Type 96B

The Type 96B is a Chinese tier 8 Premium MBT. In Armored Warfare the Type 96B plays similarly to other Chinese MBTs, while having a more pronounced emphasis on mobility and speed. Many have likened it to a heavy light tank in terms of handling and play style. It comes with unique permanent camouflage and decals on the vehicle and higher camo values than contemporary MBTs.

The Type 96B was announced to be an upcoming premium MBT that would be appearing in update 0.23 on December 14th, 2017. On December 22nd, the vehicle was released for sale in the web shop, while being declared to be available for purchase permanently. In the following month in January of 2018, the vehicle was permanently put in the web shop for purchase by in game gold as well. Also occasionally available in custom Red Dragon camo version.

Player Recommendations
The Type 96B is best played like other contemporary Chinese MBTs. Use your speed and agility to put yourself into favorable positions and support your team by doing damage. If you are top tier, consider spear-heading advances with the proper caution and discretion with your speed. Also in close quarters with your ECU ability or even just getting enough of a head start, and having your driver and retrofit for ramming, you can finish off low health enemies or smash into light or medium vehicles for good chunks of damage. Try to avoid ramming vehicles heavier than yourself as that is just an unfavorable trade for you. Very hard-hitting AP rounds and speclal Tandem-HEAT ammo ensure a heavy damage output vs. heavily armoured opponents, although trading shots with other tanks is risky due to your own low armour, and HP. Exploit the 96B's fluid movement to out-manoeuvre opponents.

Pros

 * Premium vehicle. Increased credit and reputation earning.
 * Plays like other Chinese MBTs and as such is a very nimble MBT and packs a 125mm punch.
 * Comes with special camo and a high camo value.
 * Has ECU/engine boost ability which allows increased acceleration for a short period of time.
 * Speed, agility and ECU ability make for a good ramming vehicle.
 * Very high damage AP round.
 * Tandem-HEAT ammo penetrates Anti-HEAT armour.

Cons

 * Pays for speed with armor. Not the strongest MBT armor around.
 * Limited gun depression of only -6 degrees.
 * Not particularly accurate.

Upgrade Suggestions
The Type 96B is a premium and does not require research or upgrading. All components come with the vehicle as stock.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Improved Breech
 * Advanced MRS
 * Air Induction Precleaner
 * Improved Spall Liner/Survivability Kit
 * Augmented Optics

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions
Commander: Freja, Viktor

Driver: Off-Road Driving, Battering Ram, Spin to Win

Gunner: Sharpshooter, Preventative Maintenance

Variants



 * Type 96B Red Dragon

History
Class: Main Battle Tank (Prototype) Developed: 2015-2016 Service: 2016+ Vehicles Built: cca 12 (sources vary, some claim as many as 200) Operators: China The Type 96B MBT is an upgraded variant of the Type 96A. Even though both vehicles look roughly similar in shape, the Type 96B has a number of upgrades. It allegedly has improved frontal armor, equal to the newer Type 99 models. The turret also features new elements such as a different, laser rangefinder above the gun, new gun optics and a new weather sensor at the back of the turret. These changes are connected to the presence of a new, more advanced fire control system for the 125mm smoothbore gun, making it more accurate compared to its predecessor and decreasing its reaction time. It only takes roughly 6 seconds from the discovery of the target to the first shot. The vehicle is also rumored to use brand-new APFSDS shells, capable of penetrating more than 700mm of armor at 2km. The engine part of the vehicle has also been overhauled. The original 730hp turbocharged diesel engine of the Type 96A was changed to a smaller but more powerful 150HB 8-cylinder diesel, rumored to produce anywhere between 1000hp and 1300hp. Many other smaller improvements are also present. The Type 96B appeared in public for the first time in 2016 when it participated in the annual Tank Biathlon contest on the Alabino polygon in Russia. The event took place in July and August 2016 and China won the second place with the Type 96B and its crew only defeated by the Russian team. Not much else is known about this new Type 96 variant, nor are there any announced plans for the Chinese military to convert its fleet of Type 96A tanks into Type 96Bs. According to some Chinese sources, the Chinese military isn’t really happy with the tank and the development of the Type 96 platform will continue.