Tank tips for new players.

[Stryker]

So with the influx of new players, I figured I'd make a list of tips and things to avoid. I've got about 425 hours in Tanks, and figured I'd pass some knowledge to new players who have arrived.

This is NOT a complete tutorial by any stretch. Someday I'll make some videos and more in depth tutorials that I feel some of the current tutorials are lacking. Nor do I think I'm the best in Tanks.

I do suggest new players testing the Tanks on empty servers before engaging live. Learn how to drive and gun, the basics, before going all in on live servers.

If you do decide to try out Tanks, couple of things to avoid and some tips:

As a Driver:

1. Avoid trenches, rivers, deep craters, tight spots where you can get the Tank wedged.

2. Learn the maps. Of course, you'll learn the maps as you get more engaged into the Tank role. Not all of this has to be done on an empty server. Each map is going to have different objectives and you'll have to learn all of the map objective rotations.

3. Keep armor facing front. Try to find positions where you are hull down or your tracks are protected. (Some fences, bushes, walls will protect your tracks).

4. Stay close to infantry! Very important when you go into a live server.

5. Don't stay in one area for too long. The moment you stop and begin to shoot, the enemy probably has marked you, and enemy tanks and AT infantry will hunt you down.

6. Watch for mines on the main roads and in your HQ area! Sometimes enemy engineers will sneak behind enemy lines and try to mine the tanks in the HQ. Look first!

As a gunner:

1. Keep your turret close to center. It's easier for the driver to traverse and get you into firing position. Traversing the turret is slow. The turret can also get snagged on trees, hedges and other parts of the environment as well, and will send your Tank into a spin if the driver is trying to move.

2. As the German's, you're better off keeping AP shells loaded at all times. The American's have armor superiority when it comes to numbers, and you'll be facing off against enemy Sherman's a lot, and it sucks to not be prepared. The Tank that shoots first, usually wins. HE as German's is very situational and does no damage against enemy armor.

3. ALWAYS reload! Always have a shell ready to go!

4. American Tanks work well in squads. Stay close to the other Sherman's if possible and work together, especially against the enemy Tiger Tank. The Sherman is capable of taking out the Tiger solo, but it's a lot easier with superior numbers. Flank the Tiger!

5. Have patience! Wait for the Tank to steady itself before firing. Missing the first shot against an enemy tank can mean the difference between life and death. If you do plan on shooting while moving, wait until you have a good shot and are on smooth ground when moving.

6. The most annoying part of being in a Tank is shells exploding on small trees, fences. The smallest things can block shells from hitting enemy infantry or tanks, so choose your shots wisely. Try to get open shots with nothing in the way.


As a Commander(Spotter):

1. Don't get tunnel vision. Your job is to not only spot for the gunner, but to also make sure your not being flanked. Check your flanks and behind you often. Don't spend the whole time looking forward.

2. If you have Squad Lead, relay information to your driver and gunner. Plot out routes for the Driver if possible. Keep an eye on the map often. Make sure your driver is staying close to infantry.

3. As a Commander, you are usually going to be the Squad Leader. That MP40 or Thompson can be handy in taking out AT infantry that has snuck up on you. Let your Driver know if you plan on getting out of the tank. So he doesn't kill you while turning or shooting. You should only get out of the tank in extreme conditions.

4. Dismantling supplies, taking out observation posts is another job of the Commander. Garrisons can be destroyed by shells! Observation Posts, Nodes and Supplies need to be physically dismantled (or you need to be close to remove Observation Posts). If you plan on getting out, have the driver get close to them before getting out. So you have some cover. Again, let the driver know you are exiting the Tank.

5. Be precise when calling out targets! Use "Close" "Medium" or "Long" when ranging targets. Sometimes it can be difficult for the gunner to see something you may see, have patience with your gunner. The periscope is mounted higher on the Tank then the main gun, so sometimes you'll have to direct your gunner to make blind shots, just be precise with your directions on the compass dial.

[Chef]

+1
Good stuff

[Meusli]

Cheers for this. All good, sensible pointers.

[[82AD] jonnos]

great tutorial well done,could do with more of this

[tortuga]

Originally posted by Big Chef:

+1
Good stuff

+1

[Private Paula]

Good stuff Stryker, keep it going bro! Best Driver i have meet yet in HLL.

[AirOne13]

you forgot to say that tanks have a kind of backblast ( sideblast ?) the exaust on the gun barrels will frie alive nearby teammates ( caused me to be autokicked for friendly kills) because despite yelling to my team mates outside to get away from the gun because i was figthing 2 panthers, i blew some of them up :/

[PEEBOY]

If your tank gets stuck you can sometimes push yourself out with your turret. Just like it gets snagged on things while driving and causing your tank to flip around suddenly, you can use the turret as leverage sometimes against trees/terrain to help push the tank. You can also use the kick from firing the gun to get yourself unstuck. Sometimes even just turning the turret 90 degrees from the front is enough to get you unstuck. I see a lot of tanks that are stuck that I am able to free by utilizing the turret.

dont yell at me if im soloing your "stuck" tank :)

[Green_Bastard]

Great tips. Thank you for sharing.

I've been wanting to tank some after trying it a few times early. May have to give it a proverbial shot ;-)

One question; how does a tank refill ammo other than going back to base? Repair stations don't do it so, is there anything an engineer can place to help? Played Omaha as an engineer and could not figure out how to re-arm tanks there other than the beach stations which is too far to be effective. Haven't really run into it on other maps as haven't seen takes make it that long. . .

[Private Paula]

Originally posted by Green_Bastard:

Great tips. Thank you for sharing.

I've been wanting to tank some after trying it a few times early. May have to give it a proverbial shot ;-)

One question; how does a tank refill ammo other than going back to base? Repair stations don't do it so, is there anything an engineer can place to help? Played Omaha as an engineer and could not figure out how to re-arm tanks there other than the beach stations which is too far to be effective. Haven't really run into it on other maps as haven't seen takes make it that long. . .

No, you have to restock Ammo at the HQ - doesn't matter which HQ you can do that on every one.

[Private Paula]

Originally posted by Green_Bastard:

Great tips. Thank you for sharing.

I've been wanting to tank some after trying it a few times early. May have to give it a proverbial shot ;-)

One question; how does a tank refill ammo other than going back to base? Repair stations don't do it so, is there anything an engineer can place to help? Played Omaha as an engineer and could not figure out how to re-arm tanks there other than the beach stations which is too far to be effective. Haven't really run into it on other maps as haven't seen takes make it that long. . .

besides that, Tanks would be too strong if they had a Chance to refill all Ammo without driving back, it gives the Enemy Team some time to breath - its good how it is.