Let's Discuss Smoky!

[yellowghetto 3,206]

I LOVE SMOKY M3! I wish  could've bought Smoky XT BUT NO PAYMENT METHOD WORKED! Anyways, back to my review, I think Smoky every modification is well balanced. I has a quick reload, no splash, heavy critical damage, and decent penetration. The new alteration Autocannon, makes smoky a rapid firing gatling gun with higher chances of a critical. I think it is a great turret with no need of a buff or a nerf.  :D 
 

[wolverine848 13,097]

I LOVE SMOKY M3! I wish  could've bought Smoky XT BUT NO PAYMENT METHOD WORKED! Anyways, back to my review, I think Smoky every modification is well balanced. I has a quick reload, no splash, heavy critical damage, and decent penetration. The new alteration Autocannon, makes smoky a rapid firing gatling gun with higher chances of a critical. I think it is a great turret with no need of a buff or a nerf.  :D 

 

Did you mean Impact?  Smoky has 0 penetration...

[TheCongoSpider 8,962]

I don't know if I've missed something in the Patch notes or something, but Smoky's impact force has suddenly become drastically strong in the low ranks. 

 

The majority of Smokies I encounter in the low ranks are m2 but the ones that I know are M1, they are still battering around my Viking (Understandable) and my Hunter (Not Understandable).

 

I'm trying to lock onto a Smoky + Titan (who is completely still) with my Striker ( I'm completely still as well) and he hits me with one shot on the front end of the tank and makes my Viking do a full 50-degree spin. Even after I turned my tank WHILST turning my turret back to him, it was so strong that my laser couldn't have mad it back to him before the reticle disappeared. 

 

It has reached to the point where whenever I encounter a smoky while using Viking Striker, it makes no sense trying to even put up a fight. it also makes no sense trying to run away either because he/she would just make me crash into the wall everytime I catch my balance from the last knocking.

 

The impact force wasn't this strong in the low ranks even with M1 Smoky upgraded 10/10. What is happening?

 

 

Edit: I forgot to mention that all of the Smokies I am complaining about were not using the "Assault Rounds" alteration. 

Edited December 4, 2018 by TheCongoSpider

[enri_chill 265]

I don't know if I've missed something in the Patch notes or something, but Smoky's impact force has suddenly become drastically strong in the low ranks. 

 

The majority of Smokies I encounter in the low ranks are m2 but the ones that I know are M1, they are still battering around my Viking (Understandable) and my Hunter (Not Understandable).

 

I'm trying to lock onto a Smoky + Titan (who is completely still) with my Striker ( I'm completely still as well) and he hits me with one shot on the front end of the tank and makes my Viking do a full 50-degree spin. Even after I turned my tank WHILST turning my turret back to him, it was so strong that my laser couldn't have mad it back to him before the reticle disappeared. 

 

It has reached to the point where whenever I encounter a smoky while using Viking Striker, it makes no sense trying to even put up a fight. it also makes no sense trying to run away either because he/she would just make me crash into the wall everytime I catch my balance from the last knocking.

 

The impact force wasn't this strong in the low ranks even with M1 Smoky upgraded 10/10. What is happening?

 

 

Edit: I forgot to mention that all of the Smokies I am complaining about were not using the "Assault Rounds" alteration. 

I ditched the viking (m4) because of its instability. The Hunter is a much more stable and solid platform for facing smoky, thunder, rail, shaft, rico, etc.  I don't think smoky is hitting harder...I think Viking's stability (it's former strength) got nerfed big time a while back. Now Hunter is the more balanced midrange hull.

[Downsides 0]

Is the precision aiming system alteration worth the 50k a guy like me can afford?

[WhiteAlbatross 30]

I don't know if I've missed something in the Patch notes or something, but Smoky's impact force has suddenly become drastically strong in the low ranks. 

 

The majority of Smokies I encounter in the low ranks are m2 but the ones that I know are M1, they are still battering around my Viking (Understandable) and my Hunter (Not Understandable).

 

I'm trying to lock onto a Smoky + Titan (who is completely still) with my Striker ( I'm completely still as well) and he hits me with one shot on the front end of the tank and makes my Viking do a full 50-degree spin. Even after I turned my tank WHILST turning my turret back to him, it was so strong that my laser couldn't have mad it back to him before the reticle disappeared. 

 

It has reached to the point where whenever I encounter a smoky while using Viking Striker, it makes no sense trying to even put up a fight. it also makes no sense trying to run away either because he/she would just make me crash into the wall everytime I catch my balance from the last knocking.

 

The impact force wasn't this strong in the low ranks even with M1 Smoky upgraded 10/10. What is happening?

 

 

Edit: I forgot to mention that all of the Smokies I am complaining about were not using the "Assault Rounds" alteration. 

Too many skilled players in low ranks these days.

They are accurate, and they aim for corners of hulls.

A couple of MUs on M1 smoky and you can even knock off aim of titan m1.

[enri_chill 265]

Is the precision aiming system alteration worth the 50k a guy like me can afford?

It depends on how you enjoy using the smoky. The benefit of the alt is a fairly strong increase in normal damage across the board (especially minimum damage), plus an subtle but noticeable increase in critical damage. All of that comes at the expense of firing rate. If you tend to use the smoky's faster fire rate to keep enemy tanks off balance and unable to land solid shots on you, then this alt is not worth the crystals. If, however, you like the peek-a-boo tactics or stay mobile and hit-and-run, then the decrease in firing rate is not that important...for that player the alt is worth it. 

 

I have 3 alts for the smoky...assault rounds (no crit, but lovely amounts of impact), precision aiming (see description above), and incendiary rounds (nice after burn for tracking enemy tanks and hit and run tactics). I think my favorite of those is the incendiary rounds...but that fits my playing style better. 

 

Hope that helps and good luck!!!

[enri_chill 265]

Is the precision aiming system alteration worth the 50k a guy like me can afford?

On a side note, I just saw your rank...I would put my focus on your next kit. Don't do what I did and try to buy every m1 turret and hull. Choose a good medium hull and your favorite turret and work those. The alts are really intended for folks who already have a solid hull/turret/protection set up. You are probably just getting going. Also it looks like you haven't been playing recently. So welcome back.

[tankhd.jr 24]

I am still using smoky without an alt, am I missing out on alot? It looks to me that the alts just change smoky's playstyle rather than make it stronger (which is the point of alterations I guess). Any alts that people think are worth buying/fun to play with? I'm worried that firebird protection will reduce to effectiveness of the burning alt.

[wolverine848 13,097]

I am still using smoky without an alt, am I missing out on alot? It looks to me that the alts just change smoky's playstyle rather than make it stronger (which is the point of alterations I guess). Any alts that people think are worth buying/fun to play with? I'm worried that firebird protection will reduce to effectiveness of the burning alt.

Smoky alts?  I have original two - don't use them much.

Edited December 10, 2018 by wolverine848

[SporkZilla 1,775]

I bought assault ammo on all on my accounts back when it was 25k in a sale.

 

It was fun for a while to whack light hulls and win 1 v 1 duels with Vikings by knocking them about, but I was getting fewer kills at my low ranks (between WO2 and WO5 with M1/10 Smoky) without the critical.

 

I think it's one for higher ranks / equipment levels when the difference between critical and normal damage is smaller.

Edited December 10, 2018 by SporkZilla

[happymad 0]

why is the smoky more powerful than a shaft this is bull ****

[wolverine848 13,097]

why is the smoky more powerful than a shaft this is bull ****

At what distance?  The smoky damage pales compared to scope mode.

 

And shaft arcade... re-load and damage are comparable to smoky - and this is it's secondary attack.

[DieselPlatinum 5,121]

At what distance?  The smoky damage pales compared to scope mode.

 

And shaft arcade... re-load and damage are comparable to smoky - and this is it's secondary attack.

 

I think he's butt hurt because he's mainly a shaft user.

[happymad 0]

I think he's butt hurt because he's mainly a shaft user.

no by the time the shaft gets a shot out the smokey has shot 3 times 

[enri_chill 265]

why is the smoky more powerful than a shaft this is bull ****

What do you mean "more powerful?"

 

I use both turrets and have done so from m2 up. I have taken the shaft to m4 and have the smoky close...m3 (17/20). For me the shaft is a more flexible turret. They are incredibly similar in close combat (i.e., using arcade shots for shaft and normal shots for smoly). But at far distance the shaft is light years ahead of the smoky on the damage front (assuming you are using any form of a scope shot). Now if you are comparing arcade shots at a distance for shaft vs. smoky shots at distance you are correct...but that is why you have a scope on the shaft and the capability of one-shotting most enemy tanks.

[enri_chill 265]

no by the time the shaft gets a shot out the smokey has shot 3 times 

Are you saying that by the time the shaft shoots a scoped shot and reloads for another? Or are you talking purely about arcade vs. smoky?

If they are same level and m/u then they should shoot roughly at the same rate. Three primary differences at close range that are all in favor of smoky are:

• shot impact,
• turret speed, and
• critical shots

You can visit the wiki page here (shaft) and here (smoky) to compare numbers yourself.

[u812ic 1,629]

What does cumulative and supercumulative mean as it applies to Smokey?

[DieselPlatinum 5,121]

What does cumulative and supercumulative mean as it applies to Smokey?

I think they're talking about standard hits (cumulative) and critical hits (supercumulative)

[enri_chill 265]

What does cumulative and supercumulative mean as it applies to Smokey?

The supercumulative alt for smoky cuts your chance of landing a critical shot by 50% but in return it increases the critical damage by 50%.

So take a basic m3 smoky with no micro-upgrades:

• Standard m3 with NO alt ---> Critical Chance=18.9% and critical damage is 776.47
• Standard m3 WITH supercumulative alt ---> Critical change=9.45% and critical damage is 1164.705

So you can figure out your playing style and decide if that is worth the trade off. Instead of a critical shot every 5 shots on average it would become about 1 every 10 shots landed...the nice side of this alt is your firing rate is NOT degraded like it is with the precision aiming alt. 

[wolverine848 13,097]

The supercumulative alt for smoky cuts your chance of landing a critical shot by 50% but in return it increases the critical damage by 50%.

So take a basic m3 smoky with no micro-upgrades:

• Standard m3 with NO alt ---> Critical Chance=18.9% and critical damage is 776.47
• Standard m3 WITH supercumulative alt ---> Critical change=9.45% and critical damage is 1164.705

So you can figure out your playing style and decide if that is worth the trade off. Instead of a critical shot every 5 shots on average it would become about 1 every 10 shots landed...the nice side of this alt is your firing rate is NOT degraded like it is with the precision aiming alt. 

Are you sure it's chances cut in half x +50% damage and not +100% damage?

 

original = .189 x 776.47 = 146.75 damage

 

alteration (from above) = 0.0945 x 1164.705 = 110.06     

 

That's a large cut in damage for using alteration. For a 1/10 chance to do more damage at extreme range?  Not worth it at all.

[u812ic 1,629]

Yesterday, my Vulcan M2.10 with incendiary alt/Titan M2.8 with DD activated went up against a Titan M? with autocannon. The other tank was too far away to see what supplies he had activated or what M his Titan was. I had just respawned so I had 100% health. He killed me before the incendiary alt took affect. During the battle, he and I went up against each other at a distance 4 times. He won every time. 

 

EDIT: I was thinking about that battle some more. He was with a group 3 times we encountered and once by himself. It's possible that I may have take damage by another tank, I don't know. Our team was keeping them pretty busy. It was ASL, we were the attackers. I kept the nest down to a minimum doing more damage to a lot of tanks instead of just killing one. 

Edited December 13, 2018 by u812ic

[enri_chill 265]

Are you sure it's chances cut in half x +50% damage and not +100% damage?

 

original = .189 x 776.47 = 146.75 damage

 

alteration (from above) = 0.0945 x 1164.705 = 110.06     

 

That's a large cut in damage for using alteration. For a 1/10 chance to do more damage at extreme range?  Not worth it at all.

The damage and percentages are correct that I listed for a baseline m3 smoky. You can visit the wiki and run the numbers to confirm if you want. I don't think I'm wrong. Standard shots are left unaltered. All you are changing is the frequency of critical shots decreases by 50% and the damage increases by 50% per the wiki for Supercumulative Rounds

 

What it looks like you are doing wrong in your calculation is multiplying the chance of critical shots by the damage of a critical shot and that is NOT at all what the alt does.

Hope that makes some sense.

 

The damage I listed for critical damage shots is the exact amount you will inflict on the enemy tank when you do land a critical shot.

Edited December 13, 2018 by enri_chill

[enri_chill 265]

Are you sure it's chances cut in half x +50% damage and not +100% damage?

 

original = .189 x 776.47 = 146.75 damage

 

alteration (from above) = 0.0945 x 1164.705 = 110.06     

 

That's a large cut in damage for using alteration. For a 1/10 chance to do more damage at extreme range?  Not worth it at all.

This alt does NOT effect range at all. It only effects the chance of landing a critical shot (which is completely independent of distance from target) and the amount of damage that shot will inflict (which is not effected by distance either).

 

This alt gives you NO DECREASE in damage AT ALL.

It reduces your frequency of landing a critical shot by 50%. That is the only negative.

Edited December 13, 2018 by enri_chill

[enri_chill 265]

Yesterday, my Vulcan M2.10 with incendiary alt/Titan M2.8 with DD activated went up against a Titan M? with autocannon. The other tank was too far away to see what supplies he had activated or what M his Titan was. I had just respawned so I had 100% health. He killed me before the incendiary alt took affect. During the battle, he and I went up against each other at a distance 4 times. He won every time. 

 

EDIT: I was thinking about that battle some more. He was with a group 3 times we encountered and once by himself. It's possible that I may have take damage by another tank, I don't know. Our team was keeping them pretty busy. It was ASL, we were the attackers. I kept the nest down to a minimum doing more damage to a lot of tanks instead of just killing one. 

Assuming you all were completely same levels and same drugs at play (with no isida behind him) the only way he will wreck you every time is IF you just spawned...at that time he will have landed 2 shots on you BEFORE you even begin shooting anything at him. You vulcan will not start overheating until you have been firing 11.29 seconds. At that point your alt will kick in and you will begin to do normal damage + afterburn at 300dps upon him.

 

If you do not have Fire protection yet, you should make that an incredibly high priority. Also DA is a better drug for your set up than DD. You want to get to overheating as quickly as possible and extend your time in that zone as long as possible. DO NOT overheat and then stop shooting unless there is a RK nearby. You will continue to burn at 300dps for 6 seconds and deliver ZERO damage to enemy tanks.