Hello Tankers, Although I was previously going to write about the Cross Map, I have changed the topic of this guide to Courage, as it has been given very little attention in this competition. Guide to playing in Courage effectively Map size: 16 players, 8v8 team combat Best tank selections: Firebird/Viking, Ricochet/Hunter Tactics: DM Courage is a small map that does not easily accommodate most long-range weapons. This fact becomes especially clear when playing in DM mode, as the confined space coupled with a lack of cover tend to diminish the potential of turrets that deal splash damage, namely, Magnum, Twins, Striker, and Thunder. Courage is surprisingly open for a map of its size, and this ease of maneuverability tends to severely handicap slow-firing turrets such as Shaft and Railgun. For Firebird, Freeze, and Isida, effective tactics are relatively common, as these hulls are naturally given an advantage over most others due to the close-quarter combat. If you have a light hull, use it to your advantage, and try to stay constantly on the move, circling the outside edge of the map in order to spawn-camp enemy tanks. If you have a heavy hull, head to the center plateau and try to position yourself underneath the double damage drop zones. For Hammer, Ricochet, and Smoky, you will still find yourself at home in the map, but there are a few things to remember. Most of the map's walls are angled upward, which reduces the amount of possible surfaces against which projectiles can be ricocheted. Because Ricochet has an easier time hitting tanks below it than above it, position yourself in the corners of the raised plateau, and take cover behind the towers. Hammer has to be cautious not to apply self-damage to itself by firing into the buildings on the plateau, so the safest method it can use is to stay in the spawn area, crossing between spawn areas through the plateau when necessary. Smoky's range allows it to patrol the edges of the map, staying well shielded from attacking tanks. It's slow firing rate (compared to Ricochet) will put it at a disadvantage on the plateau. Vulcan will find itself somewhat challenged by the map, but it can overcome other tanks by either patrolling the edges or positioning itself on the edge of the plateau's corners. Thunder, Twins, and Striker will all suffer from their turret's self-damage when playing on Courage. Striker and Twins should try to stay in the spawn zones and on the edge of the plateau, in order to make sure that they have room to avoid dealing themselves much self-damage. Thunder should apply a similar technique to Smoky. Magnum does have means of avoiding self-damage and even owning the battlefield, and it can do so by closing off access to the edges of the map with mines, so that it is free to rain artillery fire on the entire map from a completely safe position. Shaft and Railgun are at the greatest disadvantage on the map. They should avoid the plateau entirely, and always use fast hulls, so that they can run from danger while they reload their guns. Tactics: TDM Because each team has their own spawn zone, and consequentially, their own half of the map when playing in TDM, the range of available tactics is much broader than when playing in DM mode. Firebird, Freeze, and Hammer thrive in offensive positions. They should be patrolling the enemy's spawn zone, in order to accumulate lots of spawn-kills. When needed, they should return to the plateau for healing purposes. Ricochet, Twins, Striker, and Vulcan position themselves on the enemy's side of the plateau, and rain down fire on their opponents, while Railgun, Shaft, and Thunder should be positioned on the left and right edges of the map, firing into the enemy spawn area from behind cover. Magnum should position itself either behind or on top of the tall peaks in the map, and rain down oppressive artillery fire. Magnum's splash damage is particularly effective in this position. Smoky can comfortably play either on the sides of the map or the edges of the plateau, while Isida should position itself either under the opponent's double damage drop zone or in the path on top of the plateau, and provide healing for team-mates. Tactics: CTF CTF is by far the most team-intensive game mode, and requires a tremendous amount of cooperative coordination. Every tank needs to have an assigned role and to operate only within their set task. A goalkeeper is best played by either Freeze, Hammer, or Ricochet, equipped on a heavy hull. You should position themselves on top of the colored crate that is next to their flag, and should face the opposing flag. If enemy tanks reach your spawn area, park yourself on top of your flag. Do not sit on top of your flag if there are no enemies nearby, doing so will hinder your team's forwards. There should never be more than one goalkeeper on the team. Defenders are best played by Ricochet, but can also be played by Firebird, Freeze, or Hammer, equipped on medium hulls. You should patrol your spawn area, paying special attention to the ramps, in order to prevent enemies from reaching your flag. A team should have two defenders, who double as defending midfielders. Wingmen are best played by Smoky, but can also be played Thunder, Railgun, or Shaft, with a speedy hull. You should go back and forth on the side edge of the map, alternating between killing enemies in their spawn area and stopping them from reaching your flag. Never leave the side of the map except to get a flag from a team-mate. There should only be two wingmen, one on each side of the map. All other tanks should avoid the map edges, except for Isidas and forwards. Defending midfielders are best played by Ricochet, but can also be played by Vulcan or Smoky, equipped on a medium hull. You should stay on the plateau, on your side, observing the enemy base. Periodically check behind you to see if there are enemies coming from the sides of the map. A team should have two defending midfielders, who double as defenders. Attacking midfielders are best played by Ricochet, but can also be played by Striker or Twins, equipped on a medium hull. You should spend most of your time on the enemy's side of the plateau, spawn-camping the enemy. If needed, enter the enemy spawn area in order to assist forwards trying to get the flag. There should be two attacking midfielders on a team, one on each side of the plateau. The forward is best played by Firebird, but can also be played by Freeze, equipped on a speedy hull. You should run through the plateau to the enemy flag, and either head back through the plateau or go through the sides of the map, possibly handing it off to a wingman. There should only be one forward on the team. Other Positions: If your team is ahead, either the goalkeeper or one of the defending midfielders can equip an Isida and assume a healing role. If the goalkeeper changes, should use a medium hull and heal the tanks on his side of the plateau. If the defending midfielder changes, he should follow and heal the forward, and the goalkeeper should fill the empty defending midfielder position. If your team is neither ahead nor behind, one or both of the wingmen can equip Magnums and use them to blast the enemy spawn area. They should periodically check their own flag, so that they can destroy any overflow of enemies in their base. If your team is behind, the forward can switch to playing as a defending midfielder, in order to protect the flag. Tactics: CP CP is very different from the other modes, because even though it is a team battle you do not have a clear spawn base area. Most of your attention should be focused on the points. If you have a clear lead, consider spawn-camping the enemy. While all of the turrets should be used just as they would be in TDM, there are a few additional possibilities that can be added to your tactical suitcase. Isidas are extremely useful, as they will make up for any handicaps the battle places on your team's hulls. Isidas should never leave the points. Strikers and Magnums are extremely effective at clearing points that have a good deal of enemies around them. Thunders and Firebirds can do the same to a lesser extent.

The information on ranks was not wasted, I learned something new.

it does if you are playing n a team battle and using nitro to build up speed, you have to use a team-mate to help you up though. It kind of relies on a glitch in the game, so it doesn't work reliably. Good advice for medium-light hulls

As far as the bushes are concerned, they do work very well, except against striker, which will automatically alert the user to the presence of your tank. The two sides of cover are meant for using shaft on a slow hull, such as titan and mammoth, and, to an extent, dictator and viking, where you are far more likely to survive by having your opponent in front of you and killing him than by retreating and using mines, which, by the way, are an excellent weapon for snipers.

Shaft is designed as a sniping weapon and is best used as a sniping weapon. This means that when positioning yourself, you should make sure that at least two sides of your hull are closed off by walls or barriers, so that other tanks can't sneak up on you. You can also use shaft as a designated marksman rifle, or a mobile sniper, by joining team battles and positioning yourself in the center of the map. Pro tip for shaft users: do not go into sniping mode until you see a target, and do not stay in sniping mode to look for one. Especially since the changes to shaft, sniping mode has a horribly slow rotation speed, so you will not have any peripheral awareness.

Russian, because it is more structured and closer to English/Swahili, my two languages. Would you rather eat Ugali or Irio? ;)

no, I just finished with the Iron Day's sales, so I'm poor now, with 600. I'm guessing 1,100 crystals

Monkey His name is _____

My home country, Kenya, is a nation with a wonderful collection of friendly and out-going people. It is true that we have not had a very stable history, but my people have united against innumerable odds to leave the past behind and produce an incredibly caring environment. Kenya has become a new advocate for democracy in Africa, and regularly boasts champions in international competitions such as the Olympics.

BIG FACE-PALM Mistake today, I logged on to post my photo for the Iron Days Newspaper competition, and discovered that the topic was closed. I completely forgot to factor in the difference in time zones. AAAHHH!!! :)

I get on average, 1-2 hundred crystals per 1-hour silence battle.

Silence battles will be your best bet for collecting crystal boxes, especially on the blue team. My record is 197 boxes in one battle.

Marshall with 4 M3's WYR have a 100,000 crystals, or 20,000 of each drug?

Just as many players play on silence, lower-ranking players are using moon silence more and more. The only thing I notice that differs from the original silence is the backdrop, and the rate of crystal box drops. Has anyone else found anything different or worth mentioning?

Will some more people please vote?