World of Tanks Unlock All Freebie Tanks Guide

World of Tanks Unlock All Freebie Tanks Guide by Kruzenshtern

I actually did the work for myself, as I’m trying to unlock at least a majority of the “freebie” tanks on all three servers – however I figured that since I have the numbers I might as well share. I also threw in some general information, partly as I see certain questions get asked repeatedly on the forums.

Introduction

– Certain planned changes to the tech trees involve either moving specific tanks to different tiers or otherwise changing how they fit into the equipment progression.

– The developers have decided that in a number of cases, after changing a specific tank model’s position on its tech tree, they will “compensate” its owners by awarding them an extra tank.

– Definition 1 – “revised” tank – existing tank model that shall be moved around the tech tree.

– Definition 2 – “freebie” tank – new vehicle awarded to owners of “revised” tanks in “compensation”.

Details of “freebie” tanks

Full details can be found here. The six “revised” tanks and the “freebie” tanks associated with each are as follows:

KV – the KV will be split into KV-1 and KV-2. Players who own a KV at the time of the split with the KV-2 turret researched will have it converted to a KV-1 (“revised” tank), and receive a new KV-2 (“freebie” tank).

KV-3 – the KV-3 will be moved to Tier 7. Players who own a KV-3 will keep it at its new Tier 7 status and will also receive a stock T-150 (the “freebie” tank) as their replacement Tier 6 machine.

IS-4 – the IS-4 will be moved to Tier 10. Players who own an IS-4 will keep it at its new Tier 10 status and will also receive a stock Object 252 (the “freebie” tank) as their replacement Tier 9 machine.

Panther – the Panther and the Panther II will both be moved down one tier, with the E-50 becoming the new German Tier 9 medium. Players who own a Panther at the time of the change will have their “revised” tank converted into a Tier 8 Panther II, and also receive a new Tier 7 Panther as their “freebie” tank.

T34 – the T34 heavy tank will be taken out of circulation. Players who own a T34 will see it transformed into a special premium tank (with 120mm gun already mounted), and receive a new M103 (the “freebie” tank) as their Tier 9 heavy.

T30 – the T30 will be reclassified as a TD. Players who own a T30 will see it moved to the TD branch of the American tech tree (with appropriate changes), and receive a new T110 (the “freebie” tank) as their Tier 10 heavy.

The following applies to all six situations:

– Players must actually own the “revised” tank in their garage to receive its respective “freebie” tank. I will say it again – you can’t just have it researched, you must actually buy each “revised” tank to receive your “freebies”.

– Each “freebie” tank will come with its own, extra garage slot. Players can keep this extra slot even if they sell the “freebie” tank. This is another reason to want to unlock the things, by the way.

– The “revised” tank will keep its old crew at its training level.

– The “revised” tank will have its purchased modules (rammer, vents, etc.) demounted and sold at original cost (so players could buy them right back at no loss…or just keep the credits).

– The “freebie” tank will come with 100% crew.

– Refer to the link above for details of module set-up and experience allocation after the changes.

Conventions

– Almost all data was sourced from the WOT database. [I had to look up Pz38NA and KV-13 values in-game.]

– The calculations show the absolute minimum XP and credits necessary to unlock a given “freebie” tank.
— I fully recognize that many players will wish to unlock certain “extra” upgrades – guns, tracks, engines, etc. – along the way. For example, I played both the T29 and the T32 to “Elite” status to make them a part of my “grinding” stable of tanks.
— However, because there are so many combinations of possible “extra” upgrades and player preferences, that in the interests of time I leave it to others to compute these credit and XP costs over and above the “absolute minimum”. [In other words, player choice rules.]

– One semi-exception to the above is that for the KV, I have assumed that players will unlock the KV-2 turret before “moving on” to the KV-3 and the IS-4, both because 95% of KV owners would do that anyway, and because spending the incremental 2,595 XP to get the KV-2 “freebie” tank before continuing the grind looks like an absolute no-brainer.

– The German tech tree has an alternate (longer) pathway to the VK 3001(P) – via the Panzer IV and the VK 3001(H) instead of the Panzer III/IV. I have included the calculations for this method as some German players might already be going up the German heavy branch (with the Panzer IV) instead of the German medium branch (Panzer III/IV).

– The Russian tech tree has two alternate pathways to the IS-4; one bypassing the KV-3 through the KV-1S, and the other going up the medium branch and switching to the IS from the KV-13. I have included calculations for both methods, although I suspect that very few, if any, players will choose to bypass the KV-3 (in particular as unlocking it leads to one of the “freebie” tanks), probably for “sentimental” reasons. On the other hand, it is very possible to imagine a player choosing to play mostly Russian mediums and no Russian heavies, and switching to the IS via the KV-13 just to pick up an IS-4.

– Obviously all calculations are performed as of the 6.4 build; I may need to revise this post once 6.5 is rolled out in the next week or two.

General principles

– A premium account is highly advisable.

– Doing a majority of the grind via free XP transfers is probably more advisable than grinding up through each tank with no free experience whatsoever. For one, the latter method would require considerable “extra” upgrades to be unlocked so as to render certain tanks “playable” (new guns, suspension, engines, etc.).

– The Lowe and the KV-5 make for excellent credit and XP farmers. Failing that, any Tier 5 premiums (with an emphasis on the Churchill and the T14 as heavy tanks) could substitute, as could “Elite” non-premium tanks, although effective farming on non-premium tanks generally requires higher player skill.

– Taking advantage of nightly “victory” bonuses is advisable.

Timing considerations

Based on the information provided here as well as the developer Q&A; thread on the Russian forums:

– None of the “freebie” tanks will come in 6.5.

– The Panther/Panther II/E-50 revision is currently slated for 6.6.

– Originally, the IS-4 and T34 changes were planned for 6.6. SerB has now indicated that both are likely to be pushed back (presumably to 6.7).

– I’m uncertain when the T30 change is supposed to take place, but this will probably be a post-6.6 event.

– The KV-1/2 and KV-3 changes will take place after 6.6, and quite possibly after 6.7 (it sounded as if these were less ready than the T34 and T30 changes).

As such, the “optimal” unlock order would seem to be:

– Unlock and purchase the Panther. [Target date – late July.]

– Grind up to the T34 and the IS-4. [Target date – late August; possibly late September for the IS-4 if it is delayed further.]

– Grind up from the T34 to the T30. [Target date – late August or late September.]

– If the KV and the KV-3 were bypassed on the way to the IS-4, unlock them. [Target date – late September.]

All dates and sequencing subject to change without warning.

Calculations

Grind to KV (with KV-2 turret)

Cost to unlock:

MS-1 = 0 XP, 0 credits
T-26 = 190 XP, 13,500 credits
T-46 = 830 XP, 71,200 credits
T-28 = 4,020 XP, 189,200 credits
KV = 17,290 XP, 333,200 credits

Total cost to grind:

MS-1 to KV = 22,330 XP, 607,100 credits
T-26 to KV = 22,140 XP, 593,600 credits
T-46 to KV = 21,310 XP, 522,400 credits
T-28 to KV = 17,290 XP, 333,200 credits

Grind to KV-3

Cost to unlock:

MS-1 = 0 XP, 0 credits
T-26 = 190 XP, 13,500 credits
T-46 = 830 XP, 71,200 credits
T-28 = 4,020 XP, 189,200 credits
KV = 17,290 XP, 333,200 credits
KV-3 = 29,030 XP, 1,078,200 credits

Total cost to grind:

MS-1 to KV-3 = 51,360 XP, 1,685,300 credits
T-26 to KV-3 = 51,170 XP, 1,671,800 credits
T-46 to KV-3 = 50,340 XP, 1,600,600 credits
T-28 to KV-3 = 46,320 XP, 1,411,400 credits
KV to KV-3 = 29,030 XP, 1,078,200 credits

Grind to IS-4 via the KV-3

Cost to unlock:

MS-1 = 0 XP, 0 credits
T-26 = 190 XP, 13,500 credits
T-46 = 830 XP, 71,200 credits
T-28 = 4,020 XP, 189,200 credits
KV = 17,290 XP, 333,200 credits
KV-3 = 29,030 XP, 1,078,200 credits
IS = 53,290 XP, 1,424,000 credits
IS-3 = 107,075 XP, 2,568,500 credits
IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

MS-1 to IS-4 = 399,390 XP, 9,238,800 credits
T-26 to IS-4 = 399,200 XP, 9,225,300 credits
T-46 to IS-4 = 398,370 XP, 9,154,100 credits
T-28 to IS-4 = 394,350 XP, 8,964,900 credits
KV to IS-4 = 377,060 XP, 8,631,700 credits
KV-3 to IS-4 = 348,030 XP, 7,553,500 credits
IS to IS-4 = 297,740 XP, 6,129,500 credits
IS-3 to IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Grind to IS-4 via the KV-1S

Cost to unlock:

MS-1 = 0 XP, 0 credits
T-26 = 190 XP, 13,500 credits
T-46 = 830 XP, 71,200 credits
T-28 = 4,020 XP, 189,200 credits
KV = 17,290 XP, 333,200 credits
KV-1S = 29,030 XP, 623,100 credits
IS = 63,585 XP, 1,424,000 credits
IS-3 = 107,075 XP, 2,568,500 credits
IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

MS-1 to IS-4 = 409,685 XP, 8,783,700 credits
T-26 to IS-4 = 409,495 XP, 8,770,200 credits
T-46 to IS-4 = 408,665 XP, 8,699,000 credits
T-28 to IS-4 = 404,645 XP, 8,509,800 credits
KV to IS-4 = 387,355 XP, 8,176,600 credits
KV-1S to IS-4 = 358,325 XP, 7,553,500 credits
IS to IS-4 = 297,740 XP, 6,129,500 credits
IS-3 to IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Grind to IS-4 via KV-13

Cost to unlock:

MS-1 = 0 XP, 0 credits
BT-2 = 190 XP, 22,400 credits
BT-7 = 1,330 XP, 90,300 credits
A-20 = 4,790 XP, 197,700 credits
T-34 = 14,690 XP, 256,700 credits
T-34-85 = 33,860 XP, 708,800 credits
KV-13 = 65,300 XP, 1,375,000 credits
IS = 36,350 XP, 1,424,000 credits
IS-3 = 107,075 XP, 2,568,500 credits
IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

MS-1 to IS-4 = 451,250 XP, 10,204,400 credits
BT-2 to IS-4 = 451,060 XP, 10,182,000 credits
BT-7 to IS-4 = 449,730 XP, 10,091,700 credits
A-20 to IS-4 = 444,940 XP, 9,894,000 credits
T-34 to IS-4 = 430,250 XP, 9,637,300 credits
T-34-85 to IS-4 = 396,390 XP, 8,928,500 credits
KV-13 IS-4 = 331,090 XP, 7,553,500 credits
IS to IS-4 = 294,740 XP, 6,129,500 credits
IS-3 to IS-4 = 187,665 XP, 3,561,000 credits

Grind to Panther via Panzer III/IV

Cost to unlock:

Leichtetraktor = 0 XP, 0 credits
PzKpfw 35(t) = 175 XP, 12,900 credits
PzKpfw 38(t) = 1,060 XP, 54,100 credits
Pz38NA = 5,540 XP, 185,600 credits
PzKpfw III/IV = 15,530 XP, 190,800 credits
VK 3001(P) = 29,635 XP, 720,400 credits
VK 3002(DB) = 41,180 XP, 1,386,100 credits
Panther = 99,135 XP, 1,990,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

Leichtetraktor to Panther = 192,255 XP, 4,539,900 credits
PzKpfw 35(t) to Panther = 192,080 XP, 4,527,000 credits
Pzkpfw 38(t) to Panther = 191,020 XP, 4,472,900 credits
Pz38NA to Panther = 185,480 XP, 4,287,300 credits
PzKpfw III/IV to Panther = 169,950 XP, 4,096,500 credits
VK 3001(P) to Panther = 140,315 XP, 3,376,100 credits
VK 3002(DB) to Panther = 99,135 XP, 1,990,000 credits

Grind to Panther via Panzer IV

Cost to unlock:

Leichtetraktor = 0 XP, 0 credits
PzKpfw II = 175 XP, 12,300 credits
PzKpfw III Ausf. A = 1,380 XP, 79,700 credits
PzKpfw III = 4,235 XP, 182,500 credits
PzKpfw IV = 15,455 XP, 244,300 credits
VK 3001(H) = 29,955 XP, 623,100 credits
VK 3001(P) = 16,625 XP, 720,400 credits
VK 3002(DB) = 41,180 XP, 1,386,100 credits
Panther = 99,135 XP, 1,990,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

Leichtetraktor to Panther = 208,140 XP, 5,238,400 credits
PzKpfw II to Panther = 207,965 XP, 5,226,100 credits
Pzkpfw III Ausf. A to Panther = 206,585 XP, 5,146,400 credits
PzKpfw III to Panther = 202,350 XP, 4,963,900 credits
PzKpfw IV to Panther = 186,895 XP, 4,719,600 credits
VK 3001(H) to Panther = 156,940 XP, 4,096,500 credits
VK 3001(P) to Panther = 140,315 XP, 3,376,100 credits
VK 3002(DB) to Panther = 99,135 XP, 1,990,000 credits

Grind to T34

Cost to unlock:

T1 Cunningham = 0 XP, 0 credits
T2 Medium Tank = 155 XP, 15,300 credits
M2 Medium Tank = 920 XP, 68,500 credits
M3 Lee = 4,235 XP, 155,300 credits
T1 Heavy = 14,555 XP, 315,800 credits
M6 = 33,150 XP, 640,300 credits
T29 = 45,470 XP, 1,450,300 credits
T32 = 119,100 XP, 2,610,000 credits
T34 = 206,700 XP, 3,559,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

T1 Cunningham to T34 = 424,285 XP, 8,814,500 credits
T2 Medium Tank to T34 = 424,130 XP, 8,799,200 credits
M2 Medium Tank to T34 = 423,210 XP, 8,730,700 credits
M3 Lee to T34 = 418,975 XP, 8,575,400 credits
T1 Heavy to T34 = 404,420 XP, 8,259,600 credits
M6 to T34 = 371,270 XP, 7,619,300 credits
T29 to T34 = 325,800 XP, 6,169,000 credits
T32 to T34 = 206,700 XP, 3,559,000 credits

Grind to T30

Cost to unlock:

T1 Cunningham = 0 XP, 0 credits
T2 Medium Tank = 155 XP, 15,300 credits
M2 Medium Tank = 920 XP, 68,500 credits
M3 Lee = 4,235 XP, 155,300 credits
T1 Heavy = 14,555 XP, 315,800 credits
M6 = 33,150 XP, 640,300 credits
T29 = 45,470 XP, 1,450,300 credits
T32 = 119,100 XP, 2,610,000 credits
T34 = 206,700 XP, 3,559,000 credits
T30 = 236,100 XP, 6,100,000 credits

Total cost to grind:

T1 Cunningham to T30 = 660,385 XP, 14,914,500 credits
T2 Medium Tank to T30 = 660,230 XP, 14,899,200 credits
M2 Medium Tank to T30 = 659,310 XP, 14,830,700 credits
M3 Lee to T30 = 655,075 XP, 14,675,400 credits
T1 Heavy to T30 = 640,520 XP, 14,359,600 credits
M6 to T30 = 607,370 XP, 13,719,300 credits
T29 to T30 = 561,900 XP, 12,269,000 credits
T32 to T30 = 442,800 XP, 9,659,000 credits
T34 to T30 = 236,100 XP, 6,100,000 credits