The World of Tanks Supertest has welcomed a formidable addition to the Soviet heavy tank lineup: the Object Veles, a Tier X assault heavy tank named after the ancient Slavic deity of earth, waters, and the underworld. For players who appreciate Soviet armor philosophy and want a straightforward, no-compromises assault platform that prioritizes protection and firepower over mobility and finesse, the Object Veles offers a compelling package built around exceptional frontal armor, devastating alpha damage, and position-holding dominance.
700 HP Alpha Damage: Devastating Firepower
The Object Veles brings exceptional per-shot damage to Tier X:
700 HP Per Shot: The alpha damage sits at the high end of Tier X heavy tank firepower, matching vehicles like the E 100 and delivering more damage than the standard 440-490 HP guns common to Soviet heavies. Each shot carries devastating impact.
Two-Shot Eliminations: The 700 HP alpha enables eliminating many wounded opponents in just two shots. Targets sitting at 1,400 HP or below—a common state after mid-battle attrition—can be destroyed before they retreat to cover.
Trading Superiority: The massive alpha creates overwhelming trading advantages. Even 1-for-1 exchanges favor the Object Veles significantly, as opponents with 440-560 HP guns lose far more HP per trade.
Psychological Pressure: The threat of 700 HP damage per shot creates enormous psychological impact. Opponents must respect every potential Object Veles shot as a catastrophic HP loss, forcing defensive play and hesitation.
Finishing Power: The Object Veles excels at cleanup work. After teammates soften opponents, the Object Veles can efficiently eliminate wounded enemies before they escape or receive support, securing kills through raw alpha advantage.
350mm Frontal Hull Armor: Fortress Protection
The Object Veles brings exceptional hull armor to Tier X:
350mm Nominal Frontal Hull Armor: The hull armor features a nominal value of 350mm at the front, representing some of the thickest protection available at Tier X. This raw thickness creates near-impenetrable defense when properly positioned.
Standard Ammunition Immunity: The 350mm frontal armor reliably bounces standard ammunition from virtually all Tier X opponents. Enemies are forced to load premium rounds or target weak spots, creating economic disadvantages and reducing damage consistency.
Premium Ammunition Resistance: Even against premium ammunition with 300-350mm penetration, the 350mm hull armor combined with proper angling can bounce shots or force enemies into low-percentage weak spot targeting.
Position-Holding Capability: The exceptional hull armor enables the Object Veles to “hold positions” confidently, anchoring defensive lines and resisting enemy pushes through sheer durability rather than mobility or gun depression.
Frontal Confrontation Excellence: The armor profile suggests the Object Veles excels in direct frontal engagements where opponents must challenge its strongest protection while risking 700 HP responses.
320mm Frontal Turret Armor: Impenetrable Top
The Object Veles features equally formidable turret protection:
320mm Nominal Frontal Turret Armor: The turret armor carries a nominal value of 320mm at the front, creating protection that rivals or exceeds most Tier X heavy tanks and enables confident hull-down fighting when terrain permits.
Complete Frontal Protection: The combination of 350mm hull and 320mm turret armor creates a vehicle with exceptional frontal protection across both surfaces, eliminating the common weak point vulnerabilities that plague many heavy tanks.
Hull-Down Potential: When terrain enables hull-down positioning—despite likely limited gun depression—the 320mm turret armor becomes nearly impossible to penetrate frontally, creating position-holding capability that rivals legendary hull-down specialists.
Reduced Weak Spots: The “excellent” designation for both hull and turret armor suggests the Object Veles features minimal conventional weak spots, forcing opponents into difficult cupola shots or complete flanking maneuvers.
Turret Armor Philosophy: The 320mm turret continues Soviet heavy tank tradition of prioritizing turret protection, creating vehicles that can peek, fire devastating shots, and retreat knowing return fire will likely bounce.
Classic Assault Heavy Tank: Straightforward Design
The Object Veles embodies traditional assault heavy philosophy:
Classic Assault Tank Classification: The explicit “classic example of an assault” heavy tank designation indicates the Object Veles adheres to traditional design principles—exceptional armor, devastating firepower, methodical mobility—without experimental mechanics or gimmicks.
No Special Mechanics: Unlike many recent additions featuring autoloaders, reverse autoreloaders, double guns, or other complex systems, the Object Veles apparently features a conventional single-gun design, creating straightforward gameplay.
Push and Hold Philosophy: The vehicle is designed to “push directions” and “hold positions,” embodying the assault heavy tank role through raw capability rather than tactical complexity or innovative mechanics.
Soviet Design Tradition: The Object Veles continues the legendary Soviet heavy tank lineage of vehicles like the IS-7 and Object 277, prioritizing frontal durability and alpha damage while accepting limitations in gun handling or depression.
Reliability Through Simplicity: The classic design creates a vehicle that performs predictably and reliably, rewarding fundamental heavy tank skills—armor angling, positioning, target selection—rather than mechanical mastery.
Position Holding: Defensive Excellence
The Object Veles excels at static position dominance:
Everything Needed to Hold Positions: The combination of 350mm hull, 320mm turret, and 700 HP alpha creates a vehicle that can “hold positions” against overwhelming odds, resisting pushes through superior protection and punishing engagement attempts.
Breakthrough Capability: The exceptional frontal armor enables the Object Veles to lead pushes into defended positions, absorbing fire that would destroy lesser vehicles while delivering 700 HP responses to defenders.
Area Denial: Once established in a strong position, the Object Veles creates an area of denial through sheer presence. Enemies must either commit massive resources to dislodge it or concede the territory entirely.
Anchor Tank Role: In team compositions, the Object Veles serves as the anchor—the immovable object around which teammates position, knowing the Object Veles will absorb punishment and hold ground absolutely.
Last-Stand Capability: The combination of exceptional armor and devastating firepower creates a vehicle that can contest positions even when outnumbered, trading favorably through armor and alpha until the position falls.
Slavic Deity Namesake: Veles
The tank’s name carries cultural significance:
Named After Veles: The Object Veles derives its name from Veles, a major deity in Slavic mythology associated with earth, waters, livestock, and the underworld—a god of abundance, transformation, and the boundary between worlds.
Cultural Connection: The naming choice connects the vehicle to Slavic heritage, continuing Wargaming’s occasional practice of using mythological or culturally significant names for vehicles (similar to the Varyag or Rudy).
Symbolism: Veles’s association with earth and foundations metaphorically aligns with the Object Veles’s role as an unshakable foundation for team advances—rooted in position, immovable like earth itself.
Underworld Association: In some interpretations, Veles governs the underworld and transitions between life and death, perhaps symbolically fitting for a vehicle that sends opponents to the garage with 700 HP devastation.
Identity and Recognition: The distinctive mythological name creates immediate recognition and identity, distinguishing the Object Veles from generic numerical Soviet designations.
Methodical Frontline Pressure
The Object Veles’s design emphasizes deliberate, armor-supported advances:
Direction Selection: Choose a direction early in battle and commit to it absolutely. The Object Veles excels when advancing steadily into chosen areas, using armor to absorb fire while delivering 700 HP punches.
Armor-First Philosophy: Trust the exceptional frontal protection. Advance confidently into positions where lesser vehicles would be destroyed, knowing the 350mm hull and 320mm turret will bounce most incoming fire.
Calculated Aggression: The combination of fortress armor and devastating firepower enables aggressive plays that would be suicidal for other vehicles. Lead pushes, challenge defended positions, force enemies into unfavorable fights.
Static Defense: When defending, position the Object Veles at critical choke points where its armor creates impenetrable barriers. Enemies must either load premium ammunition, attempt difficult flanks, or concede territory.
Team Coordination: The Object Veles performs best when teammates leverage the space it creates. As the Object Veles anchors positions and absorbs fire, teammates can deliver damage from supporting positions.
Tactical Considerations
The Object Veles’s characteristics create specific tactical opportunities:
Frontal Positioning Priority: Always face opponents frontally. The 350mm hull and 320mm turret armor work best when enemies must engage the strongest surfaces. Avoid exposing sides or rear unnecessarily.
Weak Spot Awareness: Despite exceptional armor, the Object Veles likely features cupolas or other small weak points. Master positioning that minimizes weak spot visibility while maintaining offensive capability.
Premium Ammunition Forcing: The armor forces opponents to load expensive premium ammunition, creating economic disadvantages for enemies while enabling the Object Veles to sustain credit-positive gameplay.
700 HP Shot Discipline: Each shot represents massive damage potential. Ensure fully-aimed fire rather than rushing shots, as the reload time (likely 14-16 seconds for 700 HP alpha) makes wasted shots costly.
Hull-Down When Possible: If the Object Veles features workable gun depression (likely 5-6 degrees), prioritize hull-down positions where the 320mm turret armor becomes the only targetable surface.
Playstyle Implications
The Object Veles rewards commanders who embrace patient, armor-supported brawling:
Trust the Armor: The exceptional protection enables aggressive positioning. Don’t hide—advance confidently, absorb fire, and deliver devastating 700 HP responses.
Patience Over Speed: The Object Veles likely features limited mobility (35-40 km/h maximum speed typical for heavily armored Soviet heavies). Accept this limitation and advance methodically rather than attempting rapid maneuvers.
Frontal Engagement Focus: The Object Veles thrives in direct frontal confrontations. Seek head-on battles where armor and alpha create overwhelming advantages rather than attempting flanking or mobile gameplay.
Position Commitment: Limited mobility likely means position choices carry enormous weight. Select directions carefully at battle start, as correcting mistakes or relocating takes significant time.
Commanders looking to master the Object Veles should consider:
- Prioritizing positions where frontal armor can be leveraged absolutely
- Learning armor angling to maximize the already exceptional 350mm hull protection
- Practicing weak spot concealment while maintaining offensive firing capability
- Using the 700 HP alpha to trade favorably even in 1-for-1 exchanges
- Accepting limited mobility and choosing initial directions carefully
- Leading team pushes confidently, knowing armor will absorb punishment
- Forcing enemies to expend premium ammunition through superior protection
- Coordinating with teammates to capitalize on the space the Object Veles creates through its presence
Community Reception
Initial community reactions to the Object Veles reveal measured perspectives:
“Finally, a Classic Heavy”: Many players expressed appreciation for a straightforward assault heavy tank without complex mechanics, viewing the Object Veles as a refreshing return to fundamental heavy tank design.
Armor Creep Concerns: Community discussion immediately focused on the 350mm hull and 320mm turret armor values, with questions about whether such protection creates power creep or makes the vehicle frustrating to face.
700 HP Alpha Interest: The high alpha damage generated positive reactions from commanders who enjoy devastating per-shot impact, though some questioned whether this creates unfair trading scenarios.
Mobility Speculation: With no mobility stats released, community speculation centered on whether the Object Veles will feature typical Soviet heavy mobility (35-40 km/h) or more severe limitations given the exceptional armor.
Premium/Reward Questions: With no tech tree placement mentioned and “promotional” tags on similar vehicles, speculation immediately turned to whether the Object Veles would be a premium tank, reward vehicle, or special event exclusive.
What Sets the Object Veles Apart
The Object Veles occupies a unique position in the Tier X heavy tank landscape:
Exceptional All-Around Frontal Armor: The combination of 350mm hull and 320mm turret armor creates protection that rivals or exceeds virtually all Tier X heavy tanks, establishing the Object Veles as potentially the most heavily armored frontal vehicle at the tier.
Classic Assault Design: The straightforward assault heavy tank classification without complex mechanics creates a vehicle that rewards fundamental skills rather than mechanical mastery or gimmick exploitation.
700 HP Soviet Heavy: The Object Veles brings E 100-level alpha damage to the Soviet heavy tank arsenal, combining devastating firepower with Soviet armor philosophy in ways unavailable in the existing tech tree.
Mythological Identity: The naming after Veles, a Slavic deity, creates cultural connection and distinctive identity that separates the Object Veles from generic numerical Soviet designations.
Pure Protection Philosophy: Unlike vehicles that balance armor with mobility or gun handling, the Object Veles apparently commits absolutely to protection and firepower, creating extreme specialization in its domain.
What’s Next?
As a Supertest vehicle, the Object Veles’s characteristics remain subject to adjustment. Key questions for testing include:
- What are the mobility values, and can the Object Veles reach positions before battles develop?
- What is the gun depression, and does it enable any hull-down capability?
- Are there significant weak points that counterbalance the exceptional frontal armor?
- What is the reload time for the 700 HP gun, and does it enable adequate DPM?
- Will this be a premium vehicle, reward tank, or potential tech tree addition?
- How will the Object Veles coexist with the IS-7, Object 277, and Object 780 in the Soviet Tier X heavy lineup?
- Does the exceptional armor create balance concerns or power creep issues?
Final Thoughts
The Object Veles represents an uncompromising vision of assault heavy tank design. By combining fortress-level frontal armor with devastating 700 HP firepower, Wargaming has created a vehicle that embodies Soviet heavy tank philosophy at its most extreme—exceptional protection and alpha damage without compromise or complexity.
For commanders who appreciate straightforward gameplay, enjoy position-holding and breakthrough assaults, and value armor and firepower over mobility and finesse, the Object Veles offers immense appeal. The 350mm hull and 320mm turret armor create protection that enables aggressive plays impossible for lesser vehicles, while the 700 HP alpha ensures every shot carries catastrophic impact.
However, the Object Veles likely demands significant compromises. The exceptional armor almost certainly comes with severely limited mobility, making poor position choices difficult to correct. The likely limited gun depression will prevent effective ridge-line fighting, forcing the Object Veles into flat-ground engagements. If reload times are long (15+ seconds for 700 HP alpha), the DPM may prove inadequate in extended engagements against rapid-fire opponents.
The “classic assault heavy tank” designation suggests the Object Veles eschews the complex mechanics and tactical flexibility that define many modern additions. This simplicity is simultaneously a strength—creating reliable, predictable performance—and a potential limitation—lacking the adaptive capabilities that enable success across diverse situations.
Whether you’re excited about a Soviet heavy tank with E 100-level armor and alpha damage or skeptical about whether such exceptional protection creates balance concerns, the Object Veles undeniably offers something distinctive. If Wargaming successfully balances the armor values, mobility limitations, and firepower characteristics, the Object Veles could become a favorite for players who enjoy leading assaults and anchoring defenses through sheer durability.
For those who have wanted a Soviet heavy tank that combines the IS-7’s armor philosophy with devastating 700 HP firepower, accepting severe mobility limitations as the price, the Object Veles might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Characteristics Are Not Final — all information sourced from World of Tanks Supertest announcements.
