SU-100
The SU-100 is a tank destroyer based on the T-34 Chassis and a variant of the SU-85, up-gunned with the 100mm D-10 gun, the same weapon used in the ubiquitous T-54/55 series of tanks.
In Late War
The SU-100 is the ultimate in Soviet tank hunting tech. For a mere 31 points you can bring 5 Fearless, Veteran, and Careful tank hunters with AT15 cannons and Firepower 2+, what's not to love? Well there are some strings attached, but lets talk about that below.
First let's talk about the most impressive aspect of this Tank Destroyer, it's gun. The SU-100 mounts a 100mm D-10S cannon, giving it a 32" range, AT 15, and a 2+ firepower. This gun is fully capable of smashing almost any tank in the game into fragments. It comes with some major drawbacks though: like all soviet big guns, it uses a rather large bullet to do this (it weighed about twice as much as comparable German 88mm rounds), meaning that you have a paltry RoF 1/1 and slow firing.
Armor-wise, the SU-100 uses an up-armored T-34 chassis that is somewhat tougher than the SU-85, giving it armor 7/5/1. This means you are very capable of resisting shots from medium tanks. The problem is, you should be throwing these things against heavy tanks, which often have cannons fully capable of turning you inside out. This means that while you won't have to worry about many of the medium tanks that are escorting the heavies you need to kill, heavy tanks are still a problem. This is made a bit easier courtesy of your careful 4+ to hit rating.
Mobility isn't great but it's not bad. 10" tactical is very standard and these things will get where you need them. Unless it's in woods, that is. The SU-100 has a 5+ cross, so trees are just as bad for you as enemy AT guns. Instead of playing woods, try playing ridges, wheat fields, or low walls for cover.
The SU-100s interesting combination of traits make it a very situational beast. It can't move and fire very well, it can't take the heavy hits, and it can't really take advantage of rough terrain like woods to stay safe. Your best bet is to play a ridge, where your cross won't bother you as much and you can take full cover until the enemy shows up, then pop over with your 3+ blitz and blast them. Another good use is as an ambush unit, but if you're doing that, you may as well have just brought the 100mm AT guns. Nevertheless, if you do catch your opponent flat-footed you'll make your points back pretty fast.
In Real Life
The SU-100 was first designed as an improvement to the subpar SU-85 tank destroyer. The SU was equipped with a 100mm cannon that was good enough to destroy everything short of a Kingtiger. SU-100's served valiantly during the latter part of the war, earning particular distinction during the 1944 Hungary campaign. They also served in a limited capacity as assault guns during the Battle of Berlin, but this came at the risk of being shot by Panzerfausts due to a lack of machine guns.
The design was solid enough to remain in Soviet service well into the 50s. In fact, the vehicle is still in many countries' military surplus and inventory. Reports from the Yemen civil war even indicate that it has seen combat service, and the Russians still have some active in reserve duty to this day.
| Soviet Forces in Flames of War | |
|---|---|
| Tanks: | T-70 - Valentine - M5/M3 Stuart - M3 Lee - T-34 - KV - Churchill - IS-2 - Captured Tank Platoon - T-28 - BT-7 - KV-2 - T-26 |
| Transports: | M3 Scout Car - Universal Carrier - SdKfz 251 |
| Infantry: | Rifles - Motor Rifles - Penal Company - Storm Group - SMG Company - Engineer Sapper Company |
| Artillery: | Katyusha - 152mm Artillery - 122mm Artillery - 76mm Artillery - 120mm Mortars - 82mm mortars |
| Tank Destroyers and Assault Guns: | 45mm Anti Tank - 57mm Anti Tank - 76mm Anti Tank - 100mm Anti Tank - SU-76 - SU-85 - SU-100 - SU-122 - SU-152 - ISU-122/ISU-152 |
| Recon: | Scout Platoon - BA-64 Platoon - Armored Reconnaissance Platoon - Reconnaissance Platoon |
| Aircraft: | Il-2 Sturmovik |
| Anti-Aircraft: | ZSU M17 - DShK AA MG Platoon |
| Midwar Monsters: | KV-3 - KV-5 - T-43 |