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{{Cite|Hetzer here. Attacking enemy.}}
 
{{Cite|Hetzer here. Attacking enemy.}}
   
The '''Jagdpanther 38(t) Hetzer''', or '''Hetzer Tank''', is a medium Tank Destroyer fielded by the [[Panzer Elite]] [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]] company in [[Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts]]. Though diminutive, this tank is both fast and well-armored, and packs about as much punch as a [[Panzer IV]] - capable of reliably hurting other tanks. Its small frame and sloped armor make it much harder to hit than other medium tanks, but the Hetzer pays for this with the lack of a rotating turret. The Hetzer is a master ambusher, and can camouflage itself and wait for enemy tanks to come to it.
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The '''Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer''', or '''Hetzer Tank''', is a medium Tank Destroyer fielded by the [[Panzer Elite]] [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]] company in [[Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts]]. Though diminutive, this tank is both fast and well-armored, and packs about as much punch as a [[Panzer IV]] - capable of reliably hurting other tanks. Its small frame and sloped armor make it much harder to hit than other medium tanks, but the Hetzer pays for this with the lack of a rotating turret. The Hetzer is a master ambusher, and can camouflage itself and wait for enemy tanks to come to it.
   
 
== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
   
With the [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]] Command Tree, the [[Panzer Elite]] have the opportunity to make a more balanced force that relies less on light, fast-moving vehicles and infantry, and more on a heavy-punching armored force similar to those normally deployed by other factions. This is possible thanks to the introduction of the [[Hetzer]] tank. This small but surprisingly powerful tank-destroyer serves as part of the core [[Panzer Elite]] armored arm, alongside the [[Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank]].
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With the [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]] Command Tree, the [[Panzer Elite]] have the opportunity to make a more balanced force that relies less on light, fast-moving vehicles and infantry, and more on a heavy-punching armored force similar to those normally deployed by other factions. This is possible thanks to the introduction of the '''Jagdpanzer 38(t)''' tank (''Lit. "Tank Hunter 38(t)"''), known as the [[Hetzer]] (''"Agitator" or "Trouble-Maker"''). This small but surprisingly powerful tank-destroyer serves as part of the core [[Panzer Elite]] armored arm, alongside the [[Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank]].
   
 
To recruit a [[Hetzer]], you must first purchase the [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]]: '''Hetzer Tank''' Command Upgrade. This will unlock a Command Ability called "Hetzer", which costs {{Manpower|600}}, {{PopCap|8}} to use. It will call in a single [[Hetzer]] tank, making it one of the more expensive tanks in the game (though it doesn't cost any Fuel).
 
To recruit a [[Hetzer]], you must first purchase the [[Tank Destroyer Tactics]]: '''Hetzer Tank''' Command Upgrade. This will unlock a Command Ability called "Hetzer", which costs {{Manpower|600}}, {{PopCap|8}} to use. It will call in a single [[Hetzer]] tank, making it one of the more expensive tanks in the game (though it doesn't cost any Fuel).

Revision as of 14:59, 5 August 2011

Veterancy Hetzer 0
Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer"
Unit Hetzer
A pair of Hetzers driving through a graveyard
Role Tank Destroyer
Unit Cost 600Icon Manpower Small 600, 8Icon PopCap Small 8
Prereq. Tank Destroyer Tactics: Hetzer Tank
Produced By None; called in from the field.
Primary armament 7.5 cm PaK 39 L/48 gun
Secondary armament MG42 Light Machine Gun
Health 450Icon Health Small 450
Armor Medium
Max. Speed 6.2 m/s
Abilities (1)
Ability Ambush Lock-Down
Ambush Lock-Down
  • The Hetzer becomes invisible and gains massive bonuses for its next shot.
  • The vehicle must be motionless and not in Cover Negative Negative Cover.
  • The vehicle is immobile while this ability is active.
  • Costs nothing
  • Permanent until deactivated.
  • No Cooldown
Upgrades (1)
Upgrade Spotting Scope
Spotting Scope
  • +10 meters to sight-range and weapon range.
  • Costs 25Icon Munitions Small 25
  • Takes 25 seconds to install.

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer, or Hetzer Tank, is a medium Tank Destroyer fielded by the Panzer Elite Tank Destroyer Tactics company in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts. Though diminutive, this tank is both fast and well-armored, and packs about as much punch as a Panzer IV - capable of reliably hurting other tanks. Its small frame and sloped armor make it much harder to hit than other medium tanks, but the Hetzer pays for this with the lack of a rotating turret. The Hetzer is a master ambusher, and can camouflage itself and wait for enemy tanks to come to it.

Overview

With the Tank Destroyer Tactics Command Tree, the Panzer Elite have the opportunity to make a more balanced force that relies less on light, fast-moving vehicles and infantry, and more on a heavy-punching armored force similar to those normally deployed by other factions. This is possible thanks to the introduction of the Jagdpanzer 38(t) tank (Lit. "Tank Hunter 38(t)"), known as the Hetzer ("Agitator" or "Trouble-Maker"). This small but surprisingly powerful tank-destroyer serves as part of the core Panzer Elite armored arm, alongside the Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank.

To recruit a Hetzer, you must first purchase the Tank Destroyer Tactics: Hetzer Tank Command Upgrade. This will unlock a Command Ability called "Hetzer", which costs 600Icon Manpower Small 600, 8Icon PopCap Small 8 to use. It will call in a single Hetzer tank, making it one of the more expensive tanks in the game (though it doesn't cost any Fuel).

The Hetzer is constructed from a basic Panzer 38(t) chassis, an old Czechoslovakian tank adopted by the Germans before the war. This is the same chassis used as the base for a Marder III Tank Hunter, except it has been thoroughly upgraded with thick, sloped armor. This armor makes the Hetzer as tough as an M4A3 Sherman in terms of resistance to Penetration. Additionally, the low profile of this tank makes it harder to hit with almost any weapon.

The tank's original main weapon has also been replaced, with a quick-firing 7.5 cm PaK 39 Anti-Tank cannon. Packing about as much firepower as a Panzer IV, it can reliably pierce the rear armor of any Allied vehicle, though it may still have trouble getting through an M4A3 Sherman's or Churchill Tank's front armor. This issue is solved with the use of APCR Rounds, available through another Tank Destroyer Tactics Command Upgrade.

On the other hand, the upgrades to the Panzer 38(t)'s frame necessitated the loss of the swivel turret, meaning that the main gun is fixed to the hull, and can only fire forwards. This is an important point, because the rear armor of the Hetzer is significantly weaker than its front, meaning that it cannot afford to be flanked. The tank does have one weapon capable of firing in a 360-degree arc: a MG42 Light Machine Gun that is entirely controlled by a gunner sitting inside the vehicle's armor. Unfortunately this LMG is not a very good weapon.

The Hetzer can work together with Panzer IV ISTs to create a consolidated armor force, with the Panzer IVs providing anti-infantry fire while the Hetzer deals with enemy vehicles. However, Hetzers are also quite capable of working on their own, performing ambushes against enemy vehicles by camouflaging themselves along enemy patrol routes. The camouflage ability allows the tank to remain hidden until firing, in which case it will receive an excellent bonus for its first surprise shot. However, the tank must remain immobile while camouflaged.

Finally, with the aid of its Spotting Scope upgrade, the Hetzer can improve both its sight range and attack range. With this upgrade and the APCR Rounds Command Upgrade, the Hetzer becomes a great tank destroyer, tougher than a Marder III Tank Hunter and only slightly less powerful.

Weapons

The Hetzer is armed with a large 7.5 cm PaK 39 Anti-Tank cannon, a powerful and quick-firing weapon designed to puncture enemy armor. In addition, it has an MG42 Light Machine Gun installed on a remote-controlled pintle mount at the top of the hull, which can sometimes kill enemy infantry.

7.5 cm PaK 39 Anti-Tank Cannon

The 7.5 cm (75mm) PaK 39 is a quick-firing anti-tank weapon. It is essentially identical to the 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun found on a "regular" (Wehrmacht) Panzer IV tank. It can also be directly compared to the M4A3 Sherman's Upgraded M1A1C 76mm anti-tank cannon.

Each shell fired by the PaK 39 causes 87.5 points of damage. Its explosive radius is only 0.5 meters, meaning that it will rarely cause damage on anything except a direct hit. As far as Penetration values go, this shell can easily pierce the rear armor of any Allied tank, but has some difficulty going through front armor on medium tanks, such as the M4A3 Sherman (against which it has only a 60% basic chance for penetration). It will go through the front armor of lighter tanks easily, including a Cromwell Tank.

The PaK 39 is relatively fast-loading for its size, firing one shell every ~5 seconds. This gives it a slight edge over allied tank guns. It is also reasonably accurate, with a 75% chance to hit targets at its maximum range of 40 meters. Additionally, the gun is relatively accurate against infantrymen as well, though it must score a direct hit on an infantryman to kill him, and thus is unlikely to take care of an entire squad of them within any acceptable timeframe.

The primary downside to this weapon is that it cannot swivel, since the Hetzer tank has no turret. It can only fire at targets directly in front of the vehicle, so the entire unit must rotate to engage targets at other directions.

MG42 Light Machine Gun

This is a belt-fed automatic weapon, which is commonly installed on many Axis vehicles and infantry units. There are many variations of this weapon, with slightly different statistics. The MG42 installed on a Hetzer is roughly average compared to other variants.

This weapon fires short bursts of between 10-15 bullets each, with an interval of 3 to 4 seconds between bursts. It is reasonably accurate at ranges between 15-25 meters (the normal infantry combat range). Each hit causes 4 damage, a little lower than the average MG42's damage output, but still deadly.

This MG42 is mounted on a remote-controlled pintle at the top of the vehicle, which can rotate 360 around to engage targets at any direction. The use of a remote-controlled weapon mount ensures that the gunner cannot be killed, since he is sitting inside the vehicle's body.

Unfortunately, this MG42 has extremely low Suppression values - it would require close to 1000 bullets to suppress an infantryman. However, it can still kill infantry in exposed positions. This weapon is meant mainly to dissuade enemies from coming near the tank's weaker rear armor.

Abilities

The Hetzer tank can activate a special camouflage ability called Ambush Lock-Down. It makes the vehicle invisible, yet immobile, and adds a massive bonus to the first shot fired at any enemy vehicle.

Ability Ambush Lock-Down Ambush Lock-Down

  • Requires the vehicle to be stationary and not in Cover Negative Negative Cover.
  • Costs nothing
  • Activation: Immediate
  • Duration: Permanent until deactivated.
  • Cooldown: None.

To activate the Ambush Lock-Down ability, the Hetzer must be completely stationary, and must not be in Cover Negative Negative Cover (i.e. on an open road).

When this ability is activated, the vehicle is immediately rendered invisible to the enemy. It can only be detected by enemy units coming within 8 meters of the tank, though some units have an increased camouflage-detection range.

While in Ambush Lock-Down mode, the Hetzer is also immobile. It cannot turn or move at all. You can freely control the vehicle's automatic targeting by clicking the Cease Fire button that appears while this ability is in effect.

While it is in this mode, the Hetzer's first shot against any target will render it visible. However, that shot also carries a significant set of bonuses:

  • +100% Penetration against any target.
  • +25% accuracy.
  • +50% damage.

As a result, the first shot can do some serious damage to an enemy vehicle, and is virtually guaranteed to penetrate its armor. In fact, it will penetrate any armor except the front armor of an M26 Pershing heavy tank, having only 60% basic chance to do so (more with the APCR Rounds Command Upgrade).

Once the first shot is fired, the Hetzer should immediately be ordered to leave Ambush Lock-Out mode, so that it can turn and engage the target if it tries to move out of the cannon's narrow field of fire. The following shots won't receive the bonus anyway, unless the Hetzer manages to re-camouflage itself first (this requires 10 seconds of no contact with the enemy, and is therefore unlikely).

Ambush Lock-Out is a great ability to use when anticipating enemy incursions into your own territory, but can also be used to sneak the Hetzer into enemy territory, as explained below in the Tactics section.

Upgrades

The Hetzer can be upgraded with a set of binoculars mounted on a periscope. These increase the vehicle's sight and targeting range significantly.

Upgrade Spotting Scope Spotting Scope

  • Costs 25Icon Munitions Small 25
  • Takes 25 seconds to install

The Spotting Scope upgrade provides the following bonuses once installed:

  • +10 meter bonus to the vehicle's sight-range (total = 45 meters)
  • +10 meter bonus to the main cannon's firing range (total = 50 meters)

With these bonuses, the Hetzer can spot targets further away and attack those targets. Accuracy is also increased, so that now the tank is only 75% accurate at 50 meters instead of at 40.

This increased range allows the Hetzer to do two things: It can be used as a tough scout unit, and it can snipe at enemy targets.

As a scout, the Hetzer can locate enemy positions and vehicles easily, and can be used to assist selecting an Ambush point (or allowing the tank to withdraw quickly if an ambush point is about to be overrun).

As a sniper, this tank outranges almost all other tanks, and can simply bombard enemy units in its line of sight, forcing them to come closer if they want to shoot back.

Veterancy

Like all other Panzer Elite units, the Hetzer can attain 3 levels of Veterancy, by accumulating experience points from the killing of enemy units. As it gains levels, its performance will increase proportionally.

Accumulation

Like all other Panzer Elite units, the Hetzer uses the Panzer Elite Shared Veterancy system to accumulate Veterancy points. In this system, units share experience from their kills with each other, within a certain radius.

Each kill the Hetzer makes will grant it 100% of the experience value of the killed unit.

In addition, it will pass 50% of that value to any Panzer Elite units within 35 meters of itself.

Vicariously, the Hetzer receives 50% of the experience value of kills made by other Panzer Elite units within 35 meters.

Bonuses

Every time the Hetzer gains a level, you'll be asked to choose which Veterancy Upgrade you wish to apply to it - either a Defensive bonus or an Offensive bonus, but not both. You can choose a different bonus at each Veterancy level, if you want.

The bonuses described below are specific to each level. Due to the way they are applied on top of each other, when computed together (see below) they may or may not add up as you may expect.

Veterancy Hetzer 0
No Veterancy:

Unit is at normal combat effectiveness.


Veterancy Hetzer 1
Level 1 Veterancy:
Upgrade Defensive Bonus 1 Defensive Bonus 1
  • 10% harder to hit by all weapons
  • 10% damage reduction from all sources
  • +15% increase to Maximum Health
  • +15% increase to Maximum Speed
Or
Upgrade Offensive Bonus 1 Offensive Bonus 1
  • +15% accuracy with all weapons
  • +15% Penetration with all weapons
  • +11% firing rate
  • 10% shorter reload times


Veterancy Hetzer 2
Level 2 Veterancy:
Upgrade Defensive Bonus 2 Defensive Bonus 2
  • 5% harder to hit by all weapons
  • 5% damage reduction from all sources
  • +5% increase to Maximum Health
  • +15% increase to Maximum Speed
Or
Upgrade Offensive Bonus 2 Offensive Bonus 2
  • +15% accuracy with all weapons
  • +15% Penetration with all weapons
  • +11% firing rate
  • 10% shorter reload times


Veterancy Hetzer 3
Level 3 Veterancy:
Upgrade Defensive Bonus 3 Defensive Bonus 3
  • 5% harder to hit by all weapons
  • 5% damage reduction from all sources
  • +5% increase to Maximum Health
  • +15% increase to Maximum Speed
Or
Upgrade Offensive Bonus 3 Offensive Bonus 3
  • +15% accuracy with all weapons
  • +15% Penetration with all weapons
  • +11% firing rate
  • 10% shorter reload times

When these bonuses are computed together with each other as well as the unit's basic statistics, the results at each level are as follows:

Veterancy Level Selected Upgrades Harder to hit by Damage Reduction Maximum Health Maximum Speed Accuracy Penetration Firing Rate Reload Times
0 -- -- 450Icon Health Small 450 6.2 m/s -- -- 100% 100%
1 Defensive Bonus 10% 10% 517Icon Health Small 517 7.1 m/s -- -- 100% 100%
Ofensive Bonus -- -- 450Icon Health Small 450 6.2 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
2 Defensive BonusDefensive Bonus 15% 15% 543Icon Health Small 543 8.1 m/s -- -- 100% 100%
Ofensive BonusDefensive Bonus 5% 5% 472Icon Health Small 472 7.1 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
Defensive BonusOfensive Bonus 10% 10% 517Icon Health Small 517 7.1 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
Ofensive BonusOfensive Bonus -- -- 450Icon Health Small 450 6.2 m/s +32% +32% 123% 81%
3 Defensive BonusDefensive BonusDefensive Bonus 19% 19% 570Icon Health Small 570 9.4 m/s -- -- 100% 100%
Ofensive BonusDefensive BonusDefensive Bonus 10% 10% 496Icon Health Small 496 8.1 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
Defensive BonusOfensive BonusDefensive Bonus 15% 15% 543Icon Health Small 543 7.9 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
Ofensive BonusOfensive BonusDefensive Bonus 5% 5% 472Icon Health Small 472 7.1 m/s +32% +32% 123% 81%
Defensive BonusDefensive BonusOfensive Bonus 15% 15% 543Icon Health Small 543 8.1 m/s +15% +15% 111% 90%
Ofensive BonusDefensive BonusOfensive Bonus 5% 5% 472Icon Health Small 472 7.1 m/s +32% +32% 123% 81%
Defensive BonusOfensive BonusOfensive Bonus 10% 10% 517Icon Health Small 517 7.1 m/s +32% +32% 123% 81%
Ofensive BonusOfensive BonusOfensive Bonus -- -- 450Icon Health Small 450 6.2 m/s +52% +52% 137% 72%

* Click the button at the top-right corner to view the entire table.

Selecting Veterancy bonuses for the Hetzer is tricky, because it can benefit greatly from both Defensive and Offensive bonuses. Speed and toughness from Defensive Bonuses can make this tank a great flanker, and enhance its potential when working alone, especially as an ambusher. On the other hand, increased penetration and firing rate makes certain that the Hetzer will win a one-on-one encounter with most enemy medium tanks. Therefore, your choice must depend on the purposes you wish this tank to serve.

In either case, like most other Panzer Elite vehicles, it's usually best to at least take the first level in Defensive Bonuses, because it has the most effect and increases the vehicle's chance to reach higher veterancy levels alive. Beyond that, it is a matter of personal preference.

Tactics

Core Armor

Hetzer Ambush

Other capacities

Weaknesses

Game Info

Hetzer ("trouble maker") or Jagdpanzer 38(t) is a tank destroyer field by the Panzer Elite and can be call in once the Tank Destroyer Tactics is chosen. Built on the base of an old and obsolete Panzer 38(t) tank chassis mounted with a 75mm KwK 40 L/48 main gun (similar to the Panzer IV) the Hetzer shares similar traits to the Marder III in terms of speed and mobility. Unlike the Marder III, which build on the Panzer 38(t) chassis without further modification, Hetzers armor are modified to improve their protection against most tank and anti-tank fire. Its front armor is 60mm thick with 60 degree slope, significantly increasing its round deflection abilities. Its turret-less design and diminutive size also make it a low profile panzer. Hetzer tank destroyer is also one of the very few German designs to armed with a remote control MG42 light machine gun, removing the need of a machine gunner. Hetzers can be upgrade with a Spotting Scope to increase its range of sight, allowing for much better usage of the main guns range.

The Hetzer is a well armed and armored tank destroyer. Its 75mm KwK 40 L/48 gun provide similar performance with the Panzer IV. The main gun is highly effective against most Allied tank compared to the similar looking StuG IV, capable of tackling M4A3 Shermans, Cromwell Tanks, and the poorly armored M10 Tank Destroyer. The main gun's also effective against ground structures, buildings, and fortified positions. Its armor allows it to survive most anti-tank and tank fire. Its diminutive size also make it a low profile tank, making it a harder target to hit. Hetzer like other Panzer Elite vehicles can use the ambush Lock-down abilities, immobilizing it but giving the Hetzer a damage bonus and camouflage.

Hetzer is a effective tank destroyer as it is fast, well armored, and packs serious firepower. If used in groups they can effectively hunt down Allied tanks. Their ambush lock-down abilities also make them very effective at ambushing advancing Allied tanks, as Hetzer are the only panzer that can camouflage themselves, remaining hidden and undetected until an unsuspecting vehicle falls into their line of fire. They can also provide an excellent defense if set up in choke-point such as hedgerows and bridges, effectively taking out incoming armor units. Marder IIIs provide excellent support for these tanks and can easily make an impenetrable defense. If well supported Hetzers can be a formidable vehicle that can take on any kind of threat.

Weakness

Although fast and mobile, it is a sluggish tank destroyer. Like all turret-less vehicles, such as the StuG IV and Jagdpanther, the entire panzer has to rotate to aim at its target. Its slow turning means that most Vehicles and Infantry can outmaneuver the sluggish Hetzer. Its main gun limited traverse also make it ineffective against fast moving targets. The Cromwell Tank and the T-34 tanks series, with their speed and agility, can effectively flank it and attack its rear armor. Thus Hetzers, like other panzers, should be well supported to avoid enemies outflanking them.

Their ambush lock-down abilities should be used wisely as Hetzer is vulnerable to artillery strikes in this immobile state. Due to its low cost and high effectiveness, Hetzer deployment was limited to no more than 4 Hetzers on the battlefield at any given time per commander; the one way to bypass this limit is the recovery ability of the Bergetiger, potentially allowing a skilled commander to build up a large amount of these highly effective tank destroyers.

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