Serpente – World of Tanks Supertest Preview

While most Italian medium tanks pride themselves on autoloader systems, the Serpente takes a completely different approach with its double-barreled gun system, making it one of the most distinctive vehicles to grace the battlefield.
But what makes this tank truly special, and more importantly, how do you play it effectively? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the mechanics, strategies, and tactics that make the Serpente both a fascinating addition to any garage and a formidable opponent on the battlefield.

The Unconventional Italian

Breaking the Autoloader Tradition

Italian medium tanks have long been synonymous with autoloader systems, designed for rapid bursts of damage followed by critical reload periods. The Serpente, however, breaks this tradition entirely. Instead of following the familiar autoloader path, this Tier IX premium tank embraces a double-barreled gun system more commonly found on Soviet heavy tanks.

This isn’t just a cosmetic difference – it’s a fundamental shift in how the tank operates and, by extension, how you should play it. The Serpente represents a bold departure from Italian tank design philosophy, creating a unique hybrid vehicle that combines the mobility of a medium tank with the burst damage potential of a double-barrel system.

Statistics

Technical Specifications and Performance

Core Statistics

Tier: IX
Nation: Italy
Class: Premium Medium Tank
Top Speed: 55-60 km/h
Health Pool: 1,600 HP
Damage per Shot: 420 HP
Average Salvo Damage: 840 HP
Ammo Capacity: 40 rounds

Firepower Analysis

The Serpente’s armament is centered around a 120mm gun with impressive specifications:

Penetration: 254mm (241mm at 500m)
Shell Velocity: 1,050 m/s
Damage per Minute (DPM): 2,021.82
Aim Time: 2.49 seconds
Reload Time: 12.46 seconds (8 seconds for alternate gun)

Mobility and Protection

With a top speed of 55-60 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 19.09 hp/ton, the Serpente is exceptionally mobile for its tier. However, this mobility comes at the cost of armor protection:

Hull Armor: 80mm / 45mm / 35mm
Turret Armor: 100mm / 80mm / 50mm
View Range: 390 meters
Camo Rating: 14.82% stationary / 11.12% moving

Statistic	Value	Commander’s Notes
Tier	IX (Premium Medium Tank)	A powerful premium option for earning credits and training crews.
Alpha Damage (Single Shot)	420 HP	Respectable single-shot damage for a medium tank.
Alpha Damage (Salvo)	840 HP	A massive burst of damage that is terrifying for enemy mediums and lights.
Salvo Preparation Time	2.0 seconds	The quick time needed to “charge” the double shot, allowing for fast reaction.
Post-Salvo Lock-out	2.0 seconds	The brief time where the guns are disabled after the double shot, limiting your follow-up.
Top Speed	60 km/h	Excellent top speed for rapid repositioning, flanking, and retreating.
Power-to-Weight Ratio	23 hp/t	Fantastic acceleration, cementing its role as a quick skirmisher.
Gun Depression	8 degrees	Essential for playing effectively over ridges and maximizing exposure control.

The Double-Barreled Mechanic: Understanding the System

How It Works

The Serpente’s defining characteristic is its unique firing system, which operates fundamentally differently from both traditional Italian autoloaders and conventional single-barrel guns:

Salvo Preparation: Unlike autoloaders, the Serpente requires time to prepare each salvo before firing
Double-Shot Fire: Once prepared, the tank fires both barrels in quick succession
Brief Lockout Period: After firing, there’s a short gun lockout period before the next salvo can be prepared
Enhanced Accuracy: The salvo mode provides improved aiming speed, stabilization, and accuracy for double shots

Optimal Firing Strategy

The key to mastering the Serpente lies in understanding when to use its salvo mechanics:

Salvo Mode (Recommended): Offers enhanced aiming, stability, and accuracy for double shots with relatively short preparation and lockout times
Preparation Time: Not lengthy compared to other double-barrel tanks, making it more forgiving
Post-Salvo Cooldown: Brief lockout period allows for repositioning and tactical planning

Strategic Gameplay Guide

The Mobility-First Philosophy

The Serpente’s basic armor means that mobility is your primary form of protection. This isn’t just a playstyle preference – it’s a survival necessity. The tank’s exceptional speed (60 km/h forward) should be leveraged for:

Flanking Maneuvers: Use your speed to create attack angles that catch enemies off-guard
Repositioning: Constant movement makes you a difficult target to hit and track
Surprise Attacks: Your mobility enables quick strikes followed by rapid retreats

Offensive Tactics

Burst Damage Opportunities: Look for situations where you can dump an 840 HP salvo into exposed enemies
Hit-and-Run Tactics: Engage with salvo fire, then relocate before enemies can return fire effectively
Multiple Attack Angles: Use your mobility to create confusion and force enemies into difficult positioning choices
Support Flanking: Work with team mates to create crossfires that enemies cannot easily escape

Defensive Considerations

Given your limited armor protection:

Avoid Head-On Engagements: You’re not a brawler – pick your battles carefully
Use Terrain for Cover: Your speed gets you to cover quickly, but you still need to reach it
Watch for Artillery: Your thin armor makes you vulnerable toarty shots – always be aware of your position relative to arty threats
Manage Vision Control: Use your mobility to maintain advantageous sight lines

Advantages and Disadvantages

Strengths

High Burst Damage: 840 HP average salvo provides significant damage spikes
Excellent Mobility: 60 km/h top speed enables aggressive positioning
Unique Mechanic: Double-barrel system offers tactical depth different from standard mediums
Enhanced Accuracy: Salvo mode provides superior stability and precision
Forgiving Mechanics: Shorter preparation/lockout times than other double-barrel tanks
Premium Perks: Credit earnings and tank experience bonuses typical of premium vehicles

Weaknesses

Limited Armor: Basic protection makes positioning critical for survival
Low DPM: 2,021.82 DPM is lower than many contemporary medium tanks
Ammo Limitations: 40-round capacity can limit sustained engagements
Skill Dependency: Requires good game sense and positioning to excel
Learning Curve: Double-barrel mechanics demand practice to master

Competitive Analysis: How It Stacks Up

vs. Traditional Italian Mediums

The Serpente fundamentally differs from its Italian medium tank brothers:

No Autoloader: Instead of Italian autoloader damage bursts, you have double-barrel salvos
Different Positioning: Less dependent on reload timing, more on momentum and positioning
Unique Role: More suited to flanking than the direct combat role of autoloader mediums

vs. Soviet Double-Barrel Tanks

Comparing to heavy tank double-barrel systems:

Better Mobility: Medium tank speeds in a double-barrel platform
Better Penetration: 254mm vs. typical heavy tank penetrations
Lower Health: 1,600 HP vs. heavy tank health pools makes mistakes more punishing
Different Role: More tactical flexibility than the heavy tank commitment

Equipment and Crew Recommendations

Equipment Selection

Stabilization Equipment: Essential for maintaining accuracy during movement
Enhanced Gun Laying Drive: Reduces aim time to capitalize on your burst damage potential
Improved Ventilation: Boosts all crew skills and module performance
Rammer: Increases DPM to offset your lower damage-per-minute baseline

Crew Skill Priorities

Commander: Sixth Sense, Situational Awareness
Gunner: Snapshot, Sniper
Driver: Smooth Ride, Clutch Braking
Loader: Safe Stowage, Intuition

Conclusion: A Tank That Rewards Mastery

The Serpente represents one of the most interesting additions to the Tier IX lineup in recent memory. Its unique combination of medium tank mobility and double-barrel burst damage creates a vehicle that’s both challenging to master and highly rewarding to play well.

Success with the Serpente demands a fundamental shift in thinking from traditional medium tank gameplay. Rather than sustained firefights, you’ll excel through opportunistic strikes, aggressive positioning, and tactical retreats. The tank rewards players who can think several moves ahead, using their mobility to create situations where their burst damage can make the most impact.

While its basic armor and moderate DPM might initially seem limiting, those who invest the time to master its unique mechanics will find the Serpente to be a genuinely distinctive and effective addition to their arsenal. In a game filled with variations of familiar tank archetypes, the Serpente stands out as a true innovation – a medium tank that plays like no other.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking for a new challenge or a player interested in exploring unconventional tank mechanics, the Serpente offers an experience that’s both educational and entertaining. Just remember: in this tank, your greatest weapon isn’t your gun – it’s your speed.