World of Tanks

[NightTrain]

Anyone else playing this? It's free, and it's a hell of a fun game. You play on a team of 10 other players against a team of 10 on a bunch of different maps with diverse terrain, like cities, towns, ruins, forested valleys, desert, etc.

The tanks are all from the 1920s to the 1950s. Each tank has it's strength and weaknesses, and they've tried to keep them historically accurate as far as their performance, size, firepower, accuracy, armor, etc. Some are prototypes that never made it to the battlefield but were put in the game for balance.

There's 5 different classes : Light, Medium, Heavy, Tank Destroyers or Artillery (self propelled) from 7 different nations : USA, Britain, Germany, France, Soviet Union, China and Japan.

You start out in a Tier 1 (first level tank) that is very weak, and when you get enough experience points and money from battles, you can upgrade your tank with bigger guns, better turret, better suspension, bigger engine, etc. The highest level tank you can get is a Tier 10, and they are impressive.

Mobility is key, except with Tank Destroyers who hide and snipe, and of course Artillery - both of these have tremendous firepower but are themselves lightly armored. The goal in a battle is to take over the enemy's base or destroy all 10 opponents.

Light Tanks are fast and maneuverable, lightly armored in consideration of their speed. I have a couple that reach 80 MPH, their primary mission is to scout the map to find where the enemy tanks are, and if you're good enough (and sometimes some luck), you can zoom in and take out the enemy Artillery that are pounding your team mates. American examples would be the Stuart and Chaffee.

Mediums are good all around tanks, fairly fast, decent armor and pack a good punch. They can maneuver around a heavy tank and shoot them from the sides or rear, where the armor is weakest. American examples would be the Pershing or Patton tanks.

Heavy tanks are heavily armored, slow and pack a very strong punch. Getting hit by one of these in a light or medium can blow your turret off your rig. They generally brawl with opposing Heavies and advance the line to the enemy's base.

My tanks are all Lights, Heavies and Tank Destroyers. I have my favorites in every line, for the Lights I'm working up the German line and my highest is a Tier 7. My highest Heavy is a Soviet IS-3, Tier 8, but favorite is the IS-6 because of it's sloped armor. I angle it to 45 degrees to my opponent when in a brawl, and the sloped armor ricochets or deflects most of the rounds hitting me... and the 122mm cannon really packs a wallop. My highest rig is a monster German E-100 Tank Destroyer - it's very slow, but it has a 170mm cannon that rocks the turrets off of anything except a Tier 10 Heavy - and sometimes them, too.

Anyway, just finished a pretty good game in my IS-6 Heavy, check out the medals I got for that battle, I killed 3 other tanks :

http://www.debatepolicy.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6991&stc=1

Another result in my Tier 5 German Leopard (light tank), I killed 7 other tanks :

http://www.debatepolicy.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6992&stc=1

You can also play in a Platoon with 1 or 2 other friends so you can work together on the battlefield... it's a blast.

[CSM]

Yep, I do play this game. Aggravating as hell sometimes but then I am old and cranky. I like the heavies and TDs mostly...hate artillery (either playing or playing against it). I have never platooned nor am I in a clan. Don't have premium account either.

I will say it is fun and entertaining MOST of the time.

[Jeff]

I am not into the game scene at all really, except 8 ball, a pool game, but NT that looks like fun I just may give it a try, thanks for sharing !!

[NightTrain]

Yep, I do play this game. Aggravating as hell sometimes but then I am old and cranky. I like the heavies and TDs mostly...hate artillery (either playing or playing against it). I have never platooned nor am I in a clan. Don't have premium account either.

I will say it is fun and entertaining MOST of the time.


I really like the Heavies and TDs as well. I got into the Heavies because I got tired of getting one-shotted in my TD by a big Heavy I was sniping at, and it's pretty nice to be able to take a bunch of hits and keep fighting. I don't play my Tier 10 Tank Destroyer much, a normal round for it costs 2,200 for a normal shot. I like the BOOM factor, but it's just so incredibly slow - top speed is 30, and that's with 1200 horsepower... going up hills it just crawls.

I really hate the artillery as well, so that's why I got into the Lights. It is really fun getting up to speed and zooming into their base to kill off their artillery... they REALLY get pissed. I need to start taking screenshots of the pissing and moaning I get after I pull off a successful raid... sometimes I crash into things because I'm laughing too hard to properly steer as they rage about that Light that just manhandled all 3 arties.

I don't platoon very often, when I do it's with a friend or my brother and we use a voice chat so we can work together. Mainly that's for the missions they just added... I think I'm about 40% through those now and completed all the TD missions.

[CSM]

I really like the Heavies and TDs as well. I got into the Heavies because I got tired of getting one-shotted in my TD by a big Heavy I was sniping at, and it's pretty nice to be able to take a bunch of hits and keep fighting. I don't play my Tier 10 Tank Destroyer much, a normal round for it costs 2,200 for a normal shot. I like the BOOM factor, but it's just so incredibly slow - top speed is 30, and that's with 1200 horsepower... going up hills it just crawls.

I really hate the artillery as well, so that's why I got into the Lights. It is really fun getting up to speed and zooming into their base to kill off their artillery... they REALLY get pissed. I need to start taking screenshots of the pissing and moaning I get after I pull off a successful raid... sometimes I crash into things because I'm laughing too hard to properly steer as they rage about that Light that just manhandled all 3 arties.

I don't platoon very often, when I do it's with a friend or my brother and we use a voice chat so we can work together. Mainly that's for the missions they just added... I think I'm about 40% through those now and completed all the TD missions.

I hear ya. I am not agile enough to use the high speed lights. Old slow and ugly ... that's me. I play mostly tiers 4 thru 8, though I do have an ST-1 I use now and then. I only have 8k matches (I think) and all of those are solo.

[donaldg]

This is great and i just want to ask what controls do i need to use in this game

[CSM]

This is great and i just want to ask what controls do i need to use in this game

key board and mouse...

[NightTrain]

Yeah, keyboard and mouse.

Correction : it's 15 players vs 15 players... not 10. Don't know what I was thinking.



So, CSM, I've been playing artillery. Got a Tier 7 GW Panther and it's a beast! Nothing like blowing the turret off a heavy with one shot. You really fear the light tanks playing those... they're completely helpless against those speedy little buggers. It really helps to know where an Artillery can hit you, like in the city on the Siegfried Line map you're pretty much safe anywhere except the town square, and even then half of that square is safe... but God help you if you venture out and fight out in the field out front.

I don't have nearly as much trouble with getting nailed by artillery after playing them and learning their weaknesses. Also, when I go Arty hunting, I know where they're going to be hiding unless they're a ballsy bastard and are up toward the front line near the brawling.

Did you complete the first set of missions yet? I'm halfway through the second set now.

[Gunny]

Yeah, keyboard and mouse.

Correction : it's 15 players vs 15 players... not 10. Don't know what I was thinking.



So, CSM, I've been playing artillery. Got a Tier 7 GW Panther and it's a beast! Nothing like blowing the turret off a heavy with one shot. You really fear the light tanks playing those... they're completely helpless against those speedy little buggers. It really helps to know where an Artillery can hit you, like in the city on the Siegfried Line map you're pretty much safe anywhere except the town square, and even then half of that square is safe... but God help you if you venture out and fight out in the field out front.

I don't have nearly as much trouble with getting nailed by artillery after playing them and learning their weaknesses. Also, when I go Arty hunting, I know where they're going to be hiding unless they're a ballsy bastard and are up toward the front line near the brawling.

Did you complete the first set of missions yet? I'm halfway through the second set now.

This is a game?

[CSM]

Yeah, keyboard and mouse.

Correction : it's 15 players vs 15 players... not 10. Don't know what I was thinking.



So, CSM, I've been playing artillery. Got a Tier 7 GW Panther and it's a beast! Nothing like blowing the turret off a heavy with one shot. You really fear the light tanks playing those... they're completely helpless against those speedy little buggers. It really helps to know where an Artillery can hit you, like in the city on the Siegfried Line map you're pretty much safe anywhere except the town square, and even then half of that square is safe... but God help you if you venture out and fight out in the field out front.

I don't have nearly as much trouble with getting nailed by artillery after playing them and learning their weaknesses. Also, when I go Arty hunting, I know where they're going to be hiding unless they're a ballsy bastard and are up toward the front line near the brawling.

Did you complete the first set of missions yet? I'm halfway through the second set now.

I just hate arty soooo much! I am a retired red leg too.... I guess I'll have to at least try it... what line do you think is best to start with for arty?

[CSM]

This is a game?

Supposedly...some folks take it way too serious though

[Gunny]

Supposedly...some folks take it way too serious though

I don't get it. This is playing? Who takes it seriously? A stupid game?

Guess I'm missing the "funny" part .....

[NightTrain]

I don't get it. This is playing? Who takes it seriously? A stupid game?

Guess I'm missing the "funny" part .....


Yeah, it's an online game where you are part of a random 15-person team of tanks against the opposing 15. It's a fun game & very challenging... proper use of tactics (like outflanking an enemy tank) is what wins the battle. And, of course, how you have equipped your tank and how experienced your crew is.

I'm not sure what was supposed to be funny...?

[NightTrain]

I just hate arty soooo much! I am a retired red leg too.... I guess I'll have to at least try it... what line do you think is best to start with for arty?

Arty is wildly different. Mine are German, their accuracy is much better than the other flavors. The higher the tier, the more latitude your barrel will swing so you don't have to re-position your hull and begin aiming again.

A trick I learned fast is to position your Arty where you intend to begin working and then hit the 'X' key - that locks your hull in place and it won't rotate until you take it off or manually rotate your hull.

Ammunition Rammer and the + Aiming Speed are mandatory on those.

Also, be patient when you're trying to nail someone - wait until your aiming is as tight as it will go before you pull the trigger. Artillery is inaccurate as it is, patience is key... sometimes you get lucky with a shot that wasn't fully aimed, but 90% of the time you just wasted a shot and 45 seconds on a reload!

My brother is running up the Soviet Arty line, and his Tier 7 & 8 have a massive splash damage from the HE shells - last week he killed 3 tanks with one shot, it was one in a million.

[Gunny]

Yeah, it's an online game where you are part of a random 15-person team of tanks against the opposing 15. It's a fun game & very challenging... proper use of tactics (like outflanking an enemy tank) is what wins the battle. And, of course, how you have equipped your tank and how experienced your crew is.

I'm not sure what was supposed to be funny...?

Sorry. I don't see the funny part to killing people. Winning a battle always has a price.

[NightTrain]

Sorry. I don't see the funny part to killing people. Winning a battle always has a price.

You're not killing anyone - the "kill" is when a tank is destroyed. After the battle the destroyed tank is repaired and the same crew stay with that tank.

[Gunny]

You're not killing anyone - the "kill" is when a tank is destroyed. After the battle the destroyed tank is repaired and the same crew stay with that tank.

Yeah? How many people make up a tank crew? That tank doesn't go away without them.

I'll be the first to admit, I don't see making a game of this. Lard-asses sitting on mommy's sofa playing some game they can't play in real life when the stakes aren't a reset button.

But, I can't even watch war movies without flipping, so ......

[NightTrain]

Yeah? How many people make up a tank crew? That tank doesn't go away without them.

I'll be the first to admit, I don't see making a game of this. Lard-asses sitting on mommy's sofa playing some game they can't play in real life when the stakes aren't a reset button.

But, I can't even watch war movies without flipping, so ......


Anywhere from 3 to 7.

I won't get into a debate about how terrible destroying a digital tank is that is manned by digital people. That's as silly as PETA crusading against Mario Brothers because you made a digital Mario jump on top of a digital turtle.

[Gunny]

Anywhere from 3 to 7.

I won't get into a debate about how terrible destroying a digital tank is that is manned by digital people. That's as silly as PETA crusading against Mario Brothers because you made a digital Mario jump on top of a digital turtle.

Think about it though. The digital tank with digital crew members is based on .... what?

[Noir]

Just picked this up on PlayStation last night, seems very solid and done a good and picked up my first 5/0 this morn (:

My current feeling on the game however is that the skill trees / upgrade paths look very broad, and come with a one sentence explanation that doesn't really explain anything. So going from a noobie perspective what perks/skills/upgrades for tanks and crew are desirable?

[NightTrain]

Just picked this up on PlayStation last night, seems very solid and done a good and picked up my first 5/0 this morn (:

My current feeling on the game however is that the skill trees / upgrade paths look very broad, and come with a one sentence explanation that doesn't really explain anything. So going from a noobie perspective what perks/skills/upgrades for tanks and crew are desirable?


There's a million different strategies, but I always went with 'Brothers in Arms' skill first, and then their individual talents after that. I did that for every different tank/artillery.

Bear in mind, though, that the effect does not come into play until every one of your crew members have that skill at 100%. But it makes a huge difference as to how they perform in battle.

[Noir]

Bear in mind, though, that the effect does not come into play until every one of your crew members have that skill at 100%.

Well damn, that's pretty big xD

[NightTrain]

Well damn, that's pretty big xD

Half of crewmember skills are cumulative... for example, if you're training your driver in the Off Road skill, your tank will slowly get faster and more maneuverable when driving through swamps and such as he gets higher, until finally he reaches 100%.

Those skills are nice, because you at least get some benefit as you grind through leveling their skills up.

[NightTrain]

CSM

Still playing? I dusted it off and played a bit yesterday... they've updated the game nicely, almost 8 gigs of updates.

There's a new 7 vs 7 battle that they added, essentially you've got a 7-man platoon so you can work with guys you know are good instead of the random bunch of idiots. Add me to your friend's list in game and join up for some ass whoopin!

[CSM]

CSM

Still playing? I dusted it off and played a bit yesterday... they've updated the game nicely, almost 8 gigs of updates.

There's a new 7 vs 7 battle that they added, essentially you've got a 7-man platoon so you can work with guys you know are good instead of the random bunch of idiots. Add me to your friend's list in game and join up for some ass whoopin!

Just saw this. Yep, still playing. I will try to look you up in game. I suspect the time difference between NH and AK will be a bit of a problem but we can give it a shot!

[NightTrain]

Just saw this. Yep, still playing. I will try to look you up in game. I suspect the time difference between NH and AK will be a bit of a problem but we can give it a shot!

Will have to wait until this fall when things slow down for me.

[darin]

can one play against AI or is this network play only, with live players?

[CSM]

can one play against AI or is this network play only, with live players?

Live players. Though there is a very small training scenario to get you used to the controls and such. WARNING: this game has a VERY STEEP learning curve. It is very addicting and VERY VERY frustrating at times.

[NightTrain]

CSM

Have you played the Frontline scenario yet? I dusted off WOT and started playing again & my brother introduced me to that one. It is awesome!

30 vs 30 on a map that's 9 times bigger than the usual one. You can take your platoon into it.

It's limited to only Tier 8 rigs, so you'll need at least a couple in your garage. They give you the American T-32 Heavy and the Soviet T-44 in case you're short on T8 rigs, but they're not as good as one of your own natural T8s in your fleet.

[CSM]

CSM

Have you played the Frontline scenario yet? I dusted off WOT and started playing again & my brother introduced me to that one. It is awesome!

30 vs 30 on a map that's 9 times bigger than the usual one. You can take your platoon into it.

It's limited to only Tier 8 rigs, so you'll need at least a couple in your garage. They give you the American T-32 Heavy and the Soviet T-44 in case you're short on T8 rigs, but they're not as good as one of your own natural T8s in your fleet.
Yep. On my fourth effort at prestige. Once completed you earn 1000 bonds. I like the Frontline mode a lot and hope they make it permanent.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I just got the newest Samsung Oculus Gear VR for my new Galaxy S9. I see this game on there, I might try it. The Gear VR comes with a cool little optional hand controller that has a touch pad on and such, would make a good game controller.