Boom.
An all too familiar sound echos in the distance. It is the loud shot of an overpowered gun. As the noise gets louder, the shadows paint a growing image, slowly but surely moving towards you. A tank comes into sight, a simple tank with what looks like the Smoky equipped. As the boxy shape of the turret reveals itself, you realize the trouble you are in. Your worst nightmare has just become your own reality.
It is without a doubt the mighty turret known as the Thunder
The Thunder is one of the most interesting turrets in the game (except the Shaft, which can make pizza, but that's another story) and by far the most overpowered. It is a popular choice for every tankman because of the many gameplay styles it is compatible with. The key to successfully using this turret is to make the most of its strengths and its its weaknesses. Mastering the Thunder takes lots of practice, but with time, and a little luck, anyone can learn how to use this turret to the max.
The Right Hull
When considering the possible choices for hulls to equip with your Thunder, you must first look at your gameplay style. If you are a hardcore defender who tends not to move around, then maybe the Mammoth is best for you. If you like to run around at high speeds to steal kills and capture flags, then give the Wasp a go. And for the tankman who loves the equally balanced gameplay, why not drive around with the Viking? But when choosing the perfect hull, there is a bit more to it than just armour and speed, so let's narrow the choices down, shall we?
The Right Hull - Light
The two hulls we will look at first are the Wasp and the Hornet, which make up the Light Hull category. They are both very fast, with little HP and usually little balance as well. Specifically the Wasp, which is the smallest and lightest of all hulls. When dealing with this one, you must want speed, speed, and, hmm...let me think...oh yeah, even more speed. When using the Wasp, you must be able to know how to dodge every turret's shot, because even the slightest tick of any weapon meeting your hull could spell doom for you. As for the Hornet, again, it is mostly for speed, but also has some armour to make the gameplay slightly more balanced. These hulls are best used in Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch gamemodes.
The Right Hull - Medium
The hulls featured here are for the player who prefers a balanced gameplay. The Hunter, Viking, and Dictator all have an equal amount of speed and HP, rather than the slow and heavy Titan or the speedy and light Hornet. The Hunter and Viking are very similar in terms of gameplay, however, because of visible differences, they are different from the Dictator. All in all, the Thunder needs a hull with lots of armour and lots of speed. So, it only makes sense that the Thunder is perfect for one of these three hulls. Whether you choose the Hunter for speed, the Viking for acceleration, the Dictator for height, or either of them for other reasons, this class is probably your best choice. These hulls are perfect for any of the four gamemodes.
The Right Hull - Heavy
When you first think of the word 'heavy', words like 'slow', or 'big' might enter your mind. However true these words might be, the real truth is in the advantages. The huge HP is the stuff of legend when it comes down to hulls like the Titan and the Mammoth. When equipped with the Thunder, these tanks are mobile fortresses complete with a devestating, destructive turret. The Mammoth is more a fortress because of lesser speed and more armour. Plus, it is a nice shape for peeking around corners, a good kill stealing method many use. However, once in a while it is nice to have a bit of speed, and that is where the Titan comes in. The extra speed with only the slightest decreas in HP compared to the Mammoth is what many impatient gamers are looking for. Overall these hulls are best for Deathmatch and Control Point gamemodes.
Splash Damage
The Thunder's biggest advantage is the Splash Damage carried out with every shot. Splash Damage is a wave of invisible energy carried out by a shot, or in other words a shockwave of damage. ¡This damage is considerable compared to the damage caused by a straight on hit by the Thunder. It is near equal damage if you are at most one or two tanklengths away. By aiming in the middle of a group of tanks or at a wall near a tank just out of sight, you can claim kills in more ways than could be ever imagined. However, the Splash effect can also be the key to your desruction. For example, if you try the peek-a-boo trick, fail, and instead shoot the wall you are hiding behind, you will take Splash Damage like any other enemy tank would. This can help you to kill yourself instead of someone else killing you. If you drive up close when an enemy is shooting you and shoot him at point blank range, you self desruct and the enemy doesn't get any points. But unless you have barely any health left, do not try this trick or else you will be left with little health after you shoot, so the enemy can take you out easily. Remember, always use Splash Damage to your advantage.
Facing Other Turrets
When facing other turrets you once again must remember the three classes of turrets: Short Range, Medium Range, and Long Range. The first is the Short Range class, and it includes the Firebird, Twins, Isida, and Freeze. For these turrets to damage you they have to be up close, so try to shoot them from a distance. If one of them is trying ambush you, remember the Splash Damage and kill him or her before he or she realizes what is happening. The second class is the Medium Range class, and it includes the Smoky, Thunder, and Ricochet. Try to attack from a pretty close distance in order to do the most damage. Watch out for Critical Hits, Splash Damage, and Ricochets while you employ your tactics on them. Use Splash Damage if a Smoky or Thunder is using the peek-a-boo trick in order to disable them swiftly. The third and final class is the Long Range class, and it includes the Railgun and the Shaft. Never engage either of these turrets in a long range battle. If it is possible, attack from behind to destroy them easily without getting destroyed. If not, use the peek-a-boo trick at medium range or attack fully when they are distracted by another tank. I bet you know what I am going to say, but I am ging to say it anyways: if possible use Splash Damage!
Conclusion
Without a doubt the Thunder is a brilliant turret with a brilliant power. Using this weapon could easily turn you into the most feared tank on the battlefield. Don't forget to use Splash Damage and never be afraid to take another tank on.
Boom.
Uh oh. If you will excuse me, there is a Thunder I need to run away from. See you on the battlefield.
SpiderPig1
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