Tanking

[PuppetZ]

It was a genuine question. And I don't think I deserved being called a troll because of that. It's the "help and training" forum after all....

Have nice day sir

[FireDrgn]

H.E. is great for vulching airplanes on the runway...    

[FireDrgn]

Both tactics can be used depends on the other tanker more than anything else.  Next is type of tank and its Armour.  Your really fighting the person not the tank....   Example someone can take out a tiger and is easy to kill if your aggressive and hes a relatively poor shot.    then you can get someone good in a panzer and they will tare you a new one most of the time.

So really you need all the tools in your tool bag and not get stuck with just one set of best defensive options.    Some times the very best defence is (offensive) knowing when to turn your motor on move to the flank and be aggressive.  then possibly move back to better defensive position.   Knowing when to trade defensive position for an offensive one is critical....  when someone knows your dug in and you know there coming back for you..  moving behind them is like taking candy from a baby...
In real life dead men told no tales so defensive positions dont have as much potential as  they possibly should.

The hull down is ok sometimes  Some can sight with pintial gun and shoot from behind hills..  I have not tanked with the new settings much. so im sure some stuff has changed.   

hope it helps.<S>

[Butcher]

Ok. Sorry, my bad. Seems I was right about the HVAP loosing too much E at least....

What are HE round for then? Light armored vehicle?

AP Rounds are Armored Piercing used against Tanks (Light to Heavy), HVAP is High Velocity Armored Piercing which is used up to roughly up to 1k or so for an added punch, For example a normal T34/85 AP round will not punch through a Tiger at 800, however a HVAP Will easily.

HE is High Explosive used to De-ack fields, take down buildings (Town or airfield etc) and sometimes can be used against tanks, now this is rarely done but at 200-400 yards you can punch a hole through an M4/T34 from the side or rear, I don't recommend attempting to because of the short range.

In normal defense of a base I would take all AP/HVAP rounds (depending the tank for example a M4(76) take all AP or T34/85 take the AP/HVAP.

On attacking a base (such as an Airfield) it really depends the load out you want, I for example generally take 40% Ap and 60% HE, it depends which tank you really take - for example an M4(75) has a very weak gun, but has a ton of ammo, you might want to take 90 HE while a squadie or friend takes an M4(76) with majority being AP.

Really comes down to strategy of how you want to employ your tank, normally on attacking an airfield I go right for the runway

[Tank-Ace]

FireDragn, I've always found that, not only defending agressivly, but even going over to the offensive is very effective.

Theres just something a little but unnerving about a tank charging toward you at full speed, managing to aim the gun and score hits (even if ricochets) at full speed. You know hes good, and that if he gets close enough, or just lucky, one of those shells might not ricochet.

Panthers in particular are very senstive to their flanks. If you charge them from head on, they'll hold their ground till they die in place, but if you hit them from the side, even if its an angling shot, they'll be falling back if they survive your first hit.

[321BAR]

Is that a serious question, or are you just trolling  ?

HE is high explosives. While they CAN be used on light armored vehicles, HTC has decided that, for whatever reason, HE rounds will bounce off of the lightly armored vehicles instead of exploding and damaging them (as represented by a hitsprite)

Rule of thumb: its its got armor, use armor piercing.

High Explosive rounds are used for town buildings, AA and AT emplacments on bases, and field structures such as radar, ordnance bunkers, and fuel.

jager ive damaged LAVs with HE. hit near them or just shoot directly on them. ive killed many M8s with HE

[Belial]

Butcher can take you to the TA I have a few training threads around here but frankly i've lost interest as a trainer.

But the thread linked in the 2nd post is still very much relevant to where to aim for kills.

The rest Butcher can explain and only a lot of practice will make you great.

[waystin2]

To answer your question I prefer the shoot and scoot methodology.  Fire, kill them(might take more than one shot), then move to next position.  Preferably advancing towards the enemy as opposed to another sit and wait layup.  Think angled when you stop at a fire position.  Meaning never try to put your frontal armor straight on to the incoming vehicles fire.  This increases your armor effectiveness and increases the possibility of less damaging hits and ricochets of enemy rounds.  Take time to shut your engine down and listen to what is going on around you.  This will help you fix position on friendly and enemy vehicles in your immediate area.  I use the Firefly exclusively and it seems to thrive in this role.  Good Hunting Sir!

 

Way

[Wiley]

Thanks for the help and advice, gents.  I believe I've got somewhat of a sense for it now.  I think I'll be ok for a bit.  Maybe I'll get hold of you in a little while, Butcher.  I'd like to let some of this congeal a bit in my head before I go to the TA.

Wiley.

[Tank-Ace]

jager ive damaged LAVs with HE. hit near them or just shoot directly on them. ive killed many M8s with HE

As I said, you CAN do it, its just less effective than AP rounds. If you HAVE to hit it, like you do with some vehicles (or else waste more HE rounds than I care to do), you might as well be shooting AP.


And again, as I said, as a rule of thumb.

[Butcher]

Thanks for the help and advice, gents.  I believe I've got somewhat of a sense for it now.  I think I'll be ok for a bit.  Maybe I'll get hold of you in a little while, Butcher.  I'd like to let some of this congeal a bit in my head before I go to the TA.

Wiley.

I will be in the Training Arena for the next hour, its 8pm EST right now

[321BAR]

As I said, you CAN do it, its just less effective than AP rounds. If you HAVE to hit it, like you do with some vehicles (or else waste more HE rounds than I care to do), you might as well be shooting AP.


And again, as I said, as a rule of thumb.

dunno bout you but ill use HE anytime against light vehicles over the AP... its just that much easier to kill them

[BaldEagl]

I drive Tigers almost exclusively these days and for me protecting myself from bombs is a bigger deal than other tanks.  I like to stand off from the battlefield (1600-3000 is ideal but longer ranges are ok), hidden from aircraft in a grove of trees but with a broad view of the terrain in front of me.  Aircraft will go for those closer to the front lines or, if no one else is in front of me at least have a harder time seeing my icon and calculating their best attack angle.

Lacking cover I look for terrain of similar color to the default skin color.

Once my position is known I may move to another location but that depends on the number of enemies, their skill levels, what they're using and what cover is available to them.  Sometimes I'll just sit in the open daring them to come for me.

[KG45]

as a fairly dedicated GVers these days. even tho I suck, I have a few observations, tips and tactics.

I prefer the T34-85. good gun, but mostly I likes its speed, fastest tracked GV, gets you to the action, or allows you to get away if things go wrong. good to start reducing the town before defenders get up.

if there's some aircover, the T34-76 with 100 rnds of HE is good town killer, but its glacial reload times make the process laborious.

I'll sometimes take a M4 out to defend a base, stable gun platform, fast reloading, but just too slow as an offensive weapon for my taste. same for Pzrs and Tiggers

M8 used to be more fun till they switched to its hazy gunsite optics. used to pork bases with it. 2x 37mm AP shots to a Pzr IV's turret from an M8 will disable it.

I've killed tanks w/ 75mm HE, if the trajectory had some arc to it and the round landed on top of the turret or engine deck. HE rounds will kill acks just landing in proximity, but it seems to take a direct hit by the AP. it takes 2 rnds of HE to kill a bldg, 3 rnds of AP.

Wirble/Osti turrets can be disabled by .50  MG fire.

AP rounds will sometimes go thru thin-skinned GVs, which is why HE can be more effective.

I prefer to keep to the flanks whether attacking or defending. easier to set up bushwacks and get in flank shots. shoot then move. I try to hide in places I can back out of w/o looking behind me.

[Butcher]

KG45 Let me improve on the list -
M4(75) While not technically a tank killer, with a Larger HE load and Rockets, this m4 can defend itself while in town (due to the close range) and do some serious damage to towns.
M4(76) A Well balanced tank with a 50 cal on top, This M4 has a decent gun, average armor and speed, It can be used on defense or offense.
T34(76): One of the rare tanks to see in the game, although its speed is excellent, the gun is below average as well as armor, wouldn't classify it as an offensive or defensive tank mainly because I rarely have seen these.
T34(85): This is my preferred (under 5 perk) tank. Its speed is excellent, Its main gun has HVAP which can kill a Tiger/Panther under 1200, however its armor is only average in the hull and decent in the turret.
Panzer: Standard tank in the game, armor is average as well as the gun and speed, usually an offensive/defensive tank with no special qualities.
Panther: Crowned one of the best Medium tanks in World War 2, Superb gun which can knock out most tanks beyond a mile, the Armor excels in the front, but rather weak in the Lower front hull and rear, also has Speed to beat most tanks only short of the T34 series.
Tiger: Speed is average although very impressive for a 56ton tank, gun is a monster being the 88mm L/56 - and Armor is outstanding, The tank was most feared and only second to its Big Brother.
Tiger II: Armor is mostly untouchable unless you allow someone so close to get you from the front or side, Speed is poor, as well as acceleration, however the combination of Armor and Firepower being the 88mm L/71 - this tank can be unstoppable in the right hands.
LVT: No AP rounds, so only good for town killing or running troops
M3(75): Although 60mph seems impressive, its 75mm gun is only good if you manage to get behind someone at a fairly close range.
M8: cute little tank when its flying around before a simple Pintle gun stops it dead, the 37mm is a waste of time, although it can be good for de-acking airfields or towns if you can manage to not let the ack kill you first.
Jeep: Beep beep