Type 58 Guide

Type 58
The Type 58 is a Chinese produced version of the famous T-34-85. The reasoning behind the name is quite simply the fact that it was brought into service in 1958, a semantic that runs through all the Chinese tanks (Type 59 and Type 62 springs to mind). It never reached mass production, and by 1958 the tank was unfortunately rather obsolete, hence the close following of the Type 59 and the Type 62.

Stats:
Cost: 920,000 credits
Research cost: 33,000 xp
Health: 720 (750 with top turret)

Crew:
Commander
Gunner (New with this tank, I'd advise to train with silver at minimum. If you're rich, get him to 100% with gold)
Driver
Radio Operator (The later tanks combine the RO into the Loader)
Loader

Mobility (Upgraded values in brackets):
Engine Power: 500 (500) ((520))
HP/T: 15.54 (15.54) ((16.0))
Traverse: 40 (42)
As you can see, the upgrades are all minor. The second engine only adds internal module health and lowers the chance of fire. Last engine adds 4% extra power and the same 12% chance to burn.

Armor:
Front: 45 mm
Side: 45 mm
Rear: 40 mm
Turret – Front: 90 (90)
Turret – Side: 75 (75)
Turret –Rear: 52 (52)
Once again, minor upgrades. We do get an enormous 10m of extra view range with the second turret, and of course more health. And most importantly, it allows us to mount the top gun.







Armament:
85 mm S-53 (stock) vs (85 mm 56-85JT (top gun)) // [difference, if any]
Ammocapacity: 60 (60)
Damage: 160 (160)
Penetration: 120 (128) [+8]
Rate of Fire: 12 (12)
Accuracy: 0.42 (0.38) [-0.04]
Aim time: 2.3s (2.3s)
Elevation: +22 (+22)
Depression: -5 (-5)
Well, would you look at that. Such a minor upgrade!

Personal Opinion:
The Type 58 is basically a high-alpha M4A3E8 that pays with a bit of DPM and a lot of gun depression. Or a low alpha T-34-85 that trades alpha and gun depression for higher DPM. Basically, this tank is the middle ground of the Easy8 and the T-34-85. It is however closer to the Easy8 since they have exactly the same amount of penetration and some sweet DPM. Meaning, flank higher tiers or you won’t penetrate and harass the same tier and down with your insane DPM. In the first phases of the game I’d advise to hang back and snipe a bit, you have decent accuracy(This always depends on map and team though – I’ve had great success passive scouting on El Halluf in a high tier game for instance*). Then keep an eye out for places for you to flank – you might not have such an impressive hp/t, but you have good ground resistance (This basically means you’re a lot more mobile than expected – apart from when you’re going uphill). Most mediums are not a problem frontally however, and at brawling distances you should not have a problem hitting their weaker areas. Basically, play it like a support tank.
All in all, it’s a great little tank. It can do most things, and you’ll be surprised by the armor at times.

A neat site comparing the Type 58 to the T-34-85 and Easy8: http://tank-compare.com/compare/type-58/t-34-85/m4a3e8-sherman#T1=19I14I13I19I10&T2=317I252I224I382I86&T3=233I177I162I284I56

*There were no dedicated scouts in that game (e.g. T-50-2, Chaffee) though – if there are, you’ll most likely not stand a chance due to their good camo and view range. Maneuvers like that require you knowing spotting mechanics and a general knowledge of the opponents view ranges. I’d advise to focus on the flanking part first and foremost.

Pros:
-Stockgrind is nonexistent; 4% more enginepower, 8 penetration and 10m view range
-Great DPM
-Accuracy, armor and mobility is decent
-There really is no wrong upgrade path, but more on that further down the text

Cons:
-Gun depression, but that’s a feature of all Chinese tanks
-Penetration, but it’s bearable

Suggested Crewskills:
Repairs is always viable. But i’d recommend repairs on everyone apart from commander and gunner. There I’d take sixth sense and snap shot.

Suggested Equipment:
Scrooge McDuck: Camonet, binoculars and rammer.
Nouveau Riche: Rammer, Enhanced Gun Laying Drive and Improved Ventilation.

Other Notes:
The Type 58 forces you to learn to flank. The short stockgrind is a blessing and a curse as well – The tank doesn’t improve a lot after you get it.
You can however mount all modules on the stocktracks, which is neat. You can’t have any equipment then though.Basically, the gun isn't such a big upgrade on this tank compared to others, so you can if you want get the tracks and radio first. Or go turret and gun, it's up to you really. Some advice though – The last engine is unlocked stock with the IS-2. So if you want, you can play the Type 58 without 4% extra engine power and unlock the IS-2 first. This will save you the 16k xp the last engine costs, and you can also skip the second engine (which only has extra module health and a lower chance to burn). You might want to unlock the IS-2 prior to the T-34-1, even if you’re not intending on playing the heavyline. The stock gun on the IS-2 is the top gun on the T-34-1, and you can save yourself a nice chunk of xp (17,5k) and treat yourself to an easier grind on the T-34-1.




Originally written by latexponi