Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good signal range
- Good armor for a Tier V scout (the front armor is actually better than the VK 30.01 H, a heavy tank). Good counter-reconnaissance platform
- Great for ramming other light tanks and artillery
- 3cm autocannon with high penetration and burst damage for its tier. Capable of destroying a Tier IV within two seconds
- 5cm KwK 39 L/60L has decent RoF and good penetration on AP ammo
- Turns like crazy when fully upgraded
- Armor is rarely overmatched and can occasionally bounce shots
- Relatively good gun depression on the sides
- Good health pool for a light tank (best in tier)
Cons:
- 3cm autocannon has a range limit of 400 meters, has subpar accuracy, low DPM, and a long reload
- Prone to being "tracked", due to size of the tracks
- Poor gun depression when the gun is facing forwards or to the rear
- Good armor is still mostly irrelevant at its matchmaking range
Performance
The Leopard's top speed of 60km/h is easily achieved with the upgraded 550hp engine, making it an impossible target to hit for players who auto-aim, and a harder target for more experienced players too. With its 700m upgraded radio range it ensures that targets will be relayed to artillery and teammates.
When fighting on slopes it is recommended to position your hull at an angle as you have better gun depression on the sides than the front and rear.
Guns
The Leopard has two viable weapon choices: the signature 3cm autocannon -- also found on the Luchs but with a bigger clip and a 50mm single shot gun.
- The 3cm's 360-damage burst is best applied from close range to the sides of enemies. It has surprisingly high penetration, allowing it to penetrate the sides of most enemy Tier VII tanks with ease. The gun can be used on medium ranges as well but it is better to shoot in smaller bursts and let the gun aim a bit in between, instead of just emptying the whole clip at once.
- The 50mm is the more balanced option. Where the 3cm is a close quarters weapon the 50mm can be used on all ranges. But once again, especially in long range combat, the sides of enemies are preferred. It has good DPM, accuracy, and workable penetration. Circling lone enemies is viable with this gun.
The Anti-scout
The Leopard is much harder to kill with lower tier tanks than the other scouts. It offers a great amount of armor and a large HP pool, but the armor is irrelevant against most high-penetration, large-caliber cannons at its matchmaking tier.
Due to its weight, speed, and frontal armor, ramming lighter enemies is a viable strategy in 1v1 engagements, much like in the later VK 28.01. Especially against same-tier light tanks ramming can give a nice advantage. It's good to keep ramming in mind as an option when you are on the 3cm's 16-second reload.
The Leopard is not the most maneuverable tank but it can definitely give other Tier V lights a run for their money in a 1v1 fight. It is the best anti-scout in tier with its HP, weight, and armour advantage. The 3cm autocannon can finish off any other tier 5 light with one clip.
Suggested Crew Skills (first and second)
- Commander: Sixth Sense, Camouflage
- Radioman: Camouflage, Situational Awareness
- Driver: Camouflage, Controlled Impact / Off Road Driving
- Loader: Camouflage, Repairs (not much else useful, really)
Equipment
The Leopard cannot equip a gun rammer, which actually makes the decisions for equipment easier than on the other light tanks -- you're not as torn between going for damage or view range.
- Active spotter: Coated Optics, Vents, and Vertical Stabilizer
- Passive Spotter: Binocular telescope, Vents, Camo Net
- Jack of all trades: Coated optics, Binocular telescope, and Vertical Stabilizer
Early Research
- The FuG 7 radio carry over from the Pz.Kpfw. II Luchs. Mount it immediately for a better signal range. If you already have the top radio from another line, mount it instead
- Get the Maybach HL 157 P A for a needed speed boost
- Now you have a choice. You may research the upgraded suspension for extra mobility, or revert to stock FuG 5 radio for mounting the heavier 5 cm Kw.K. 39 L/60L if you prefer an orthodox gun. In this case, there will be no weight capacity remaining for equipments
- Finish any incomplete research and go from there
