The Ratel 20 is a South African Light Tank in the British Tech tree, which is typically disliked. With a top speed of 65 mph, and a missile with maximum 530mm of penetration, the Ratel 20 is — on paper at least, a good light tank. However, with a poor acceleration and a rather slow missile, this vehicle does not perform too well when in combat.
Weaponry
The autocannon is broadly similar to the gun found on the Ystervark and Superhind. It is best suited for shooting at enemy light tanks and low flying aircraft due to its lacklustre penetration but high fire rate. The MILAN is a SACLOS ATGM that is easy to use and will teach the basics of ATGM usage for later progression in the British tech tree. The MILAN missile is slow for an ATGM however, and is best used in circumstances that prevents the enemy dodging your attack or when you cannot use your main gun to get through the front armour in a close quarters engagement. However, the high penetration of the missile makes up for the deficiencies of the autocannon.
Mobility
The Ratel 20 has a top speed of 65mph (104 kph), and a decent acceleration. You will easily be able to outpace heavy tanks and other slow moving teammates at the starting rush for the capture points, especially on urban maps. The wide turning circle that comes with wheeled vehicles is a downside, especially when coupled with the huge size of the Ratel platform, so it is difficult to manoeuvre quickly. As with all wheeled vehicles, it is useful to brake when turning, as due to being wheeled rather than tracked, the Ratel does not lose too much forward momentum while cornering, which can end the vehicle up crashing into a building or other immovable object. This sudden uncontrolled stop can seriously endanger the vehicle if you are close to the enemy. Stick to roads early game, as the wheeled basis of the vehicle excels on paved surfaces and then try and use this to get into an advantageous position. The Ratel also performs better on larger flatter maps, and in snowy terrain. Large open desert maps are also good for the vehicle, probably due to the Ratel being designed for these environments.
Armour & Survivability
Due to the Ratel’s poor armour and small crew count, its survivability is quite sub-par, even compared to many of its contemporaries. However, the large empty space used for carrying troops in reality, and the beefy engine at the rear can stop a 1 shot kill, allowing you to return fire on your attacker. The small turret also means the vehicle is not the easiest to hit in a hull down position (if possible to get into as the Ratel is extremely tall). It is best not to be shot in the first place as almost any hit will send you straight back to the hangar. To improve survivability, try to steer clear of direct engagements, and try not to be seen. If the enemy sees you, use the high reverse speed to get yourself out of trouble, or use the smoke grenades to hide your vehicle.
Tactics
The least effective tactic of using the Ratel is in a direct firefight. Your low crew count, large size and weak armour do not combine to make a useful brawler. The low armour penetration of the gun and the slow missile also do not benefit the tank for sniping.
The best way to make the most of the vehicle’s mobility is by starting off by rushing to a capture point along roads, securing the objective for your team, then taking up a flanking route and using the vehicle’s scouting ability. It also is equipped with the airstrike modification, which can significantly decrease the cost of spawning in any CAS into the match. You should use this to your advantage, and coupled with your high speed, you can easily rack up assists and scouts, focusing on team gameplay as the Ratel cannot stand up to multiple enemies on its own.
Use the MILAN missile to obliterate light vehicles and scare unaware heavy tanks with something that can get through their armour like a hot knife through butter. Use the GI-2 autocannon to Track-and-Barrel heavier enemies before using the MILAN and Swiss-Cheese light tanks and unaware aircraft that stray too close. These weapons complement each other, and have to be used together. If you want to hunt enemies with the Ratel, it is best summed up by Adolf Galland in the quote: 'He who sees the enemy first, already has half a kill'. Attack enemies before they have noticed you, disabling them with the autocannon and then deliver the knock out blow with the MILAN. If this fails, pop smoke and reposition/run away until the situation returns to your favour.
In conclusion, the Ratel 20 is best used as a flanker, going around the side of enemies to make the most of your armament and scouting ability to use this South African Bus to its full combat potential on the battlefields of War Thunder. I hope this guide has provided some use to learn how to master the difficult Ratel, and you enjoyed reading it.
