Don't forget, we aren't talking about railgun. We are talking about shaft. They are two completely different weapons, each with a different gamestyle. Railgun can move at all times, whereas shaft can only move when not in scope mode. Hit-and-run is not the best way to use shaft.You forget that shaft achieves its massive damage in scope mode. It's arcade damage is extremely low, and isn't always worth moving around constantly. Your point about having to move to different spots is valid. I'll admit that. However, it doesn't matter in the end. With the full "beam", anybody can see where you're hiding. For us shaft users, it is the same as puting a flashing neon sign above our head saying,"I'm a shaft in scope mode! Come kill me!" Shaft users are already vulnerable while in scope mode. If someone gets close enough, we have almost no chance of surviving. This is due to shafts low rotation speed. Thus, shafts main assets lie in its massive damage, and the camping spots chosen by the tanker. The laser is a straight line to our hiding spot, giving away our position, and causing all enemy tankers to target us. Like I said earlier, shaft is already targeted for its vulnerability. This update exploits that, and makes it even harder for shafts to be effective. To continue, this laser does not go away, as a railgun shot might. If a railgun is aiming at one spot, you wouldn't know until you get hit. Then, you see where the shot came from before it disappears. With the new update, everyone will be able to see where the shot will come from before it is even fired. This is by no means fair to the shaft user, as we use surprise as a primary weapon. The railgun shot disappears, so you don't know where it is, if it is camping. For the shaft, the laser stays there, telling all enemy tankers, "there is a shaft aiming there, don't go into that area." Having the full laser beam would bring shaft kills in any given game down to about 0. This is in no way, shape, or form. "Dynamic" gameplay. Going back to my original post, cutting the laser to only the dot would achieve the desired effect the devs were going for, and it makes more sense. Shaft will still be a very lethal and potent weapon, but at the same time, it won't be completely obvious.

Nice job man. :D

I love this article. Though as a shaft user myself, I have discovered a rather unique sniping spot for the blue team. It is similar to spot no.8 for the blue team, but it is a little to the right on the cliff. What I do is take my viking and carefully maneuver it onto the cliff leading to the red base. I position my viking on the outside of the wall on the right side and snipe from there. I find that this is an incredibly useful spot because you have a 180 degree field of fire. The downside is, you are totally exposed, and if you don't move correctly, you fall into the waiting barrels of the red team attackers. With a heavier hull such as viking, you can cause massive damage to the red team. If you come under fire, use a few supplies and keep sniping. Despite its vulnerability, this spot has allowed me to achieve a score of 99 and 3.

With the shaft update, gone are the bouncing sights. Shaft will no longer bounce around in scope mode. Also, thanks for the vote of support to trom and Tankimedic.

Keep in mind we are talking about mammoth and dictator here. Though I would tend to agree that it seems a little unfair, especially since their m2 variants unlock relatively low, you have to put this into perspective. Both dictator and mammoth are pretty powerful. Having them unlock at gismo levels the playing field a bit.

^ Don't know what you're talking about. Viking is pure epicness

Going back to an idea I had earlier: Maybe make it more like an actual laser and only display the point where the laser hits, instead of the full beam.

ooh that would be so cool. Maybe shaft uses night vision, so everything appears like youre looking through night vision goggles

I definitely agree with you on that point Abrams.

I like the laser idea. If it is going to be implemented, i would change one thing. Change it so only the point where it hits is visible. On a lot of lasers in real life, you can't see the beam, but you can see where it hits. Having the full beam also comes at a serious disadvantage to snipers. The beam leads right to our hiding spot. If an enemy sees the beam, the come and target us. As a turret that is generally targeted anyway, this update makes shaft even more vulnerable. I personally feel the laser effect should be modified so that only the target dot is visible. Changing the effect to just the dot, would make it more realistic, and a little less hindering to campers. I also like the fact that shaft will no longer bounce around. I've found that this is a hindering factor when I'm shooting the smallest sliver of an enemy tank, or through a small gap between buildings and walls. Names for the new turret: Jackhammer, striker.

I like the laser idea. But maybe change it so only the point where it hits is visible. On a lot of lasers in real life, you can't see the beam, but you can see where it hits. Having the full beam also comes at a serious disadvantage to snipers. The beam leads right to our hiding spot. If an enemy sees the beam, the come and target us. As a turret that is generally targeted anyway, this update makes shaft even more vulnerable. I personally feel the laser effect should be modified so that only the target dot is visible. Changing the effect to just the dot, would make it more realistic, and a little less hindering to campers.

Not bad. I usually enter a DM with shaft if I have a friend in the same battle. That way I know someone can cover my back while I'm sniping. Other than that, I would stay to TDM'S and CTF'S.

Yeah. Did you see that youtube video of a mammoth getting wrecked by a bunch of twins?

I know. You don't have to tell me.

Wish I could buy viking m3... :(

Have you ever watched the gold box videos of people like warmers and jiangrio (gold box 500)? They seem to do pretty good with dictator m3.

First, what team are you talking about in silence. If I'm on the blue team, all I have to do is hop on the outside of the wall, and do a little drugging. I went 99 and 3 with shaft and viking m1 doing this. Also, I love that stadium spot as well.

Camping is fun for some people. It all depends on the style of gameplay that you like.

Wow nice job. My finger got tired just scrolling through all the pictures. :p I did notice that some of the pictures were doubles though.

That's an understatement. :D

Mmm tasty. *smacks lips hungrily.

I agree.

Hornets and wasps are shaft food.

I enjoy this update. As a sniper, I use shaft almost exclusively. With past updates, this meant that I was not able to gain as many crystals as someone who wasn't camping. Im always in the top three in all of my battles, but im still only getting the fund at the end because im not getting crystal boxes. overall, im getting less crystals. Throughout my career, I would say that I've missed out on hundreds of thousands of crystals. This update would solve this problem for snipers, as all we would have to do is play well to get the most crystals. We don't have to worry about collecting dropped crystals and can focus more on sniping. @majorpakpak: it's a risk everyone has to take. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Besides, collecting the drops will never be as profitable as playing well and staying to the end of a battle.

It's supposed to be ugly looking. Read its description.