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Tag: ITALIAN

  • Donnola Tank Preview – World of Tanks Supertest

    Donnola Tank Preview – World of Tanks Supertest

    Small, fast, and surprisingly prickly, the Donnola is designed to be a ghost on the battlefield—appearing from nowhere to deliver a flurry of shells before vanishing back into the treeline. Positioned as a direct competitor to the French Char Mle. 75, this Italian light tank brings a unique “burst” flavor to Tier IX reconnaissance.

    donnola tank

    The Italian branch is expanding its horizons on the Supertest with the introduction of the Donnola, a Tier IX light tank that lives up to its name (Italian for “Weasel”). Small, fast, and surprisingly prickly, the Donnola is designed to be a ghost on the battlefield—appearing from nowhere to deliver a flurry of shells before vanishing back into the treeline. Positioned as a direct competitor to the French Char Mle. 75, this Italian light tank brings a unique “burst” flavor to Tier IX reconnaissance.

    Rapid-Fire 60mm Gun: 9-Shell Magazine

    The Donnola’s primary tool for disruption is its highly unconventional 60mm semi-automatic gun:

    • 9-Shell Total Capacity: The magazine is structured into three “cassettes” of three shells each. This allows the tank to fire in rapid three-shot bursts, delivering a sudden spike of damage that can catch opponents off guard.
    • Burst Potential: With 80 HP per shell (based on initial reports), a full magazine represents a significant 720 HP burst, though the magic happens in the “mini-bursts” that allow for quick support fire.
    • 16-Second Full Reload: For a Tier IX light tank, a 16-second reload for the entire magazine is remarkably fast, ensuring the Donnola is never out of the fight for long.
    • 2-Second Aiming Time: The gun handling is tuned for the “hit-and-run” lifestyle. You pop out, dump a burst with minimal aiming delay, and retreat.

    Swift 70 km/h Mobility

    True to its “Weasel” moniker, the Donnola is one of the most agile vehicles entering the high-tier meta:

    • Top Forward Speed of 70 km/h: This puts it in the upper echelon of scouts, allowing it to contest key early-game positions like the hills of Mines or the bushes of Prokhorovka with ease.
    • 20 km/h Reverse Speed: While not as fast as its forward momentum, the reverse speed is sufficient for backing out of danger once its “spamloader” magazine is empty.
    • Compact Size and Stealth: The Donnola’s small silhouette and high base concealment make it an exceptionally difficult target to spot and hit, even when active scouting.

    Recon and Burst Support

    The Donnola isn’t just a passive observer; it’s a “combat scout” that thrives on chaos:

    • Elite Reconnaissance: Thanks to its compact size and mobility, it excels at traditional scouting roles. It can weave through enemy lines to find hidden artillery or stationary TDs.
    • Aggressive Support: Unlike many lights that struggle to contribute damage, the Donnola’s “burst” mechanic allows it to support allies by punishing enemies who have just fired or are distracted by heavier targets.
    • Flexible Engagement: It can play as a traditional passive scout in the early game and transition into a lethal “clean-up” vehicle as the match progresses.

    Tactical Considerations

    Commanding the Donnola requires a high degree of situational awareness:

    • Trigger Discipline: Because the gun fires in bursts, you must ensure your first shell lands. Missing the start of a burst can lead to wasted potential and unwanted exposure.
    • Magazine Management: With a 16-second reload, you have windows of vulnerability. Always time your magazine swaps when you are safely behind cover or repositioning.
    • Map Exploitation: Use your 70 km/h speed to create crossfires. The Donnola is best when the enemy has to choose between looking at a heavy tank or looking at the “Weasel” biting their flank.

    Playstyle Implications

    The Donnola encourages a “High-Activity” playstyle:

    • The Ghost Scout: Spend the first few minutes identifying enemy movements without firing. Use your superior concealment to keep the enemy team lit for your snipers.
    • The Burst Opportunist: Once a gap opens, move in. Look for isolated targets or tanks with long reloads. Dump a 3-shell “mini-burst,” observe the reaction, and either stay to dump more or vanish.
    • Late-Game Menace: As the map opens up, the Donnola becomes terrifying. Its ability to relocate quickly and burst down low-HP targets makes it a premier late-game carry tank.

    Community Reception

    The “Donnola” has sparked lively debate within the World of Tanks community:

    • “Italian Bradley” Comparisons: Many players have pointed out the visual similarity to the Bradley or Marder, leading to a “modern” feel that some find exciting and others find out of place.
    • Tech Tree vs. Premium: Some frustration exists that this is a Tier IX premium/reward vehicle rather than the start of a long-awaited Italian light tank tech tree line.
    • The “Spamloader” Hype: Fans of high-clip-potential lights (like the AMX 13 57) are eagerly anticipating the Donnola, hoping it brings that same frantic, fun energy to Tier IX.

    What Sets the Donnola Apart

    The Donnola carves out a specific niche compared to other Tier IX scouts:

    • The “Cassette” Mechanic: Unlike the Char Mle. 75, which focuses on larger bursts, the Donnola’s 3×3 magazine offers more granular control over its damage delivery.
    • Pure Scouting Pedigree: While many high-tier lights are moving toward “medium-light” hybrids, the Donnola retains the small size and high camouflage values of a pure scout.
    • Modern Aesthetic: Its visual design stands out as one of the more modern-looking vehicles in the game, appealing to collectors of unique prototypes.

    What’s Next?

    As it progresses through the Supertest, Wargaming will likely be looking at:

    • Burst Accuracy: Does the “spam” fire become too inaccurate at range, or does it need a nerf to keep it from being a pocket-sniper?
    • Concealment Values: Finding the “sweet spot” where it’s hard to spot but not impossible for active scouts to counter.
    • Event Placement: Will this be the headline reward for an upcoming Frontline season or a part of a special assembly shop?

    Final Thoughts

    The Donnola is a breath of fresh air for the Italian line and the light tank class. It offers a sophisticated blend of high-end scouting and explosive fire support that rewards skilled players who can manage its unique magazine. While it may not be the tech tree expansion everyone was hoping for, it is undoubtedly one of the most mechanically interesting light tanks to enter the game in years. If you enjoy playing the “annoying weasel” that the enemy team simply cannot catch, the Donnola is a tank to keep on your radar.

  • Coccodrillo Tank Review – Medium Hulldown God – World of Tanks

    Coccodrillo Tank Review – Medium Hulldown God – World of Tanks

    coccodrillo world of tanks

    This is a very unique medium tank in the game. We have some heavily armored mediums like the 430U, but they don’t have the gun depression of the Coccodrillo, so the closest competitor would probably be the Carro 45t with its strong turret, decent upper glacis, and great gun depression.

    Firepower

    SpecCoccodrilloCarro 45 t
    DPM Base2,451.052,503.20
    Penetration263248
    Reload time11.5115.34 / 13.42 / 11.51 / 9.59
    Clip size34
    Clip damage1,410 / 10s1,600 / 12s
    Intra-clip reload54
    Gold Pen320 HEAT320 APCR
    Damage470400
    Caliber127120
    Shell velocity1,310960
    Ammo capacity6060

    Coccodrillo dominates when it comes to the firepower section.

    It has slightly worse DPM on paper, but this is a scenario where the Carro fires only when he has the full clip, so the reload is the fastest. Coccordillo has the same reload time regardless of how many shells it has in the clip currently, which makes it a lot more flexible to unload on its opponents without losing the DPM.

    You have one less shell in the clip compared to the Carro, and your intra-clip reload is slower by 1 second, but you have a lot more alpha damage, 470 compared to only 400.

    Coccodrillo is a lot better when it comes to standard penetration, and it has a lot better shell velocity, which makes it a bit easier to land medium to long-range shots.

    Gun Handling

    Once again, the Coccodrillo has a significant advantage over the Carro.

    SpecCoccodrilloCarro 45 t
    Aim time2.592.88
    Dispersion0.340.36
    … moving0.160.16
    … turret traverse0.100.12
    … tank traverse0.160.16
    Elevation2015
    Depression89

    Aim time is a lot lower, and when paired with lower dispersion values, you can really feel the difference in gun handling when playing both of the tanks.

    Carro is a tiny touch more flexible tho, on the ridgeline due to an extra degree of gun depression, I’m actually surprised they didn’t give Coccodrillo the full 10 degrees when we consider the armor layout it has.

    Mobility

    Here, the Carro has the edge over the Coccodrillo, but it’s not a huge difference.

    SpecCoccodrilloCarro 45 t
    Top speed50 km/h55 km/h
    Reverse speed18 km/h23 km/h
    Power/weight18.2717.78
    Weight 52 tons45 tons
    Terrain resist (hard)0.960.77
    … med1.150.86
    …. soft1.921.73
    Turret traverse41.7232.33
    Tank traverse52.1544.85

    You are losing around 5 km/h of top speed over the Carro, but most importantly, the reverse speed is a lot worse; here, you notice the lack of 5 km/h very much. It makes pulling back when in hull down position harder, and enemies will have an easier time catching your lower plate.

    Power to weight ratio is almost identical, but Coccodrillo feels a lot more sluggish on all terrains due to the horrible ground resistances.

    Turret and tank traverse is suprisingly good, a good 20-30% better then on Carro. So while getting into the position takes longer, holding the position with your mobility is much easier.

    Armor

    This is a highlight of Coccodrillo, almost unpennable turret armor.

    SpecCoccodrilloCarro 45 t
    Hull armor110/50/4580/70/30
    Turret armor110/80/45230/80/50
    Health1,8001,900

    On flat ground, both of the tanks have really good turret armor, but Coccodrillo is on another level, with 90% of the turret being auto ricochet, and other parts are around 300mm of effective armor without any weak spots like commander hatches.
    Hull is overall better on the Carro due to the upper plate and lower lower plate being auto ricochets. Coccodrillo’s lower plate is absolutely tragic at only 150 mm of effective armor; tier 8 lights can reliably go through the front of this thing.

    Coccodrillo frontal armor
    Coccodrillo
    carro 45t frontal armor
    Carro 45 t

    If you manage to get the Coccodrillo in a hulldown position, you really become an absolute terror for your opponents, because this is what they see. Even though it has only 110mm of armor at the front, with such an aggressive angling, the whole hull and turret are an auto ricochet.

    hull down coccodrillo armor

    Sidescraping in this tank is not really an option, as soon as you angle a little bit, the whole part of the hull covering the tracks becomes very weak and easily overmatched by the majority of the tanks you’re going to meet.

    coccodrillo sidescraping

    Side armor is tragic on Coccodrillo, with only 40 mm of armor; HE rounds from any tanks will be able to go through the side of this thing. While the Carro’s armor is nothing to write home about, it still provides some protection from HE rounds.

    coccodrillo side armor
    Coccodrillo
    carro 45t side armor
    Carro 45 t

    The rear of the hulls is almost identical, while Coccodrillo has slightly more armor, but that realistically won’t make a difference in a real-world scenario.

    coccodrillo rear armor
    Coccodrilo
    carro 45t rear armor
    Carro 45 t

    Conclusion: While indeed godlike in a hulldown position, Coccodrillo’s armor falls apart as soon as you angle your hull or an enemy catches your side and rear.

    Miscellaneous

    SpecCoccodrilloCarro 45 t
    Stationary camo15.2814.65
    After firing11.4611
    Moving camo2.792.62
    Shell cost1,236930
    View Range400400

    Very small differences here on miscellaneous, the only bigger one is the shell cost, but that is normal since Coccodrillo uses a higher caliber gun.

    How to destroy

    If on flat ground

    • Best best is the lower plate which is huge and incredibly weak
    coccodrillo lower plate

    If below him

    • aim the area below the gun mantlet, you can auto ricochet into the hull or penetrate the turret straight away with any gun.
    coccodrillo turret weakspot
    • Aim for the track flaps, very thin and easy to penetrate
    coccodrillo track flaps

    If above him

    • Aim for the upper plate, with such an aggressive angling, the upper plate becomes paper for taller tanks in face-hugging scenarios
    coccodrillo below you

    If on the side

    • aim for the middle of the tank where it’s most flat
    coccodrillo's side armor weakspots

    If on the rear

    • Fire HE at the back of the hull
    coccodrillo rear armor

    Tips

    Make sure to take good hull-down positions in which you can easily brawl with even heavy tanks, but you are not as flexible on ridgelines since you lack 2 degrees of gun depression. Be aware of your weak points below the mantlet; enemies can get lucky and get easy penetrations.

    A lot of players won’t know that your reload doesn’t change with the number of shells left in the clip; they will either think you are a normal autoloader with long reloads or a standard autoreloader with horrible DPM without any shells in the magazine. Use it to your advantage and surprise your opponents.

    Try to do everything in your power to keep your frontal armor facing the enemies; otherwise, your armor is almost useless.

    Conclusion

    A very fun tank to play overall, it rewards positioning and use of your armor, but at the same time does not make the tank broken with longer intra-clip reloads and horrible side armor.

    Check reviews of other vehicles:

    Here is also a post about the best premium tanks in the game:
    Best premium tanks in 2025 – Easy credit makers