[Strippers Series] USSR IS-7

Source:http://wotguru.com/weak-spots-guide-is-7/

 

The IS-7 can be a very frustrating opponent for many and most think it’s armor is a tad to strong. This guide will show you general spots to shoot at varying angles.  Keep in mind while facing the IS-7 is that it’s armor is mainly based off of angling the armor to increase it’s effectiveness.  If you shoot at the flattest part of the tank facing you generally you will penetrate unless you are in a tier 7 and sometimes tier 8.

 

Head On

An IS-7 facing directly at you is a tough opponent as much of it’s armor is at it’s most effective.  Generally if you are at mid to long range you want to hit the low frontal hull. If you are at close range you wan’t to avoid hitting the hull as it’s angled at a steep angle away from you, and instead shoot at area 2, 3, or the turret ring. The frontal armor of the IS-7 is only 150mm thick, but it’s angles very steep and go both vertical and horizontal in some places.
Area One

The lower frontal hull can be penetrated by tier 8 heavy/TD guns and above at mid-range.  At close range only shoot if you have no other option as it is near an auto-bounce angle.
Area Two

These “cheeks” are at less of an angle than the center point area of the IS-7.  Most tier 9 tanks can penetrate these spots.
Area Three

This is a very small commander’s hatch. Only use if you are face hugging and confident you can hit it.
Area Four

The “drivers hatch” unlike the IS-4 is not very weak. However it is weaker than the armor surrounding it.  Not my favorite spot to shoot an IS-7 but it can be used if you are in a tier 9 or tier 10.
Area Five

150mm armor at an insane slope?  Avoid shooting this area if facing and IS-7 straight on and on flat ground.
Area Six

The “seam” area used to be weak but a few patches ago it was fixed. It is now very tough and you should avoid shooting here. Only the “pike nose” directly on the tip can be penned by tier 10 guns.
Area Seven

240mm frontal turret armor at slight angles. Avoid shooting here.
Area Eight

Just below area two are small plates that are at a greater angle and thus harder to penetrate. Avoid shooting here.

 

Slight Angle

At a slight angle the IS-7 looses some of it’s armor protection and becomes easier to damage.  Many times when IS-7s round corners or are on city maps they will need to expose themselves in this position to fire upon you.  Keep in mind angles though! As most of the tank is still a giant bounce magnet.
Area One

Area one is the flattest part of the armor facing you. It is still 150mm thick, however some tier 8 tanks and all tier 9+ tanks can penetrate this spot at this angle.
Area Two

Depending on the specific angle this armor may be easier to penetrate than area one, but generally it is at a greater angle and harder to penetrate. Tier 10′s have no difficultly landing shots, tier 9′s may bounce 1/4 times.
Area Three

150mm armor at an insane angle. Do not aim here on purpose.
Area Four

150mm side armor that is angled away from you and also has spaced armor. Do not aim here either.
Area Five

Turret armor is 240mm front and 185 side. Very tough to penetrate at this angle or any angle for that matter. Do not shoot the turret!

 

Side View

The side of an IS-7 can frustrate many players facing them for the first time as it is 150mm thick and also has spaced armor in area three.  Even for the experienced player it can be very frustrating at times as the armor is angled opposite than what it appears to be. Much like the IS-4 the side armor from area three down to the yellow part of area three is angled “into” the center of the tank behind the spaced armor and thus at a hard angle to penetrate. The armor flattens out to a 90 degree angle in areas one and two however.

Area One

In between the tracks is very easy to penetrate. Any tier 8 tank and above can penetrate through the tracks.

Area Two

Area two is the same as area one, however it is getting closer to the angled part of the IS-7′s side armor.

Area Three

This are is very hard to penetrate besides tier 10 guns and even then you can bounce shot after shot as you have to penetrate angled spaced armor, and then angled 150mm armor to do any damage. Only shoot here if you cannot aim at area one or two and have a tier 10 gun.

Area Four

Side of the turret is 185mm with slight angles.  It can be penetrated by tier 9 tanks and above however to not rely on this weak spot.

Area Five

Sharp angles pointing away from you equal lots of bounces! Avoid shooting these spots.

Overall the IS-7 has great all around armor however it relies on angles to protect it and for people to miss shooting the flattest part of the armor facing them.  Shoot the flat parts=no frustration with bounces.