Approved. -Grammar corrections. -Reformatted in places.

There were points up for grabs, but I'm sorry to say that no one from the AWC submitted entries for them.

Option One @Lone.Berserker @I3.R.0 Option Two @Hamza_Aleem_Shami Option Three @kaisdf

Hello again, forumers! After a month of writing and submissions, we've finally got the results of this months project. There were good ones, there were long ones, there were ones that caught our eye, but in the end we had to make our decisions and rank them, so here they are! But before that, I'd like to thank all of you who entered, whether your entries were successful or not. We'll be running more of these projects in the future, so remember to enter those as well, and keep publishing articles in the Amateur Writing Section. Join the AWC, participate in the League; there's always room for more! And now, the results! Option One: Ultimate Guide to Tandems 1st place winner: @InfamatiEtObliterati I Entry Reward: 40, 000 crystals 2nd place winner: @Lone.Berserker Reward: 30, 000 crystals + 10 points 3rd place winner: @I3.R.0 Reward: 20, 000 crystals and + 8 points Option Two: One Image, One Hundred Words 1st place winner: @Hamza_Aleem_Shami Reward: 30, 000 crystals 2nd place winner: Reward: 20, 000 crystals Option Three: How Did It Come Into Being? 1st place winner: Reward: 30, 000 crystals 2nd place winner: @kaisdf Reward: 20, 000 crystals 3rd place winner: @QiQi5314 Reward: 15, 000 crystals 4th place winner: @alexandertz Reward: 10, 000 crystals 5th place winner: @xfahmix Reward: 10, 000 crystals Check out the current Amateur Writing Club League standings here. All the entries can be found in this topic. Please note that these are the same entries used for judging, and have not been edited by a Reporter. Feel like getting more out of your time here? Why not join the AWC, where you will be able to get feedback directly from the Reporters, and participate in the League, amongst other benefits! And that's about it! Again, a massive thank you to all of you who participated. Look out for the next Project in the Amateur Writing Section, and keep bashing those keyboards. Until next time!

This article was the winning entry for Category One of the writing Project for August held in the Amateur Writing Section. Some edits have been made to bring it up to newspaper standards. Author: @InfamatiEtObliterati This guide will give you advanced tips and advice on how to be a successful teammate in tandem battles. Tandem is a 2vs2 battle that usually takes place in CTF. Not all maps are suitable for a tandem battle, and some maps are rather famous when it comes to tandem; such as Zone, Parma, Garder, Cross, Duality, Sandal, Station and probably the most famous of them all, Sandbox. General must-knows in tandem: If your teammate got shot and he or she was carrying the flag, it's your job to take it from them (assuming that you're two shots). Note: In certain scenarios, getting the flag can be unwise. (eg: if the carrier is far away). Communication with your teammate is encouraged for better judgement. For that, players have developed their own terminology. For example; if the enemy flag carrier is one shot you type "F1" (flag one) in chat. If he/ she is two shots, you say "F2" and so on. You can also use paints to refer to a particular player, for example, "Zeus 1", which indicates that the player using Zeus paint on the opposite team is one shot, which will help your teammate adjust his or her judgement. Like any other mode, smart playing and patience are necessary. Tandem is a very delicate mode. It's all about the chemistry between teammates. Every single shot you make can change the outcome of the whole match. Thus, it is crucial for you to coordinate with your teammate, watch his/her moves, routes, targets etc., and adjust your performance accordingly. For example, if your teammate is heading for the flag, you are to find a haven away from enemy fire and shoot/kill the enemy, and vice versa. If your teammate finds himself having a hard time, abandon your position immediately to assist him/her. Teamwork is indispensable. Drops: Most tandem games are supply-free. However, some players like to add a little excitement with a hint of exhilaration to their battles - and if you're one of those players, it's crucial to remember that drop-control is essential if you want a shot at winning. If your enemies drop-control trumps yours, they can acquire full-supplies and quickly capture two or more flags, no sweat. So, if you want to develop your drop-control you should know the basics: drops fall exactly two minutes after they're taken. You should always take the drops before starting the game, to prevent unfair gameplay. For example, you took a Double Armor when the battle timer was at 8:45. Now you need to try and be at that spot at 6:45 to get it again. If you know a supply will drop at a particular place and you can't reach it; inform your teammate. Those are the basics of drop-control. It will take practice to get accustomed to it, but once mastered, it will be of great use in tandem. The outcome of the game depends upon the coordination between the two players, the timing of the drop, the drop control, and how effectively a team can take the drops. The main objective would be to secure your drops and then rush for the flag for a few quick captures. It seems like a good plan, but what would be more effective is to take your drops, make sure they don't take their drops or make sure damage is done to them before they take their drops so that your team still has an upper hand, making it easier to move forward when in a face-off. It's also advisable to not have double drops in a tandem battle, the reason being that the player with drops will be targeted more often. If one drop is taken per player, there will be balance and no one will be targeted more, resulting in a stronger attack and defense (Of course, if a player is confident enough, they can take all the drops and push forward, but that's being a one-man show when two is always the better choice). Now onto another commonly used - yet underappreciated - feature of tandem (and other modes of course). Camping: It's overwhelmingly powerful - hence why it's kind of 'hated', among XP/BP'ers in particular. But a guide about tandem is a guide about tandem, and should cover every aspect possible. So, in essence, camping is finding a well-hidden obstacle (wall, house, grove, ruins, etc.) with a clear view of the enemy base and using it as a spot for shooting everyone. The sole reason behind its effectiveness is the dilemma it creates for your opponents; they can either prevent your teammate from taking their flag, creating a blind spot for you to shoot them. Or they can stop you and let your teammate escape with the flag, losing a flag in the process. They often choose to prevent your teammate from acquiring the flag, providing you with a clear shot at them and almost eliminating their chance at capturing a flag. Remember, the best attack is the one that no one saw coming. Every map has trick shots and maneuvers of its own, and taking advantage of those can greatly help with winning the game. Bear in mind, these types of shots are relatively hard to pull off, so training comes in handy here. Note: Continuous use of these shots may negatively affect the team if poorly delivered. Alternate scenarios: A few maps gained their popularity through tandem games, due to their unique geography and balanced bases. Each one of those maps has its tactics, maneuvers and favorable routes of capturing flags. The following paragraphs contain tips on how to deal with certain commonly-occurring scenarios in tandem maps. Note: I've picked these three maps due to their popularity. 1. Sandbox In XP/ BP format: One of the most famous XP/BP maps, from duels to 4vs4's, this map covers it all. And considering its popularity, some scenarios occur on almost every round played in Sandbox. Here is the most popular one: Scenario: You successfully take the flag from the enemy base, and you take the route shown in the picture (the blue route resembles the path you've chosen. The rectangle is where you temporarily stay to keep clear of the enemy's range of fire). Then, you're made aware of an enemy tank hiding near the watchtower (the red rectangle resembles their hiding spot). Solution: It's not recommended to go out if you're a one shot kill since it'll be tough to predict when the enemy's going to shoot, making the likelihood of succeeding low and not worth the risk. Instead, wait for your team to respawn and take care of the threat. NOTE: It's vitally important to remember that camping can drastically impact the outcome of the game, so if an enemy camps in your base it's crucial to prevent him/her from doing so at all costs. All format Sandbox is a very basic map, and it's relatively small in comparison with other maps, making medium/short-ranged turrets highly effective. One notable and rather competent combination is Smoky/Hornet. The maneuverability from Hornet and the striking power of Smoky makes this combo fairly impressive. Other combinations that work well in Sandbox are; Hunter/Fire, Wasp/Railgun, and Viking/Thunder. 2. Zone In XP/ BP format This might be one of the toughest maps to play a tandem match on, mainly because of the positioning of obstacles, walls, etc. Unlike other basic maps like Sandbox, where shots are direct and obvious, this map gives you tons of ways to shoot a person. The basic instinct of a tanker is to be defensive until the opponent makes a move. Despite it being the safer choice, being defensive is not as beneficial as compared to having a proper proportion of offense and defense. There are no "camping spots" where the players can just camp, shoot, and go back to their defensive position as that tactic cannot be applied here. "Offense is the best defense." A coordinated attack between two players can act as the best defense, without any doubt. In this instance, the flag holder is near the corner of the map. Sure, he can easily defend himself from one player, but what about the other? If the coordinated attack is a success, then the flag holder will get damaged/destroyed, and the game will move forward with the odds in your favor. All format There are multiple ways of dominating in this format. Technically speaking all equipment would be suitable here, it only depends on the preference of the players. Splash damaging turrets won't be good in a face-off, but at the same time would be good for its splash damage. Close ranged turrets such as Freeze and Fire would be effective as the map is small and compact (unless the enemy team has countermeasures such as a Wasp to not get hit, in which case change immediately). In major tournaments such as MoS, the most commonly used combinations were Hunter and Rico, Rail and Wasp, Thunder and Viking. Each one has its perks, Rico's ricocheting effect in addition to Hunter's height and drift, Rail's massive damage per shot along with Wasp's maneuverability, Thunder's splash damage with respect to Vikings' stability, and so on. 3. Parma In XP/BP format: Having an impeccable aim is the lowest requirement needed to have a shot at mastering this adventurous map. It's mostly popular for tandem mode in particular, but it's also widely used in eSports given its size and symmetrical layout. Regarding its size, coordination between you and your teammate is of utmost importance. If one teammate goes for the flag, the other one camps to distract/deflect enemies from shooting the flag carrier. If the flag carrier dies and loses the flag, and you're far away, don't attempt to get it, as you will most likely get shot down and/ or the flag will self-return. Keep camping and prevent enemies from returning it, and provide cover fire for your teammate in the process. The following screenshot demonstrates the favorable capturing routes. The rectangles resemble the ideal camping spot for the other teammate to provide coverage for the player carrying the flag. Each color corresponds to the team's color. Note: When spawning on the low ground, always try to go up, as being on the low ground can be problematic and has multiple disadvantages; view, shooting range, hiding spots, etc. All format Every map's size is the determining factor on what gear you should equip. So, based on that principle, it is unwise to get short-range turrets as they will be practically useless. So getting long/medium-ranged turrets is the better choice. Railgun is an ideal option, equipped with Viking for armor and reasonable speed, 'cause you won't get anywhere with Mammoth/Titan in Parma! Other medium/ light hulls are also effective depending on the tanker's playing style. Other efficient turrets in Parma are Smoky, Thunder, Shaft, Vulcan and Twins (preferably with an alteration). XP/BP flag capturing routes are also applicable here. I hope you enjoyed reading this guide, and that you took away some valuable advice on how to play a tandem battle in Tanki Online. Until next time!

Thanks :D Registrations for the AWC aren't closed, but the deadline for entry submissions is over. As for the results, they should be here pretty soon since we've started grading all the entries.

Approved. I quite like this poem, and the theme behind it as well, hence the approval despite the shorter length. Nice work!

Approved. -A few grammar corrections. -Changed the colours to make it readable. -Reformatted the titles. Pretty neat, but maybe next time you could add more games, eh? ;)

Approved. -Grammar corrections. -Underlined the titles. A couple of tips; Your opinions are somewhat vague, in that you say something and appear to then contradict it. Pick one, and stick to it. Also, don't repeat everything in a different way, once is enough.

They both give the same rewards, but each category will have its own winners.

No. One image with a high level of awesomeness will do :P

Approved. -Underlined titles. -A few grammar corrections. -Reformatted in a couple of places.

They are the same.

Several thousand words is far too much. Almost no one is going to read it if it's that long, and there's a higher chance of irrelevant topics being discussed. To join the AWC, you need to send in an application, but bear in mind that you need to have at least one article published in the AWS prior to applying. You can find all the details here.

In the Amateur Writing League, you get crystal rewards for ranking up within the league by the points you get. The normal crystal rewards stated in this topic are available to all entrants. Get all the details here. If you would like to become a member of the Amateur Writing Club, you'll need to send in an application. All details can be found here.

Sorry, but this entry is not valid. Please select one of the given topics and write an article that falls within the scope and guidelines of it. Once you've done that, send it in via Forum PM to either @Blackdrakon30 or me.

To add to Hexed's explanation; the Points mentioned here are those that get you places and rewards in the Amateur Writing Club league. To be eligible for the points, you must be a member of the Club.

If you would like to participate, select the topic you want to write for and then once you're done, send your entry in via Forum PM to either @Blackdrakon30 or me. Good luck!

Approved. -Many, many grammar corrections. -Respaced. -Rephrased certain sentences for clarity. Seems like a well thought out article. I enjoyed reading it :) A few words of advice though; don't bother with overcomplicated words when simple ones will do, since this makes it harder to understand. Also, separate your paragraphs into manageable chunks, and leave the textwalling to @GoldRock

No, you won't be disqualified. This is just a rough estimate to ensure that it's the appropriate length to hold the readers attention, depending on the material. If you believe that your article can hold out against notoriously short attention spans despite being longer, go for it!

Hello, browser of the Amateur Writing Section! You've obviously stumbled upon this topic in your daily perusal of the AWS, and now that I have your attention, I'll get straight to the point; this is the latest Amateur Writing Project. And it's special. Why so? Well, because for the first time, we're opening this project to all members of the forum! That's right, if you think you can write something that'll go above and beyond the baseline, you can participate, whether you're a member of the AWC or not! So go on, have a read, and see whether anything takes your fancy. GENERAL RULES: 1. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited! All convicted plagiarists will be permanently banned from all Newspaper activities. 2. Each participant is allowed to pick ONLY ONE option to write about. 3. Send all entries via Forum PM to @Blackdrakon30 (Send a PM) and/or @tweezers (Send a PM). Entries posted elsewhere will not be considered! Option One: Ultimate Guide to Tandems Do you know what it feels like to be successful tandem player and how to play effectively as a duo? Well, this is your chance to help other tankers by creating a comprehensive, informative guide that will provide them with worthwhile tips and tricks for tandem battling they can utilize even in competitions like Duet Masters. Guidelines: Every guide should be around 1 000 words long. You don't have to make it any longer, however, your guide should cover the most important points, tips and strategies to succeed in this format. Your entry will be judged on resourcefulness, overall quality of the advice, grammar/phrasing and presentation (usage of pictures, or other illustrations) Rewards for Option One: 1st place: 40, 000 crystals and + 12 points + the best guide will be featured in our September Issue. 2nd place: 30, 000 crystals and + 10 points 3rd place: 20, 000 crystals and + 8 points 4th place: 15, 000 crystals and + 6 points 5th place: 10, 000 crystals and + 4 points Option Two: One Image, One Hundred Words Ever taken, or seen, an especially good pic, and then thought that it could have an epic backstory? Well, this is your chance to tell us about that moment! Simply take an image, or even a screenshot, and give us that epic backstory, contained within 100 words. Guidelines: Image can be either original or taken from elsewhere on the internet. Please do not apply with explicit images or those that contain personal content of other individuals. (If not an original image, make sure to give credit to the creator!) 100 words, people. We will have a slight amount of flexoobility, but try to keep to the limit. Option Three: How Did It Come Into Being? How was Firebird created? Did Wasp originate from the shell of an old fridge and a motorcycle engine? How did Lost Temple become 'lost?' These questions and more plague the minds of tankers the world over or maybe just me. Choose this category, and what you have to do is create a story for a turret, hull or map that explains how it came to be. Guidelines: Word limit; there isn't one. Write as much or as little as you wish, but keep in mind that a novel won't wind you any prizes, nor will a tiny paragraph. Please, please, don't try to use the descriptions given in the garage or the Wiki. Be original! Rewards for Option Two and Option Three: 1st place: 30, 000 crystals and + 12 points 2nd place: 20, 000 crystals and + 10 points 3rd place: 15, 000 crystals and + 8 points 4th place: 10, 000 crystals and + 6 points 5th place: 10, 000 crystals and + 4 points Note: AWC League points and AWC League crystal bonuses are only available to AWC members. Deadline: 29th August 2017, 20:00 UTC. Good luck!

Approved. -Grammar edits. -Formatting edits. -Rewrote a few sentences for it to make sense. Just a couple of tips: Perhaps discuss the health/ armour aspect of the hull, and always be consistent throughout the article. For example, if you did advantages and disadvantages for the hull, do it for the turret as well.

Approved. -Minor spelling and grammar edits. Interesting ideas here. Also, starting over probably won't be a problem if it's the same game using the same servers and player info and whatnot. Probably.

Well, why not participate in the next one and gauge your performance? We do provide constructive critisism, if required.

There will be a project this month, which will be released soon. Why not write an article, join the AWC, and participate in this months project? :P