Standard B Review/Guide, Carrying by Flexing at the Right Times

I review the Standard B, a tier 9 Italian medium tank in World of Tanks (WoT), with replays of tier 9 Glacier and tier 10 Lakeville battles.
For many players, the Standard B is the highlight of the Italian medium line. However, the autoreloader gun needs careful management due to the extremely long shell reload times.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Superb silver APCR penetration (268)
Superb gun depression (-10)
Superb shell velocity (1450)
Excellent top speed (65)
Excellent camouflage (~32 with Camo + BIA)
Extremely long shell reload times, which punishes misuse of the clip
Long intra-clip reload (3s)
Paper armor
Recommended Equipment
1. Rammer
2. Optics
3. VStab
This video is part of my "Road to Unicum" series in which I share what I learned as I progressed towards account Unicum rating (top 1%) with silver ammo only. I talk through how I'm reading the battle as it unfolds and discuss key decisions and mistakes. My hope is that these videos meaningfully help players improve their gameplay.
"Road to Unicum" full guide and FAQs:
taugrim.com/201...
If you want to support my WoT habit (thanks that's generous of you), you can support me on Patreon, donate via PayPal, or simply shop on Amazon:
taugrim.com/201...
Cheers,
Taugrim
Patreon: / taugrim
KZbin: / taugrim
Twitter: / taugrim
Blog: taugrim.com
#WorldOfTanks #RoadToUnicum #Taugrim

[@reinholdw1800]

I enjoy all of your videos, and have learned quite a bit from them. You're one of the few who make these kinds of videos who isn't obnoxious. You're like a professor, just walking the viewer through your battles.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

I think you're the only super-unicum who doesn't load premium rounds. Impressive.

[@thodkats]

SirFoch as well. Check him out!

[@matthbva]

It is. It’s one thing to use them only when you desperately need them. It’s another to *not even carry them.*

[@kalsyphr5039]

@@matthbva It's even more impressive to reach unicum with only standard rounds

[@crazyrussianbot8012]

thank you. I only shoot HE in my arta as well. No Gold at all.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@crazyrussianbot8012 So no premium HE or Heat (if you have the 105 leFH18B2).

[@richard743]

Thx again for an excellent review of a popular vehicle that many are trying to grind/play. Keep up the good work dude.

[@evilmac9623]

This is my favorite tier 9 atm. It is really comfortable and flexible to play. I was worried about the mastering the auto-reloader because so many people said it was tricky. I have not really had an issue with it. If you have the friends fire at every opportunity, if you don't be careful and keep the clip filled up for the stand off. The pen is 10/10. Would recommend to anyone.

[@imsorry6342]

Roger Rondeau i prefer the M46 the dpm was hilariously fun :) but the pen is pretty garbage. That’s what go- I mean *special* ammo is for.

[@taugrim]

Yea any autoreloader or autoloader complements a single-shot tank. One brings burst, the other sustained damage.

[@evilmac9623]

@@imsorry6342 I should give the M46 a try again, it was my first line and I was pretty garbage in it.

[@wayne19563]

Great analysis ... I always learn something with your vid’s

[@retro61]

A standout feature of your videos, for me, is how you are so positive in chat with the team. Can only speak for EU servers, but mostly see higher stat players only trash talking their team

[@taugrim]

I can't be very salty in chat, especially when I'm frustrated.

[@maxxlr8tion578]

I totally agree, I loved playing through the P.44 start to finish. The standard B took alot of getting used to for me, I think it mostly came down to facing better enemies at the higher tier.

[@pdornai]

Thanks for showcasing this tank. Depsite the reload this is easily one of my favorite tanks. It can really lay down some damage but I don't think it gets enough credit.

[@qtig9490]

I love your videos! You are far and away the best wot tank reviewer and your installments/lessons hit the mark perfectly for many of us. Any time i am considering a new tank I first check to see if you have reviewed it. Your assessments are genuine and your style where we can see you playing and telling us your thoughts (and yes even your mistakes!) are perfect for us non-unicums to learn from. I love my Pantera so I will pick up this Standard B now too! Please keep these reviews coming!

[@taugrim]

Thanks for the kind words 😊

[@braccio5146]

I've just discovered this channel. The quality of the content is superb.

[@taugrim]

Thanks and welcome to the channel and community!

[@sciencethygod]

Still on the Tier 8, this line is super fun and the carry potential is really nice too, makes loses feel less annoying when you being swarmed by 10 tanks with only doing 1k damage because your team decided to just suicide in 4 mins...

[@thecrow7]

happens most days

[@flea-kh7om]

Awesome game play and commentary!! Great learning game as well.

[@superkupanemo7357]

Learning how to play this game and not using gold ammo at the same time is the best way to learn, actually. As usual: watched, liked and hope to take your tips into action. Thank you!

[@dukefrywokker6470]

I love my Standard B. The only tank I drive at tier 9 now. Progettos are really good too. Actually, I remember liking all the Italian meds.

[@FlaviaPitariu]

This tank looks fun. I can understand the lower reload as you get a much better Alpha Strike. Very nice games to learn from

[@taugrim]

Yes, the Standard B's gun would be imbalanced if it had solid alpha of 360 AND faster reload. But the long reload can make the tank a bit tricky to play with. It's a good thing though, playing the tank requires good decision-making.

[@FlaviaPitariu]

@@taugrim I'm surprised it's not a 4 round loader, would dramatically increase the effectiveness of the standard

[@evilmac9623]

@@FlaviaPitariu If they gave it a 4 shot they would nerf the pen or the gun handling stats to compensate for the extra burst. I already played the t54e1, no thanks =)

[@taugrim]

Yea, I think the Standard B's gun is fine as-is. A 4th shell in the clip would make it too good.

[@nimaiiikun]

so far, the high tier (8-10 and premium) Italian Medium line is by far my favorite in the game. Great speed, good gun depression, good damage output and most importantly that reloading system! Its been hard going back to other mediums like my Skoda or STB-1, or the Swedish mediums.

[@taugrim]

Yes, I'm glad I listened to my subscribers and grinded the Italian medium line. Super fun. The Skoda T50 has much more compact burst (960 in 3.6s), but an autoreloader is more flexible.

[@nimaiiikun]

@@taugrim are there any other tanks that use an auto reloader like the Italian line? I think one of teh Soviet tanks has one right?

[@taugrim]

IS-3A has a weird autoreloader - it reloads faster as the clip is emptied. Very broken IMO, since you can dump a clip, then DPM people.

[@mikespark72]

Dayum,I wish I had the Taugs skill! :D

[@jairlemmens7587]

This vehicle and the progetto 65 are my favorites by far

[@mrki412]

You are simply the best, I don't get it why some other WoT streamers have more subscribers.

[@alexandru-stefaneldavidoai3112]

no premium rounds,that's make me to play again this game,thank god there still are player like you :) ,skill counts ,continue your work i appreciate it enormously!

[@yawsantdingsa2738]

I came here this morning to look for this review and I was disapointed because I couldn't find the review for this tank. But thanks for the upload now I'm grinding for top gun. great help. Thanks. And what Equipment would be the best for this tank?

[@miladsammouh4741]

Not sure if it fits it but stabilizer rammer optics. If it doesnt fit rammer then go vents

[@taugrim]

You can always see what equipment I recommend in the first 10 seconds of the video, or by reading the Description in the video. That information is always included.

[@disabor]

A taugrim video is an auto like. Will there be some surprise for episode #100 ?

[@kamilnosal9368]

Again amazing video!! Would you use optics instead of vents in Progetto mod 65 too? Thank you

[@taugrim]

Optics/Rammer/VStab is what I recommend for both the Standard B and Prog 65.

[@kamilnosal9368]

@@taugrim awesome! Can't wait for video with mod 65!!

[@matthewsalton887]

lol the bat chat 25T on the enemy team in the second game is my friend in real life xD

[@raunaqgupta33]

I love the italian medium line from tier 6 onwards.....clocking over 50% wr in tier 6 and 7 and 53% in Panterra and now 57% in Std B.....for a free to play player with overall wr of 47% in 12k battles, it freaking amazing. Best thing about Std b is that std pen is enough and u dont gold rounds. Damage racks up quickly as well....

[@origamichik3n]

To be fair more than Taugrim's skillful play i would like to adopt his calm and collected demeanor and his attention to team mates. I mean, there will always be arseholes in your team. But he chooses to compliment good behaviour rather than add to the toxic one.

[@benflap9374]

Well.. that's something I always find interesting about his vids. Usually my positive behavior gets ignored and only when I criticize people they start talking, but talk trash, instead of reflect on themselves, and improve (for themselves and for the team).

[@trevsmith4605]

Brilliant thanks hope you enjoy this tank its possibly my favourite

[@harald2101]

How valid is this tank after the nerf in your opinion? BTW I love your content, I watched a lot of, our videos multiple times. So dense with good advice about the featured and the game in general. It makes every video valuable, even the old ones

[@black_triton9264]

Great Glacier game. "Skylining", you're welcome 😀

[@taugrim]

o7

[@pauls3585]

nice game play and a fun looking tank

[@miladsammouh4741]

Hey bro without gold do you not feel handicapped vs superheavies? Or are you food enough that you always have something else to shoot at? Sometimes it feels like I cant do anything without some HEATs in certain situations.

[@taugrim]

Short answer: yes, of course. I try to shoot at things I can meaningfully pen, and go to places where that is the case. So I don't force myself into situations where I'm dealing with a super heavy frontally. That's simply not smart. People bemoan maps being over-corridory and claim vision is not relevant, but I've been able to work flanking and vision meaningfully.

[@magecraft2]

@@taugrim Oddly enough this was how everyone played the game before Premium ammo for silver :) Also I remember wolfpacks of mediums dealing with heavies by swarming them.

[@zbigniewbiernacki3682]

Per the military, Cover protects you from fires, Concealment hides you but you are vulnerable to fires.

[@Demothones]

I saw one your Emil II games yesterday (3 July). You were on the hill and did around 5500 damage and I was down below in my Conway and only managed about 2k damage. It was a rough game for me with RNG just kicking me in the teeth over and over. I can’t remember, did you say that you are not interested in the British TD line that leads to the 4005? I seem to recall you mentioning that in a previous video. I certainly understand. It is not for everybody. If, however, I have misremembered this I would love to see your take on that line.

[@taugrim]

The Brit TDs from tiers 8-10 have HESH as the premium round and it's super imbalanced. It's basically a high alpha HE round. Since I don't run premium ammo in Random Battles, there would be little point to playing those tanks. Anyone who plays those tanks would be seriously gimping themselves without premium ammo.

[@Demothones]

Taugrim the HESH on the Charioteer was terrible. I only carried a few for light tanks in the early game but even then the result was often disappointing. I don’t have the top gun on the Conway yet but I don’t care because the stock gun is pretty good. It fires faster and is more accurate. Also, the premium ammo has the same alpha but much more pen. I only carry five of them for Tier X heavies or Russian tanks in general. I have had some really good games without ever firing any gold rounds. My play style just works better with the more accurate higher DPM gun. I’m not sure how I am going to run the 4005. I usually care a few gold rounds but gold spammers irk me and I refuse to be one.

[@Bushy556]

I’m normally not a great medium player. I have blue stats overall. But I’m at 60% WR in both the tier 9 and tier 10 Italians. The first auto loader line I’ve played. DeadmeatTSM

[@TheHjkkkl]

I would actually advise researching tracks before last engine on the Pantera, because it helps gun soft stats a lot more than the extra 150 horse power

[@dirufanboy1971]

Are you sure about engines in the game Taugrim? I remember the stock engine on the Hetzer for example being horribly slow, bordering on almost unplayable, but the final engine giving a much higher speed regardless of acceleration.

[@benflap9374]

I always check all the stats of modules before I even research that next tank, so I know what I need to research to be able to use on the next tank and also know how much free xp I might need to use. For example, the last tank I did this on, the S-51 artillery. The 2nd engine gives only 20 horsepower extra and the last one giving 100. You might want to use the last one and not the 2nd one. Check the difference in horsepower before deciding it's worth it or not and keep in mind what role your tank has. Does it need to get in position fast to not get spotted or does it need to be on key positions very fast? On my WZ-111 1-4, I waited before mounting all equipment. I put optics and v-stab on it, so I could research and mount the turret first, which is a lot stronger then the stock one. Then I took the tracks, so I could put a rammer on it. This decision increased my survivability and because I also decided to run the tank with food (fire chance is only 12% on the 2nd engine) this did not cost me any dpm and even increased my gun performance.

[@taugrim]

I've driven around with stock engines quite a bit. They seem to only affect acceleration, not top speed.

[@taugrim]

FWIW, I never free XP engines. I'd rather grind those. I do free XP guns and turrets, and in some cases suspension.

[@szethcaligo3735]

I don't really agree with what you said about managing your reload in the Italian mediums. Sure, dpm is relative, and there's a big difference between having good dpm on paper and being able to utilize it. But you almost always want to let your gun reload fully and then be single shot. You only wanna use your autoloading aspect if you've got the ability to punish someone making a mistake, or if you've got the option to deal significant damage to someone crossing an open firing lane. How I always tell people to play the Italian mediums is single shot first, autoloader if it's convenient. First of all having better dpm is going to alllow you to be more active in the game, helping your team win. Second of all, if you do get rushed, having dumped your entire clip before that happens is going to end up with you dying. If you're getting rushed, you never want to dump your clip until you can actually clip the tank. Figured it was worth just elaborating on that because it is something a lot of players do, and most of the time it is just the incorrect play. Sure you might lose out on some damage short term, but you're going to get a lot more damage long term, and you're less prone to dying.

[@taugrim]

So it depends on the situation. In Glacier from the middle ridge, whenever I'm poking out to shoot at stuff, I'm usually in a position where I am artyable. It's better to dump 2-3 shells and then duck behind cover, then to pop out every 10 seconds and fire a shell - the latter is too predictable and IMO the likelihood of getting artied increases. I also think that compacting damage, so that you outrade an enemy 2-1 or 3-1, or better yet 2-0 or 3-0, is almost always worth it.

[@szethcaligo3735]

Sure dumping shells to avoid arty is a good idea. But again, taking the situation on Glacier you can easily stay in arty cover. Popping out every 10 seconds to shoot is much better long term, and the negligable increase in chance of getting artied is not worth sacrificing so much dpm. That's giving far too much respect to arty. Sure you should try to avoid it, but not so much that you make arty more effective by proxy by making a less than ideal play to avoid it. Also, I agree with the compounding damage part. But you need to be careful when dumping. You should only dump the clip if you're completely safe. And even then, it's very situationally dependent because you might need the dpm. If there is a chance of you getting yoloed you should never dump the clip. Same if you are getting yoloed.

[@belacqua2424]

Theres another point having influence in this also. It helps to monitor the loading state before taking a shot. Sometimes its better to hold a shot for a second or two until the next shell is loaded else you loose the reload of that shell completely. Its the difference between having 2 shoots available or only one just by waiting a very short time. This kind of management is an additional point to take into account. On your first shot on the T44 you had two shots loaded. The reload of the third shell would have taken another 3s. In this case it is arguable if you would have the chance to shoot the T44 at all if you had waited this time. But taken that the reload time was e.g. only 1 sec. it could have been better to wait for the third shot to be reloaded also and get the additional damage potential.

[@axestone]

I LOVE "STANDERD B"

[@Kraken1000]

Really helpful. Thanks. :-)

[@CrafttingMan]

With the update that autoreloads can't use a rammer anymore what do you recommend for equipment? On the pantera i used vents, vstab and gun laying drive. Based on a 1.74 aimtime you can be a nucance of poking in and out of cover. On the standard b i use the same but the aimtime is longer anyhow so its not that relevant. But since i dont run food until I have the fireskill is optics a good option? Because i wont hit the 445m anytime soon. (quote Taurgrim "I hate getting set on fire without an auto fire extinguisher. So I only use food when I need it to get to 445m view range.") I know this question is long and there are 3 questions in there but i hope you read this and shine your light on the matter.

[@corgi_dad]

Two first class battles here. I've had some awesome games in this tank and have only gotten as high as first class.

[@taugrim]

Yea me too. I've never Aced it. I was pretty sure that Glacier battle was going to be an Ace Tanker.

[@carbaaj01]

I thought I was the only one who didn't use premium rounds. Glad to see a true skilled player.

[@johnsun3854]

Can you make a comparison vid with it after the nerf?

[@SparkleFunHorse]

I call it the 'Valley of Uselessness.' And yes, all the useless players tend to visit that location. Nice vids, always enjoy your work.

[@pirig-gal]

Though you do need someone there. I lost many a game bc everyone went city and we got pincered.

[@leosolorzano3472]

The problem is, that ifyou still empty your entire clip you better switch to an autoloader instead of an autoreloader. The later will punish you the more you fire, while the former not much diference.

[@matthewsalton887]

good games man! I find that you're a little bit to passive i the first game. maybe its just me, but i feel you could've attacked the Type 61 and At-15 more aggressively since you had 1200 hp. Either way, just trying to point out some stuff I noticed and I hope its constructive for you. Thanks for quality content. gg.

[@taugrim]

Do you mean my flexing to the southeast to line up a different field of fire? I'm being intentionally cautious. If I try to cross the area between the middle ridge and far ridge immediately and get spotted, I'm going to eat shells and arty on the way in. No need to rush in that situation.

[@matthewsalton887]

@@taugrim I understand you're method of approach, I'm talking about engaging the Type 61 and AT-15 at the very end when you were below them, I feel like more aggression there would've secured you more damage in the endgame. Nonetheless, you played it smart and secured the victory rather than extra damage. GG

[@uwot7289]

Would you be able to do an even 90 video?

[@taugrim]

I do have it in my garage. IMO it is one of the most boring lights to play, given that: 1. it has ninja camo 2. it has very poor gun handling and an obnoxiously-long clip reload So the playstyle is to kemp bush, in a forward location.

[@uwot7289]

@@taugrim Alright, I used to play it really aggressively but since the wheeled vehicles arrived I usually end up dead from them

[@Ludichetnik]

Why you didnt use any HE rounds? They are good on standard b

[@ladams19]

It always kills me how tanks move way up in front and isolate themselves, them frantically call for help. Had they played a bit smarter and held back enough to get immediate support that would not have been an issue in the first place.

[@taugrim]

Yes, it's frustrating when friendlies throw their HP away because they're being recklessly aggressive.

[@allankay12]

60 AP only? I already know you don't bring APCR or HEAT but I always bring some HE with that 105 pen. You can complete crit missions easy

[@LoveStrangeDr]

Only thing that irks me about this tank is the 3 second intra-clip reload. I enjoy the tier 10 spagetto tank more.

[@taugrim]

Yea the Prog 65 has super bouncy hull armor too. I'm saving up credits to buy it.

[@sethsherlock9694]

@@taugrim 50mm at near autobounce head on, assured autobounce from side hits to front. And then you get hit by t30 or 704 and Remember...155mm>50*3

[@taugrim]

Well, those tanks can just shoot you in the face too.

[@JoaoSilva-jo4ee]

And the gun handling

[@WrekuiemForAMeme]

You should always be careful when exposing yourself :P

[@taugrim]

LMAO

[@izaiahcotton8506]

What does Unicom mean

[@Gabriel-km2xi]

I have seen that you prefer to use large medical kit and no food. Why?

[@taugrim]

Large med kit has a passive buff.

[@Gabriel-km2xi]

@@taugrim tnx, in your opinion, is worth to use food on tanks with low chances to take fire, or not?

[@taugrim]

I hate getting set on fire without an auto fire extinguisher. So I only use food when I need it to get to 445m view range.

[@typeviic1]

As squishy, high-tier Meds go, I still prefer the Lep PTA>

[@shigeolincolntaco]

You have a better chance of convincing a rock it's not a rock then telling a light tank driver not to go city. If there is a perfectly open field they will drive straight for the city. Seen it to many times I just lol at them as they die.

[@taugrim]

It's ignorance honestly. Many light tank drivers don't understand vision mechanics and spotting locations to meaningfully leverage those things to their team's benefit.

[@numlock6019]

I just got my first tier 10 tank, the super conqueror.

[@taugrim]

Grats, that was a good choice.

[@numlock6019]

@@taugrim TY! Your videos really help me.

[@numlock6019]

@@taugrim Got the Standard B with recent 5X, and free Exp'ed the gun and turret. I watch your video for many times, try to learn more from you. Thank you for your videos.

[@jannekokkonen4960]

Hey I watch a lot of your videos and like the content. But I am really bothered by the lowish FPS of 30-45 your videos are

[@taugrim]

I render videos in 30 FPS for KZbin so it doesn't matter, really. When I get a new gaming rig later this year, I should be able to maintain 60 FPS easily.

[@dbrand9535]

Scavenger hunt code July 9th NA ZRYM4MHK

[@CJalterr]

It seems a little to standard to me

[@taugrim]

Haha

[@dbrand9535]

July 7th scavenger hunt code NA CNTJEH2W

[@dbrand9535]

ZFMEM7FA July 6th scavenger hunt code NA

[@dbrand9535]

JULY 4TH CODE TWN27CMC

[@taugrim]

Thanks! Here it is as a link: na.wargaming.net/shop/redeem/?bonus_mode=TWN27CMC

[@benflap9374]

only works on NA, not on EU, since they have special 4th of July missions

[@yournamehere8171]

first?

[@unclebedhead9099]

WG should disable premium ammo from random battles.

[@taugrim]

Here is the correct solution for re-balancing ammo: www.13disciple.stream/specialammo.html