I can't even get past the original post page here. Too many of the web links come up error to understand the message. I've yet to find a contest I can actually participate in. I'm sure I'll find one eventually.

Lol, id go for Tour Operator. ^.^ Except the long hours suck! I don't need money THAT bad. Lol

For the most part I read just main ideas and get the jist of the argument. It's a controversial topic. There really isn't much of a story here if you ask me. The bare bones is Supplies are staying. Choose for yourself whether you supply or not and try not to get too religious about other people supplying or not. Play your game and deal with the reality. In my opinion, just too many words in the article to waste too much time reading through (irregardless of whether I agree with the article or not). Play on! ^_^

It's not only language barriers. Some players are so young they don't even read or write in the chat. My post, as in every strategy, is what one might aim at for ideal battle play. Life and reality, needless to say, are always a bit messier; especially! if you're playing with random team mates all the time.

I love the sport of team battles. My health doesn't allow me to join outdoor sports. Tanki is one of those games you can have fun with a team pickup match or get some ppl you know to play with you. Sometimes it's a frustrating game when you get smeared unrelentingly by a wolf pack team, but the hilarity of other moments and fun times in the game make up for it. I might get frustrated with an update or change, but I keep coming back. New hulls or turrets may not necessarily keep me interested. I think it's just simply the sport of it that draws me in. ^_^

Don't return your flag! I know. Sounds crazy right? I see so many creatures of habit run up to their flag to return it to base, but is this always the best course of action? Take a look around. Are there any opposing team members bearing down on the flag? Return it quick in this case. Are there opponents sitting on your base's flag position ready to run with your flag unopposed? Definitely not a good time to return the flag; especially if no opponents are bearing down on you to get your out of place flag. I've seen this happen often. The enemy steals the flag but they are stopped soon after. The flag is safely nestled out of view of the enemy team and they have to work harder to find it. It's not in it's home; they may even assume that one of their teammates has it and not worry too much about it. Explain this thinking soon in the battle to your teammates and run into your mates trying to replace it. Even a few seconds of delay may help your team get the advantage. A few more seconds for other teammates to rally and kick but are always handy. Oh, and another thing. While the enemy comes in waves don't be afraid to die while defending; best time to die is just after a wave. Rush into enemy land to give them some shots and die in the process. Reset with new life and vigour to reposition near your flag. There aren't always health boxes around and better to give them some shots from your gun while you charge in instead of self destructing, of course. These are the 2 tips I have for defending. Plus, talk to your team and get someone to stay with you on defence with you. Better yet, get a real life friend to play with you so you can have real time communication about the situation.

In many ways I agree with the original post. I have been playing for more than a year ("off and on" because of frustration). I'm a f2player and I have noticed that skill in other players peaks as I hit ranks where I need to buy M1. But, though I play skillfully I never have enough crystals to upgrade to M1 (even when I buy 1 turret and 1 hull or even just stick with hunter and smokey). Because, of this imbalance I am inclined to agree with the original post that there is indeed a huge draw to put up some cash to continue (which is good business design). But, because of this frustration and inability to continue in any humanely survivable fashion I just make a new account and let the last account I hit the ceiling on rot. ^_^ lol To date I believe I have in the area of 9 tanki accounts and rising. ^_^ lol I like some of the changes, and I'm sure the developers put up with a ton of honest to goodness pure hater whining (God bless 'em). Irregardless of changes though, I have never been able to make it to M1 purely by earning crystals. This leads me to believe that the argument that changes to the game have created the imbalance is a false idea. I think the imbalance has been there for many years. The changes to gameplay have not altered their business plan. Honestly, I've played and enjoyed tanki enough and appreciate their work (and personally realize nothing is free) that one of these days I may pay for crystals just out of guilt for never paying a dime for someone else's work. Granted, how much money they make in "cash cow" central doesn't need to be greedy making more than they need for good lives. But, we also are playing THEIR game. They're entitled to charge whatever and I'm sure employ en economist to keep profits to a max. All in all, I will keep playing for free most likely and keep creating new accounts. I just wish there was a way I could either restart an account from zero experience like a reset OR be able to delete accounts I'll likely never play again (so their system isn't chalk full of all my past accounts. ^_^ lol I'm leaning toward trying buying some crystals at least once, but then again probably wont because I'm never serious enough about a game to go to top levels and compete. As an example. World of Warcraft; I get to the top, I get bored, real life friends don't play, and paying to be mad at a game I'm not good at... lol I'm just not good at the top level of competing in games that are pay to play period. I know that about myself.. so I'll probably never pay to play a game that's free. Again, on WoW I continue on my original account creating and recreating toons and playing for free until level 20. ^_^ lol I love the creative process and tinkering. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. To all you tankers out there - play with honour and respect and you will increase your honour and self respect. And that's the best kind of leveling up there is! Game on!