The text has been revised to reflect the comments
With the release of the Sturmpanzer — a German SPG at Battle Rating II — a clear precedent has emerged in the game, calling into question the current balance of heavy vehicles at higher tiers. In particular, the KV-2, situated at Battle Rating IV, suffers from a range of limitations that render it highly ineffective even compared to much cheaper and lower-tier machines.
Comparison of Characteristics: Sturmpanzer vs KV-2
| Parameter | Sturmpanzer (BR II) | KV-2 (BR IV) |
|---|---|---|
| Gun Caliber | 150 mm | 152 mm |
| Reload Time | ~10 seconds | 30 seconds (3× longer) |
| Shell Types | HEAT + HE (amatol) | One HE (tnt_cutted) |
| Actual Target Damage | Destroys top-tier vehicles | Doesn’t always cause critical damage |
| Armor | Thin on paper, but shells often fail to detonate | Thick, but easily penetrated by BR V vehicles |
| Turret Traverse | Not applicable (cabin) | One of the slowest in the game |
Why the Sturmpanzer is Objectively More Effective
The amatol-filled HE shell has a large blast radius and can consistently destroy top-tier U.S. and Soviet vehicles, including heavy tanks.
A reload time of just ~10 seconds allows for quick recovery from missed shots and consistent damage output. In combat, it can fire three times more often than the KV-2.
Despite being an open-topped vehicle, the Sturmpanzer is not as vulnerable as it seems: due to flawed shell fuse mechanics, many rounds fail to trigger on impact, as if passing through the vehicle.
Infantry counterattack is difficult:
- Due to hitbox bugs, the crew is hard to eliminate with small arms fire.
- Most players use the Sturmpanzer from the gray zone, where infantry cannot reach it.
Why the KV-2 Falls Short
30-Second Reload
An extremely long delay between shots. During this time, the enemy can respawn in a new vehicle and destroy the KV-2 before it fires again.
Weak HE Shell
The tnt_cutted filler is limited in effectiveness: even direct hits often fail to deal fatal damage.
Slow Turret Traverse
The KV-2 has one of the slowest turret rotations in the game, making it extremely vulnerable to flanking and urban combat situations.
Armor Is Inadequate for Its BR
Although the tank appears well-protected visually, in practice it’s penetrated by most BR V vehicles, including tank destroyers, mediums, and even some light tanks.
KV-2 Almost Always Fights at BR V
Because BR IV is transitional and BR V is the upper boundary, most KV-2 battles are against higher-tier vehicles. This makes its position consistently disadvantageous and compounds all of the above issues.
What Should Be Changed
Reduce Reload to 12.5 Seconds
This value (1.25× longer than the Sturmpanzer) would still be relatively slow but would at least make the KV-2 functional.
Improve the HE Shell
Replace the tnt_cutted filler with amatol or an equivalent with a proper blast radius and historically accurate power.
Keep the KV-2 at BR IV — But Only After Revisions
With current characteristics, it clearly doesn’t belong at this level. Either it needs to be strengthened, or it should be reconsidered for a downgrade to the level of the KV-1 (BR III) if revisions are not implemented.
Conclusion
Today, in all key areas — reload time, damage, versatility — the Sturmpanzer outperforms the KV-2, despite being available two battle rating levels lower.
The KV-2 requires reworking to meet the modern standard of vehicles in Enlisted. Its reload time, shell type, and matchmaking situation make it poorly suited for combat, especially when compared to vehicles that are, in theory, supposed to be inferior.
The proposed changes won’t make the KV-2 “overpowered” — they’ll simply make it playable and appropriate for its level.
