Guide [Issue 35] Explained - Goldhunting

[S.C.Y.T.H.E 1,072]

Goldhunting

 

We all have seen the exhilarating golden message written in the sky. “Goldbox will be dropped soon” is a sentence that sends a rush of adrenaline through many tankers. What follows twenty seconds later is a white and gold cube falling onto a golden symbol. Whoever successfully takes this box usually receives One-thousand crystals.
Of course, this is Gefreiter stuff. Taking a goldbox sounds easy, but there are innumerable tricks and tactics designed to let a Tanker take the Goldbox. But before I get to that, I will focus on something else. 
 
Finding a map for Gold-hunting
 
Some maps are better than others for goldhunting. Smaller maps are sometimes better, as you are with less players, therefore increasing your chances of taking a goldbox. But, maps with speedily increasing funds will drop many more Goldboxes than other maps. 
Larger maps generally have larger funds and increase faster. Although, certain large maps do not have good battlefund increase. Monte-Carlo is notorious for low battlefunds, along with Lost Temple. But, two large maps, Dusseldorf and Madness, usually have great battlefunds. And battlefunds that increase at a good rate will drop more goldboxes. However, large maps have many, many more drop zones so it is much harder to locate the goldbox. Also, you will have a lot of competition fighting for the gold as well. All these factors contribute into making the Goldbox harder to catch. 
 
Smaller maps, on the other hand, may have a lower battlefund. Goldboxes will probably drop less frequently than in larger to medium sized maps. Although, smaller maps can still have very large battlefunds, as Tankers are closer together, leading to more deaths and increased battlefund. Maps like Ping-Pong, Island and Arena are prime examples. Also, in smaller maps, there are far fewer drop zones and less enemies, so your overall chances of taking a goldbox are boosted. 
Medium maps, such as Noise or Polygon, may be the best maps for gold hunting. They are the happy medium, containing high funds, but few drop zones. But, many tankers master the art of catching golds in these maps, so it can be tricky if you don’t have luck on your side. I would say that the most goldboxes drop in these middle-sized maps. 
 
So, what are the best maps for goldhunting? It depends on the particular battle and the combo that you are using, but certain maps are a lot better than others. If you are using Titan or Mammoth, I would say that Island, particularly Island CP, is the best map for you. You always can find the drop zone in Island, and Titan/Mammoth’s height, armor and weight will give you a huge advantage over your opponents. If you are using a medium hull, (hunter, Viking or dictator) I would say that medium maps are the best. Polygon, Noise, Garder, and Sandbox stand out among other maps. A Medium hull can usually find the drop zone in these maps, and has the speed to make necessary jumps to get the goldbox. For lighter hulls, large maps tend to be the best. Rio, Kungur, Serpuhov, Barda and Silence are good maps to go goldhunting with light hulls, as the drop zones are usually hard to locate and your speed will be very beneficial. 
 
Overall, the best map for goldhunting is Polygon, and I am sure many goldhunters would agree with me. The runner-ups are Island, Noise, and Arena. These maps require little luck, so a skilled player can frequently take the goldbox. Battle funds in these maps grow exceedingly quickly, and just about every hull has a good chance at taking the goldbox.  But of course, there is no map where you can take the goldbox 100% of the time. 
 
What to use while Goldhunting?
 
This is a rather controversial topic. But, there are some general guidelines to follow when picking a combination.
Hulls:
 
#1. Dictator
Dictator is probably your best bet for goldhunting. To be honest, it sometimes feels like 50% of all Goldboxes are taken by Dictators. There are several reasons behind this, but foremost is Dictator’s huge height advantage over the other hulls. Dictator is nearly a turret taller than all other hulls. So, when a Dictator is underneath the Goldbox, it will touch the Goldbox long before other hulls. Even if the corner of a Dictator is underneath the Goldbox, it will still take the goldbox first. This is immensely frustrating for other players :D. If a Dictator is even slightly underneath where the Goldbox is falling, it will always take it over the other hulls. One thing to note is that Dictator’s hitbox or collision model is just a huge block. If you look at the shape of a Dictator, the back is much higher than the front. But this doesn’t make any difference to taking boxes, because a Dictator is actually equally tall everywhere. Another trait that gives Dictator a large example in taking Goldboxes is its bulky size. It is very hard to climb on top of a Dictator, because it is so tall and big. Unless you jump from above, it is virtually impossible even with the help of a ramp. This goes a long way in stopping your Goldbox from being taken by a jump-hacker or preventing tankers from riding on top of you. Dictator is also very long, so when going into a handstand, it will be very tall. Dictator’s only basic drawback is its low top speed. It can be challenging to find the Drop-zone without a Speed boost or luck, and you can’t make as far jumps as other tanks. In all, I would say this is the best hull to use when going hunting for golds, although it may be slightly overrated. 
 
#2. Hunter
This is another great hull for catching goldboxes. It has decent height, allowing it to nab the goldbox before other hulls. Its height is comparable to a Titan, and I believe that Hunter is taller than Viking, Hornet, Wasp and Mammoth. Hunter is a bit lacking on armor, which can be a significant flaw in No-supplies battles. However, with a double-armor and a health kit, being killed before you can take the goldbox isn’t usually much of a problem. It has great speed, and in medium maps it can nearly always find the symbol. With the recent update, Hunter has very low weight. This is generally a flaw in Gold-rushes, as it makes it easier to push you off the symbol, and the hull is more prone to flipping than before. Also, when climbing atop other tanks, it can be easy to for the enemy hulls to swerve you off. Hunter is quite drifty for a medium hull, contributing to the problem. But, due to its lower weight, you can jump quite a bit farther with Hunter. This can be a crucial advantage in some situations. Overall, Hunter is (in my opinion) the second best hull for Goldhunting, though it can be unpredictable at times.
 
#3. Wasp
Wasp; unstable, yet blazing fast. This hull is very poor at taking the goldbox on flat ground, where it is impossible to climb or jump on top of enemies. It is extremely small and very light, and it will be shoved away from the Drop Zone like a box of crackers. It also happens to have the lowest armor value in the game, and if you aren’t careful, you will be destroyed long before the Goldbox begins to fall. However, this is possibly the best hull in the game for jumping on top of opponents from above, or using ramps to your advantage. If the Goldbox warning goes off and you find the mark, you need to take the high-ground. If you are close enough to jump directly on top of the symbol, wait until the last second before you jump. If you aren’t close enough to jump on top of the symbol, you can jump on top of other tanks and take the Goldbox. Also, Wasp is not that short. It is taller than both Hornet and Viking. Wasp’s speed is also very advantageous, as it can quickly find the drop-zone before any other hull. Also, Wasp’s low weight allows it to one trick that other hulls find very tricky to pull off. The trick is to go into a handstand by using your Turret’s recoil. If you have a weapon with recoil, you can shoot the front of your hull up. Even if your hull is lifted in a very small wheely, this will help you take the Goldbox sooner. With certain turrets, Railgun for instance, you can go into a nearly vertical handstand, making Wasp nearly twice as tall. 
 
#4. Titan
Titan is perhaps the best hull to use in small, close range maps like Island or Ping Pong. It has mediocre speed, but excellent armor and decent height. In these small maps, it will easily find the Drop Zone. However, do not automatically camp on top of the symbol. Your enemies will focus on you, due to your large armor, and usually kill you before the Goldbox drops. Instead, use Titan’s excellent pushing power to shove enemies off of the symbol. Do not go on top of the symbol until you can already see the Goldbox falling, unless there is some kind of exception. 
However, in more medium and larger maps, your tactics should be slightly different. Let’s take the map Polygon as an example. In Polygon, there is usually a massive rush for the goldbox, as the zone is quite easy to find. If you happen to find it using Titan, maneuver yourself in such a way that you will be shoved underneath the symbol by the sheer force of opponent tanks. Generally, if you manage to worm yourself underneath the symbol, tanks will charge for the gold on all sides thereby canceling out the pushing-force, allowing you to take the Goldbox without being shoved out from underneath it.
 With Titan, avoid jumping from above. Titan will not jump far, however it will fall and usually land upside down. You never want to be upside down during when the Goldbox is dropping. Don’t jump unless it is from a very long distance. Also, know that if Titan gets stuck sideways, you will not be able to use your impact force to knock yourself back upright. 
 
Turrets:
Keep in mind that Turrets do not have a collision model for taking the Goldbox. The Goldbox will glide through a turret without being taken. Only hulls can take a Goldbox. So, the height or shape of a turret makes no difference in the eyes of the Goldbox.
 
#1. Hammer
High damage, high impact force, and quick reload. I’d say that this turret is the best turret for taking goldboxes, as its high impact force allows a tanker to shoot enemies off from on top of them, or even flip enemies. Also, its high damage can easily kill enemies rushing for the gold. 
 
#2. Railgun
Impact force, with precision. Railgun is good for taking goldboxes for one reason: Its impact force, and in particular its impact force to one’s self. You can use Railgun’s impact force to climb on top of other tanks, to flip yourself into a handstand, or knock yourself back upright. You can even flip lighter hulls, decreasing your competition for the Goldbox.
 
#3. Firebird
Extremely high damage. This is Firebird’s key trait, and comes in handy in Goldbox rushes. Firebird is capable of destroying many enemies pressed underneath the Goldbox, especially when using a Double Damage. If you kill all your enemies, taking the Goldbox is a breeze. However, in Supply battles tankers can usually heal themselves. Also, you can’t kill your allies, and Firebird does not have any impact force, so if you get flipped sideways it is extremely frustrating. Firebird works best in DMs, where you can kill all tanks.
 
After the notification: Finding the symbol
 
Obviously, this is crucial for taking a goldbox. After the notification, “Goldbox will be dropped soon”, the next step is to find the drop-zone symbol. With recent updates, the Gold symbol can be found almost anywhere in a map, though almost never on ramps. Check out this topic for exceedingly useful information on where the Drop Zones are located in maps. 
 
The best way to frequently find the Gold symbol is to pick one common map that you like. Study this map, and play it very frequently. For me, this map is definitely Polygon. If you pick one map, you will quickly learn the common drop locations and finding the symbol can be easier. 
 
There are a few tricks and tips that come in handy when searching for the symbol. 

• Don’t flip. Don’t make risky jumps or moves, because if you land upside down, there is just about a 0% chance of you taking the Goldbox. Stay out of the way of Hammers and Railguns, as murderous players will flip you on purpose to increase their chances of find the Goldbox.
• Don’t go out of your way for no reason. Don’t randomly head to the corner of the map, as you will rarely find the symbol but you will be significantly slowed down when you backtrack. Head for the center of the map, generally the zones are located here and you will cover more ground. 
• If you see a cluster of tanks, this is a very good sign. Clusters of tanks usually mean that these tankers have found the drop location. You should immediately take interest, although keep your eye out to make sure that this isn’t a random cluster. Frequently, one tanker will randomly stop, or will bump into another. This looks like a clue for other tankers, attracting more and more players to a place where the Goldbox isn’t even dropping.
• Don’t annoy enemies unless they are easy-kills. If you start killing enemies, this will attract attention from the entire enemy team. Unless you are sure that it is a good move, don’t pester the enemy tanks. Especially Freezes or Supply-Users. If you do happen to decide to kill enemies, focus on destroying Dictators.
• Remember your camera-angle keys. During the first ten seconds after the notification goes off, use your camera keys to move your camera angle to a nearly aerial view, high above your tank to maximize the ground that you can see at once. However, after ten or more seconds, one should lower your camera angle to a normal position to best make out clusters of enemy tanks, or to see the Goldbox falling from farther distances. 

Even if you play perfectly, there is nothing that can guarantee that you will find the symbol. Finding the drop zone is the must luck-based element of Goldhunting.
 
After you find the symbol
 
Now we’re talking. This is where real tactics and skill come in. Before anything else, examine the Goldbox zone. Is it on flat ground? Is there a ramp nearby leading up to the symbol? Is there a ramp leading down to the zone? Is there any way to jump from some kind of building or structure on top of the symbol? Is the drop-zone ‘underground’ in some manner? These are the main questions you should be asking in a blink of an eye. The following paragraphs are designed to grapple with certain kinds of drop zones.
 
If the zone is on flat ground; “Basic Gold”
 


 
I am sure that most of you are familiar with drop zones like this. This is where there is absolutely no way to get on top of other people (without lag), and you simply have to be underneath the Goldbox when it nears the ground. Drop zones like these largely occur in small maps. Island, Farm, Ping-Pong, Station and Zone come to mind, although in essentially every map you can find “Basic” drop-zones. 
Dictator certainly works extremely well for these positions, as Dictator is very tall and bulky. It is also heavy (so it is harder to shove it off of the zone) and has fairly good pushing-power. Other great hulls for drop zones similar to this are Hunter and Titan, because of their height and decent speed. 
 
When you encounter the golden symbol on the ground, usually other people have discovered it sooner. If you find the symbol several seconds after the notification, then try to worm your way directly underneath the symbol. If a large crowd has already developed, this can be nearly impossible. Attempt to wedge yourself in-between two other tanks, and shove lighter hulls out of the way. If a heavy tank is on top of the zone, try to destroy him. If you are head-to-head with another tank, both of you shoving, Twins is certainly the best turret because of its constant, heavy impact force. 
 
If fortune allows you to find the drop zone before many other tanks, then there are a few tactics you can use. The first thing that I would recommend doing is throwing on a Double Armor. Double Armor is the most useful supply to use in this situation, as the main problem you will face is being destroyed. If you can see several other tanks charging towards the symbol, be careful what you do. You don’t want to lose your chance at easily being on top of the Goldbox symbol. But you also don’t want to be killed or destroyed. If the other tanks approaching are lighter hulls, I would recommend stepping back from the Drop Zone, and when the Goldbox is already falling, shove the lighter hulls out of the way. If only a couple other tanks find the drop zone, position yourself on top of the symbol and be sure that the side of your hull is not facing your enemies. It is very easy to shove other tanks by pushing their sides since there is no way to push back. 
 
A trick that works well with Wasp or Hornet is to use your recoil to knock yourself into a sort of handstand. In a handstand all hulls are taller, allowing you to take the Goldbox higher up in the air before other hulls.
 
An “Underground” Goldbox
 
This is where the drop zone is underground, in a tunnel, or underneath any kind of structure. If there is something blocking you from seeing the skybox, then this counts as an underground goldbox. Why are underground Goldboxes special? Because the Goldbox doesn’t fall in a parachute. Twenty seconds after the notification, the Goldbox will suddenly appear directly on top of the Drop-zone symbol. 
Tactics for taking underground goldboxes are the reverse of all other types of goldboxes. Instead of climbing on top of other tanks, you want to stay underneath them and keep the body of your tank directly on top of the symbol. 
One thing that will give you a big advantage is realizing that a Goldbox is “underground”. Many other tanks will think that the Goldbox will fall from above as usual, and won’t be directly on top of the symbol. 
As for actual tactics, it hardly differs from “Basic” goldboxes. Stay on top of the drop zone, and don’t get killed. 
 
A “Ramp” Goldbox
 

 
 
A ramp goldbox is where the symbol is positioned directly in front of the upper end of a ramp. Drop zones like these occur surprisingly frequently throughout maps. When one finds a Ramp Goldbox, the obvious trick is to wait at the ramp. Then when the Goldbox nears the ground, accelerate and take the Goldbox in the air. Not only do you want to take it in the air before it touches the ground, but you should try to climb atop other tanks. Dictators, Titans and other bulky hulls are difficult to jump on top or over, so timing is crucial. Make sure not to climb on top of enemies or jump for the Goldbox too soon. As soon as you climb on top, just about everyone will try to kill you or swerve you off from on top of them. And the longer you are on top, the more time they have to destroy you or knock you from your perch.
 
Not all hulls work in this position. Mammoth, Titan and M1-M0 Dictator lack the speed or acceleration to easily jump on top of tanks from small ramps. So, what should one do when using a Titan during a Ramp Goldbox? The trick is to camp on top of the symbol, but back up so that the back of your hull is on top of the ramp. This makes it impossible for someone to climb on top of you from the ramp. And if they push hard enough, it will nearly flip you into a handstand which is useful in many situations. 
 
A “Jump” Goldbox
 



 
 
This is perhaps the trickiest type of drop zone. In these positions, the Goldbox falls onto the predictable drop symbol, but structures around the zone allow tanks to jump from above and take the Goldbox in mid-air. 
First of all, you have to realize that there is a way to jump onto the Goldbox from above. One needs to know how to control their hull, and how far they can jump. Also, one needs good judgment. If you find the symbol fifteen seconds after the notification, it might not be a good idea to waste time getting to a position to jump. However, if you immediately find the symbol you have a lot more spare time to attempt to jump. 
If you see the symbol, look around. Many times you will see tankers in positions to jump already. If you don’t get up there in time, there is a very low chance you will end up taking the Goldbox. 
 
What should you do if there are one or more tankers plotting on jumping from the same place as you? The dilemma is: Should you get in front of them, get behind, or try to destroy them? If they are using weak hulls, (hornet or below) and you are using a strong hull and turret, you should attempt to destroy them. Eliminating competition is one crucial tactic for stealing a Goldbox. But frequently they are on your same team, and you can’t destroy them. Or, your opponent is using a powerful Hammer/Dictator and you don’t want to risk aggravating them. Should you get in front, or behind? If you get in front, you have a chance at jumping sooner than everyone else. But, enemies are more likely to destroy you if you are in front. Also many will try to shove you off before the Goldbox is in range. First of all, how many tanks are trying to jump? If there are two or more, (not including you) getting in front can be risky. Aggressive tankers will shoot you and push you off. But someone has to be in front! Whoever is in front generally will take the Goldbox, unless they jump too soon. Do your opponent have high-powered hulls like Viking or Titan? This makes it a lot easier for them to shove you off. If you get behind the other tanks, with luck you can shove them off first. In these situations, use your own judgement and evaluate the risks. And remember, a strong element in all aspects of taking Goldboxes is luck. 
 
One thing to remember: Don’t jump too soon. If you jump too soon, this gives other tankers a chance to jump after you, or get on top of you. Basically, wait until the last second to jump, as this greatly increases the chance of you successfully taking the Goldbox.
 
“Composite” Goldboxes

A good example of a composite goldbox. I could have tried to jump from the ramp below, but chose to jump from the platform above.
 
Occasionally you may find yourself in a position where there are multiple ways to take the Goldbox. For example, sometimes there is a ramp below the Goldbox, and a place to jump above the Goldbox. Or, there are multiple places to jump. There is basically one key rule to abide by: Jump. If you have the option from jumping from above, or using a ramp from below, choose the jump from above. Jumping is a lot more up to you than from a ramp, and also takes less time. Sometimes you simply can’t climb on top from a ramp. But, one can basically always jump from above. What happens if there are two positions to jump from? Take the higher position! This will let you jump sooner and take the Goldbox before the people from the other jumping position. What to do if both jumping positions are from the same location? Jump from the position with less other tanks. 
 
Handstands
 

 
Handstands are where your tank stands on its end. This makes your hull much taller, and you will take the Goldbox much sooner than the other hulls. A Handstand is a well-known trick by most goldhunters, and is essential in XP-BP. When using wasp or hornet, high impact weapons are very useful. There are several ways to put yourself into a handstand. 
 
The most common way is to attempt to do the ‘sandwich trick’ with wasp. Use Wasp’s torque to put yourself into a sort of wheelie, by driving a few feet backwards and suddenly forwards. At the same time, fire Railgun or Hammer to knock yourself into a handstand. This trick also will allow you to climb on top of enemies, besides going into a handstand. This is best used in Ramp Goldboxes or Basic Goldboxes.
There is a pretty common way to go into a handstand during ‘jump goldboxes’. Hammer, Thunder or Railgun works well for this trick. At the same time as jumping off of a structure, turn your turret in the opposite direction you are falling. This is tricky, because now you are driving backwards off of the structure and it is hard to see. At the same time as you begin to fall, shoot your turret (make sure you are still facing the opposite direction of the goldboxes). Your impact force should knock you into a backward-handstand in mid-air.
 
I already mentioned the final way to go into a handstand. This works only in Ramp goldboxes. Position your hull on flat ground, but back your hull up so that a foot or so of your hull is hanging over the ramp. Now, tanks can’t climb or jump on top of you, and when they push, it will push the rear of your hull into the air. With luck, you will go into a handstand. Even if you don't go into a complete handstand, often times other tanks will go underneath you allowing you to climb on top of the pile.

                                                                                                                                                                                                

By the way, all of the goldboxes in these gifs were caught by me

Edited July 30, 2017 by Hexed

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Good Article @S.C.Y.T.H.E  :)

[stanzhang 3,291]

Love it :D

[asghar-1 15]

Nice :D

[lukey0 27,543]

Well written guide that well explains the main points on Gold Hunting. :)

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Excellent guide in general. I was quite shocked that for once a newspaper guide on goldboxes actually contained useful stuff.

 

One thing however, you said that it is impossible to use wasp to get on other tanks in "flat ground" scenarios. This is utterly wrong as several famous YouTubers have shown such as max1221 who is a genius at using wasp and hammer/smoky/rail to shoot himself up onto a huge pile of tanks.

 

Another important thing about dictator- not only is it a huge block rather than the shape it appears to be- but also it is wider than it looks. So even in some cases if a dictator isn't underneath the gold AT ALL- in reality it is.

[CombatCat2 248]

Hulls:

 

#1. Dictator

 

#2. Hunter

 

#3. Wasp

 

#4. Titan

I feel like you're missing a hull. One by the name of Hornet. 

Because you can catch some good golds with Hornet too...

 

 

(click on them to make them bigger)

 

 

 

 

All of these pictures were taken after Christmas of 2014. That's about the extent of my goldhunting. All with HORNET.

 

Except for that, outstanding job! Hopefully I can catch some more golds now...

Edited May 30, 2015 by CombatCat2

[anshi_bringitup 16]

I recommend to Play on Maps like Polygon and  Massarce  because they are just my favorite maps to catch Goldbox..!!!

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

An Inspiring Topic for Gold Hunters to be Constant and Constant Players to Be Gold-Hunters :D

[liverpoolaum 811]

nice

[tankkipankki 72]

i love this article! I don't know about you guys but every time i  take the gold or i was really close to it my heart start to pump faster and i feel it in my head XD just for 5 sec but anyway very good article from you S.C.Y.T.H.E 

Edited June 2, 2015 by tankkipankki

[Karma 1,215]

Nice article  S.C.Y.T.H.E  Good..!!

[I3ANNED 1,693]

 

 

There are a few trips and tips that come in handy when searching for the symbol. 

 

 

Is that supposed to say tricks and tips? Anyway, awesome topic!

[KINGPIN2000 1]

I have all my goldboxes with a hornet

:D

[slycleaversmart 1,154]

Great. I will use the hand stand trick with my wasp m1  B) :D i am the goldbox  :ph34r:  :D thanks for the tips

[unal2006 11]

u were sythe the hand stand worked

i was right behind it would have mine ot justin u were soo lucky

[newrohan 1,040]

Great work! :)

[mohid1593 266]

good news !

Edited June 3, 2015 by mohid1593

[Rockerul56 0]

good but is hard found the goldbox

[justin_the_prosurfer 1,116]

Good work scythe , keep it up & the entire tanki online is very thankful for you tips & skills sharing :) 

 

 

~JTP~

[wild001 786]

good tricks, good for gold hunter starters,

 

although once you see the people's trick, you will learn from real battles.

 

like use friend as a stack of tanker when gold rushes.

[r_GaIaxy2 8,611]

Well done. Very interesting.

[fed8677 0]

this was very useful

[nakindian 1]

i was just doing timepass in sandbox with my friend he kill 19  approximately i just killed him 1or2 time and goldbox dropped on tanki bday and i getted it  it was just 15 min battle it falls on first battle

[uzairjan_pro 8]

i use smaller map most of tthe time for gold box or even medium maps like noise to take easy gold but using big map like madness are hard for gold.i use dicator or wasp for gold and turret or riochelet or firebird.mostly i use combe polygon camp and silence for gold box