Command Panzer IV Medium Tank

Note: This page refers to the DAK version of the unit. For the Wehrmacht version, refer to this page:

The Command Panzer IV Medium Tank is an elite DAK medium tank. In multiplayer skirmishes it is only available as a call-in from the Armored Support Battlegroup.

The Command Panzer IV is a specialized version of a regular Panzer IV tank. It has nearly identical stats to the regular version, having the same durability and mobility with exception of slightly higher top speed. Cosmetically, the Command Panzer's most distinguishing feature is a shorter barrel gun.

The main difference is the Command version sacrifices anti-tank capabilities for support utility. This is most obvious with its main weapon armament, which is an inferior version of the regular Panzer IV main cannon due to having much lower penetration and slightly lower rate of fire. The unit also does not have access to an additional MG upgrade.

In exchange for sacrificing anti-tank capability, it has a variety of support utility and better anti-infantry potential. By default it has the ability to toggle between Armour-Piercing (AP) and High Explosive (HE) rounds. AP uses its default weapon stats, while switching to HE rounds enables it to fire rounds with greatly increased radius and area damage, making it far more effective against infantry at the cost of greatly reduced penetration.

Unique to the Command Panzer, by default it has the Armored Leadership passive which boosts nearby friendly vehicle armour alongside a rate of fire increase. In addition, friendly vehicles destroyed in the aura boosts the rate of fire increase further for a short duration. At veterancy level 1 it gains the active ability Supervised Advance which when activated, grants nearby friendly units increased movement speed and reduced received accuracy. Like most DAK vehicles it can also gain access to Smoke Canisters after Vehicle Survival Package is researched from the Armory.

The Command Panzer IV is a great force multiplier. It is the only unit in the game that can increase armour values for vehicles, alongside granting a rate of fire buff. Since the armour bonus is percentage based, the bonuses are larger if the unit already has high armour values, with the most extreme example being a Tiger tank's frontal armour increasing from 300 to 360 armor. However light vehicles will still appreciate the armour boost especially as even a small increase makes a large difference against small arms penetration. In addition the rate of fire bonus is a significant offensive buff. Note that Armored Leadership is an aura effect, and so the bonus effects go away if the unit leaves range of the Command Panzer.

Upon reaching veterancy level 1, its Supervised Advance ability can be useful to help move and reposition the army faster, provided they stay in range of the Command Panzer. The received accuracy bonus is most helpful when units are moving (as most units are still easy to hit when standing still) and as such is a great complimentary bonus on top of increased movement speed. Note that it affects all units, including infantry.

As a unit on its own, it is essentially a more anti-infantry focused version of the regular Panzer IV. Thanks to being able to toggle between AP/HE rounds, the player can turn it into an effective anti-infantry tank and then toggle back when necessary to fight various vehicles. Its regular weapon (AP rounds) significantly lacks penetration compared to the regular Panzer IV and as such, this unit is far less effective against armour.

Perhaps the largest downside of the Command Panzer is simply finding the opportunity to make use of it - it is a relatively expensive unit that can only be attained in the late game due to high CP requirements to unlock, and is specific to a battlegroup. In the late game one often needs anti-tank capabilities, which the Command version certainly lacks. In addition, as a force multiplier, it is best used supporting an already existing vehicle army which of course, requires lots of resources beforehand to create. Still, if anti-tank needs are not urgent and there are already vehicles ready to be supported, the Command Panzer tank is incredibly beneficial due to its force multiplier enhancements.