ST-I World of Tanks Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

General information

Name	ST-I
Type	Heavy tank
Tier	IX
Armament	122mm M62-T2: penetration 268mm; damage 440
Armoring	Hull: 140mm/140mm/100mm, turret: 250mm/160mm/160mm
Durability	1900 health points
Mobility	Top speed: 40km/h, engine: 700HP
Role	Close combat, medium distance combat

The ST-I is another, right after the KV-4 Soviet tank with a low top speed and very high resistance to enemy fire - this vehicle is the second most resistant, tier nine vehicle, and it is only inferior to the German E-75. Unlike its predecessor, it has been armed with a much better cannon : the 122mm M62-T2 is identical with the one mounted onto the IS-4. This is why the ST-I has a large firepower and good penetration value. This vehicle is best when it fights at a distance below 150 meters but, whenever the need arises, it can respond with fire over longer distance.

Development, equipment, crew

The first module that you cannot do without is the BL-9 cannon. The more considerate players, who develop several lines of tanks simultaneously, will already have unlocked it (it can be unlocked while playing on the IS-3) - the remaining ones will again have to struggle with the 122mm D-25T, whose penetration value is, around 175mm. In this case, it is a good idea to spend the spare experience points and buy some subcaliber, to make things easier, just a bit.

The next modules are: suspension, a new turret (not only does it have a 250mm thick armor in front of it, but also increases reload speeds and allows you to descend the cannon by, as many as, 8 degrees) and finally, a new 122mm M62-T2 cannon. The engine should be the last one to develop.

Preferred equipment: shell rammer, vertical stabilizer, improved ventilation.

Optional equipment: toolbox, improved guidance system

Skills and perks: sixth sense for the commander, repair for the rest of the crew. Then, brothers in arms for the entire crew.

Weak points

Unlike its predecessor, the ST-I does not have too many weak points. The easiest way to damage this tank is by aiming at the lower-front armor, or by shooting into the driver's visor. The glacis plate is resistant to fire and, only guns of the penetration value of, around 260mm, are capable of penetrating it on a regular basis. If the tank hides behind an elevation, or behind ruins, and only exposes the turret, there is little possibility that you damage it. The only weak point is the cupola, but even in this case, you need a cannon with the penetration value of, around 220mm.

When angled, the ST-I is still a very resistant tank and only the largest-caliber cannons are capable of penetrating its thick side-armor. By shooting to the side, try to aim above, or right below the additional armored skirt covering the tracks. Attacks from behind are immensely effective: 100mm thick of armor is not enough protection against their seven tanks.

The elements inside the vehicle are organized in a standard way: the ammo compartment is at the back of the turret and in the hull, right under it, whereas the engine is at the back of the vehicle.

How to play...

...as the driver of the ST-I?

• The ST-I's armor is very resistant to fire - always position yourself with your front towards the enemy (or at a slight angle) and, whenever possible, hide the lower-front armor behind natural obstacles. The ST-I, positioned in this way, is nearly impossible to eliminate without surrounding it or summoning the artillery support.
• The 122mm M62-T2 cannon has the penetration value of, around, 268mm - this allows your vehicle to fight any opponent in the game. Because of the long reload times, I recommend against firing in motion; after you take a good aim, you can shoot even over the distance of 200-400 meters. Additionally, you can use the HEAT shells, which is capable of penetrating 400mm thick steel!
• Thanks to the immensely tough turret, your tank can get close to the enemy vehicle - if he does not have an appropriate cannon and special ammo, his chances in fight with you drop to zero.
• The tough turret, in combination with the perfect cannon descent, also allows you to fight in the hull down position, from behind elevations.
• Before you start going uphill, you need to make sure that the opponent does not lay fire down on your vulnerable sides, or the rear - the ST-I is, unfortunately, a quite slow tank and crossing elevations takes long.
• The ST-I is very vulnerable to artillery fire - it is worthwhile to spend some time to acquaint yourself with the maps and learn locations where self-propelled guns will not be able to reach you.

...against the ST-I?

• While on a vehicle of a lower tier, attack this tank only from the sides or from behind; the potential attacks from the front should always be aimed at the lower-font armor.
• As far as possible, do not let the ST-I glue to you - getting away is very difficult and often ends in a failure.
• If you encounter an ST-I in the hull down position, it is necessary to circle it and attack it from the flank, or to summon artillery support. Frontal attacks at a fortified position, defended by this vehicle, nearly always are bound to fail.
• While moving on a vehicle of a higher tier, you still need to pay attention to the opponent - it is armed with a perfect cannon that is capable of penetrating any tier ten vehicle.