KV-1S

KV-1S stats at a glance

The KV-1S has 920 hit points , 75mm of frontal hull armor , and a top speed of 43 km/h. Its strongest gun configuration deals 180 damage per shot with 162mm of armor penetration , giving it a theoretical maximum DPM of 2077. The vehicle can equip 4 different gun configurations, allowing for varied playstyles.

Hull & survivability

The front-to-side armor ratio is 1.3:1. Side armor is relatively comparable to the front, meaning the KV-1S can absorb some side hits in close-quarters fighting.

Mobility

Forward-to-reverse speed ratio is 3.1:1. Reverse speed is limited, so pre-aim and exposure timing matter more on this vehicle.

Camouflage

Available guns (4)

With the top-tier gun, the KV-1S can theoretically output up to 2077 damage per minute at sustained fire (shot damage × rounds per minute). Lower-tier guns generally trade DPM for faster reload or better handling — see the full gun table above.

How KV-1S compares to its peers

There are 24 tier 6 heavy tanks in WoT, including the KV-1S. Its 920 HP places it in the top 26% for hit points among same-tier heavy tanks (peer average: 850). Frontal hull armor of 75mm ranks in the top 96% for the class (peer average: 139mm). Top forward speed of 43 km/h is faster than 87% of peer vehicles in this tier and class. The strongest gun deals 180 damage per shot, higher than 22% of comparable vehicles. Best penetration of 162mm puts it in the top 26% for armor-piercing capability in its class.

Direct comparisons

• KV-1S vs M6 — tier 6 heavy tank from USA
• KV-1S vs Pawlack Tank — tier 6 heavy tank from USA
• KV-1S vs ARL 44 — tier 6 heavy tank from France
• See full tier 6 heavy tank tier list — all 24 vehicles ranked

Related tier 6 heavy tanks

• A43 BP prototype — UK, premium
• ARL 44 — France
• Char de transition — France, premium
• Churchill St. Gloriana — UK, premium
• Churchill VII — UK
• Churchill Crocodile — UK, premium
• Heavy Tank — USSR
• Heavy Tank No. VI — Japan, premium
• All USSR tanks · Tier 6 premium tanks

Understand the stats

Want a deeper grasp of what these numbers actually mean in battle? Read the glossary:

• What is DPM — the most important offensive metric
• Alpha damage — single-shot damage and what it means for playstyle
• Penetration — and how it interacts with armor angling
• Hull-down position — the king of defensive plays
• View range — how spotting actually works

About this vehicle

A further modification of the KV-1 heavy tank series developed in the summer of 1942. It passed into Red Army service on August 20, 1942. Compared to its predecessors, KV-1S had several design features which allowed for the tank’s weight to be reduced to 42.3 tons. Also, the KV-1S had increased top speed, maneuverability, and durability. However, the 76-mm ZIS-5 gun remained. This, coupled with reduced and inefficient armoring, made the new vehicle basically equal to the T-34 in terms of battle performance. A total of 1,083 vehicles of this modification were manufactured. This tank was widely ...

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