SPAA worth to play now?

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

Hey guys, what’s up. I’ve been grinding the German heavies and Mediums but I’ve never payed attention to SPAA’s because many people say they suck. However, I’m now attracted by their looks (dunno why), and I just want to try to kill planes instead of trying to hit them with MGs. So, I jumped in, but I want to know, is playing SPAA’s worth it in WT? (Economics and RP)

[Lord_Prism 1,827]

1 minute ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Hey guys, what’s up. I’ve been grinding the German heavies and Mediums but I’ve never payed attention to SPAA’s because many people say they suck. However, I’m now attracted by their looks (dunno why), and I just want to try to kill planes instead of trying to hit them with MGs. So, I jumped in, but I want to know, is playing SPAA’s worth it in WT? (Economics and RP)

SPAA are incredibly important, both teamwise and can actually bring some money in seeing as most SPAA tend to live longer if you pay attention. For German SPAA, at lower tiers the Wirble is king for a reason, quad 20mms will always be good, especially when the most effective AAs tend to spit as many rounds downrange as possible in the shortest amount of time. Mid tier, you likely dont have the Coelian (RIP), so the Wirble will still serve you well until you reach the Kugelwind

[GhostSoph@psn 2,213]

36 minutes ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Hey guys, what’s up. I’ve been grinding the German heavies and Mediums but I’ve never payed attention to SPAA’s because many people say they suck. However, I’m now attracted by their looks (dunno why), and I just want to try to kill planes instead of trying to hit them with MGs. So, I jumped in, but I want to know, is playing SPAA’s worth it in WT? (Economics and RP)

Yes they are worth it. For one thing, their BR is not relevant if used as SPAA...so if you need a 3rd vehicle, any reasonable SPAA can fill it, even if -1 or -2BR.

 

Used as SPAA they can usually kill more planes that deaths...planes often attack them and you get easy shots...you can usually survive a couple such attacks...

 

I often get a SPAA late in the game, the sky is full with targets and i can usually get a couple kills and climb in the ranks...

Playstyle is odd at start...but then i got used to AAA combat...not my favorite, but fun enough...

 

Some are also good in ground combat...vs average armor.

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

8 hours ago, GhostSoph@psn said:

Yes they are worth it. For one thing, their BR is not relevant if used as SPAA...so if you need a 3rd vehicle, any reasonable SPAA can fill it, even if -1 or -2BR.

 

Used as SPAA they can usually kill more planes that deaths...planes often attack them and you get easy shots...you can usually survive a couple such attacks...

 

I often get a SPAA late in the game, the sky is full with targets and i can usually get a couple kills and climb in the ranks...

Playstyle is odd at start...but then i got used to AAA combat...not my favorite, but fun enough...

 

Some are also good in ground combat...vs average armor.

Ok thanks. Great to know I can use a Wirbelwind if I ever go to 5.0

[GhostSoph@psn 2,213]

17 hours ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Ok thanks. Great to know I can use a Wirbelwind if I ever go to 5.0

I used M16 (somewhat) effectively at BR8 or so...apparently jets are killable by MG fire also

 

As a rule...FAST firing weapons will always work...you just have to aim well and get the targets close enough...

 

Of course higher BR vehicles are usually better armed...but you have a few very nice SPAAs at lower BRs...like Wirblewind and M16.

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

Isn’t M16 a American SPAA? Sounds like it. Before people calling the Flakpanzer 38 “Gepard” confused me with the high BR gepard. So is the M16 a German SPAA or American? Lemme check then

[伊地知虹夏正在点国策 1,289]

2 minutes ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Isn’t M16 a American SPAA? Sounds like it. Before people calling the Flakpanzer 38 “Gepard” confused me with the high BR gepard. So is the M16 a German SPAA or American? Lemme check then

M16 is an American SPAA, but also in the Japanese tech tree and a modified version in the chinese tech tree, called the CCKW 353 (M45)

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

Ok, thanks for clarifying that

[k_chan_95th 60]

It's always been viable to play SPAA, while it's not really expected you'd get kills left right and center in it (unless you get to top tier and get a ADATS), you're gonna be useful for your teamates and have a fighting chance against CAS marauding you and your guys over and over. Remember, take atleast one SPAA in your lineup to not get peppered by CAS

[GhostSoph@psn 2,213]

9 hours ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Isn’t M16 a American SPAA? Sounds like it. Before people calling the Flakpanzer 38 “Gepard” confused me with the high BR gepard. So is the M16 a German SPAA or American? Lemme check then

Yes...it is american...just an example of a "cheap" SPAA with effective weapons at almost any BR.

 

You got several other ones in the german tree...anything with good rate of fire and ammo is effective, even at higher BRs...

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

14 hours ago, GhostSoph@psn said:

Yes...it is american...just an example of a "cheap" SPAA with effective weapons at almost any BR.

 

You got several other ones in the german tree...anything with good rate of fire and ammo is effective, even at higher BRs...

Sorry bud, misunderstood your last question. I saw Olydaily on YT play 10.7 with his Wirblewind and killing planes and getting plenty of kills too

[SpankdaMonkey 708]

I use the german Wirbelwind up to BR7 effectively. All depends on how thick the experienced flyboies are in game.  There's a steep learning curve and the aimpoint is way off unless they are on top of you already. Played right it's very rewarding, I've numerous 5-7 plus kill games with it, never get under 2 any game even with the lawn darters and revenge bombers. 

[Zuschnellfliegen 67]

Yep, however, I’ve been having a problem recently. I’m playing the Flakpanzer 38 but I’m having trouble spotting planes in Ground RB. Is it made by practice or is there some tricks to help?

[_Mr_Fahrenheit_ 222]

45 minutes ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Yep, however, I’ve been having a problem recently. I’m playing the Flakpanzer 38 but I’m having trouble spotting planes in Ground RB. Is it made by practice or is there some tricks to help?

 

It's experience and learning to listen for aircraft. As a SPAA your vision can be blocked by buildings, trees etc so you need to use your hearing to figure out where planes are and help you track them. You can always look towards where enemy planes spawn into the game. Normally you'll see black dots, which should give you a good indication how many are on the way. I just assume that as soon as a point is captured and some enemy die that planes are coming.

 

Try to get out of the spawn as soon as  you can and set up somewhere not near it. To many terrible SPAA players will just fire from the spawn, which makes it real easy for planes to concentrate their efforts.

 

Don't be in a hurry to fire and don't concentrate on just one target. I'll let planes come in close, especially when they are setting up for their bomb run. That begin said, don't fire from long range. No point in firing 2km out hoping for a hit. It might happen, but all your doing is telling the enemy where you are. Once you fire at them, you've marked your position to other planes and tanks.

 

After that it's just a matter of learning the how to properly lead planes.

 

Germany has many, many good SPAAs. The Whirbelwind, the halftrack with triple 15mm, the double barreled Ostwind are all good vehicles with high rates of fire in the lower ranks.

[SpankdaMonkey 708]

17 hours ago, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Yep, however, I’ve been having a problem recently. I’m playing the Flakpanzer 38 but I’m having trouble spotting planes in Ground RB. Is it made by practice or is there some tricks to help?

Sorry wrong post. 

Edited July 30, 2022 by SpankdaMonkey

[Teemestari 88]

I was test driving German Kugelblitz which is interesting especially because its turret has a roof unlike most other German SPAA of that era. Its Battle Rating is 7.0 .

 

What kind of planes are there at BR 7.0 ?

• F-80A-5 Shooting Star
• F-84B-26 Thunderjet
• F3D-1
• A2D-1
• F-89B
• F-89D
• Me 262 A-1a
• Ho 229 V3
• su-9
• su-11
• Spitfire F Mk 24
• Attacker FB 1
• attaker_fb2
• Kikka
• SK60B

Kugelblitz is mostly conventional SPAA without any electronics. It was developed during WW2 and only five prototypes were built.

 

I am not sure about the Battle Rating of Kugelblitz. Should it be lower than 7.0 ?

[Noir89 2,578]

Its that high BR because of the AP ammo, but after the nerf from 95mm pen to 77mm it should go back to BR 6.7 imho.

 

-> especially when compared with the SUB-I-II at BR 5.3 which holds APDS with 66mm penetration

Edited January 10, 2023 by Noir89

[GhostSoph@psn 2,213]

On 10/01/2023 at 13:03, Teemestari said:

I am not sure about the Battle Rating of Kugelblitz. Should it be lower than 7.0 ?

SPAAs BR is also related with their ground combat capabilities.

 

MOST (if not all) SPAAs are weakly armored against air weapons...but most of them can kill planes (which are usually very frail). I use M16s against jets with reasonable success...and most rapid firing SPAAs will work well enough. Also...MOST (if not all) will die if attacked by a determinate aircraft...Kugelblitz is not that different from Ostwind or lower SPAA vehicles in AAA work.

 

SAMs may change this equation...i am not there yet...

[Baske_74 465]

On 26/07/2022 at 15:41, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Hey guys, what’s up. I’ve been grinding the German heavies and Mediums but I’ve never payed attention to SPAA’s because many people say they suck. However, I’m now attracted by their looks (dunno why), and I just want to try to kill planes instead of trying to hit them with MGs. So, I jumped in, but I want to know, is playing SPAA’s worth it in WT? (Economics and RP)

Do you play AB or RB GF? mode of play effect repair costs greatly AB the get really expensive the higher up you go. and since in GFAB AIR can see here you are, even if you "kill"them they can still kill you.

 

Also GFAB vehicles have on average a lower SL modifier then GFRB, some times a much as 80% less VEAK 40 : 70% AB, 150% RB, repaircost in AB 10k in RB 5k.

So in AB my VEAK on average earns 600Sl per plane kill, i need to kill 17 planes to cover its loss, in RB it should be 1200 SL per kill, so after 4-5 kills you cover its loss;

 

i play AB and for me it's mixed:

below 7.0 German SPAAG are all based on medium chassis so have some armor for protection, you also have nearly every BR covered with some type of SPAAG not many trees can do that:

Wirblewind, Ostwind (II), Coelian, Kugelblitz, all medium tanks with tons of ammo and good to great RoF. Wirble is dirt cheap , the rest not so much;

Gepard first radar SPAA, no armor, has effective APDS against ground but carries only 40, 20 per barrel, overall trigger discipline is required, long reload at cap;

Ocelot, first SAM with stinger, can't get this to work, missile doesn't lock unless at close range and is easily avoided, no ground ability what so ever;

Gepard 1A2 Gepard with 4 stingers, same as ocelot only with APDS for ground targets;

FlakRakPz SAM that doesn't require lock and has more range and explosive then the ocelot

FlakRakRad Sam with huge truck, but better missile, no armor whatsoever;

 

for me the best high tier SPAAG is the Begleitpanzer 57, 57mm Prox with huge filler and radius, in AB you can 1 shot planes at 2,5km, and it has AP rounds and 6 ATGM against groundforces and it mobile AF.

I have the same experience in other techtrees: things with prox are the best SPAAG:

USA: Sgt york M247;

GER: Begleitpanzer 57;

USSR: 2S38;

GBR: ADATS (M113) missiles can kill tanks and planes;

JPN: No vehicle with prox;

China: WZ305;

ITALY: VCC-80/60, OTOMATIC;

France: No vehicle available;

Sweden: Any CV9040 variant

Israel: No vehicle available;

 

I say this because the vehicles have a huge advantage over normal SPAAG, they can fire on the move and the prox rounds make a near miss still a hit.

Most are light tanks so they are cheaper then same tier SPAAG and are way more effective against ground targets either by direct action or spotting, arty, mobility

 

 

 

[Lilliee#1 0]

Well for me i just like playing spaa and i adore how some of the top tier spaas look, its up to you but if you want to go for any high tier spaas especially the missile ones it becomes a game of being the first to spot the target on radar which makes it a bit difficult at times, playing spaa becomes rather easy once you get to your first radar so i'd give it a try + if you like it you can keep up a grind for them, and its always good to have some spaa as backup if your team ever needs it, as said before top tier spaas are very expensive to repair and require a lot of patience as most of them cant properly defend themselves, for germany with the gepards you'll have a pretty nice experience, aswell as with most other nations spaas around the 8.0 - 9.7 area, above that they usually carry missiles which make ground kills very rare and with some even nearly impossible, you'll very much depend on your team, however if you're looking for something new to play i'd definetly give it a shot, just have a lot of patience and i hope you'll have fun <33

 

(I mostly play the ito90m and its a really fun vehicle to play, so if anyone has questions about missile spaas + how to use them in a decent way to not make too many losses you can ask me)

[VT_88 342]

The secret to SPAA is to use it as a tank.

You have to know where to hit and you have to be close.

 

Many SPAA's can kill tanks.

 

By using it as a tank, you help the team more and can get assists easily.

[Teemestari 88]

It just feels so utterly stupid: You play so-called "ground battle", and suddenly there are half dozen eager enemy CAS fighters in the sky. Even if you were good at shooting planes, you will soon find your SPAA in a crossfire.

[GhostSoph@psn 2,213]

17 hours ago, Teemestari said:

It just feels so utterly stupid: You play so-called "ground battle", and suddenly there are half dozen eager enemy CAS fighters in the sky. Even if you were good at shooting planes, you will soon find your SPAA in a crossfire.

Err...are we talking AB? If so, SPAAs have the highest kill ratios...you kill much more than you die. Usually because attacking planes line up for zero deflection shots (even if they kill you you can also get a kill)...and also because most planes crash eventually, and the guy that did more damage gets the kill...usually a SPAA...

[Teemestari 88]

1 hour ago, GhostSoph@psn said:

 

Err...are we talking AB?

 

 

No. I have played arcade battles by accident. But usually I play realistic battles.

 

Yesterday the usual pattern was that while I was aiming one plane, another attacked me while two or three other were seeking for opportunity. But yes, I also shot down few planes.

[SpankdaMonkey 708]

On 26/07/2022 at 16:10, Zuschnellfliegen said:

Ok thanks. Great to know I can use a Wirbelwind if I ever go to 5.0

 

I play Arcade and use my Wirbel very effectively at BR 6, little tip if you play with the game supplied lead indicator, It's off. Lead the lead a bit get a feel for gauging distance and aim points and fire in short burping bursts, don't try to hose it. RNG favors that burp fire method.