Editing Sdkfz 234 Armored Car

{{Infobox vehicle
|title            = [[File:SdKfz234noveterancy.png]]<br>Sdkfz 234 Armored Car
|image            = [[File:Sdkfz 2341 armored car.png|300px]]
|caption          = ''Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234 with the 50mm cannon''
|army             = [[Wehrmacht]]
|role             = Medium Scout vehicle
|unit_cost        = {{Manpower|280}}<br>{{Fuel|35}}<br>{{PopCap|4}}
|upkeep           = {{Manpower|-5.376}}
|prereq           = None
|production_struc = [[Sturm Armory]]
|primary_weapon   = 20mm Kwk 38 autocannon
|secondary_weapon = 7.92mm Maschinengewehr 42
|garrison         = 
|health           = {{Health|310}}
|armor            = Light
|speed            = 7 m/s
|num_products     =
|produces         =
|num_abilities    = 0
|num_upgrades     = 1
|upgrades         = 
'''Puma 50mm Gun'''[[File:Sdkfz234Upgrade.png|right]]
* Equip the SdKfz 234 Armored Car with a 50mm Anti Tank Gun turret.
* Costs {{Munitions|75}}
* Takes 30 seconds to install
}}
{{Cite|Armed recon, ready for action...}}
The '''Sdkfz 234 Armored Car''', often called the '''Puma''', is a medium [[Vehicle]] fielded by the [[Wehrmacht]] in [[Company of Heroes]]. Armored enough to be largely impervious to small-caliber weapons and equipped with fast-firing '''20 mm cannon''', this vehicle can patrol '''Wehrmacht''' territory and fight enemy infantry and reconnaissance vehicles. It can also be equipped with '''50 mm cannon''', which is effective against medium vehicles, and also allows the armored car to engage heavier armor by flanking.

== Overview ==
Known as ''Schwerer Panzerspähwagen''(Heavy armored reconnaissance vehicle), the''' SdKfz 234 Armored Car''' or better known as ''SdKfz 234 Puma''('Puma' for short) is an 8 wheel armored car of the [[Wehrmacht]] Armed Forces. This vehicle was intended for reconnaissance, scouting, artillery spotting, light harassment, and infantry support. The '''SdKfz 234 Armored Car''' has better armor, better weapons, and more mobility than most of the previous models, and was also designed to have an imposing look, and became a popular vehicle among the German Infantry as well as Officers during World War II.

The '''SdKfz 234 Armored Car''' is an 8 x 4 medium vehicle available once a [[Sturm Armory]] is constructed. It has 15mm armor on the front that is slightly sloped, 8mm on its side and 10mm at the rear, with 6 to 10mm from top to bottom. Its armor is actually slightly worse than the  [[M8 Armored Car]], despite its larger size, but is noticeably better compared to the [[Armored Car]]. It provides protection from small arms and machine gun fire. Initially armed with a 20mm '''KwK 30 L/55 Autocannon''' and a '''MG34''', though the ingame model mounts the '''MG42''', the '''SdKfz 234 Armored Car''' proved to be a lethal vehicle against infantry. Its '''20mm KwK 30 L/55 Autocannon''' can rapidly cut down infantry with its high rate of fire of 200 round per minute and is also effective against lightly armored targets such as the [[Jeep]], [[Bren Carrier]], and [[M3 Halftrack]]. It can also be upgraded with a '''50mm KwK 39/1 L/60 Light AT Cannon''', providing sufficient firepower against [[Allies|Allied]] armored targets and infantry. Most [[Axis]] players will purchase this upgrade to increase its lethality against units such as the '''M8''' and [[M10 Tank Destroyer]] in numbers.

The''' SdKfz 234 Armored Car''' is an effective heavy reconnaissance vehicle, able to scout and recon an area of the battlefield while still being capable of tackling most enemies. Highly maneuverable, it can travel through enemy territory, identify an enemies position and move back to friendly territory quickly. If upgraded, the '''50mm Light AT Cannon''' can provide excellent harassment against infantry, light and medium vehicles, base structures and fortified strategic points. Some [[Axis]] commander prefer to use it as hit and run vehicle while performing reconnaissances thanks to its high speed and good maneuverability.

The '''SdKfz 234 Armored Car '''is best supported by infantry such as the [[Grenadier Squad]], [[Volksgrenadier Squad]], [[Stormtrooper Squad]] or the [[Knight's Cross Holders]], or kept in pairs of 2-4 for hit and run assault or raiding. It can also provide support for panzers, using its cannon to suppress and cut down infantry.

While most [[Armored Car|Armored Cars]] become obsolete in the later stages of battle, this is where the '''Puma''' shines. With an upgraded '''50mm gun''', the '''Puma''' can now effectively engage heavier vehicles. Of course the '''Puma''' can't stand up to enemy tanks directly, they can be used for flanking enemy tanks while supporting friendly tanks. If used correctly, the Puma becomes an effective tank-killer.

== Weapons ==

The '''Sdkfz 234''' is initially equipped with 2 weapons. '''20 mm automatic cannon''', and a secondary weapon, '''MG42'''. Both are mounted on the turret. Later, it can be equipped with '''50 mm cannon''' instead of '''20 mm'''. Each of these weapons is effective against other units.

=== 20 mm KwK 38 ===
Basic weapon of '''Sdkfz 234''' is the dreaded '''20 mm cannon'''. It is effective against enemy infantry units and light vehicles.

This weapon fires from 4 to 5 shells per burst with 3.5-4.5 interval between each burst. After 2 such bursts weapon must be reloaded, what takes about 6 seconds. Each shell deals 25-30 points of damage, what kills infantry very quickly.

Accuracy is good for this weapon, especially at short and medium ranges, where each bullet has 75% of hitting the target. At long distance, accuracy is roughly 50%. Note that the weapon is only half as accurate when the vehicle is moving.

As mentioned earlier, this armament is not designed to fight against heavier armored units. Penetration values are weak, especially at long range, and the weapon is unlikely to penetrate the armor of any vehicle heavier than a [[M3 Halftrack|Halftrack]].

=== MG42 ===

The '''MG42''' is the secondary weapon of the '''Sdkfz 234'''. Its range is 25 meters and fires 20 to 24 rounds per burst. Each burst lasts between 3 to 4 seconds and each bullet inflicts 3 points of damage.

Like most coaxial machine guns, accuracy is poor. Accuracy is only 5% at long range, 10% at medium range, and 35% at short range.

=== 50 mm Gun ===

The '''Sdkfz 234''' can be equipped with this weapon if the proper upgrade has been purchased. This armament replaces the '''20 mm cannon''', changing the role of the vehicle from anti-infantry to anti-vehicle. Although it will still be able to hit enemy soldiers, this weapon is less effective against infantry than the basic weapon of this vehicle.

Each shot from this cannon delivers 67.5 points of damage and reloads for 5 to 6 seconds. This allows the '''Sdkfz 234''' to win engagements with other medium vehicles. It will take only 4 or 5 shots to destroy an [[M3 Halftrack]] or [[M8 Armored Car]]. The weapon is ineffective against heavier units, like the [[M10 Tank Destroyer]] or [[M4 Sherman]], and is nearly useless against [[Churchill Tank|Churchill Tanks]] or [[M26 Pershing|M26 Pershings]]. When fighting against these, flanking will be necessary.

At short and medium range, the gun is very accurate against vehicles. Even at long range each shot has a 75% chance to hit. Against infantry, accuracy is significantly worse. Like the '''20mm gun''', it is only half as accurate while moving.
==Upgrades==

===[[File:Sdkfz234Upgrade.png]] 50 mm Gun ===
*Requires escalation to Battle Phase
*Equips the '''Sdkfz 234''' with a '''50 mm Gun'''
*Removes the '''20 mm cannon'''
*The '''MG42''' is moved to the right of the main gun
*Costs {{munitions|75}}
*Takes 30 seconds to install

The only upgrade available for the '''Sdkfz 234''' is the '''50 mm Gun'''. This is a weapon designed to fight with enemy armored units. Needless to say, the '''Sdkfz 234''' won't be able to fight as effectively with infantry units as it would without this weapon. It may not be necessary to install this upgrade unless the enemy has a large amount of vehicles at their disposal.

Oddly, the '''MG42''' does not actually fire from its new position, and bullets will continue to come from its old location on the turret.

== Veterancy ==

The '''Sdkfz 234 Armored Car''' is classified as a medium vehicle, and gains veterancy through '''Vehicle Veterancy Upgrades''' available at the [[Kampfkraft Center]]. Every vehicle already on the battlefield or that will be built receives the proper upgrades. These bonuses are cumulative to each other.

{| border=0
| style="vertical-align: top; width: 60px; text-align: center;"|[[File:SdKfz234noveterancy.png|left]]
| style="vertical-align: top;"|'''No Veterancy:'''
*Unit is at normal combat efficiency.
|-
| style="vertical-align: top; width: 60px; text-align: center;"|
[[File:SdKfz234veterancy1.png|left]]
| style="vertical-align: top;"|'''Level 1 Veterancy:'''
*Received damage decreased by 15%.
|-
| style="vertical-align: top; width: 60px; text-align: center;"|
[[File:SdKfz234veterancy2.png|left]]
| style="vertical-align: top;"|'''Level 2 Veterancy:'''
*Sight radius increased by 10 meters.
|-
| style="vertical-align: top; width: 60px; text-align: center;"|
[[File:SdKfz234veterancy3.png|left]]
| style="vertical-align: top;"|'''Level 3 Veterancy:'''
*Main weapon damage increased by 30%.
|}

== Description ==
With eight wheels to carry it, the '''SdKfz 234/1 Armored Car''' is a valuable Axis vehicle that should be used to engage infantry with its '''20mm rapid firing gun'''. Its strong engine lends the vehicle for reconnaissance roles, but with the '''Puma 50mm gun upgrade''', the unit can prove to be a threat against heavier Allied armor and other vehicles.

== Tips ==
*The armored car is very effective at taking out enemy infantry.
*The upgraded gun will lower its effectiveness versus US infantry severely, although it seems to have an easier time versus British infantry. It is effective against [[Stuart Light Tank|Stuart Light Tanks]] though, and can sometimes do a number on [[M10 Tank Destroyer|M10 Tank Destroyers]]. Against [[M8 Armored Car|M8 Armored Cars]] though, it serves in a mostly defensive capacity. It may not always be necessary to upgrade the gun until heavier Allied vehicles begin to appear on the field.
*They are good escort units for your onmap artillery especially for your walking stukas.

== Weaknesses ==
Although very effective against infantry, the '''Puma''' is a lightly armored vehicle. It is vulnerable to all anti-tank weapons, and machine guns equipped with armor piercing rounds can penetrate its armor and destroy it easily. Although the '''50mm cannon''' gives this vehicle a bit of anti-vehicle power, it is still unable to win fights against tanks on its own and it can act only as support unit against such targets. [[Mortar Team|Mortar Teams]] – which aren’t designed to be anti-tank weapons – can damage its engine with random hits, which can deprive '''Sdkfz 234''' of one of its biggest advantages - mobility. Keep the vehicle in motion to avoid these situations.

As mentioned earlier, the '''Puma''' is an anti-infantry vehicle and to some degree you may effectively engage infantry equipped with anti-tank weapons. However, while you can underestimate slow-flying '''PIAT''' grenades and '''Recoilless Rifles''' (which often seem to fly through the '''Puma’s''' armor without doing any harm), watchout for [[Ranger Squad|Ranger Squads]]. Although '''Bazookas''' are well known from their poor accuracy and penetration, rockets from those weapons will never fly through like '''Recoilless Rifles''' do. '''Rangers''' can also rapidly close the distance to the point where accuracy problems don’t matter. Take additional care when enemies have large amount of these elite infantrymen at their disposal and even more in city-fighting, where infantry has plenty of places to hide.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
SdKfz 234 Armoured Car01.jpg|Sdkfz 234 armored car - basic version.
SdKfz 234 Armoured Car02.jpg|Sdkfz 234 armored car attacks the enemy.
SdKfz 234 Armoured Car04.jpg|Sdkfz 234 armored car with 50&nbsp;mm cannon.
</gallery>
== Quotes ==
{{Cite|Armored Car deployed!}}
{{Cite|Let's roll out!}}
{{Cite|Cant you drive any faster Klaus?}}
When told to move:

{{Cite|Puma repositioning!}} 
After destroying enemy unit:

{{Cite|Target eliminated...}}
When issued with attack-move order:

{{Cite|Ja, weapons ready for amis..}}
When damaged, in battle:

{{Cite|My god we are going to die!}}
{{Cite|Drive damn you, drive!}}
{{Cite|Puma is big trouble!}}
{{Cite|PUMA!!}}

== Trivia ==

* The '''Sdkfz 234/1 (20mm Autocannon)''' and '''Sdkfz 234/2 (50mm Cannon)''' were two different vehicles and could not simply be field modified to change the turret like in [[Company of Heroes]].
{{Navbox/Wehrmacht Arsenal}}
[[Category:Vehicles]]
[[Category:Wehrmacht Units]]