This World of Tanks Update 2.4 light tank rework guide explains the new Scout, Support, and Versatile roles, matchmaking rules, and the most important vehicle balance changes.
World of Tanks Update 2.4 reorganizes light tanks around three battlefield roles: Scout, Support, and Versatile. The update also introduces role-aware matchmaking, limits high-tier teams to two light tanks, revises Field Modifications, changes platoon restrictions, and adjusts 33 vehicles from Tier VI through Tier XI.
The roles do not prevent a light tank from spotting or dealing damage. Instead, they describe what each vehicle does best and help the matchmaker create teams with more comparable reconnaissance capabilities.
The rework contains five connected changes:
Light tanks receive Scout, Support, or Versatile roles.
The matchmaker attempts to pair light tanks with similar roles.
Tier VII–XI teams can contain no more than two light tanks.
Thirty-three vehicles receive targeted statistical adjustments.
Field Modifications and light-tank platoon limits are updated.
The most important change is not an individual buff or nerf. It is the separation of dedicated reconnaissance vehicles from light tanks designed around firepower.
Before the rework, a large Support light could be matched against a tiny, highly concealed Scout. Both occupied the same light-tank slot despite offering very different vision-control capabilities. Role-aware matchmaking is intended to reduce those uneven comparisons.
Scouts specialize in reconnaissance, concealment, and vision control. Their main responsibility is finding enemies while remaining difficult to detect.
Notable Scouts include:
Manticore
T-100 LT
Panhard EBR 105
Panhard EBR 90
T-54 ltwt.
GSOR 3301 AVR FS
LHMTV
LTTB
ELC EVEN 90
LT-432
Scouts normally have smaller profiles or more effective concealment than other light tanks. Their guns may still be useful, but their greatest influence comes from revealing enemy movement and preserving that information advantage.
A Scout should not rush forward simply because reconnaissance is its assigned role. Early passive spotting, controlled active runs, and surviving for the late battle remain more valuable than an unsupported opening charge.
Best approach: Prioritize vision control, concealment, safe escape routes, and hit-point preservation.
Support light tanks exchange some concealment for stronger offensive capabilities. They are generally less effective in a direct spotting contest but can use mobility and firepower to punish exposed vehicles.
Notable Support vehicles include:
Vz. 71 Tesák
XM551 Sheridan
T49
LPT-67 Šelma
Vz. 64 Blesk
M41 Walker Bulldog
Vz. 68 Squall
Škoda T 17
T71 CMCD
AMX 13 57
These vehicles should still provide reconnaissance when the opportunity appears. However, forcing them into the same passive bush fight as a Manticore usually wastes their offensive advantages.
Support lights are strongest when they can follow allied vision, attack isolated targets, punish distracted opponents, and relocate before the enemy can respond.
Best approach: Avoid unnecessary early spotting contests, preserve ammunition or burst potential, and attack targets already occupied by allies.
Versatile lights combine useful reconnaissance with dependable firepower. They are not as specialized as Scouts or Support vehicles, but they can change their contribution as a battle develops.
Notable Versatile vehicles include:
Rheinmetall Panzerwagen
WZ-132-1
AMX 13 105
WZ-132A
Spähpanzer Ru 251
AMX 13 90
WZ-132
HWK 12
Bat.-Châtillon 12 t
WZ-131
A Versatile light may begin by gathering information, shift into fire support once positions are established, and become an aggressive flanker when enemy vehicles are isolated.
The limitation is that Versatile tanks rarely defeat a specialist by copying its preferred gameplay. They should not challenge a Manticore in a pure concealment duel or compete with a Support autoloader solely through burst damage.
Best approach: Read the lineup and map before deciding whether vision, damage, or relocation offers the greatest value.
The matchmaker now attempts to place light tanks against vehicles with comparable battlefield roles whenever possible.
A Scout is therefore more likely to face another Scout, while a Support vehicle is more likely to be balanced by an opposing Support light. The system does not require identical tanks, but it should reduce situations where one team receives a dedicated spotter and the other receives a large damage-focused vehicle.
“Whenever possible” is important. Queue population, tiers, platoons, and other matchmaking requirements can still produce imperfect combinations.
The system also does not account for:
Player skill
Crew quality
Equipment
Field Modifications
Map knowledge
Individual vehicle ownership statistics
A Manticore driven by an inexperienced player can still face a highly experienced T-100 LT driver. The roles improve vehicle composition rather than creating skill-based matchmaking.
Wheeled vehicles continue to be matched against other wheeled vehicles. The VCS 6x6 TS 90 is the stated exception: it belongs to the Versatile role while its performance is monitored.
Players should therefore continue checking the opposing lineup for a wheeled counterpart before planning an aggressive scouting route.
From Tier VII onward, a team can contain no more than two light tanks.
This reduces matches overloaded with spotting vehicles and increases the importance of each light-tank slot. Losing both scouts early can leave a team with no reliable way to contest vision later.
The limit should also make open-map engagements easier to read. Players have fewer enemy light tanks to track, but every surviving scout becomes more valuable.
Update 2.4 also changes how many light tanks can enter battle together in a platoon:
Tiers I–V: No light-tank restriction
Tier VI: Maximum of two light tanks
Tiers VII–XI: Maximum of one light tank
At high tiers, players can no longer create platoons containing multiple light tanks. This prevents coordinated scout groups from occupying both available light-tank positions on one team.
Players who regularly used double-light platoons will need to combine their scout with a medium, tank destroyer, heavy, or another eligible class.
Role assignment applies more broadly than the statistical rebalance. The official adjustment list contains 33 vehicles:
leKpz Borkenkäfer
WZ-132-1
Vz. 71 Tesák
AMX 13 105
Panhard EBR 105
Rheinmetall Panzerwagen
XM551 Sheridan
T-100 LT
WZ-132A
LPT-67 Šelma
AMX 13 90
Panhard EBR 90
Spähpanzer Ru 251
GSOR 3301 AVR FS
T49
T-54 ltwt.
WZ-132
Vz. 64 Blesk
Bat.-Châtillon 12 t
Panhard AML Lynx 6x6
HWK 12
LHMTV
M41 Walker Bulldog
LTTB
Škoda T 17
Hotchkiss EBR
GSR 3301 Setter
T71 CMCD
LTG
Panhard AMD 178B
Crusader
T37
MT-25
Not every change is a simple overall buff. Several vehicles receive stronger role-defining characteristics while losing performance outside their intended specialty.
The T-100 LT is one of the clearest beneficiaries of the rework.
Its forward speed increases from 72 to 75 km/h, reverse speed rises from 25 to 30 km/h, and view range improves from 390 to 400 meters. Its reload falls from 7.8 to 7.5 seconds, while dispersion improves substantially from 0.46 to 0.40.
Chassis traverse decreases slightly from 56 to 54 degrees per second, but this is a modest limitation compared with the mobility, vision, accuracy, and reload improvements.
The result is a stronger active Scout that can also contribute more reliable damage. It still lacks the Manticore’s extreme concealment, but it now offers a more complete combination of scouting and combat performance.
The T-54 ltwt. receives significant mobility improvements. Its forward speed rises from 69 to 75 km/h, reverse speed improves from 23 to 27 km/h, and both available engines gain substantially more power.
The upgraded engine increases from 1,000 to 1,300 horsepower. View range improves to 400 meters, concealment receives a small increase, and accuracy becomes slightly better.
A minor chassis-traverse reduction prevents the package from being a completely unrestricted upgrade, but the vehicle should reach scouting positions faster and maintain speed more effectively.
The Panhard EBR 90 receives 100 additional hit points and a view-range increase from 330 to 340 meters.
The Panhard EBR 105 receives the same type of adjustment, moving from 1,400 to 1,500 hit points and from 340 to 350 meters of view range.
These changes do not remove the wheeled vehicles’ comparatively low base vision. They do, however, improve their ability to survive an unsuccessful run and gather information without relying quite as heavily on extreme proximity.
The Manticore is assigned to the Scout role but does not appear in the official 33-vehicle statistical adjustment list.
Its practical environment still changes because it is more likely to face another reconnaissance-focused light. Its specialized concealment remains valuable, but it should encounter fewer situations where the opposing light-tank slot is occupied by a completely different damage-oriented platform.
The Vz. 71 Tesák gains 250 hit points, bringing its durability from 1,650 to 1,900 HP. View range improves from 390 to 400 meters, engine power rises from 650 to 700 horsepower, chassis traverse improves from 45 to 50 degrees per second, and reverse speed increases to 27 km/h.
These changes support its intended role as a mobile offensive vehicle. The additional durability provides more room to survive close-range attacks and use its autocannon without being removed immediately after exposure.
The tank remains a large, damage-focused light rather than a dedicated passive scout.
The LPT-67 Šelma receives higher speed, more engine power, better movement dispersion, faster traverse, improved view range, and approximately 250 additional hit points in its top configuration.
Its concealment is reduced, reinforcing the distinction between Support vehicles and dedicated Scouts.
Players should rely less on defeating smaller lights through camouflage alone. The improved mobility and survivability make it better suited to rapid damage support, relocation, and aggressive late-game attacks.
The XM551 Sheridan and T49 receive mobility, gun-handling, traverse, and durability improvements. Their 152 mm guns also undergo a more fundamental ammunition redesign.
On the Sheridan:
HEAT penetration increases from 164 to 250 mm.
HEAT damage decreases from 700 to 600.
HE damage increases on both HE shell options.
The higher-penetration HE shell drops from 220 to 180 mm of penetration.
Movement and turret-traverse dispersion improve.
The T49 receives a similar direction of change. Its HEAT penetration increases from 152 to 220 mm while HEAT damage falls from 700 to 600. HE damage rises, but the higher-penetration HE round loses penetration.
The practical goal is greater reliability against armored targets without allowing the HEAT shell to combine improved penetration with the previous 700 damage. These guns remain specialized and unpredictable, but they now offer a more credible penetrating option.
The AMX 13 105 receives one of the strongest packages among Versatile lights.
Its forward speed increases from 68 to 70 km/h, reverse speed rises from 22 to 25 km/h, chassis traverse improves from 40 to 45 degrees per second, and vehicle durability increases from 1,600 to 1,700 HP.
Its accuracy improves from 0.42 to 0.40, APCR shell velocity increases from 1,000 to 1,100 m/s, and movement and turret-traverse dispersion become better.
The magazine itself remains central to the vehicle. However, reaching firing positions, aiming between short exposures, and escaping after a burst should all feel more comfortable.
The Rheinmetall Panzerwagen receives a mixed package rather than a straightforward buff.
Its standard and premium shell damage rises from 320 to 350. Standard penetration improves from 242 to 251 mm, premium penetration increases from 280 to 285 mm, and gun handling during movement and turret rotation becomes better.
These improvements are balanced by substantial reductions:
Forward speed decreases from 75 to 72 km/h.
Chassis traverse falls from 54 to 44 degrees per second.
Engine power decreases from 1,100 to 1,050 horsepower.
Reload increases from 8 to 9 seconds.
HE penetration drops from 120 to 75 mm.
The vehicle gains more dependable individual shots but loses mobility, sustained fire, and much of its famous HE-shell advantage. It should be played as a mobile fire-support light instead of an oversized Scout that also dominates lightly armored targets.
The Ru 251 gains stronger individual shots, higher penetration, better accuracy, a faster aim time, improved movement dispersion, more engine power, and faster standard ammunition.
Its regular shell damage rises from 240 to 280, while standard penetration increases from 215 to 224 mm.
However, reload time grows from 7 to 8 seconds, view range falls from 410 to 400 meters, concealment is reduced slightly, chassis traverse becomes slower, and HE penetration drops from 102 to 70 mm.
The tank becomes a stronger precision damage dealer but a less dominant hybrid scout.
The WZ-132-1 gains 410 meters of view range, 50 additional hit points, stronger engine power, improved reverse speed, thicker side armor, and one additional degree of gun depression.
Its chassis traverse falls sharply from 60 to 45 degrees per second. Players should expect better straight-line movement and reconnaissance statistics but less immediate hull rotation during close-range maneuvers.
Each role now receives a dedicated Field Modification structure.
Scouts retain a familiar setup, with permanent bonuses adjusted to reinforce reconnaissance. Versatile and Support lights receive new permanent bonuses and revised Dual Modifications at Tier VII and Tier VIII.
If a previously installed modification was replaced or altered, the affected selection is automatically reset and its credit cost is compensated.
Players should inspect every configured light tank before entering battle. A reset choice can leave an old equipment or Field Modification plan incomplete even if the vehicle itself remains ready for combat.
Do not look only at vehicle names. Compare the roles assigned to both teams.
If both sides have Scouts, identify which vehicle has the better concealment, profile, mobility, and view range for the map. If you are driving a Support light against another Support vehicle, an early passive spotting duel may be unnecessary.
The two-light limit makes every light more important, especially when only one Scout is present.
Early information remains useful, but survival becomes more valuable as bushes open up and enemy vehicles lose hit points. A surviving light tank can control an entire late-game flank.
Support vehicles should not be forced into positions where their size and concealment are permanent disadvantages.
Use allied Scouts or mediums for initial information, then exploit the revealed targets. Save burst damage for isolated enemies, crossing vehicles, and opportunities where returning fire is limited.
Versatile vehicles benefit greatly from alternative configurations. A vision-oriented setup can cover open maps, while a gun-handling or mobility setup can provide better value in urban and corridor-based battles.
The rework does not make one universal equipment combination correct for every map.
Several lights receive faster top speeds or stronger engines but slower traverse. Others become more durable without gaining better concealment.
Do not assume a numerical mobility buff makes every close-range turn safer. Test how quickly the vehicle accelerates, rotates, and recovers speed before attempting aggressive active-scouting routes.
A Scout can still deal damage, and a Support light can still spot. The role describes the vehicle’s strongest contribution; it does not disable other forms of gameplay.
Role-based matching is an objective rather than an absolute guarantee. Queue conditions can still produce different combinations, and the system does not balance player skill.
A large Support light should not enter the same concealed bush contest as a Manticore. Use firepower, mobility, and allied pressure instead of copying the enemy vehicle’s specialty.
Many packages contain both improvements and reductions. The Rheinmetall Panzerwagen gains alpha damage and penetration but loses mobility, reload speed, and HE penetration.
Judge the complete package rather than focusing on the green values.
German lights and the American 152 mm vehicles receive important HE or ammunition changes. Old target-selection habits may no longer produce the same results.
Affected modifications are compensated, but the player must select replacements. Review both configurations before relying on a vehicle in Random Battles.
With fewer lights per team, losing one vehicle has a greater effect on vision control. An opening spot is rarely worth sacrificing the team’s only surviving Scout.
The three roles are Scout, Support, and Versatile. Scouts specialize in reconnaissance, Support vehicles emphasize offensive potential, and Versatile lights can switch between spotting and damage.
No. The matchmaker attempts to create comparable role combinations whenever possible. It does not guarantee identical vehicles or equally skilled players.
From Tier VII onward, a team can contain no more than two light tanks.
No. Tier VII–XI platoons can contain no more than one light tank. Tier VI allows two, while Tiers I–V have no light-tank restriction.
Yes. Wheeled lights continue to face other wheeled vehicles. The VCS 6x6 TS 90 is the stated exception and belongs to the Versatile role while its performance is monitored.
Thirty-three vehicles from Tier VI through Tier XI appear in the official Update 2.4 adjustment list.
The Manticore receives the Scout role but does not appear in the official 33-vehicle statistical rebalance list. Its matchmaking environment and applicable Field Modification framework still change.
Yes. It receives higher forward and reverse speed, better view range, a faster reload, and much better accuracy. Its chassis traverse is reduced slightly.
It receives a mixed redesign. Alpha damage, penetration, hit points, and gun handling improve, while speed, traverse, engine power, reload, and HE penetration become worse.
Selections affected by replaced or changed modifications are reset. Players receive full credit compensation for those affected choices.
The World of Tanks Update 2.4 light tank rework gives the class a clearer internal structure.
Scouts such as the Manticore and T-100 LT focus on controlling vision. Support vehicles such as the Vz. 71 Tesák and Sheridan receive tools that reinforce aggressive damage gameplay. Versatile tanks such as the AMX 13 105 and Rheinmetall Panzerwagen are positioned between those extremes.
Role-aware matchmaking and the two-light limit may ultimately have a greater effect than any individual statistic. Teams should receive more comparable reconnaissance options, while each surviving light tank becomes more important.
Players should still judge every vehicle individually. The new role is a useful starting point, but map layout, equipment, enemy composition, and the exact balance package determine whether spotting or damage is the correct priority.
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