Also..: Aren't we Drug Addicts due a little bit of slack, on account of how we subsidise the Game for those who have never given the Dev's a penny..? Just saying. :mellow:

My point was that with money, I can save time. I'm interested in progressing my character: getting the promotions that will give me access to better equipment. That is something I can do if I have the time (and patience), without it costing me anything. But if I haven't got the time (and I haven't), then purchasing power-ups and micro-upgrades means that I can level faster because I gain more XP per round. I've MU'd my Mammoth M1 to max, my Thunder M1 to max, and most of my paints (Python, Electro, Tundra &c.). Have to say that the KDR's of 50:1 (and more...) that I get on a map like Rio come from the maxing of my hull and turret, far more than they come from the use of purchased power-ups. Wouldn't know about Freeze... Seemed like a waste of money to purchase and upgrade that. And is it that with "Pro Battles" there are no supply crates that drop, or that you can't use power-ups/"drugs" at all? I thought it was the latter. And if so, can't you just play on them if you don't like going up against "Druggers"? :unsure:

Ummm… I picked this game up when I saw one of my sons playing it about a month ago, and have been playing it whenever time has allowed, ever since..! So I came to it post-“Smart Cooldowns”… I’m one of those people who always registers and pays for “Freeware” and “Shareware”, because I think independent software publishers should be encouraged. So my first impulse was to pay for some crystals, not for In-Game advantage, but because I wanted to recognise (and reward) the Tanki Developers for doing such an outstanding job. Had no idea what I should spend those crystals on, so bought the “1000’s of Supplies” kits for me and my son… And now have lots of “Drugs”. (And also the “Points Multiplier” cards… Do they disadvantage other players too..?) Have to say that the *ONLY* aspect of the Game I find off-putting, is other players whining about “drugging” (and not just because I have to try and explain to my 6-year old son why other players are calling him a “drugger”…). As far as I can tell, the “drugs” give a player an edge, but they’re not a Game Changer. In all of the game rounds I’ve played in the last month, I cannot recall playing one where there weren’t at least a few players on the opposing team also using Power Ups (and that’s not difficult to identify, is it?). What does appear to be a Game Changer, from my perspective at least, is that I have a fully micro-upgraded hull, gun and paints. All purchased with crystals that were bought and paid for, rather than earned in the heat of battle. That I “use drugs” as well does amplify those micro-upgrades (I guess, exponentially…), but it is the latter rather than the former that makes the difference. I do understand how frustrating it must be for players who can’t afford to purchase crystals; but I would say this: Those of us who can afford to purchase crystals, are almost certainly those who can’t afford to put the same amount of time into the Game as many other players. This because we’re out earning the money that we use to buy those crystals (amongst other things…)! If I hadn’t been able to purchase the In-Game advantage I have, then I would still be languishing in the Noob Ranks, and would almost certainly have lost interest in the Game now. I would have become demoralised by the lack of progress I was making (and therefore lack of access to upgrades), compared to those players who can devote more time to the Game than I can. Also: if the suggestion is that the Game Developers are alienating those people who play the Game for free, in order to encourage and reward those players who give them money… I would think that a basic understanding of Commerce would provide the explanation for that! Happy hunting (drugged up or otherwise…). :D