Unload on your opponents with the game’s first rotary autocannon tanks! Get tips on this new mechanic in this article.

Black Tanks: rare Premium tanks with unbelievable Vehicle XP earn bonuses.

These tanks return to the in-game Store every November—and this year, we’re adding two new tanks to the collection, one for each game mode. Watch out for the Vigilante and the Avenger!

• World War II: American Tier X Vigilante T249 Black Edition Light Tank
• Cold War: M48 GAU-8 Avenger Black Edition Escalation Era (Era 2) Western Alliance Medium Tank

That’s not all. Both of these tanks use a new mechanic: the rotary autocannon mechanic.

Although we’ve introduced tanks with single-barrel autocannons in the past (think the fast-firing gun on the BMP-2, for example), rotary autocannons differ in that their guns have multiple rotating barrels, which spread the heat created when firing and ultimately allow for higher rates of fire. But they also have a spin-up delay before they can begin shooting, so plan your shots wisely!

Additionally, the M48 GAU-8 Avenger uses an overheat mechanic, which provides balancing and realism to the way its rotary autocannon works.

• You can read more about rotary autocannons and overheating in our new Autocannons game guide.

And you can get the specifics on each of these tanks below!

Vigilante T249 Black Edition

• Mode: World War II
• Tier: X
• Nation: U.S.A.
• Class: Light Tank

In 1955, the U.S. began work on a Gatling-style gun as an anti-aircraft measure. The resulting gun, dubbed the T250 Vigilante, featured six electronically rotated barrels and would become the largest rotary cannon built. It was mounted to the T249, a vehicle derived from the M113.

Gameplay Tips

Like all Black Tanks, this vehicle boasts a mean paint job as well as fantastic Silver and Vehicle XP earn bonuses. In fact, it’s the only Tier X with a Silver bonus, so roll out and start earning!

The Vigilante mounts a large 37mm rotary autocannon that will tear through light armor in seconds. With a 192-round clip, it has 4,500 damage potential at the ready. And because this is a light tank, you’ll have the high top speed and concealment needed to chase down your quarry before you unleash that potential.

• Be selective about your targets. Heavily armored tanks might present challenges due to the Vigilante’s low penetration … but lightly armored tanks are at your mercy.
• The spin-up delay on the Vigilante is 0.5 seconds. That means that your gun won’t start shooting until half a second after you press the “Fire” button. Time your attack accordingly!
• Like many light tanks, the Vigilante is lightly armored. Stick close to your allies and avoid making yourself an easy target.

M48 GAU-8 Avenger Black Edition

• Mode: Cold War
• Affiliation: Western Alliance
• Era: Escalation (Era 2)
• Class: Medium Tank

This vehicle is inspired by another proposed anti-aircraft measure, one that was submitted to the U.S.’s Division Air Defense (DIVAD) program in the 1970s. The experimental design called for an M48 Patton to be fitted with the GAU-8 Avenger, a 30mm Gatling-style gun with seven barrels, best known as the weapon system on the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.

Gameplay Tips

It’s one of the most recognizable sounds to anyone familiar with military weaponry: brrrrrrrt. You’ll be hearing it a lot when you command this tank, thanks to the devastatingly high rate of fire on its rotary autocannon.

If that wasn’t enough to strike fear in the hearts of your enemies, the paint job on the M48 GAU-8 Avenger Black Edition is inspired by the fearsome A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flown by the Blacksnakes of the 122nd Fighter Wing.

• The spin-up delay on the Avenger is 0.5 seconds. That means that your gun won’t start shooting until half a second after you press the “Fire” button. Time your attack accordingly!
• The Avenger’s overheat mechanic means that if you shoot for too long, the heat meter to the right of your reticle will fill. This will force you into a cooldown period during which you can’t fire. Avoid overheating by firing in short bursts and allowing for time between bursts for your barrels to cool!
• Stay close to allies to keep yourself protected while your heat meter cools between bursts—and to be ready to support them with your rapid-fire onslaught.
• Like the Vigilante, the Avenger has low penetration. Save your shots for lightly armored vehicles or spots in the enemy armor that you know are weaker—this will keep you from churning through all your ammo.

2024 New Black Tank Bundles

This year’s new Black Tanks will be available at unbelievable discounts for two weeks only. Get ‘em while you can!

(And don’t worry, Commander: our legacy Black Tanks and Black Friday Skins will be returning as well … and some will be available in an Earn Challenge. More information will be available on our News page in the days to come.)

All Premium vehicle bundles purchased from the Store come with their own Vehicle slot and a mix of standard and Premium ammo. If you want to send any of the bundles below as a gift, make sure that you and the receiver are friends on both your device and in the game.