Review [Issue 7] The "Perfect" Camo?

[hogree 4,179]

There are good protection paints.. and there are bad protection paints. And there's the cheap paints of course, but they're useless. Right? Well, you may say they are useless, but many of the cheap paints have a special asset to them – camouflage.

Camouflage is a surprisingly useful asset in standard battles. In many a battle, a good camouflage can help you escape with the flag without being seen. Yet what and when should each camouflage paint be used?


So for you who have no idea, what is camouflage? The Oxford Dictionary states it as “the disguising of... equipment... by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings.” Quite a fitting description for the form of camouflage we are discovering today, I think. To put it simply, camo is blending into a background, and in Tanki's case, using paints to blend into backgrounds.


In this article, we're going to look at some of the cheap camo paints Tanki has. We'll look at where they are and where they aren't useful and then I will rate them. Time to go.



We'll start at the cheapest. White is one of those camouflage paints that is only useful in one aspect of Tanki – Winter Mode. White's colour (pretty obvious by the name) fits in well with white backgrounds, and since Winter maps are predominantly white, it is very effective in Winter Mode. The paint White is barely effective in any other scenarios however, as its paint stands out in summer backgrounds.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Winter Maps.

Worst in: Old Summer Maps. e.g. Kungur, Bobruisk

Camo Power Rating:

6/10. Though White is very effective in Winter Maps, probably most out of all paints, that is the limit to its abilities.

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Equally cheap as White, Black accommodates for the other side of the spectrum - quite literally. Black is useful generally in Summer Maps, particularly in dark maps. Parts of maps like the underground of Subway, tunnel in Iran and backing up against the dark brown walls in numerous old maps, black can give you a good hiding place out of obvious sight from the enemies.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Dark areas of maps e.g. Underground in Espalanade, Iran and Subway.

Worst in: Winter Maps, and newer bright maps e.g. Desert, Iran

Camo Power Rating:

4/10. Though it can afford to be a good camouflage occasionally in dark conditions, Black is not very useful in most scenarios, especially compared to certain paints that will be mentioned later on in this series.

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Since the graphic update, I think Flora has improved quite significantly. This paint is quite versatile, being able to fit in as a good camo in loads of backgrounds, particularly. Its complexion really helps in this case, having the colours to fit in almost every background without obvious jump-outs... except bright pink. However, Flora may be versatile but it isn't incredibly effective in any scenario – a bit like a person who can run the 100m, 200m, 5k and the Marathon, but gets Bronze Medal in all of them.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Old Summer Maps. e.g. Red Alert, Kungur, the Fort Knoxes

Worst in: Winter Maps


Camo Power Rating:

7.5/10. Flora's effectiveness since the update has been high and consistent. Though it can't fit into many backgrounds, Flora has very good potential, and as such a cheap paint, it is worth its money.

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This is arguably the king of camouflage. Forester's dark green texture is very similar to the colour army troops use – and that tells you something about its effectiveness. Its ability to mold into backgrounds, particularly old maps, is phenomenal, and when a Forester is sitting in a bush, it takes good eyesight to spot him out. Though since the new graphic updates, Forester has grown slightly worse due to the brighter props, its still super-useful. This is popular among many clans as a clan war paint, as it's camouflage can be very useful in clan war battles.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Old Summer Maps e.g. Tribute, Solikamsk, Serpuhov

Worst in: Winter Maps and certain newer maps e.g. Iran

Camo Power Rating:

8.5/10. In my opinion, Forester sits right up there in the list of camouflage paints. That dark green complexion molds in so perfectly with many Tanki backgrounds that very often, this paint is easier to miss than to see.

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Very similar to Forester, the paint next along the line is Savanna. The only main difference between it and the above paint is the shade of colour it involves. But since the recent graphics update, Savanna's use has upped hugely, as the props have grown lighter in colour. Now, Savanna is incredibly useful in so many maps as its colours mould in very well, particularly with older maps.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Old Summer Maps e.g. Bobruisk, Serpuhov

Worst in: New Summer Maps e.g. Subway, Industrial Zone

Camo Power Rating:

9/10. Since the graphics update, Savanna has narrowly shot above Forester in my opinion. Just that lighter complexion makes a big enough difference to narrow them apart in the end.

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We hit the next few, and encounter a paint with a very similar yet different texture to both of the above. The only main difference between them is that Blue replaces Green. And boy, is that a main difference. Since there are very little Blue props in Tanki, people often under-rate Marine – counting it quite useless since it doesn't fit into any background. Admittedly, the dark-ish complexion is useful, and occasionally it is seen that you do encounter blue props that can afford camouflage. However, compared to Green, well really.. Blue doesnt compare.

Camo Summary:

Best in: Old Summer Maps e.g. Fort Knox II / New Props Maps e.g. Crash

Worst in: New Summer Maps e.g. Silence, Espalande

Camo Power Rating:

6.5/10. Marine has decent abilities with molding in, but it's blue complexion isn't good enough to compare with the likes of Forester unfortunately.

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Another similar texture to the likes of Flora, Forester and Marine, Urban's Green and Grey texture is super-useful in Tanki. Green and Grey – those two colours are practically the most seen of all the props in Tanki. Another paint not to be underestimated, Urban can give you help just when you need it with its great colour blend. If you say with Flora you get Bronze Medal in all of the different races, you can say with Urban that you get Silver.

Camo Summary:

Best in: All Summer Maps e.g. Industrial Zone, Massacre, Parma / Some Winter Maps

Worst in: A few Winter Maps.

Camo Power Rating:

8/10. Urban's power lies in its colour arrangement in my opinion. As you can see from the summary above, it fits well in almost all backgrounds, and though it isn't super-awesome in any, Urban isn't to be under-rated.

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The final camouflage paint we'll look at today is Desert. Its yellow complexion is unique from almost all paints – only Dragon and Rustle have a similar colour. This paint is ideal for newer summer maps. Before the recent influx in more “summery” maps , the texture for Desert was quite poor, but with the newer maps, Desert's yellow colour is very useful.

Camo Summary:

Best in: New Summer Maps e.g. Silence, Desert, Iran

Worst in: Old Summer Maps e.g. Kungur, Tribute

Camo Power Rating:

8.5/10. Over recent times, Desert has improved massively as a paint. Looking through the servers, there are so many more Silences, Subways and Irans than there were a year ago. This advantage brings up the use of Desert massively.

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So there it is. My ratings and views on 8 of the most popular non-protective camouflage paints out there.

Now just for a few words of advice:

• Just because I gave Savanna the highest ratings doesn't necessarily mean its the best choice in all scenarios. Look at my “Camo Summary”'s of each paint, then deduct which is best for the map your playing in.
• So Savanna's my "best camo paint". But whats yours? Many people differ with me on these views. Tell me your opinion as a post below. I would be very interested to see what other people think is the best camo paint in the game.
• Also note that all the pictures I took with above were with m0's. Using an m0 combo is much easier to blend in with backgrounds, since there are less metallic strips along the tank. M3 combos are harder to blend in, as their metallic lines often stick out.

So that was my overview on all those camo paints out there, and how they can be used. Do you differ in your opinions? Please tell me your own opinion on what is the best camo paint below. Thanks.

P.S. This article was written before the rebalance - some of the information mentioned might now be wrong.



Avatar credits to BLASTOISE-T12

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[markoskerass2 1]

Nice avatar xD

[WhiteKnight170 2]

HOG!!!!!!!! Nice topic, seems like some of the paints now have protection, due to the rebalance, but the camo may still be the deciding factor. It's a good read :D

[Raphael2 3,263]

Well written :)

[r_BLASTOISE-T120 241]

you're welcome hogy boy :ph34r:

[xKingOfNoobs007x 0]

the best paint for me is forester.and nicely written!!! ;)

[I.D0M 601]

Too bad the actually good paints don't have much camouflage effect.

[hogree 4,179]

Too bad the actually good paints don't have much camouflage effect.

 

Some of them do - like Needle and Taiga, but that's one of the reasons why they are good paints. The paints with protection generally don't blend in so well, so that it makes people consider using a non-protective paint instead, which gives them more camo.

[Racos321 0]

Hey hogree, nice article, pretty well-done ;)

One question, I bought swash paint, but I think I didnt do so good because I´m kinda like a sniper (I use thunder), and swash protects against short-range guns, which isn´t very convenient.

Anyhow, where could swash be a good camo? Or it was a big mistake to buy it? :wacko:

P.D.: Merry Christmas everybody ! :lol: (I´ts still December 25 where i live when i put this)

Edited December 26, 2012 by Racos321

[hogree 4,179]

^ Swash.... one of the worst camo paints out there if you're looking for camo :P But anyway, since the Blue colour is quite similar to Marine in a way, you could blend in with the occasional blue boxes alright. But Swash is one of those bright, stand-out paints in Tanki... if you were looking to get a good camo paint: Swash - your doing it wrong.

 

I have to admit, Swash is a nice paint though.

[BoRn.To.Be.WiLd 29]

Good job hog :P

[Racos321 0]

^ Swash.... one of the worst camo paints out there if you're looking for camo :P But anyway, since the Blue colour is quite similar to Marine in a way, you could blend in with the occasional blue boxes alright. But Swash is one of those bright, stand-out paints in Tanki... if you were looking to get a good camo paint: Swash - your doing it wrong.

 

I have to admit, Swash is a nice paint though.

Yeah, and also that my paint should protect me against long range guns, not much like swash :wacko: because im a sniper. thanks anyway

[r_caleb7770 2]

Nice Article Hogree ;)

[datie9 72]

Good job hog.

[MisterGeneral 692]

if you have read the post, then please nvm it, i talked without thinking srry.

my real post:

in my opinion, the best camo is no camo because you can easily see which is tank and which is not in anymap any paint any time.

Edited January 22, 2013 by MisterGeneral

[spartan343 8]

You're*

[jvpski3 0]

I like it, very well written. :lol:

[williew 1,999]

Great information..

[SilverCenturion 0]

Perfect topic for me to think! :P

[hogree 4,179]

Savanna be too popular now. :P Spoilz the fun.

[Eragon 13,876]

Nice, but I prefer "GodMode" paint only :P

[MarineMan2 1,164]

I like how you spoke more about the paint's ability to conceal the tank, rather than what weapons it protects from. Because if used right, protection from weapons should not even pose an issue.

 

Thanks,

            MarineMan2

[RicoGod 1,832]

This is awesome :D

[HABSTER01 0]

very well written

[Orgrinda 0]

I've bought Forester!