[Issue 64] [Review] Beyond M3: Field Tests I

[Hex 11,520]

 

 

 

 

Choosing the way you play and what you play with are two of the most influential steps a tanker goes through in the beginning and middle stages of their career. Both decisions are relatively quite easy, but it is the final stage where most tankers face difficulties. While micro-upgrading at beginner stages is easier, making an item M4 is a difficult task, considering that doing so eats up hundreds of thousands of crystals, usually per upgrade. Plus, the decision of which turret or hull to M4 first itself is a hard one, especially if someone plays with a wide variety of combinations.

 

This article series aims to clear these last-stage confusions, paving way for a more cost-effective and strategic account.

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Introduction:

 

I have already written most of the basics of this article in the introduction, let me explain what I will actually do:

• I'll select a M4 combination.
• I'll select a map.
• Then, I will play with that combination on that map with supplies.
• Then, I will use the same combination in another map without using supplies.
• While playing, I'll grab notes and take pictures; then explain my findings and tests in an article, like this one.

 

Now, here are the things that will remain constant in this article series:

• I'll explain three combinations in each article.
• There will be a poll in each article which aims at collecting information regarding the most popularly voted combinations. In the next article, I'll test and write about those combinations (which you people voted for).
• There will always be two maps for each combination.
• The mode will always be CTF, as it tests a players knowledge of the map various vantage points (as in CP), skills in the enemy base (as in DM) and finally, effectiveness in defensive offense (as in TDM).
• Finally, there will be two ratings for each combination - one for use with supplies and one without.

 

That being said, let's jump right into the field!

 

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Smoky-Wasp:

 

First up: the light, swift and agile combination of Smoky and Wasp. There are people who might say that Smoky works best with Viking, or Titan. But the thing is, different people have different opinions. Some like to midfield and go with Smoky-Viking, while some like to defensive and use Smoky-Titan.

 

Other than events and organized battles, I have seen only a handful of people using Smoky and Wasp. According to the majority of tankers, Wasp just doesn't have enough hit-points for it to be used in a CTF battle. What's more is that when you pair Wasp with a powerful turret like Smoky, the combination becomes very difficult to control. If you get hit by a Thunder, another Smoky, Railgun, Shaft or just any high-recoil turret, you will swerve and lose control of the direction you were going in. 

 

Theory:

Well, I certainly agree with the facts stated above. Is Wasp-Smoky too "underweight" to fight with the big boys? Can it be effectively used in a battle so that it isn't categorized as a "mult combo"?

 

Experiments and Tests:

First, I jumped straight into Industrial Zone. This map seemed as a good candidate for testing Smoky and Wasp in, as it had enough cover for me to hide behind and surprisingly, enough routes for me to effectively penetrate the enemy base.

 

 

After getting myself ready and acquiring all sorts of snacks and juices, I played my first battle using Smoky and Wasp:

 

Battle Result - Industrial Zone CTF | Smoky-Wasp + Kodiak T-C + Supplies

 

First impressions on the result? I was quite surprised by this to be honest. I was using the Kodiak T-C module, which gave me a massive 50% against Twins, Railgun and Thunder - the three turrets I was fearing would be used in majority in the map I joined. Sure enough, my instincts were right - there were a lot of Thunders and Twins, as well as a couple of Railguns.

 

Now, let's break down this result:

 

 

I started off strong - I captured a flag in the first minute off the battle, pretty much owing to my Wasp's speed and agility. I used the tunnel for attacking, and escaped via the tunnel as well.

 

During my second raid ~

 

 

Yes, I flipped. This is one of negative aspects of using Wasp in a battle. Though medium hulls also risk flipping if shot directly, they are very stable and can regain their tracks to carry on what they were doing. But Wasp on the other hand, is incredibly unstable due to its weight and speed.

 

Then, I captured two more flags and helped out with defense once the enemy got furious that a small, lil Wasp kept stealing their flags.

 

Two minutes later, I found myself in a big situation ~

 

 

Both of these "big boys" were aiming to kill me. I was using the tunnel to sneak into the Blue base, but stumbled upon an angry Thunder and a huge Shaft. Luckily, the Shaft was unable to hit me as it missed its first, fully loaded shot because I kept swerving around, causing the Shaft to miss. Then, I took out the Thunder and made my way to the flag, but died from a mine.

 

:mellow:

 

Anyways, it was quite a good battle.

 

 

Afterwards, I jumped straight into another battle to play with this combination with Smoky and Wasp. Alekdasjasbdavk Aleksandrovsk.

 

Battle Result - Aleksandrovsk CTF | Smoky-Wasp + Badger T-B

 

Uhh, yeah.

 

:mellow:

 

I'm straight gonna go into dissection, and explain what happened.

 

Now, even though Smoky is one heck of a turret - one that can deal lots and lots of damage and can kill enemies in just under five seconds (in most cases), it just can't be paired with Wasp. The thing with Wasp is that it just doesn't have that many hitpoints and weight for it to be successful in a battle, especially in a one where you aren't using supplies.

 

I knew this, so I started to camp at the far right side of my base, sniping and shooting people who crossed my line of sight. Each shot dealt little damage, but I bore with it and kept doing my job: try not to be the mult on the team.

 

 

Even though no one cared about me and just ignored me to go to our flag, I didn't follow 'em. I stayed there and kept shooting everyone to increase my score somehow and someway. It didn't work - too little damage, I was barely scathing those M3-4 people.

 

I tried to change my strategy ~

 

 

Yep, helping with defense. This way, I thought I would gain more score, because I would be shooting people attacking our base and eventually kill them with the help of others. I was right, but was more of a "dead weight" to my team. By the time I made my third shot on most tanks, the Shaft below me took 'em out, stealing all my points.

 

Desperately hungry for points, I started to move here and there to shoot and try to kill anyone in my sight. Didn't work. So, I changed my strategy again - to attack.

 

Attack? With no supplies? lol.

 

Yeah, with no supplies. I thought I would sneak into the enemy base using the edges of the map, steal their flag and then run as fast as I can. To begin my journey to the enemy base, I sat ducks in the middle of the road trying to get this Speed Boost, completely unaware and vulnerable to any sort of weapon that could just kill me in an instant.

 

 

Once I got this, I tried to sneak into the enemy base, but as I knew, ran straight into the face of a mad Twins-Titan, who killed me in an instant. Full of anger and with just 00:20 seconds remaining in the battle, I sat in the corner, crying at my failed attempts.

 

 

Results:

With supplies, Smoky-Wasp can be a fatal opponent, but when it's used without supplies, it will no more than a burden for your team.

 

 

Ricochet-Viking:

 

Next up, the fierce, dangerous and killer combination of Ricochet and Viking. Thank God the experimentation for Smoky-Wasp was finally over, and I could move to a much stronger and stable combination. The combination of Ricochet-Viking is a very strong, energetic and a chaotic one, because first of all, you have Ricochet - a turret with massive damage and one that can hit anyone, anywhere. Secondly, you have one of those most sought-after hulls - Viking, owing much to its perfect statistics, such as health, weight, maneuverability and steadfastness.

 

This combination is an all-time favorite for seasoned players. Even with a hull other than Viking, Ricochet can provide the damage one needs to take out just about anyone.

 

Theory:

This time too, I was relying on the damage of Ricochet and and stability of Viking to excel in battles. Can Ricochet be used effectively with Ricochet in any battle? Could Ricochet survive without supplies?

 

Experiments and Tests:

For my first map - in which I was going to use supplies, I chose Brest. This map seemed good, because I would be able to test Ricochet and Viking to their limits. For Ricochet, I had to test range, damage and just how easy it is to hit someone if a lot of people are hitting you; while for Viking, I had to test its speed and healthpoints.

 

 

Following the same procedures as I did before, I jumped straight into a Brest CTF, to test my awesome-looking Ricochet-Viking and Kaleidoscope!

 

Battle Result - Brest CTF | Ricochet-Viking + Grizzly T-J + Supplies

 

So, what really happened? Note that I just had the proper Ricochet-Viking, without any alterations equipped. So I couldn't make my projectiles go faster. While Grizzly T-J gave me 50% protection against Hammer, Smoky and Railgun, I was pawning people in the enemy base with my M4 Ricochet.

 

Let's jump into dissection ~

 

 

Unfortunately, I have lost all screenshots from this battle. But, in a nutshell, here's what happened:

• I used the walls and edges of ramps to shoot people from a safe place.
• I always made my way to the enemy base to kill them. I would just ignore people in the middle, as their base contained more people that I could just kill in an instant.
• I used supplies - Double Power all the time.

 

To test Ricochet-Viking without supplies, I once again stepped into Aleksandrovsk.

 

Battle Result - Aleksandrovsk CTF | Ricochet-Viking + Grizzly T-J

 

To be honest, I wasn't even expecting this when this battle began. Still, I managed to get myself a little up on the leaderboard, with all those other non-druggers.

 

 

In the beginning of the battle, I spawned near the end of this road. When I spawned, I saw this Viking and Hammer coming up from the ramp, aiming to kill me. But, since I was Ricochet, I started firing onto that Viking from far away. He used a Repair Kit and got close to me. In the end, we killed each other.

 

Yep, like that's really real. When I looked back in my recording, I noticed that the Hammer shot me first and I died, but my projectile hit him/her soon after, resulting in him/her getting killed too.

 

B)

 

 

Now that I knew that Viking and Ricochet could probably work when used correctly, I started to play and kill as many people I could. I knew that I had to attack sometime, but I started off by gathering as much kills I can before going for the flag.

 

First, I stayed near this ridge as there were a lot of spawn points and buildings here, which could possibly prove perfect for my bouncy Ricochet's plasma balls.

 

I kept killing and killing till I ran out of health. After repeating this process a total of three times and amassing ten kills, I thought that it's time to attack.

 

 

So, I began making my way to the enemy base, trying to sneak in from the left side. Then, I would jump on the flag and run as fast as I could through the middle.

 

But, you know, Double Powers. Even though I could've cheated and grabbed a Repair Kit box, I didn't. Anyways, this Hammer-Viking and a couple other heavy tanks were defending their flag; so in a nutshell, I had zero chance of successfully grabbing the enemy flag.

 

 

Sad and depressed, I went roaming around the edges of the battle, killing anyone I saw. It was here when I noticed that Ricochet had another con when used without supplies, which is shown below ~

 

 

Yep, couldn't get myself upright without facing self-destruction. And that, brings this testing to a close.

 

 

Results:

With supplies, Ricochet-Viking is a mere killer. When used without supplies, your score depends entirely on your skill.

 

 

Titan-Magnum:

 

And finally, the destructive combination of Magnum and Titan. When used properly, Magnum can literally one-shot everyone in a certain area; not to mention that it has a very big splash damage radius, which is useful for getting those multi-kills you know. With Titan, Magnum can put out lots of damage, while remaining safe from enemy fire behind some sort of cover.

 

Theory:

Would I be able to kill my enemies over and over again without dying many times? Can Magnum be used in medium-ranged maps effectively?

 

Experiments and Tests:

After theorizing, I chose Highland as the first map in which I would be testing Magnum. Highland was a small-medium map, perfect for testing my second question in theory. Afterwards, I would test Magnum in any random map without supplies.

 

 

So, I stepped in a Highland battle to test out Magnum.

 

Battle Result - Highland CTF | Magnum-Titan + Kodiak T-C + Supplies

 

As usual, Magnum's parabolic trajectories.

 

 

First of all, I knew that I was going to be wrecking the people on the enemy team over and over again. Upon the start of the battle, I made my way to this area, grabbed a Double Power and got a double kill straight off. This got me into thinking, like yo, I can do this bro.

 

 

At times, I would also go back to my base and help with defense. Here, I got a double kill yet again, which is a usual sight for a Magnum user.

 

 

I made use of Titan's amazing speed, health and resistance, and captured two flags.

 

 

Towards the end of the battle, I noticed one con about using Magnum. The fact that you have to control two variables means you need time to set your next shot straight and make sure it goes where you need it to go, so you do have to stay behind cover.

 

 

Or else, you could risk dying.

 

 

To test Magnum without supplies, I chose Fort Knox.

 

Battle Result - Fort Knox | Magnum-Titan + Grizzly T-J

 

Though we did lose, the battle was actually quite interesting. See the dissection in the spoiler to know what I mean!

 

 

I joined this battle five minutes late, the time by which the enemy team had already captured two flags. I was thinking that maybe I could land shots straight in the enemy base from my base. At first, I tried to do just that, but failed at some points.

 

Then, I realized that the enemy team had the upper hand in this battle, as they had stronger players. So, I opted for defense. I played defensively, trying to take as much supply boxes as I can in order to maximize my deadly damage output. Then, this happened ~

 

 

A Gold Box dropped! When I saw its notification, I was a bit intrigued on would I possibly take it without supplies. Then I saw a Speed Boost dropping, so I took it. I pressed 'Q' and saw that the drop zone was in my very own base. Relieved, I made my way to the zone and ultimately pushed everyone with my Titan and took the Gold. Easy peasy.

 

Then, I remembered that this map had a place where you could shoot the enemy team while being safe from their fire. The place where I am standing below is that place, not to mention that it would work like a treat with Magnum.

 

 

As you can see, I camped there and kept taking the Double Power that dropped right next to me. A couple of times, the friendly people on my team also used their 'Zero Supply' with me, making me quite indestructible at times!

 

 

And yeah, I kept doing this till the battle ended.

 

 

Results:

With supplies, Magnum-Titan can excel in the most difficult of matches, and it won't let one down when used without supplies either.

 

 

 

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So there it is - the first installment of this, hopefully helpful series. I will be open to questions, suggestions and comments below. Also, don't forget to vote for the next three combinations you want me to test.

 

See ya!

 

 

✯ Antartica  ✯

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 2017 by Hexed

[kaisdf 3,320]

You put rico-viking in the poll, despite covering it in the article...

 

Could you please swap it to rail-viking?

[Hex 11,520]

Done, thanks for pointing that out (y)

[arnav0506 2,777]

Aww nice, please wasp hammer next time!

I loved that magnum one - will help me, Thanks :D

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

:ph34r: Pro analysis. I definitely liked the Magnum one since I haven't gotten the chance to try out that combination myself.

[Mario3108 462]

Excellent analysis. I can't wait for the next "Beyond M3" articles. :ph34r:

[Hex 11,520]

Great to see everyone getting helped in some way; don't forget to vote for what you want next!

[SilentJay_the_cool 12]

Nice work! I'm loving the challenge of Magnum

[Benefactor 6,888]

Viking/Firebird please.

[Hex 11,520]

Viking/Firebird please.

The poll has already been made. You can choose one of them, but I'll definitely include this combination next issue.

[Benefactor 6,888]

The poll has already been made. You can choose one of them, but I'll definitely include this combination next issue.

Ah, ok. 

 

Chose!

[fluctuation123 3,435]

good analysis. cannot agree more about the wasp-smoky combo. it is so fun yet so

weak...

[Mario3108 462]

PS What the hell was Yisroel doing in

the battle?! Trying to ruin your score?!

There's no any necessity to Yisroel for make something like that.

He was there maybe to take screenshots or just to have fun.

[Hex 11,520]

One more day is left to vote for the next combinations, after that the poll will be finished.

[Hex 11,520]

Poll closed, thanks for voting!

[Magenta 5,165]

u reporters get quiet a few perks huh 

but this guide was a good idea ;)

[DarkVengeance 31]

Great Idea! With the addition of Striker and Magnum, we now have a possible 104 battle combinations, but some are classic. These go together like strawberries and cream, champagne and caviar, to rip off the Night-Sisters. I read the article after this poll closed, but add the following to the next?

 

Rail/Hornet

Thunder/Viking

Hammer/Viking

Vulcan/Titan

Shaft/Mammoth

 

Another point, there are many players at the higher ranks who have fought for years using one/other of the combos, perhaps such persons can post? Ill add with my own, Rico/Viking

 

Ricochet/Viking

 

Deadly, stable. Has issues fighting Rail/Hornet due to being outranged, Thunder on the same ground. Takes some time to kill enemy, which gets pounded about by the high Impact Force/Second before succumbing, at which point enemies comrades have usually found me and finish me off. Rico bounce underutilized from what ive seen, used maybe 1 in 10 shots? If enemy has been softened up by Thunder, Striker or Magnum and is running for cover, Rico a great finisher, takes 1-3 shots to finish the job and cover does not help. With supplies, it is the Hammer of the Gods, putting down 3-4 tanks with double power. Viking works well with those low wide window type props on Rio and elsewhere, and the small cabbage farm type cover on Kolhoz. Rico fantastic on Polygon CP as enemy often puts a Mammoth backed by Isida in tunnel, and a Thunder on the wall behind ramp. Rico bounce flies over Mammoth, hits wall rebounds and takes out Isida or Thunder hiding

 

 

Dark Vengeance

Edited May 24, 2017 by DarkVengeance