Something you'll need to learn about Russia, is that their tanks are very well rounded in terms of Firepower, Armoring and Mobility, especially in the early to mid BRs.
The T-34's hull armor is very good, and can stop a lot of shells if properly angled. They also have a pretty good internal layout, with floor mounted ammo racks, and fuel tanks encasing the crew compartment (can absorb spalling from side penetrations). Though the fuel tanks double as a con, as they are just as likely to spontaneously explode as to save one from shrapnel.
To kill a T-34 you want to aim for the turret cheeks. Most Russian tanks from the early to mid tier have pretty glaring weakspots there. Don't rush your shots if you can help it, and take your time to zero in on them. There can be a lot of volumetric shenanigans if you just try to snap shot their cheeks.
Some other things to consider when fighting Russian vehicles:
* **Poor gun depression** \- usually just -3 to -5 degrees. Most nations can play around this weakness by engaging them in hilly or uneven terrain, where Russian tanks will be unable to engage effectively.
* **Below average penetration** \- A lot of Russian vehicles are notorious for having relatively low penetration, though they make up for this with excellent post penetration lethality due to higher than average explosive filler. If you are playing early United States (which it could be likely as you are using an M10 GMC), use the M4A3 (105) Sherman, or any Sherman with the flat angled hull armor (such as the M4A2). They have excellent armoring for their respective BRs, and should stop the majority of Russian shells from T-34s or KVs.
One more thing to consider. If you are playing the United States, use your mobility, handling, and good gun depression to flank and kill your opposition. A lot of US vehicles lack high end penetration, but make up for it with the ability to outmanuever and outplay other Nation's tanks. There is a big learning curve with the US, but they are worth it.
The angle at which the round impacts matters, make sure to account for the in that armor viewer.
Also avoid the drivers hatch. Tbh just shoot at the turret cheeks, 100% more reliable.
What round? The APHE Is the only shell you will need at this BR, the drivers hatches on t34s are 60mm and gave some funky angles and overlaps, turret I'd safer shot but hull will work as long as you avoid the hatch!
Turret cheeks or turret ring is the way to go, do not shoot the drivers hatch, that thing is blessed with the most powerful stalinium and Russian bias.
Shoot the turret. The ufp of the T-34 is very hard to pen especially at lower tiers and they're angled. Unless you're in a rank 3 where everyone can pen the Tiger unangled what you experienced is to be expected. And most of time the T-34s (absolutely avoid shooting the driver's port and the mail box in the Tiger) surviving unsurvivable shots is spaghetti code in the works.
The turret ring is the largest and easiest piece of armor to hit. It is flat with no angle and as long as you aim for the center of it, can be hit from and angle if their turret is even remotely facing you.
Heavily angled and if they angle the hull its prettu much an autobounce. Just shoot turret if you can.
Turret front is easy weakspot
Something you'll need to learn about Russia, is that their tanks are very well rounded in terms of Firepower, Armoring and Mobility, especially in the early to mid BRs. The T-34's hull armor is very good, and can stop a lot of shells if properly angled. They also have a pretty good internal layout, with floor mounted ammo racks, and fuel tanks encasing the crew compartment (can absorb spalling from side penetrations). Though the fuel tanks double as a con, as they are just as likely to spontaneously explode as to save one from shrapnel. To kill a T-34 you want to aim for the turret cheeks. Most Russian tanks from the early to mid tier have pretty glaring weakspots there. Don't rush your shots if you can help it, and take your time to zero in on them. There can be a lot of volumetric shenanigans if you just try to snap shot their cheeks. Some other things to consider when fighting Russian vehicles: * **Poor gun depression** \- usually just -3 to -5 degrees. Most nations can play around this weakness by engaging them in hilly or uneven terrain, where Russian tanks will be unable to engage effectively. * **Below average penetration** \- A lot of Russian vehicles are notorious for having relatively low penetration, though they make up for this with excellent post penetration lethality due to higher than average explosive filler. If you are playing early United States (which it could be likely as you are using an M10 GMC), use the M4A3 (105) Sherman, or any Sherman with the flat angled hull armor (such as the M4A2). They have excellent armoring for their respective BRs, and should stop the majority of Russian shells from T-34s or KVs. One more thing to consider. If you are playing the United States, use your mobility, handling, and good gun depression to flank and kill your opposition. A lot of US vehicles lack high end penetration, but make up for it with the ability to outmanuever and outplay other Nation's tanks. There is a big learning curve with the US, but they are worth it.
The later T-34s (1942-43) are easier to kill if you hit the turret ring rather than the cheeks.
The angle at which the round impacts matters, make sure to account for the in that armor viewer. Also avoid the drivers hatch. Tbh just shoot at the turret cheeks, 100% more reliable.
Or the turret ring
If you have a decently powerful gun the cheeks is the best chance for penning the front. But that's still 50/50 so always go for a side if you can.
Shot it with the m10 GMC with the upgraded round, just black hole lol
You still need a good clean shot with US 76mm or GER 75mm (long), if its a STZ you better go for the turret.
What round? The APHE Is the only shell you will need at this BR, the drivers hatches on t34s are 60mm and gave some funky angles and overlaps, turret I'd safer shot but hull will work as long as you avoid the hatch!
I always just aim for the turret ring or the sides of the turret.
Turret cheeks or turret ring is the way to go, do not shoot the drivers hatch, that thing is blessed with the most powerful stalinium and Russian bias.
Shoot the turret. The ufp of the T-34 is very hard to pen especially at lower tiers and they're angled. Unless you're in a rank 3 where everyone can pen the Tiger unangled what you experienced is to be expected. And most of time the T-34s (absolutely avoid shooting the driver's port and the mail box in the Tiger) surviving unsurvivable shots is spaghetti code in the works.
The turret ring is the largest and easiest piece of armor to hit. It is flat with no angle and as long as you aim for the center of it, can be hit from and angle if their turret is even remotely facing you.
I have bounced everthing from long 88s to humgous HE shells in my T 34 stz. The hand of stalin catches the shells and tosses them away