Leopard 2

The Leopard 2 is a tier 7 Main Battle Tank originating from Germany, and is sold by Sophie Wölfli. It can be unlocked from the Leopard 2AV, and leads to the Leopard 2A5.

Features

 * Heavy armor : this vehicle's armor bounces more shots and takes more hits
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage.

Player Recommendations
The Leopard 2, much like the Leopard 2AV at tier 6, varies from the lower tier Leopard variants in that the armor of the vehicle becomes much more important. More heavily armored, but still featuring good mobility and a powerful 120mm cannon, the Leopard 2 is the base model for all the remaining vehicles in the line, so it is good for learning their playstyle. Best played as a mid-range sniper and flanker, the Leopard 2 is not as well armored as its British or American counterparts, but it features a much more capable gun. While not as heavily armored, it can still act like a frontline MBT, capable of taking damage while acting as an offensive spearhead or defensive lynchpin in an emergency. However, it won't last very long on the front if its frontal hull is exposed to fire. Hulling down and only exposing the turret is the best way to ensure this tank can stay alive.

Pros

 * Excellent gun depression.
 * Accurate.
 * 120mm gun gets a much needed damage and penetration upgrade.

Cons

 * Weak spot under the gun mantlet
 * Terrible frontal armor, any heavy cannon and sabot round at its tier or above goes directly through the frontal glacis. Because the ammo rack is also located at the front of the hull, a salvo of ATGMs can easily light this tank up.
 * Even though the 120mm gun is an upgrade in terms of damage and penetration, the damage is below average.
 * Hideously long reload time (10.40 seconds, don't expect to out damage anything with an autocannon or survive long enough for spotting commendations).
 * While the damage and penetration is improved, you'll still be aiming at the usual weak spots on most all vehicles, so the additional penetration doesn't really matter much.

Upgrade Suggestions
As the vehicle’s upgrade tree mostly emphasizes its firepower, early research should focus on this. Upgrading to the Improved Gun Stabilizer and Improved Gun Breech, along with better ammunition, will improve firepower against enemy targets, while minimizing exposure to enemy fire. Another important upgrade to get early on would be the D570F Tracks, to improve mobility.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Improved Telescopic Lens
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Pioneer Tool Kit

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Juan Carlos, to improve the aim speed and crew stats.
 * Driver: Spin to Win, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist
 * Loader: Rapid Fire, Explosive Shells/Preparation

History
Class: Main Battle Tank Developed: 1972-1978 Service: 1979+ Vehicles Built: 3300 (2125 for Germany) Operators: Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Austria, Canada, Norway, Turkey, Poland and a number of others This is the first production version of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank, fielded to replace the aging American M48 Patton in German service after the failure of the joint American and German Main Battle Tank MBT-70 project. It was armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore cannon and protected by a new armor type, consisting of steel plates with air gaps. Produced between 1980 and 1992, it was modernized several times with the Leopard 2A4 variant being the most common. It was also widely exported. Interestingly enough, despite being fairly obsolete at this point, a number of modified Leopard 2A4 have recently seen combat in Turkish service in Syria.