This article is considered accurate for the current version (1.58) of the game.
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This deadly tank turns predator into prey. A tank Destroyer, the Noble Widow specializes in ambush tactics, waiting for its quarry and striking with destructive high-velocity shells.
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— In-game description
The Noble Widow MK. XIV (colloquially known as HTD) is a late-game WardenDestroyer Tank. It is equipped with a high-velocity 68mm main cannon. It is defined by its long-barreled main cannon.
The Noble Widow MK. XIV has 2200 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: 20% (Anti-Tank Mines always disable them), Fuel Tank: 40%, Turret/Cannon: 20%. It has Tank Armor. With it, in best case scenario, penetrating projectiles only have a 17% 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 150 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 Noble Widow MK. XIV is a very capable Tank Destroyer, as its high-velocity main cannon allows it to punish enemy armored vehicles if they get into range. Additionally, it sports the lowest armor penetration chance in the game, at a low 17%, meaning that if it gets hit directly in the front, it has a high chance of deflecting the round. Do keep in mind that if it does penetrate, the tank will take significant damage. As such, great care must be taken to ensure that incoming fire isn't detrimental to the tank.
Since the Noble Widow MK. XIV has a forward-facing main cannon, it can only hit targets directly in front of it. In combination with its slow speed, it becomes extremely vulnerable if tracked, becoming nearly immobile and unable to retaliate against flanking enemies. As such, it needs a ton of support to cover its flanks and should not push too much on its own. Infantry and other tanks covering it or keep the Widow within close proximity of your own defenses.
Another consequence of its forward gun and slow speed is that the Widow should always use its gun at its max range and keep itself with its front toward the danger to make the most out of its superior frontal armor and to be able to fire at the enemy.
Although it is possible to use a Tank Destroyer without a Commander, it's not recommended as it will limit your awareness on the battlefield.
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.
Trivia
The Noble Widow MK. XIV is visually similar to casemated Tank Destroyer designs of World War II, notably the Jagdpanzer IV, Jagdpanzer 38 "Hetzer" and GAZ-74b/SU-76D
Aesthetically, it appears to draw on inspiration from French designs of the period as well, much like the Devitt Mk. III or Silverhand - Mk. IV Assault Tank, seemingly sharing a suspension/road wheel system with the Char B1 or Churchill tanks.
In the concept art, the Noble Widow MK. XIV was initially designed as a Siege Tank (a role fufilled by the HC-7 “Ballista”), but was changed into a Tank Destroyer. However, the role of a late-game 250mm armored vehicle would eventually be fulfilled by the Silverhand Chieftain - Mk. VI, with the Silverhand chassis being way faster than it.
Gallery
The Noble Widow MK. XIV from the front
The Noble Widow MK. XIV from the rear
The Noble Widow MK. XIV introduced in the Update 0.43 Dev Stream (dev stream 100 slide)
Render Models of the Noble Widow MK. XIV
Concept art of the Noble Widow MK. XIV
Old concept art of the Widow as a siege tank, before it was redesigned as a tank destroyer
Old concept art of the Widow as a siege tank, before it was redesigned as a tank destroyer