World of Tanks

[Phatzo]

World of Tanks is a fun little game involving armour from the 1930s through to the 50s, it has just gone into open beta so it costs nothing to play at the moment, nothing to lose except some time downloading it. I have been playing since the early beta stage and have seen it progress a long way and like where its going. It will always be free but it will cost you money if you want to progress quicker. The biggest argument I've heard against it is its too gamey but this came from guys I play Aces High (WWII flight combat sim) with, ironically AH has the gamiest ground game around but the best flight combat sim.

check it out
http://www.worldoftanks.com/

[Crown Prince of Irony]

I've been playing it for a week or so - my brother turned me onto it. It's fun enough, but for this twitch gamer, the action can be a bit glacial (that is, until a tank killer nails you from afar while you're hunting for targets in your pitiful little M2).

[runner pat]

Spam reported.

[Phatzo]

Originally Posted by runner pat

Spam reported.

Your kidding, a games section of the forum and I let everyone know about something new and enjoying and you report it as spam. Grow a brain.

[Phatzo]

Originally Posted by Crown Prince of Irony

I've been playing it for a week or so - my brother turned me onto it. It's fun enough, but for this twitch gamer, the action can be a bit glacial (that is, until a tank killer nails you from afar while you're hunting for targets in your pitiful little M2).

Mate if you see Phatzo on its me, shoot me a message and I'll try and help ease the learning curve and teach you a few armour tactics to make it less boring. I have tanks from tier 2 to 10 and actually love running tier 2. Coming from a flight sim environment I find WoT fairly fast. I dont have to spend 10 mins climbing to 20k so I dont get picked. Quick 15 minute battles, you can do one or two on your lunchbreak at work.

[Autolycus]

What do you mean by "it's too gamey" ?

[SenorBeef]

Originally Posted by Autolycus

What do you mean by "it's too gamey" ?

In war games, "gamey" typically means not only something unrealistic, but something that's only an issue because of the design of the game. For instance, imagine you're fighting company vs company on a 300 meter wide map. Purposely running your troops along the very edges of the map in an otherwise exposed position because you know the edge of the map protects you (whereas in the real world you'd get slaughtered) would be considered a gamey tactic.

How it applies to this game, specifically, I don't know. Is this a tank simulator (or tank command simulator, I guess, if you don't actually operate the equipment) or a tank-themed game with little abstracted tanks running around with hitpoints?

[fluiddruid]

Originally Posted by Phatzo

Your kidding, a games section of the forum and I let everyone know about something new and enjoying and you report it as spam. Grow a brain.

I agree that the post isn't spam, but please don't insult other users in this forum. If you want to flame, please take it to the BBQ Pit forum.

No warning issued.

[Gukumatz]

Originally Posted by Phatzo

Your kidding, a games section of the forum and I let everyone know about something new and enjoying and you report it as spam. Grow a brain.

Moderator's Note:

While I'm not going to consider this spam, as it's in beta and free to play, insulting people in the Game Room is not permitted. Don't do it again.

- Gukumatz,
Game Room Moderator

[Ogre]

Downloading. Looks like fun. I dunno how much time I'll actually have to explore it, but it ought to be good for a few hours of fun.

[Sitnam]

It won't download for me....

[Sitnam]

...I guess it is, at glacial speed.

[Crown Prince of Irony]

Originally Posted by Sitnam

...I guess it is, at glacial speed.

Yeah, the installer downloaded at about 125kpbs when I grabbed it, on a 25Mbps connection.

However, while it's probably not my cup of tea (I played another few matches last night and got stomped), I could see where a more patient wargamer would enjoy it, so I'd stick it out and give it a shot.

[John DiFool]

I've been keeping tabs on it in another forum-as I just posted there (in fact), this is a skirmish game-matches don't last very long at all, then in between rounds you buy new equipment or even a new tank, and go at it again. They are apparently working on plans to make the game world more persistent, however, with this new "clan" module which will go beta in a few months. [I hate skirmish games, as I have a more broader strategic mind and tend to get bored very easily if that aspect is not present]

[E-Sabbath]

I was playing it earlier in the year. It's _great_ fun. I favored the mid-range T-series for making money. Stopped just before American tanks became available for no real reason.

[Sitnam]

Originally Posted by Crown Prince of Irony

Yeah, the installer downloaded at about 125kpbs when I grabbed it, on a 25Mbps connection.

...two hours later and we're at 80%.

It's like someones coding it from scratch.

[Phatzo]

Originally Posted by Autolycus

What do you mean by "it's too gamey" ?

Sorry Mods, just thought the spam thing silly. Too gamey from the people I hear it from are the hard core flight and race sim comunity because its a game rather than a simulation.

[John DiFool]

Some of the grogs I hang out with have criticized the physics/gunnery/armor model as being unrealistic-in particular there's too many richochets in situations which should give you a penetration.

[Ogre]

Updates are taking absolutely goddamn forever.

What the hell? The update download keeps hanging at 287.96 out of 288.19 MB.

[Ogre]

OK, I finally got in and updated, and have played a few rounds. My question is: how the devil do you earn enough $$$ to buy new tanks? I have $500 and shitty T1. I keep getting my ass blown off by much heavier, tougher tanks. Does it takes hours and hours and hours of play at this level to even upgrade a little? If so, meh. I've had a little fun moving super slowly and getting off a round before getting hammered, and then waiting in the lobby for 15 minutes while everybody else battles it out.

Trouble is, it's just not that much fun, unless I'm missing something. Who has that kind of time?

[E-Sabbath]

Try scouting instead. Scouting, within the range of your radio, will light enemy tanks up on your friendly side's map.
Don't engage. Use terrain, make things visible, flank, and stay alive. If you do this, you'll get points and money. Upgrade your suspension first, then your engine. THEN your gun. Don't try to kill anything. Try to shoot things, yes, but don't bear down for the kill.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Originally Posted by runner pat

Spam reported.

Why? Phatzo made 10 on-topic posts before starting this thread.

[Ogre]

Originally Posted by E-Sabbath

Try scouting instead. Scouting, within the range of your radio, will light enemy tanks up on your friendly side's map.
Don't engage. Use terrain, make things visible, flank, and stay alive. If you do this, you'll get points and money. Upgrade your suspension first, then your engine. THEN your gun. Don't try to kill anything. Try to shoot things, yes, but don't bear down for the kill.

OK, I have been doing this, and I'm swimming in in-game money, but that currency is not what you use to buy tanks. You have to have gold. And apparently, the only way to get gold is to wait until the server automatically gives it out like a paycheck every day at 7PM, at 250 gold a day. Considering that there are tanks in there that literally cost millions, WTF? I realize that most tanks cost <$10,000, but that's a lot of days of waiting before I get a decent tank.

[E-Sabbath]

They changed things, then. There used to be non-gold-only tanks. Anyone currently playing?

[Ogre]

Originally Posted by E-Sabbath

They changed things, then. There used to be non-gold-only tanks. Anyone currently playing?

I can only assume it's so that people will pay real dollars for in-game gold. Fuuuuuuuuuck that.

[Ogre]

Yeah, I see after a quick Google that that's exactly the plan. Thus continues the marginalization of the casual gamer I guess - the guys who have a job and a family, and will shell out $40 or $50 every once in a while for a good, fun game to kill a few late night hours, but who could not possibly pay extra for a bullshit in-game false economy. This necessarily means that I will never get decent tanks, and will be stuck getting my ass kicked for a looooooong time.

Yeah, no fucking thanks.

[Crown Prince of Irony]

That buh-lows. I know what I won't be playing this weekend.

[Ogre]

For the record, I posted my concerns in the WoT forums, and I have been set straight (actually rather gently. Nice.) Turns out the game will be free to play, and the ONLY money they will be charging will be for gold in the in-game economy, and the cost of a premium account (something like $10/month), should you choose to purchase one.

In addition, the gold will be for "premium" tanks, with most of the regular tanks being available through general game play, and certain premium items and ammo. The premium tanks are actually supposed to be rather weaker than the regularly available tanks, and so might only appeal to the completist.

This, of course, changes the complexion of my initial impression completely.

[E-Sabbath]

Yes, that's how things used to be when I was playing. You know, I'm gonna patch this, see if I can get in today.

[Phatzo]

It doesn't take real long to start earning credits. Working through tier 3 and 4 is a bit of a chore but tier 5,6 and 7 are the sweet spots for turning over credits. In my opinion a fully researched tier 2 is as much fun as anything, even in my IS-4 tier 9 I get my ass handed to me by using poor tactics, only it hurts a lot more, always keep a tier 2 and a tier 5 and the best use for gold is buying premium.

[Ogre]

OK, so I've been playing for a while. Made it to Tier 5 in Closed Beta. Am now driving a Tier 8 T23 (American medium).

One major problem that's making me consider either giving the game up or starting over with some other tech tree:

Once you get past Tier 7, you're at a strong, STRONG economic disadvantage unless you drive a heavy (and more specifically, a Russian heavy). There are simply some maps that are pretty much never going to be won by capping. It may happen every once in a blue moon, but 99% of the time, Malinovka is a slugfest in which one whole team dies. There are several like this. Mountain Pass. Mines (formerly Pagorki). Basically, all of your smaller maps. In Tier 7, if you play well enough, even in a medium tank, you make more credits than your repairs and resupply cost you. Not so in Tier 8. There have been several rounds in which I've gotten in several good shots, knocked out a tank or two, and generally played well, but have ended up losing money, because at the end, the other team's high-tier Russian heavies simply plowed over everything in their path and won the round. Where's the fun in that? Also, in general, it's the heavy tanks that manage to survive those slugfests.

Of course, if you mention anything of the sort on the WoT forums, you're roundly mocked and told not to blame your own lack of skill on the developers, etc. Hurr hurr hurr.

[Phatzo]

I'm still plugging away, I realised in the beta that Russian heavys are the way to go. I have pretty much worked on the Russian heavy and medium line since the wipe when the game went live. I also no longer feel like I'm on a hamster wheel and have learnt to relax and use my tanks as I best see fit in the situation. Its actually more fun and not such a chore. A group of friends has started a clan and intends to participatr in clan wars. Anyone intrested look up me or 1st Flamewarrior battalion [-FW-] no need to do anything but gives you an easy in if you wanted to try clan wars.

[solar]

nice browser games, but i am more into grepolis and the settlers online.

[Raza]

Inspired by this thread, I finally got around to downloading/installing (about 3 hours). As promised, I died ingloriously and quickly in my first few games. And despite there being a lot of documentation on the game (a good wiki, online manual, and active forum), there isn't a tutorial, so unless you know what you don't know, it seems a very trial-and-error learning experience.

But I'm enjoying it. I would say that I've played maybe 10 hours, and there have been several battles (not many, but a few) were I had the most destroys in a game. I've determined that my most-effective personal playstyle is to hide and snipe, so just last night I opened up the tank destroyer line; I have not been disappointed. Even with the bargain basement T18, I've done fairly well. Granted, the lack of a turret takes some adjustment, but for a largely-stationary playstyle it isn't that big of a deal.

Any "wish I'd known that then" tips for someone currently in the tier III/IV space, currently mostly playing USA?

[Kobal2]

Originally Posted by SenorBeef

How it applies to this game, specifically, I don't know. Is this a tank simulator (or tank command simulator, I guess, if you don't actually operate the equipment) or a tank-themed game with little abstracted tanks running around with hitpoints?

It's a multiplayer tank "sim" - but it's not really an accurate sim wrt. tank characteristics, accuracy, range of engagement etc... IOW, it's more of an arcade tank game than a grognard's wet dream.

[Manwich]

Originally Posted by Raza

Any "wish I'd known that then" tips for someone currently in the tier III/IV space, currently mostly playing USA?

Crew training is really important, it is worth spending the 20,000 to train them. When you upgrade to the next tank in the tech tree, it usually makes sense to transfer your crew because you can build their skill level faster and get onto secondary skills (camo is what you will want for TD's first, although possibly repair instead). Don't forget equipment like camo nets, repair kits and binoculars if you have enough money, too.

Get a couple of other tanks to mess around with, because around tier 4-6 progress will get a lot slower. It helps to have an elited (fully research) scout, medium or heavy to play just to break things up a bit.

Also, play arty for a bit to get an idea of what they can and can't do, but remember that higher tier arty play very differently to lower tier (much greater range but much slower reload rates).

[Raza]

Originally Posted by Manwich

Crew training is really important, it is worth spending the 20,000 to train them.

Thanks - this is something I've overlooked.

Since I enjoy the tank destroyer, will I be right at home in SPGs? Or are they totally different beasts?

[Manwich]

Originally Posted by Raza

Thanks - this is something I've overlooked.

Since I enjoy the tank destroyer, will I be right at home in SPGs? Or are they totally different beasts?

Totally different. TD are almost the same as regular tanks, while arty/SPGs have a special overhead view mode so you can use indirect fire. They can be boring to play because you tend to sit in one spot for a long time, but with a bird's eye view of the action you can learn a lot about tactics from other people's successes and failures, and you will learn where you can and can't hide from arty when you go back to TD/tanks.

In my rush before work this morning I also forgot to mention a couple of game mechanics that are worth learning about. The big one is spotting other tanks. It is too complex for me to cover in this post, but I really suggest you read up on it. I have seen so many new players do stupid things and complain because they don't understand when and where they can be seen by the enemy. In short - you can be seen and shot at by TDs and regular tanks that you can't see, not just by SPGs. It can be because they have longer view ranges, better crew, good camo skill or just because a enemy is spotting you for them. Camoflage is important, so is scouting/spotting for team-mates.

The other more obvious thing you should learn about it which tanks you can hurt and where. Some tough tanks you will have to use HE ammo on, because you will never penetrate their armour with AP ammo. Others you might find you can shoot in the turret/hull or just the rear/sides. I never bothered memorizing any numbers, just notice when your shots aren't penetrating and try something different.

Finally, I suggest reading some of the map strategy guides on the forum. They give you an idea of where the main thrusts of attack usually are, which places are death-traps, where sneak/rush attacks often come from, and even some good places for TD to snipe from.

If you have any more specific questions, don't be afraid to search or post in the World of Tanks forum. As usual there are a few idiots and jerks there but you will almost always find some good answers too.

[Raza]

Thank you, Manwich. I worked my way up to the T40 (TD) last night, and had a couple of battles where I had 4 destroys (and I realize that destroys are not really the point-getter, it is the damage caused). I am finding that my "sit still behind a bush near the starting area" strategy works pretty well, which is one reason I might consider trying artillery. Thanks for the info on the difference.

From what I have read thus far, I'll want to unlock the 105mm for my T40, though I do reasonably well with my current 75mm. I always use HE rounds in my TDs.

[Raza]

Surprising myself, I'm still playing. Not every day, but at least once a week.

And the game seems to be growing like mad, with over 20 million registrations and, apparently, quite profitable for the company.

I think I've hit a self-imposed wall on artillery at tier V (the reload time isn't so bad, but reload time + aiming time + narrow lateral range is very frustrating), but I'm pretty happy playing tier IV - VI American and, so some extent, Soviet tanks and tank destroyers.

Am I the lone doper still playing?

[drachillix]

I missed this thread way back when, just signed up last night. I find it quite enjoyable. One of the things I have looked for lately is low committment, you can run through a few missions quickly and easily.

[Raza]

It certainly can be frustrating in the first few tiers, but you can work up to tier IV pretty quickly (a few nights of casual play). Also, don't judge a tank when you first get it - most tanks require the unlocked equipment (particularly guns) before they shine.

[sunacres]

I just wanted to chime in to thank this thread for introducing me to a fascinating and very enjoyable game. I'm having a blast (heh).

[RogueRacer]

I've been playing this since January. I like that I can log on and play a couple battles and sign out again in about 20-30 minutes. It can easily be as much of a time sink as any other game, but it doesn't require a bit time commitment to play a bit.

Currently, I just finished getting an IS-4 researched, bought, and fully upgraded in anticipation of the 7.3 patch. That said, I still probably have the most fun playing the smaller tanks like my Tier II Tetrarch and the captured German pzkpfw 38H735 "mini maus".

[RogueRacer]

Originally Posted by RogueRacer

It can easily be as much of a time sink as any other game, but it doesn't require a bit time commitment to play a bit.

That word should be "big" of course. Sigh.