Warpigs: AMX ELC bis Review [OUTDATED]

Hi again guys,

Today's review is on the AMX ELC bis, formerly known (before its HD model) as the ELC AMX.

This is the tier 5 French light tank, and the line's playstyle changes dramatically with it. Previously, the tanks like the AMX 38 and 40 had very weak guns with poor DPM, poor penetration, and poor accuracy, despite having strong armor. The ELC's armor is so weak that even most HE shells penetrate easily, but its gun gets a nice upgrade. In fact it has the same alpha damage and penetration values of the AMX 13 90, a tier 8 light tank. This raw power is balanced by a rate of fire of only 5, resulting in a base DPM of 1200. The gun also has a long aim time of 2.9 seconds, worsened by poor gun handling, a turret that can only turn 15 degrees to either side, a rear mounted turret, and 5 degrees of gun depression. Nevertheless, the raw alpha and penetration of the gun makes it the perfect tool for seizing brief opportunities of firing at an enemy tank.

The ELC itself has a practically armorless, but incredibly nimble chassis. It is also extremely compact and flat, giving the ELC extremely good camo values. However, with 400 HP, every hit you receive will change your playstyle for the rest of the game significantly. Howitzers can one-shot you, so watch out for tanks like the M4 Sherman and the VK 28.01. The ELC's lack of DPM, limited turret traverse, poor gun handling, and poor durability will often result in it being destroyed first if exposed. Therefore, one should act as a scout/sniper in the early stages of the game to preserve your usefulness and HP for the late game.

The speed of the ELC should be used to stay out of trouble. Putting distance between you and the enemy and being able to aim a good shot before you are spotted is the strongest way to outplay your enemies. The tank can work well as a passive scout or an active scout. However, a below average view range of 360 hinders active scouting sometimes, forcing you to get close and into dangerous waters. Therefore, my preferred playstyle that I developed uses the binoculars and bush combination of passive scouting, staying unspotted until it's time to pop off a shot and run. Avoid other enemy scouts as they usually will be able to outplay you in a brawl.

Close combat/brawling is the ELC's weak point. In fact, the ELC AMX can never really directly engage an enemy unless it is able to stay under the depression of the enemy's gun or the enemy tank can be taken out in at most 2-3 shots. Otherwise, it may prove difficult to perform a circling maneuver, especially against tanks with turrets due to the ELC's limited turret traverse. However, it is not impossible if the player is skilled enough. Despite the tank's low profile, it can be quickly destroyed. Therefore, in my experience, should stay out of close combat except as an occasional support tank.

The ELC's playstyle in short, despite its excellent mobility, is rather passive. Lurk in a shadowy bush, slap on binoculars, and say goodnight to the tanks you spot as your team (hopefully) unleashes lead rain upon them. The gun's alpha damage and penetration doesn't make it a damage farmer, but the master of cleaning-up even the biggest, most buff enemy tanks. Don't fall into an identity crisis and play like a medium tank.

My equipment setup (binocs can swap for coated optics, ventilation can swap for a gun laying drive):