Few vehicles at a low battle rating have the mobility, the gun, and the armor of the Soviet Su-122. Built on a T-34 chassis and armed with a 122 mm gun, it combines armor and mobility with devastating firepower. At its rank, it stands out as a vehicle that can dominate the battlefield when played to its strengths.
| Pros | Cons |
| The tank has good mobility, almost like a medium tank. | Very slow reload speed, hard to deal with several enemies at once. |
| Equipped with a very powerful 122 mm howitzer, able to destroy most opponents in one shot. | Side armor is weak, a penetration here can knock out the crew or detonate ammo. |
| Frontal armor is thick and can resist many hits at this rank. | Optics in the front are weakly protected and often targeted by enemies. |
| Strong engine, allowing the tank to push or ram obstacles and even block enemies. | No machine gun is present, even though it is very useful against obstacles or light vehicles. |
| The top is well armored, resisting to most fighter’s armament such as machine guns and cannon. | Reverse speed is only 8 km/h, sometimes not enough to escape quickly from enemies. |
Mobility
The Su-122 is relatively fast for a self-propelled gun due to its T-34 chassis and 500 HP V-2 diesel engine. This combination allows it to reach a maximum speed of 55 km/h. However, on dirt, which is the most common terrain, it only reaches about 35–45 km/h. The backward speed is of 8 km/h, being an acceptable speed of retreat from the enemy. It can cross ditches, climb steep hills, and handle muddy or uneven terrain without loosing much speed. It’s also capable of rapid on-the-spot turns, giving it good maneuverability in tight spaces. The transmission is located at the rear of the vehicle, making it well-protected against frontal attacks, but it remains vulnerable to hits from the sides.
Armor and Survivability
Armor
The Su-122 is one of the most armored tank destroyers at its battle rating. The frontal protection consists of a 45mm thick, well sloped armor, which provides effective resistance against many attacks. However, there are some vulnerable points, such as the optics in front of the driver. In battle, it is a frequently targeted weak point, as a successful penetration in this area can incapacitate the driver, leaving the Su-122 temporarily unable to maneuver or retreat. Hits to the area surrounding the Su-122’s main gun do not directly harm the crew, but can damage the gun loading and elevation mechanisms. Severe damage to these components may render the main gun inoperable, preventing it from firing until repaired.
The side armor of the tank has a similar thickness to the frontal plate but is almost vertical, lacking significant slope. This makes the sides much easier to penetrate compared to the angled frontal armor. Hits to the sides can destroy the fighting compartment, potentially incapacitating crew members and damaging the engine, which can severely reduce the vehicle’s combat effectiveness until repairs are completed.
The rear armor is sloped, providing additional protection to the engine compartment. As a result, hits from the rear are less likely to penetrate and damage the engine, making it more difficult for enemies to disable the vehicle from behind compared to side or frontal attacks.
Survivability
The crew is arranged in two columns: two loaders, a gunner, a driver, and a commander. On the right side are the charge loader and the commander; due to the thick frontal armor, they are relatively well protected. On the left side are the driver, gunner, and shell loader. A well-placed shot through the driver’s frontal vision port can incapacitate all crew members on this side.
Ammunition is stored along the walls and on the floor of the fighting compartment, providing good protection from frontal attacks, but it remains vulnerable to side penetrations and can detonate if hit. Four fuel tanks are located at the corners of the engine compartment; since they are spread out, they are not the most common cause of fires or explosions. The engine radiator and transmission are positioned close together, making them susceptible to destruction from a well-aimed shot.
Firepower
Gun
This tank is equipped with a 122 mm M-30 Howitzer, being able to destroy most of the opponents with a single hit. The gun has a horizontal traverse of ±10° and elevation/depression angles of −3° to +25°, requiring the vehicle itself to be aimed for significant lateral adjustments. The horizontal guidance speed is of 15°/s, while the vertical guidance speed is 5.0°/s for an aced crew. One of the problems of this tank is the reloading speed, that is of 23 seconds for a top crew. Being slow compared to normal tanks, it’s difficult to withstand multiple opponents at once.
Ammunition
With all modifications researched, the Su-122 has access to three shell types:
- OF-462 (High-Explosive, fragmentation) — The default shell for the Su-122. It weighs approximately 21 kg and contains about 3 kg of explosive. It has a muzzle velocity of 515 m/s, making it the best choice for long‑range engagements. The shell produces a powerful blast and is effective against light and medium armored vehicles and exposed crew positions. It can cause catastrophic damage to lightly armored targets, but is less reliable for penetrating heavy armor.
- BP-460A (HEAT) — A high-explosive anti-tank designed for increased penetration. It weighs approximately 13 kg and is rated to penetrate up to around 160 mm of armor. With a muzzle velocity of 335 m/s, this round is relatively slow and is therefore most effective at close range. This shell is suitable for engaging heavily armored targets and should be aimed at critical points such as the gun, turret ring, or ammunition stowage.
- D-462A (Smoke) — A smoke shell used for screening and concealment. Due to its slow loading speed, it is generally impractical and of limited usefulness.
Usage in Battles
Sniper Strategy
In open field battles, like Sinai, Carpathians, Attica, and Kuban, one efficient approach is sniping. The front side of the Su-122 can be partially concealed using terrain features or 3D camouflage, making it resemble natural cover such as bushes or rocks. This makes it harder for opponents to identify the vehicle’s vulnerable points, increasing its chance of surviving longer in combat.
The player should position the vehicle in elevated or remote areas where it has a clear line of sight over approaching enemies while remaining partly hidden. From these positions, the Su-122 can engage lightly and medium-armored targets with its powerful 122 mm howitzer. Its high-damage shells allow the vehicle to influence the battlefield from a safe distance, supporting allied advances or preventing enemy breakthroughs. Despite its advantages, the vehicle must still account for its slow reload and limited traverse; extended exposure in open areas can leave it vulnerable to fast-moving vehicles or tanks with high penetration. Careful positioning and use of cover are essential to maximize effectiveness, because a single well-aimed shot from an enemy can destroy the vehicle.
Close-quarters Strategy
In urban environments, such as maps with towns, villages, or industrial zones like Seversk-13, Poland, Abandoned Factory, and Cargo Port, the Su-122 can be used effectively in close-quarters engagements. By hiding behind buildings, the vehicle can lie in wait for opponents and ambush them as they approach. Like many Soviet tank destroyers, this vehicle lacks a machine gun — a notable drawback, as a secondary weapon is essential for engaging soft targets and clearing obstacles without relying on the main gun. Nevertheless, its powerful 122 mm howitzer excels at short range, often capable of destroying enemy vehicles with a single shot. Navigating through city streets allows the Su-122 to remain concealed until the right moment to strike, but this strategy also carries risks. The vehicle’s slow reload and vulnerable side armor make it less effective if surrounded and exposed for too long.
