This turreted tank destroyer combines twin 12.7cm naval guns with decent armor and mobility, creating a unique platform that brings the popular double-barreled mechanic to a nation that has never experienced it before. With its distinctive limited-traverse turret and coastal defense heritage, the Saryuda represents an intriguing fusion of Japanese engineering and the dual-gun system perfected on vehicles like the Object 703 Version II.
Historical Background: Coastal Defense Doctrine
The Saryuda has a fascinating historical context rooted in Japan’s desperate defensive preparations during World War II:
Coastal Defense Mission: Expecting Allied forces to eventually invade the Japanese Home Islands, military planners began preparing comprehensive coastal defense strategies for Honshu and the other islands of the archipelago. This defensive doctrine required specialized vehicles capable of both anti-landing operations and engagement with Allied armored vehicles.
Naval Gun Repurposing: Various naval gun options were considered for the main armament—specifically guns that had already been built but were no longer needed by the Imperial Navy. This practical approach to resource allocation was typical of Japan’s late-war industrial strategy, where existing military hardware was repurposed for new roles.
Twin-Gun Innovation: To increase the rate of fire and maximize firepower, designers planned to mount a double-barreled gun system on a spacious welded turret. This twin-mount configuration would allow the vehicle to deliver devastating salvos against landing craft or armored targets.
Secondary Armament: The design included comprehensive secondary weaponry: three machine guns (two forward-facing and one rear-mounted) plus a 20mm rapid-fire cannon on the turret. This extensive secondary armament reflected the coastal defense role, where protection against infantry and light vehicles was crucial.
The project never progressed beyond design stages, as Japan’s surrender ended development before any prototype could be constructed. However, the Saryuda represents an interesting “what if” scenario—what would Japanese engineers have created if given the time and resources to pursue twin-gun tank destroyer technology?
Dual-Gun Mechanics: Double the Trouble
The Saryuda introduces the dual-gun mechanic to Japanese vehicles, functioning similarly to the Object 703 Version II and TS-54:
Twin 12.7cm Guns: Each gun delivers 500 HP of damage per shot, creating a combined salvo potential of 1,000 HP. This devastating burst damage capability makes the Saryuda a serious threat in any engagement.
Salvo Preparation: The guns require 3 seconds of preparation time before firing the salvo. This pre-fire delay adds tactical complexity—you must commit to the shot and wait for the salvo to be ready.
Reload Lock: After firing the salvo, the guns are locked down for 4 seconds before you can begin individual gun reloads or prepare another salvo. This post-salvo vulnerability period is a critical weakness that opponents can exploit.
Individual Gun Reload: Each gun has a 12.46-second reload time, meaning full dual-gun readiness takes 24.93 seconds from empty. This lengthy reload creates extended periods of vulnerability between full salvos.
Gun Switching: You can switch between individual guns with a 5-second switching time, allowing for sustained fire at the cost of never having both guns ready simultaneously unless you wait for the full reload cycle.
The mechanic creates fascinating tactical decisions around when to use the devastating 1,000 HP salvo versus maintaining sustained fire with individual guns.
Firepower Characteristics
Beyond the dual-gun mechanic, the Saryuda offers solid firepower fundamentals:
Penetration Values: Standard AP rounds feature 265mm of penetration, while special APCR rounds offer 305mm. These values are competitive for Tier IX, handling most same-tier opponents effectively while requiring premium rounds for heavily armored targets.
Accuracy: With 0.35 dispersion at 100m, the Saryuda offers decent accuracy for a tank destroyer. While not surgical precision, this accuracy is sufficient for reliable shot placement at medium to long ranges.
Aim Time: The 2.21-second aim time is quite good for a vehicle with this much alpha damage potential. Combined with the decent accuracy, the Saryuda can deliver aimed shots relatively quickly.
Gun Depression/Elevation: The Saryuda features -7 degrees of gun depression and +15 degrees of elevation. While -7 degrees is acceptable, it’s not exceptional—limiting hull-down effectiveness compared to vehicles with superior depression.
The firepower package balances the devastating salvo potential with handling characteristics that prevent the tank from being overpowering at range.
Limited Turret Traverse: Tactical Considerations
One of the Saryuda’s most defining characteristics is its limited turret rotation:
90-Degree Traverse Arc: The turret can rotate 90 degrees to each side, creating a 180-degree arc of fire. This is significantly more flexible than fixed-gun tank destroyers but far more restrictive than full-rotation turrets.
Turret Traverse Speed: At 18.77 degrees per second, the turret traverse is respectable within its limited arc. You can track targets adequately when they’re within your firing arc.
Positioning Importance: The limited traverse makes hull positioning absolutely critical. You must constantly consider your hull angle to ensure targets fall within your firing arc, adding a layer of tactical complexity absent from full-turret TDs.
Vulnerability to Flanking: The 90-degree limitation to each side creates significant blind spots behind you. Aggressive light tanks and fast mediums can exploit this weakness, forcing you to rotate your hull—a time-consuming process that leaves you vulnerable.
This limitation fundamentally changes how the Saryuda must be played compared to traditional turreted tank destroyers.
Armor Profile and Survivability
The Saryuda brings respectable armor values for a turreted tank destroyer:
Turret Armor: The turret features 250mm of nominal frontal armor, providing solid protection against most same-tier opponents. This robust turret can bounce shots when properly angled, enabling more aggressive positioning.
Hull Armor: With 230mm of nominal frontal armor, the hull offers decent protection that can work against lower-penetration guns. While not impenetrable, this armor allows the Saryuda to absorb some damage rather than requiring complete concealment.
Hit Points: The Saryuda has 1,800 HP, a respectable pool for a Tier IX tank destroyer that enables it to survive a few mistakes or absorb return fire during trades.
Armor Effectiveness: The combination of turret and hull armor means the Saryuda can engage in direct confrontations more confidently than lightly armored TDs, though it shouldn’t be mistaken for a heavy tank.
The armor profile supports a more aggressive playstyle than typical paper-armored tank destroyers while maintaining the glass-cannon nature of the class.
Mobility Characteristics
The Saryuda offers decent mobility for a heavily armed tank destroyer:
Top Speed: With a maximum forward speed of 38 km/h, the Saryuda maintains reasonable pace for repositioning and reaching key positions. This isn’t light tank speed, but it’s adequate for a TD with this much firepower.
Specific Power: The 16.1 hp/t power-to-weight ratio provides decent acceleration and ability to maintain speed over varied terrain. You won’t struggle to reach positions, though you won’t beat faster vehicles to key spots.
Tactical Positioning: The mobility allows the Saryuda to take key positions in time and relocate between firing positions as battle lines shift. This flexibility prevents the tank from being locked into static gameplay.
The mobility package ensures the Saryuda remains relevant throughout battles rather than being stuck in its initial deployment position.
Tactical Considerations
The Saryuda’s unique characteristics create specific tactical considerations:
Salvo Timing: The 1,000 HP salvo potential is devastating, but the 3-second preparation time and 4-second reload lock create vulnerability windows. You must carefully time salvos to maximize damage while minimizing exposure to return fire.
Arc Management: Constantly managing your firing arc becomes essential. Position your hull to maximize coverage of likely enemy approaches while minimizing the need for time-consuming hull rotation.
Sustained vs Burst: Choosing between individual gun fire for sustained DPM and waiting for both guns to deliver a salvo creates interesting tactical decisions. Sometimes the 1,000 HP burst is worth the wait; other times, continuous fire is more valuable.
Armor Utilization: The decent armor allows for more aggressive positioning than paper TDs, but you shouldn’t face-tank enemies. Use the armor to buy time for reloads or create favorable trades, not as primary defense.
Flanking Vulnerability: The limited turret traverse creates significant vulnerability to flanking attacks. Always position with awareness of potential flanking routes and maintain escape paths.
Playstyle Implications
The Saryuda rewards commanders who can manage its unique blend of strengths and limitations:
Position with Purpose: Every position must consider firing arc coverage. Place your hull to cover likely engagement angles while maintaining escape routes for when you need to relocate.
Patience with Salvos: The 3-second salvo preparation means you can’t panic-fire. Commit to targets deliberately, ensure they’ll remain exposed during preparation, and maximize the value of each 1,000 HP salvo.
Aggression Management: The decent armor and HP pool allow for calculated aggression, but the limited turret traverse punishes overextension. Push when supported, retreat before you’re surrounded.
Armor Angling: Unlike fixed-gun TDs that present their strongest armor directly forward, the Saryuda’s limited turret traverse adds complexity to armor angling. Finding the sweet spot between optimal armor angle and firing arc coverage requires practice.
Commanders looking to master the Saryuda should consider:
- Pre-positioning your hull angle to cover anticipated enemy movements
- Using the 1,000 HP salvo to punish isolated targets or finish wounded enemies
- Leveraging the decent armor to trade more aggressively than paper TDs
- Maintaining awareness of your limited rear arc and flanking vulnerabilities
- Switching to individual gun fire when sustained pressure is more valuable than burst damage
- Using the decent mobility to reposition between firing positions as battle lines shift
- Supporting teammates who can protect your flanks from fast, aggressive enemies
Community Reception
Initial community reactions to the Saryuda have been mixed:
Japanese Dual-Gun Excitement: Players appreciate seeing the dual-gun mechanic finally come to Japan, adding variety to the nation’s gameplay options.
“1,000 Damage Double Shot”: The community immediately focused on the devastating salvo potential, with concern that getting hit by this double-tap will ruin anyone’s day, similar to FV215b (183) encounters.
Historical Skepticism: Some players questioned the historical authenticity, noting that the design appears to be a recent creation rather than a genuine wartime project.
Limited Traverse Concerns: The 90-degree limitation to each side has generated discussion about whether this restriction adequately balances the salvo potential or simply creates frustration.
Accuracy and DPM Discussion: Some players note that the accuracy isn’t amazing and the DPM is limited, but acknowledge that people will still hate receiving the 1,000 HP double-tap.
What Sets the Saryuda Apart
The Saryuda occupies a unique niche in the World of Tanks ecosystem:
First Japanese Dual-Gun: This marks Japan’s entry into the dual-gun club, expanding the nation’s tactical options and playstyle variety.
Turreted TD with Limited Arc: The combination of turret flexibility and 90-degree limitation creates a middle ground between fixed-gun and full-turret tank destroyers.
Naval Gun Heritage: The repurposed naval gun concept adds interesting historical flavor and explains the twin-mount configuration.
1,000 HP Salvo Potential: Few Tier IX tank destroyers can deliver this much damage in a single burst, making the Saryuda a serious threat in any engagement.
What’s Next?
As a vehicle currently in developer testing following Supertest, the Saryuda’s characteristics may still be subject to refinement. The transition from Supertest to Common Test and eventual release will reveal any final balance adjustments.
Key questions for the remaining testing phases include:
- Is the 1,000 HP salvo properly balanced by the preparation time and reload lock?
- Does the limited 90-degree traverse to each side adequately restrict the turret’s flexibility?
- Are the armor values appropriate for a tank destroyer with this much burst damage?
- Will the vehicle’s classification as “Promotional” affect its availability and acquisition method?
- How will the Saryuda perform in various map types and tactical situations?
Final Thoughts
The Saryuda represents an exciting addition to the Japanese tech tree, bringing the popular dual-gun mechanic to a nation that has never experienced it. The combination of devastating 1,000 HP salvos, limited-traverse turret, decent armor, and respectable mobility creates a tank destroyer that rewards intelligent positioning and careful salvo timing.
For commanders who appreciate the dual-gun playstyle but want to experience it in a tank destroyer format, the Saryuda offers a unique package. The requirement to manage firing arcs while timing devastating salvos creates engaging gameplay that rewards tactical thinking and situational awareness.
The Saryuda won’t be the tank for everyone—the limited turret traverse and lengthy reload cycles create genuine vulnerabilities that skilled opponents will exploit. However, for players who can master the firing arc management and salvo timing, this coastal defense monster offers the satisfaction of delivering crushing 1,000 HP blows that can swing battles.
Whether you’re excited about Japan’s first dual-gun vehicle or intrigued by the naval gun heritage and limited-traverse turret mechanics, the Saryuda promises to be a distinctive addition to the game—one that brings new tactical considerations to the tank destroyer class.
