However, they tend to not function as well in this role compared to similar-tiered heavy tanks due to their lower hit points compared to the heavy tanks. More heavily armored tank destroyers such as the T95 and the AT 2 can function as assault leaders, becoming a moving wall and absorbing hits their more thinly armored brethren cannot take.

Alternatively, tank destroyers provide effective area denial in enclosed areas, such as city streets, especially in the case of those with strong frontal armor. If it cannot find a position for an effective ambush, a tank destroyer can provide excellent fire support by hanging behind the front lines and engaging targets of opportunity. Thus, the tank destroyer is generally not effective in close quarters combat unless protected and supported by mediums or heavies or in narrow confines where the lack of a turret or slow turret traverse is less of an issue. However, the lack of a turret or in the case of turreted tank destroyers, a slow traverse, means that an enemy can quickly gain an upper hand by using flanking maneuvers, leaving the tank destroyer helpless to defend themselves. Their increased concealment abilities allow them to gain the upper hand in battle by using the element of surprise to acquire a first shot advantage. Tank destroyers are excellent ambush vehicles. Tank destroyers vary widely in style with large ranges in speed and armor but generally this class will have the best firepower, aside from artillery, in a given tier.

However, this design usually gives a tank destroyer more effective use of concealment due to a lower profile. Tank destroyers (except several American, a few German and the British FV215b (183) tank destroyers) lack a turret and must re-position themselves to aim at a target. They have more powerful weapons than most other vehicles of their tier and are able to penetrate most targets they encounter. Tank Destroyers are vehicles designed specifically to destroy enemy tanks.

British tank destroyers modern