This article is considered accurate for the current version (1.56) of the game.
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The HC-Class “Ballista” is a heavy tank designed to obliterate opposition defenses with its 250mm Hades Mortar Cannon.
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— In-game description
The HC-7 “Ballista” (simply known as a Ballista) is a late-game ColonialSiege Tank designed to destroy heavy fortifications. It is equipped with a 250mm Mortar Cannon. Its defined by its short-barreled Petard Mortar mounted at the front of the vehicle.
The HC-7 “Ballista” has 3300 HP and is disabled under 30% health. It has "Heavy Armor" resistance: it can soak small arms fire, shrapnel, and 12.7mm machine guns, and it is immune to Flamethrowers. But heavy explosives and anti-tank weaponry are a real threat to it. It has subsystems that have a chance to be disabled by heavy explosives and anti-tank weaponry if hit specifically: Tracks: 30% (Anti-Tank Mines always disable them), Fuel Tank: 20%, Turret/Cannon: 20%. It has Tank Armor. With it, in best case scenario, penetrating projectiles only have a 30% chance of penetrating and doing damage. That chance goes up quickly if the armor is worn or if it is shot from up close, or on the side or rear from a direct angle, or with ammo that has penetration bonuses. It takes 160 Basic Materials to fully repair it from 1% to 100% health with a Hammer. Its health, subsystems, and Tank Armor can be instantly repaired at a Garage for 100 Basic Materials.
The HC-7 "Ballista" is specifically designed to destroy enemy static defenses at close range, with concrete structures being the most susceptible to 250mm shells. Emplacements are also high-value targets, but all of this depends on how dangerous they are compared to other defensive structures in the area. 250mm shells excel at breaking concrete, so they are high-priority targets. Due to its relatively slow speed, short ranged weapon, and lack of defensive weaponry, the Ballista requires a lot of support to get close to its target and be used effectively.
It is of utmost importance to protect the Ballista from enemy armored vehicles and infantry with AT weaponry, as they will damage and disable the Ballista. Despite the protection from other vehicles and infantry, Ballista crews should not be expected to survive these attacks and should solely focus on destroying as much enemy defenses as possible before being destroyed.
Although it has a Commander's seat, it does not really need it since the Ballista's main targets are structures.
Standard Equipment Loadout
Like with every other armored vehicle, the crew should ALWAYS equip themselves with a Gas Mask and multiple Filters to avoid dying to Gas Grenades. Additionally, they should bring a Hammer and Basic Materials to repair the tank. These tactics can be buffed by wearing either a Tank Uniform or an Engineer Uniform.
Tips
Like all vehicles that use large shells, they can be quickly submitted into them without accessing their inventory
While this can be done for all vehicles, it should only be done if they can carry/use large items
Equip the shell and walk up to the vehicle
Submit the shell into the vehicle - pressV
Trivia
Currently, the HC-7 "Ballista" is the only 250mm vehicle in the Colonial arsenal.
The design of the HC-7 "Ballista" is very similar to the German Sturmpanzer or the English Sexton.
A Ballista is a type of ancient siege catapult used by the Greek/Romans to launch large bolts or rocks from a large distance.
Prior to 1.54 Naval Warfare and its buff, the HC-7 "Ballista" was placed one tier before the Silverhand Chieftain - Mk. VI is unlocked in the Tech Tree. This was changed when it was buffed, which was moved to the same tier as the Chieftain, making it an actual counterpart to the Ballista.
This buff increased its speed, armor, and lowered its penetration chance from 40% to 30% (giving it stats on par to other late-game armored vehicles).
Lore
A relatively recent addition to the Colonial arsenal, the HC-7 or “Ballista” is a specialized tank fitted with a front-facing mortar cannon designed to level structures with ease. Built on the bones of the smaller but proven H-series chassis, the HC series of tanks brings improved armour, more reliable treads along with the formidable 250mm short-barreled Hades mortar.
The team behind the Ballista operated out of the Velian capital of Damokratos. This intrepid young crew apprenticed under the engineers responsible for the L-series or “Lance” battle tank, earning invaluable experience. One intrepid mechanic by the name of Dell'oro Ricci noted the H-series' inability to directly tackle defense structures and would often fall behind or suffer significant damage, thus identifying a gap in the Colonial arsenal.
The Ballista has since become a staple in the Legion's feared armour division and-living up to its namesake-lays siege to our enemies before they know what hit them.
Gallery
The HC-7 "Ballista" from the front
The HC-7 "Ballista" from the rear
Lore Description for the HC-7 "Ballista" (also seen in the Lore References page)
