If Russia had deployed its IS-4s in the Korean War, what would their effect have been?

How would they have fared against American tanks?

At the micro tactical level, tank on tank & section/platoon, it gives the NKPA a advantage over the M4 Mediums and M24 light tanks. The armor & gun caliber were better. Vs the US M26 its more of a even match. As soon as you get to the company level better communications and unit leadership/training starts to balance things. Since most of the actions were company size its something of a more even match in a few cases. Keep in mid the Heavy tanks in Soviet doctrine were a supporting or supplemental force, so were are talking ten or maybe twenty IS tanks added to each of the two NKPA tank brigades. In that context they have about as much effect as the Tiger tank battalions did in WWII. Providing a tactical edge at a few points, but insignificant in the larger picture.
 
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