- The Mauser Tankgewehr is Trench Decay's heavy anti-armor rifle for breaking shielded and armored wave units.
- It trades fire rate and mobility for the highest per-shot damage in the weapon pool.
- Best used by Support/Gunner or Scout classes holding chokepoints during late-campaign sieges.
- Save it for specialist targets, not general infantry — ammo is limited and expensive.
Mauser Tankgewehr Overview
The Mauser Tankgewehr fills a unique slot in Trench Decay's arsenal. Where most rifles reward sustained fire against infantry waves, this massive single-shot platform exists for one job: deleting high-threat armored targets before they reach your trench. It draws inspiration from the real-world Mauser T-Gewehr, the first purpose-built anti-tank rifle in history, and the game reflects that heritage with punishing recoil, a slow cycle, and enormous stopping power.
Positioned as a late-game unlock in the high-tier shop, the Tankgewehr competes with the LMG and shotgun classes rather than standard rifles. It is not an every-run weapon — it is a tool you bring when the chapter's wave profile includes shielded raiders, heavy units, or strongpoint sieges where one clean shot saves your barricade line.
| Attribute | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Damage per shot | ***** | Highest single-shot damage among primaries |
| Fire rate | * | Single-shot, slow rechamber cycle |
| Ammo capacity | ** | Very limited reserve per run |
| Mobility | ** | Heavy; slows repositioning between trenches |
| Skill floor | **** | Requires accurate shot placement to justify slot |
The Tankgewehr is a specialist tool. If a chapter features mostly light infantry, a scoped rifle or LMG will generally outperform it. Check the wave profile before you commit credits.
Stats & Weapon Comparison
Compared against the other top-tier picks in the weapon pool, the Tankgewehr's profile is deliberately extreme. It loses sustained DPS fights against automatic weapons but wins every "one target, one shot" exchange against armored threats.
| Weapon | Damage | Fire Rate | Best Target | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauser Tankgewehr | Very high per shot | Very slow | Armored/shielded units | High-tier shop, late unlock |
| LMG | High sustained | Fast, large mag | Grouped waves | Late-game unlock |
| Scoped Rifle / DMR | High per shot | Slow, precise | Specialists at range | Mid-tier unlock |
| Trench Shotgun | Very high (close) | Slow, pump | Chokepoint breaches | High-tier shop / rare loot |
| Assault Rifle | Solid per shot | Medium-fast | All-round wave clearing | Mid-tier shop |
Armor Piercing
- Shreds shielded raiders
- Breaks heavy unit frontal armor
- Staggers big targets on hit
Long Sightlines
- Picks off specialists early
- Pairs well with Scout spotting
- Punishes slow siege pushes
Limitations
- Poor horde control
- Expensive ammo economy
- Punishing recoil resets aim
Each miss against an armored target is costly. Take an extra moment, lead the target's approach lane, and let it walk into your crosshair instead of snapping a rushed shot.
Step-by-Step: Using the Tankgewehr Effectively
Deploying this rifle well is about positioning and target priority. Follow this workflow to get full value from every shot.
Pick a firing lane
Set up at a trench elbow or elevated strongpoint with a long, straight approach lane. The Tankgewehr performs worst when enemies appear at close range from multiple angles.
Assign a spotter
Coordinate with your Scout to mark incoming specialists with flares. Knowing which target is armored lets you pre-aim instead of scanning during the push.
Prioritize armored targets
Ignore standard infantry — your rifle squadmates handle those. Save every round for shielded raiders, heavy units, and anything your LMG fire bounces off.
Cycle behind cover
After each shot, step back into the trench to rechamber. The slow cycle leaves you exposed; treat it like a bolt rifle with a longer recovery window.
Keep a close-range backup
Carry a fast sidearm, such as a semi-auto pistol or revolver, for anything that closes the distance while you cycle. Never fight inside the trench with the Tankgewehr itself.
Chapter 4 (The Strongpoint) and Chapter 6 (Final Stand) feature the shielded and heavy unit mixes where this rifle earns its price. Bring it there first.
Best Loadouts & Class Pairings
The Tankgewehr works best when your squad covers its weaknesses: horde control, ammo supply, and close-quarters defense. Below are the pairings that hold up across the late campaign.
| Class | Primary Pairing | Tankgewehr Role | Support Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scout / Marksman | Scoped Rifle user spots, you shoot | Anti-armor execution | Flare gun, binoculars |
| Support / Gunner | LMG suppresses infantry | You break armor | Ammo crate shared |
| Engineer | Carbine + barricades | You defend the choke | Satchel charges, wire |
| Medic | Carbine coverage | You free the medic from armor threats | Medical bag, stims |
Before You Deploy:
- Confirm the chapter has armored or shielded units
- Carry a fast sidearm for close-range emergencies
- Coordinate a spotter or flare marker with your squad
- Position at a long sightline with a fallback trench
- Budget credits for spare ammunition, not cosmetics
Without a squad covering your flanks, swap to a scoped rifle or assault rifle instead. The Tankgewehr's slow cycle is far more punishing when nobody watches your lane while you rechamber.
FAQ
Q: Is the Mauser Tankgewehr worth buying in Trench Decay?
It depends on your campaign stage. In early chapters dominated by light infantry, cheaper options like the assault rifle offer better value. Once you reach strongpoint and siege chapters featuring shielded and heavy units, the Tankgewehr's armor-breaking damage justifies its high-tier price.
Q: Which class should use the Mauser Tankgewehr?
Scout/Marksman and Support/Gunner benefit most. Scouts pair it with spotting tools for long-range anti-armor work, while Gunners alternate between LMG suppression and Tankgewehr shots against armored pushes during defense waves.
Q: How do I deal with its slow fire rate?
Fire from cover, step back into the trench to rechamber, and pre-aim approach lanes rather than tracking moving targets. Carrying a reliable sidearm covers the gap when enemies close the distance mid-cycle.
Q: Does the Mauser Tankgewehr work against normal waves?
It performs poorly against spread-out infantry because of its single-shot cycle and limited ammo. Treat it strictly as an anti-specialist tool and let automatic weapons handle general horde clearing.
Weapon balance changes with each update, including the DUAL pass that adjusted damage and fire rates across the pool. Check current in-game stats before a serious run, and watch the official Studio Rook channels for patch notes.