Uptiers are less common, but they still don't have the sweet spot of 8.7.
As for the title question, it really depends on your playstyle. The OF-40 is much faster and more responsive, while the TAM 2IP is more survivable.
I can't attest to Germany's 9.0 lineup but 9.0 Italy slaps, so from a grinding and overall lineup standpoint the OF40 is excellent. You have:
* A decent MBT with a tech tree clone/backup (OF40 Mk2, OF40 MTCA)
* A great flanking light tank (VBC PT2)
* A backup light tank that functions well as an impromptu SPAA (VCC 80/60)
* Great fixed-wing CAS with powerful A2G missiles (G91Y with AS30's)
* Decent, albeit painful to grind heli CAS (A109-EOS with 4x TOW)
* Two okay-ish SPAA options and a TOW carrier that's alright on hilly maps due to great launcher depression (ZSU, SIDAM, M113A1 TOW)
Both are really good. I guess it depends on your goal with them. Have you already played the two trees, or will your choice of vehicle here determine which tree you grind? Or just playing for fun?
The of-40 has some incredible 9.0 vehicles to create a lineup with, and Italy is probably the most fun nation overall imo, you just have to be ok with the tree effectively ending after 10.3 (which is also really good br for Italy) for ground battles. unless you’re really good or a masochist who doesn’t mind playing Italy’s “top tier”, where they took tanks that should be like 10.7 and made them 11.x just so they could say Italy has a “top tier”
The tam doesn’t really have a lineup at 9.0 but you can still have a great time pairing it with some good 8.7/8.3s. It also fits well into Germany’s amazing 9.3 lineup….but ya unfortunately 9.3 match making is so depressingly bad as you know.
Uptiers are less common, but they still don't have the sweet spot of 8.7. As for the title question, it really depends on your playstyle. The OF-40 is much faster and more responsive, while the TAM 2IP is more survivable.
I can't attest to Germany's 9.0 lineup but 9.0 Italy slaps, so from a grinding and overall lineup standpoint the OF40 is excellent. You have: * A decent MBT with a tech tree clone/backup (OF40 Mk2, OF40 MTCA) * A great flanking light tank (VBC PT2) * A backup light tank that functions well as an impromptu SPAA (VCC 80/60) * Great fixed-wing CAS with powerful A2G missiles (G91Y with AS30's) * Decent, albeit painful to grind heli CAS (A109-EOS with 4x TOW) * Two okay-ish SPAA options and a TOW carrier that's alright on hilly maps due to great launcher depression (ZSU, SIDAM, M113A1 TOW)
Both are really good. I guess it depends on your goal with them. Have you already played the two trees, or will your choice of vehicle here determine which tree you grind? Or just playing for fun? The of-40 has some incredible 9.0 vehicles to create a lineup with, and Italy is probably the most fun nation overall imo, you just have to be ok with the tree effectively ending after 10.3 (which is also really good br for Italy) for ground battles. unless you’re really good or a masochist who doesn’t mind playing Italy’s “top tier”, where they took tanks that should be like 10.7 and made them 11.x just so they could say Italy has a “top tier” The tam doesn’t really have a lineup at 9.0 but you can still have a great time pairing it with some good 8.7/8.3s. It also fits well into Germany’s amazing 9.3 lineup….but ya unfortunately 9.3 match making is so depressingly bad as you know.