What is the best first line in World of Tanks?

The Soviet IS-7 heavy line or the Soviet Object 140 medium line. Both are strong at nearly every tier and teach core mechanics you will use forever.

Should I grind several lines at once?

Two or three parallel lines is ideal: it keeps the game fresh, lets daily doubles restock, and spreads free XP where it is needed.

What is the fastest way to grind a line?

Daily first-win XP on every tank in the line, personal reserves/boosters during longer sessions, strong performance (damage and spotting scale XP), and occasionally converting free XP for painful stock modules.

Are collector’s vehicles and reward tanks included in tech trees?

No. Reward tanks (like clan-war vehicles) come from events and campaigns; this guide covers regular researchable lines only.

Is it worth buying a premium tank to support a grind?

A tier VIII premium of the same nation/class speeds crew training and funds equipment — our best premium tanks guide covers the credit farmers.

Best Tank Lines to Grind in World of Tanks by Nation

How to choose a line

Three questions matter more than national loyalty:

Is the line strong at multiple tiers — not just the tier X? You will spend most battles in the middle tiers.
Does it teach a useful role? Heavies teach angling, mediums teach map play, TDs teach positioning.
How painful are the stock grinds? Some lines need free XP to be playable; save yours for those.

The best lines tier for tier

Soviet heavies (IS-7 line)

The classic starter line and still excellent: the IS at tier VII is a legend, the IS-3 at tier VIII defined a generation of brawling, and the IS-7 remains a mobile, heavily turreted assault heavy. Weak spot: the KV-4 at tier VIII — sluggish, but passable. Great first line for learning armor and corner fights.

Soviet mediums (Object 140 line)

The T-34 at tier V is one of the best tanks in the game, and the line never really dips: T-34-85, T-43, T-44, then the T-54 and Object 140 teach flanking, vision and hull-down play. If you can only grind two lines, make this one of them.

Czechoslovak heavies (Vz. 55 line)

The Škoda T 25 at tier VI introduces the autoloader playstyle, tier VIII–IX are competitive, and the Vz. 55 is a meta tier X with a two-shot burst. The best “modern” heavy line in the game — and the least frustrating autoloader to learn on.

American tank destroyers (T110E3 line)

Slow, armored bunker TDs from tier V up. Great for learning defensive positions and pre-aimed shots; the T95 at tier IX is a meme and a menace. The E3 caps it as a top-tier assault TD (TD guide).

Japanese mediums (STB-1 line)

Jack of all trades mediums with amazing gun depression from tier VII onward; the STB-1 at tier X is a hull-down monster. Very comfortable grind with few true stinkers.

French wheeled lights (EBR line)

Unique, exhilarating, high-ceiling. We recommend it only after you understand spotting fundamentals — start with a tracked light line if scouting is new to you (light tank guide).

Lines to avoid as a first grind

British artillery and mid-tier heavies — slow, situational, frustrating stock grinds.
Chinese TDs — an acquired taste with awkward gun arcs.
Italian mediums below tier VIII — the autoreloader payoff is great, but tiers V–VII are underwhelming.
Swedish TDs (pre-turret) — situational siege-mode vehicles that punish beginners.

Avoiding them first does not mean forever — many are excellent third or fourth lines.

Grinding efficiently

Keep strong mid-tier keepers. The T-34, KV-2, Škoda T 25 and T-29 earn credits and complete missions while you grind past them.
Use free XP on modules, not tanks. A fully upgraded tank with a good crew beats a stock higher tier every time.
Stack boosters during session play (2-hour windows with missions and daily doubles) rather than sprinkling them randomly.
Plan credits in parallel. Lines stall at tiers VIII–IX without silver — rotate in credit farming (credit guide).

Nation cheat sheet

Nation	Signature strength	Best beginner line
Soviet	Brawling heavies, versatile mediums	IS-7 or Object 140 line
German	Accuracy, snipers, super-heavies	Leopard 1 line (patient players)
American	Gun depression, assault TDs	T110E3 line
Czechoslovak	Autoloaders, burst heavies	Vz. 55 line
French	Autoloaders, wheelies	Bat.-Châtillon 25 t line (later)
Japanese	Gun depression mediums	STB-1 line
British	HESH, support mediums, super-heavies	Centurion AX line