In the latest update, I came across some truly disheartening news. I’ve been tied up with the final stretch of the War Thunder Battle Pass, which is why I’m only sharing my thoughts now.
The sIG 33 (Sf.) has been moved to BR 3. Frankly, I’m completely baffled by this decision. This vehicle has no machine gun, its reload speed isn’t particularly fast, and it’s an open-top casemate without a turret. While it has an extremely high skill ceiling, its floor is just as low. Over in War Thunder, for example, the sIG 33 (Sf.) can indeed take out main battle tanks, yet the community rightly keeps it at a 1.0 BR.
For Germany, BR 3 maps like Stalingrad are often too cramped and chaotic, which severely limits this vehicle’s effectiveness.
When I asked how this could happen, some players pointed me toward the likely truth: most players don’t use tanks to fight back, don’t call in aircraft to counter it, and don’t even deploy anti-tank guns as infantry. As a result, this vehicle is left free to attack infantry with impunity, leaving a strong—and deeply negative—impression on many players and building up widespread resentment. Once the outcry on the forums reached a critical mass, it was pushed up to BR 3.
This reminds me of the Bf 110 armed with four heavy rockets. That aircraft was once the backbone of the German Rank III lineup. Later, I heard that because some skilled players mastered it to devastating effect, public opinion turned against it—and sure enough, its battle rating was raised as well.
Ah, I can’t help but sigh. This shouldn’t be how things work. It’s always been my impression that the German faction has the largest player base in this game—maybe even 90% of players. How is it, then, that those who love playing Germany can’t prevent their own effective vehicles from being penalized like this? I truly hope to see the day when these machines return to their rightful place.
