically incapable of surviving any real engagement. A player who manages to fire often does not survive until reload — the enemy will already be back in a new vehicle and able to destroy the KV-2 again while it’s still trying to reload.
Comparative Analysis
| Parameter | Sturmpanzer (BR II) | KV-2 (BR V) |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 150 mm | 152 mm |
| Reload Time | 10 sec | 30 sec |
| Ammunition Types | 2 types (HE + HEAT) | 1 type (weak HE) |
| HE Effectiveness | High (amatol) | Low (tnt_cutted) |
| Mobility | Medium | Low |
| Vulnerability | Medium (open SPG) | High (any tank at BR V penetrates) |
| Cost | Event vehicle (free) | Premium (paid) |
Conclusion: despite being two full tiers lower in Battle Rating, the Sturmpanzer outperforms the KV-2 in every combat metric: damage, reload speed, shell versatility, mobility, and effectiveness against armored vehicles.
What Needs to Change:
- Reduce the KV-2’s reload time to match the Sturmpanzer — 10 seconds.
This would give the vehicle at least a minimal chance at being competitive. - Replace the KV-2’s HE shell type with “amatol.”
This would align its damage potential with that of modern SPGs. - Lower the KV-2’s Battle Rating to that of the KV-1 — BR III.
With its current characteristics, the KV-2 does not belong at BR V.
Conclusion
In a context where the Sturmpanzer can successfully destroy any targets at or above its level, the KV-2 — as a premium unit — ends up not just weak, but outright unplayable. Players who paid real money for it have received a vehicle that is technically inferior to a free, event-based unit of a lower tier in every aspect.
If the Sturmpanzer is considered balanced and not game-breaking, then the developers’ refusal to bring the KV-2 to similar standards is a rejection of logic and balance. We are not asking for a buff for the sake of “OP-ness,” but for a correction of the obvious imbalance between paid and free content.
The KV-2 must be reworked. Now.
