SU-76M Assault Gun

SU-76M Assault Gun
A SU-76M (taken from coh2 wikia)
Army	Soviet Army
Role	General Support Medium Vehicle
Unit Cost	280 280 75 75 8 8
Upkeep per Minute	12 12
Produced By	Tankoviy Battalion Command
Primary armament	ZiS-3 76.2mm main gun
Primary armament damage	120
Primary armament penetration	180 (near) 160 (far)
Firing Range	60
Sight Range	35
Health	400 400
Armor	70 (front) 35 (rear)
Max. Speed	6.3 m/s
Abilities (3) Light Artillery Barrage Fires 6 rounds Cooldown = 60 seconds Tracking Reveals nearby infantry units in the fog of war Costs 35 35 Duration: 20 seconds Cooldown: 50 seconds Prioritize Vehicles Attacks vehicles freely, but holds fire against infantry and structures unless given an explicit order Toggled ability

The SU-76M assault gun is a Soviet assault gun available from the Tankoviy Battalion Command, it is the most expensive unit in that building but is cheaper than a T-34/76 and enjoys longer range.

Overview

The SU-76M assault gun is a somewhat inexpensive assault gun that can take on infantry as well as anti-tank units. But unfortunately, due to the weakness of the SU-76M, neither goal is usually accomplished when it's attacking head-on. It's useful when attacking with surprise using the True Sight system to the users advantage, with a nice firing range of 60. Used correctly, it poses a good threat to enemy armor, even heavy tanks.

Next, the unit also has a barrage ability, identical to the barrage ability of the ZiS-3 AT gun. This ability is free however, unlike the ZiS-3 AT gun (which costs 35 35). Upon activating, the SU-76M will fire a salvo of HE-shells on the targeted location, dealing reliable damage. This is indeed a very useful ability, but with a long cooldown timer. This means that the SU-76M will have a poor self-defense against enemy infantry after firing the barrage, if not supported by friendly infantry.

Despite having some armor, (enough to stop small arms fire) the 320 health makes the unit vulnerable (roughly just as fragile as a light tank): at least 3 hits from Panzerschrecks will destroy it. Also, Grenadiers and Volksgrenadiers can cripple this unit with one Panzerfaust, leaving it easy prey for other Anti-Tank units. Medium tanks also do not have to worry much about this unit, as 2-3 shots will often finish it off. This pushes the SU-76M in that of a support/ambush role: It should never be used in a head-on attack! Also watch out for enemy assault guns such as the Stug III and the Jagdpanzer as these have comparable range but stronger armor. Fortunately, the SU-76 assault gun is somewhat easier to replace than other Soviet vehicles with comparable firepower. Used correctly, the SU-76m is one of the most cost-effective anti-tank vehicles in the game.

Underperforming Capabilities

The SU-76M assault gun on its own isn't actually a terrible unit. It has nice range and reasonable damage (against vehicles) for a relatively low price. The problem with the unit is that it is put in the mechanized armor kampaneya (in the campaign only), together with the powerful anti-infantry katyusha rocket truck and the powerful anti-tank SU-85, both of which largely outperforms the SU-76M assault gun in the specialized roles, where the SU-76M is able to do both roles for cheaper though not as well. Soviet players will thus seldom recruit this unit over the other options, except early on from the Tankoviy Battalion Command. Best used with support and in numbers. In multiplayer though, this unit provides good mobile anti-armor power fairly early on and is a nice counter to every light vehicle the Germans can send, even the Puma if it can fire the first shot. It can also be used for laying siege to static positions and complements the Katyusha nicely in this role - rockets to heavy emplacements or clusters of units, and 76mm shells to smaller and dispersed emplacements.

Light Artillery Barrage

• Costs nothing
• Activation: Select Target Area
• Cooldown: 60 seconds

The barrage ability of the orders the gun to fire 6 high-explosive shells at a target area, similar to the ZiS 3 divisional field gun, albeit with no munitions cost and a longer cooldown. Effective against infantry, less so against armoured targets. Compared to the field gun and the 82mm mortar, it has a slightly longer range, but less accurate scatter.

Tracking

• Costs 35 35
• Activation: Immediate
• Cooldown: 50 seconds
• Duration: 20 seconds
• Requires veterancy 1

The Tracking ability increases the sight radius of the gun and reveals enemy infantry in a large radius on the minimap.

Prioritize Vehicles

• Costs nothing
• Activation: Toggled ability

The Prioritize Vehicles ability orders the gun to hold fire against infantry and structure targets unless given an explicit command, while attacking vehicles as normal.

Veterancy

	Level 1 Veterancy: "Tracking" ability unlocked.
	Level 2 Veterancy: Damage increased by 20. Accuracy increased by 30%.
	Level 3 Veterancy: Range of Light Artillery Barrage ability increased by 10. Reload time reduced by 25%. Rotation speed increased by 25%

Quotes

"SU-76! Go ahead!"

"Scatter the enemy with light artillery!"