Editing IS-2 (section)

===IS-2 (Late)===

The IS-2 (Late) represents the later version of the IS-2, which replaced the stepped glacis hull front of the original IS design with a 100mm thick front plate at a tough angle. In game, this adds a point of frontal armor, bringing the tank up to a glorious front armor 11. Additionally, the tank can upgrade to take bedsprings for additional protection against infantry antitank weapons. Otherwise, it is identical to the earlier model IS-2s above.

So what do these upgrades mean on the tabletop? While 1 extra point of frontal armor may not sound like a lot, it's an extra point in a very strategic armor bracket. With the release of US 90mm cannons and HVAP ammo, cheap German big cats, and British APDS armed 17 pdrs, there is significantly more AT13-15 available to deal with your heavy tanks. Armor 11 means that now you're tying AT14 (like the panther or tiger) on a 3 up close, and halves your chances of being penetrated at range! This can very well be worth the fraction of a point per tank, especially if brigade panthers or tigers are common in your area.

The bedspring armor is particularly useful for a tank that should be up close and assaulting, particularly with Germany getting widespread access to limited 2 panzerfausts. If you have the spare point, it can really help, taking your chances of having a tank disabled on the charge down from 2/5 to 1/4, which can be a critical boost to capturing a key objective.

It's important to note that, even with these boosts, you're far from invulnerable. German AT17 cannons are more plentiful than ever, and can go through you rather easily, especially considering that you're aggressive. If you don't shove those panzerfaust infantry off fast, they're going to take a toll on you. Use your tanks in concert with infantry and artillery to suppress enemy guns, recon to get close, and medium tanks or tank destroyers to help handle enemy tank destroyers. Their job is to brawl with enemy heavy tanks and push enemy infantry off objectives, and the extra protection just helps with that.