Post by Killatron46 on Oct 17, 2015 5:30:11 GMT -5
WiP, I'll probably keep working on this, let me know if anything reads weird. The first part of this post will be a small change log to this guide, if you've read it before come back later!
[10/17/2015]V 0.1 ~original information, and many checks for grammar
[10/21/2015]V 0.2 A little more grammar, "A Note on ATGMs", Tanks specific guides section, added to the TDs section
First off I'm going to say I will try really hard in this to keep my tone from being elitist, because that is not what I'm trying to convey. Right now I just want to help all of you to improve your in-game performance if you want to do so. If you don't want to you can stop reading now, I understand. I made the font a little bigger because I hate tiny font!
For me, playing and improving is a HUGE part of my enjoyment. When I feel stagnated or like I personally am not doing well I start to dislike AW. So with that said I can start laying out everything I have learned after playing WoT for 2 years, AW for the last few months, and various other game (War Thunder tanks for like a week (so bad lol)). This is how I play solo-pub and in platoons when there isn't a real direction of where to go or who to play with which is totally different.
The biggest number one thing you must do to get better is direct all frustration to your self. Now that I said it, let me explain:
You must be critical of everything you do in-game. You must learn from every mistake. You must look at yourself and ask why I just died without any real contribution to my team. You have to look at every defeat, victory and draw in the same way: What did I do wrong?
Information is key. Take a look at the mini-map, listen for the sound when new targets are spotted. Knowing when to push and when to fall back is based on the info on the mini-map.
Learn everything about what the match maker gives you. Don't complain, just do what is best. (Heavy on the MBTs and you're in an AFV, don't bother shooting just spot. Heavy on AFVs and TDs and you're one of the only MBTs you better carry hard at the biggest choke point/city on the map, shoot lots of HEAT.) You will learn after experimentation and paying attention what I mean.
There is an I in team; look at the scoreboard at the end of any match and you will see a pattern. 20% of the players usually do 50% of the damage in an entire game.
Now right after saying that, I'm going to say, if you're alone in an area and you know more of the enemy are coming, GET OUT NOW. Most of the time it doesn't do any good to hold ground by yourself against 2-5 tanks IN MOST SITUATIONS.
Play tanks you like, don't force yourself to play the types of tanks you dislike. So far, I haven't found a tank I don't like, but I've only played 200 games of AW since the OBT so I'll get back to you on that.
Now those are really general, but after a few hundred games with this mind set, you will find your in-game performance to improve greatly.
If you want to see me get more specific then hold on to your pants and shirt and sunglasses. This is strictly my play style, and if anything doesn't fit with your play style then don't listen to me. I lean towards AFV's Lights TDS and faster MBTs, in that order. Also SPGs are a fun break from other classes, SPGs are really so different I almost consider them a whole different game.
A Note on ATGMs:
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles are a really fun part of Armored Warfare, ATGMs have perfect accuracy they go exactly where you aim them, so they have the highest skill cap of all ammo types. Here is some info and tips on ATGMs:
Higher Penetration, slightly more damage.
200m/s speed, which is REALLY slow.
Tanks with Explosive Reactive Armor can be annoying, look for holes in their ERA and the missile will usually go right through.
Fire ATGMs a lot, practice with them, learn to use their slow speed to your advantage.
You must be stationary to fire ATGMs, but you don't have to stay that way once you fire. The best way to fight a Swingfire is to ram them and keep driving so they can't fire their missiles. Also, don't circle the swingfires, it just gives them an easier time shooting you.
Employ the art of trick shots: Fire your missile above the tank you want it to hit, wait until its almost there and have it come down on them from an upper angle. if you do it right you can hit their front plate at a flat angle, the roof of their turret, and even their engine deck if you wait long enough (although I don't recommend this at first
), but it should be possible. (missiles actually have a maximum turn arc you can predict, at least in my observations, we will see when we get training rooms).
Since your missiles are so slow, a lot of the time if you're far away and using them you can effectively switch targets if the tank you're firing at is destroyed.
AFV:
You're fast, use your speed to get into key spotting positions or ambush positions if the MM gives you a light armor enemy. Every AFV is so different, its hard to say really anything that covers all of the AFVs. Your priority should go like this:
Spotting
Spotting damage
Killing low HP tanks
Be annoying (HE spam, let people know you're somewhere, then show up somewhere else).
Take advantage of every opening (damage)
Lights:
Again, you're fast, use your speed and accuracy to fire on the move lots. Most lights have really good guns too, so you can snipe next too TDs and still be good. It depends what the MM gives you. If the enemy is light, you can play closer to the front, but if there are a lot of MBTs, try to hang back and lead a flank if you can. Smokes are nice but I hardly ever use em, I should probably start doing that and you should too.
TD:
You're fast, haha yeah I like fast tanks. Well most TDs are fast, (I don't consider the Zhalo to be fast). Use your camo, vision, and amazing gun to just sit back and damage farm. I basically just damage farm in my TDs. Get as high on every map as you possibly can. Also, take note of where you get shot from by TDs while playing other classes, you can find some really good spots that way. You have literally no armor so only brawl with your teammates right next to you, pretty much avoid citys.
A lot of TDs have a pretty good camo rating, but not all of them do. Do some research and try to keep in your mind how much view range the enemy AFVs have and if they can spot you before you can while firing.
SPG:
So, you just shoot stuff, and move every now and then... Right? NO. Don't fire at anything more than once, unless it is your only option. I like to switch between counter battery and firing at tanks in a 4:1 ratio, 4 shells to tanks, 1 to SPG. (Keeping the enemy SPG on edge will help your team more than just shooting the enemy tanks). Smokes and illuminations are P good, again I haven't really used em much yet. I will though.
MBT:
You are slow, you have almost no vision, but you have everything else. Learn weakspots and fire HEAT whenever you can. More damage is better, but do your research and look at the damage/penetration values on all your ammos/tanks and armor of all your tanks; know what you're up against. If you can't pen with HEAT, fire AP, if you can't pen with either, just fire HE at the enemy MBTs gun a few times to annoy them.
Tank specific guides:
So, I'll post some guides on specific tanks here if some of you guys are having problems with a tank, or I find myself doing really well in a tank and find some new inspirations from it. They will be pretty short, and I'll try to condense as much as possible. I would love to do a guide on every tank, but that may get redundant, so I'll stick with the ones I'm really good at, and the ones you guys seem to hate the most, I'm going to play the Starship one of these days.
Swingfire:
You have the speed of a MBT, in some cases (especially downhill) MBTs will actually pass you. You only have ATGMs which work pretty well at 100-300m ranges. The veiwrange is really good, so use that at every opportunity, go to the edge of the most open place on the map and sit on the top of a hill you can back down, beside small buildings or even a rock to hide behind. Watch every tank that is spotted near you. If they suddenly look at you or shoot your way you can know when to back off before the spotting indicator even goes off.
When you play the Swingfire, inevitably you will make a mistake and find yourself alone with a tank coming for you. If you're going to use your "gun" to stop it, here are some tips:
Face away from them but try not to face nearby obstructions
Let them come, you have to be sitting still to fire and they don't, if you can't kill them with two shots or you miss you pretty much lose because most tanks that find you will be faster than you.
If you can, stay in as open and flat of an area as possible for this engagement, most players will try to circle you (which is stupid: see "A Note on ATGMs") which is good for you, just take your time and hold your mouse ahead of their tank a bit, remember your missiles are slow lead them a lot.
I haven't tried this to see if it works or not, but I will later today. So take this as experimental for now: Fire your missile up and away for awhile before aiming at your target again, the missile should make a large U-turn and you will have an easier time hitting your target.
T-64:
If any of this is confusing, please let me know and I'll try to fix it or add something via suggestion. I'm always open for a platoon so talk to me if I'm on TS. It is really hard to describe in a small amount of words over 10,000 battles of experience, so just play hard with the right mentality and you will succeed. For me it has always been a mind set more than anything, if I'm frustrated I just stop playing. This IS STILL A GAME!!! It really is, but yeah. Really, its a game. I think.
:S
[10/17/2015]V 0.1 ~original information, and many checks for grammar
[10/21/2015]V 0.2 A little more grammar, "A Note on ATGMs", Tanks specific guides section, added to the TDs section
First off I'm going to say I will try really hard in this to keep my tone from being elitist, because that is not what I'm trying to convey. Right now I just want to help all of you to improve your in-game performance if you want to do so. If you don't want to you can stop reading now, I understand. I made the font a little bigger because I hate tiny font!
For me, playing and improving is a HUGE part of my enjoyment. When I feel stagnated or like I personally am not doing well I start to dislike AW. So with that said I can start laying out everything I have learned after playing WoT for 2 years, AW for the last few months, and various other game (War Thunder tanks for like a week (so bad lol)). This is how I play solo-pub and in platoons when there isn't a real direction of where to go or who to play with which is totally different.
The biggest number one thing you must do to get better is direct all frustration to your self. Now that I said it, let me explain:
You must be critical of everything you do in-game. You must learn from every mistake. You must look at yourself and ask why I just died without any real contribution to my team. You have to look at every defeat, victory and draw in the same way: What did I do wrong?
Information is key. Take a look at the mini-map, listen for the sound when new targets are spotted. Knowing when to push and when to fall back is based on the info on the mini-map.
Learn everything about what the match maker gives you. Don't complain, just do what is best. (Heavy on the MBTs and you're in an AFV, don't bother shooting just spot. Heavy on AFVs and TDs and you're one of the only MBTs you better carry hard at the biggest choke point/city on the map, shoot lots of HEAT.) You will learn after experimentation and paying attention what I mean.
There is an I in team; look at the scoreboard at the end of any match and you will see a pattern. 20% of the players usually do 50% of the damage in an entire game.
Now right after saying that, I'm going to say, if you're alone in an area and you know more of the enemy are coming, GET OUT NOW. Most of the time it doesn't do any good to hold ground by yourself against 2-5 tanks IN MOST SITUATIONS.
Play tanks you like, don't force yourself to play the types of tanks you dislike. So far, I haven't found a tank I don't like, but I've only played 200 games of AW since the OBT so I'll get back to you on that.
Now those are really general, but after a few hundred games with this mind set, you will find your in-game performance to improve greatly.
If you want to see me get more specific then hold on to your pants and shirt and sunglasses. This is strictly my play style, and if anything doesn't fit with your play style then don't listen to me. I lean towards AFV's Lights TDS and faster MBTs, in that order. Also SPGs are a fun break from other classes, SPGs are really so different I almost consider them a whole different game.
A Note on ATGMs:
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles are a really fun part of Armored Warfare, ATGMs have perfect accuracy they go exactly where you aim them, so they have the highest skill cap of all ammo types. Here is some info and tips on ATGMs:
Higher Penetration, slightly more damage.
200m/s speed, which is REALLY slow.
Tanks with Explosive Reactive Armor can be annoying, look for holes in their ERA and the missile will usually go right through.
Fire ATGMs a lot, practice with them, learn to use their slow speed to your advantage.
You must be stationary to fire ATGMs, but you don't have to stay that way once you fire. The best way to fight a Swingfire is to ram them and keep driving so they can't fire their missiles. Also, don't circle the swingfires, it just gives them an easier time shooting you.
Employ the art of trick shots: Fire your missile above the tank you want it to hit, wait until its almost there and have it come down on them from an upper angle. if you do it right you can hit their front plate at a flat angle, the roof of their turret, and even their engine deck if you wait long enough (although I don't recommend this at first
), but it should be possible. (missiles actually have a maximum turn arc you can predict, at least in my observations, we will see when we get training rooms). Since your missiles are so slow, a lot of the time if you're far away and using them you can effectively switch targets if the tank you're firing at is destroyed.
AFV:
You're fast, use your speed to get into key spotting positions or ambush positions if the MM gives you a light armor enemy. Every AFV is so different, its hard to say really anything that covers all of the AFVs. Your priority should go like this:
Spotting
Spotting damage
Killing low HP tanks
Be annoying (HE spam, let people know you're somewhere, then show up somewhere else).
Take advantage of every opening (damage)
Lights:
Again, you're fast, use your speed and accuracy to fire on the move lots. Most lights have really good guns too, so you can snipe next too TDs and still be good. It depends what the MM gives you. If the enemy is light, you can play closer to the front, but if there are a lot of MBTs, try to hang back and lead a flank if you can. Smokes are nice but I hardly ever use em, I should probably start doing that and you should too.
TD:
You're fast, haha yeah I like fast tanks. Well most TDs are fast, (I don't consider the Zhalo to be fast). Use your camo, vision, and amazing gun to just sit back and damage farm. I basically just damage farm in my TDs. Get as high on every map as you possibly can. Also, take note of where you get shot from by TDs while playing other classes, you can find some really good spots that way. You have literally no armor so only brawl with your teammates right next to you, pretty much avoid citys.
A lot of TDs have a pretty good camo rating, but not all of them do. Do some research and try to keep in your mind how much view range the enemy AFVs have and if they can spot you before you can while firing.
SPG:
So, you just shoot stuff, and move every now and then... Right? NO. Don't fire at anything more than once, unless it is your only option. I like to switch between counter battery and firing at tanks in a 4:1 ratio, 4 shells to tanks, 1 to SPG. (Keeping the enemy SPG on edge will help your team more than just shooting the enemy tanks). Smokes and illuminations are P good, again I haven't really used em much yet. I will though.
MBT:
You are slow, you have almost no vision, but you have everything else. Learn weakspots and fire HEAT whenever you can. More damage is better, but do your research and look at the damage/penetration values on all your ammos/tanks and armor of all your tanks; know what you're up against. If you can't pen with HEAT, fire AP, if you can't pen with either, just fire HE at the enemy MBTs gun a few times to annoy them.
Tank specific guides:
So, I'll post some guides on specific tanks here if some of you guys are having problems with a tank, or I find myself doing really well in a tank and find some new inspirations from it. They will be pretty short, and I'll try to condense as much as possible. I would love to do a guide on every tank, but that may get redundant, so I'll stick with the ones I'm really good at, and the ones you guys seem to hate the most, I'm going to play the Starship one of these days.
Swingfire:
You have the speed of a MBT, in some cases (especially downhill) MBTs will actually pass you. You only have ATGMs which work pretty well at 100-300m ranges. The veiwrange is really good, so use that at every opportunity, go to the edge of the most open place on the map and sit on the top of a hill you can back down, beside small buildings or even a rock to hide behind. Watch every tank that is spotted near you. If they suddenly look at you or shoot your way you can know when to back off before the spotting indicator even goes off.
When you play the Swingfire, inevitably you will make a mistake and find yourself alone with a tank coming for you. If you're going to use your "gun" to stop it, here are some tips:
Face away from them but try not to face nearby obstructions
Let them come, you have to be sitting still to fire and they don't, if you can't kill them with two shots or you miss you pretty much lose because most tanks that find you will be faster than you.
If you can, stay in as open and flat of an area as possible for this engagement, most players will try to circle you (which is stupid: see "A Note on ATGMs") which is good for you, just take your time and hold your mouse ahead of their tank a bit, remember your missiles are slow lead them a lot.
I haven't tried this to see if it works or not, but I will later today. So take this as experimental for now: Fire your missile up and away for awhile before aiming at your target again, the missile should make a large U-turn and you will have an easier time hitting your target.
T-64:
If any of this is confusing, please let me know and I'll try to fix it or add something via suggestion. I'm always open for a platoon so talk to me if I'm on TS. It is really hard to describe in a small amount of words over 10,000 battles of experience, so just play hard with the right mentality and you will succeed. For me it has always been a mind set more than anything, if I'm frustrated I just stop playing. This IS STILL A GAME!!! It really is, but yeah. Really, its a game. I think.
:S
? 
