[Guide] Shaft

[bwana 16]

Hello everybody, It has been a while since I first posted this guide and a lot has changed since then, so I have redone my guide.

If you find anything in my guide to be lacking or inaccurate, please notify me. I hope you enjoy!

 

Tanki Online Guide to Shaft

 

Though there are many people who think shaft is very cool, most do not realize how profitable it can be. Shaft is the most powerful weapon, but also the slowest. This guide is here to show you just how to use it, and is made by someone who gained 12,000 crystals in 3 days using this weapon.

 

Positive Facts:

1. Shaft is the most powerful weapon in tankionline.
2. Shaft has a sniper scope, allowing you to pinpoint targets.
3. Shaft's scope allows you to see through bushes and shrubbery.
4. Shaft can use different shot strengths to allow for a faster reload.
5. Shaft's turret shape is difficult to sight, making shaft-on-shaft warfare difficult.

 

Negative Facts:

1. Shaft has the third-slowest rotation speed of all the turrets.
2. Shaft has a slow reload speed.
3. The view from Shaft's sniper scope can be blocked by Firebird, Freeze, Isida, and Ricochet.
4. When sniping your shot can be thrown off completely by many turrets.
5. When sniping your shot will sometimes fire automatically if tanks are bumping into you.

 

Numerical Data:

 

Previously I had a bunch of numbers under this heading. However, I decided to show some more helpful statistics instead. If you want to see the hard data, feel free to go to the Tanki Online wiki page for Shaft.

 

An un-upgraded M0 Shaft can one-shot an M0 Hunter, M1 Wasp, and M1 Hornet.

An M1 Shaft can one-shot an M2 Wasp, M0 Titan, M0 Dictator, M2 Hornet, and M0 Viking.

An M2 Shaft can one-shot an M2 Hunter, M3 Wasp, M1 Dictator, M3 Hornet, M0 Mammoth, and M1 Viking.

An M3 Shaft can one-shot an M1 Titan and M1 Mammoth.

An M3 Shaft can be micro-upgraded to one-shot an M3 Hunter, M2 Dictator, and M3 Viking.

 

 

Now lets find out how to use shaft:

(Tip: Never use shaft at close range).

Solid Numbers:

In order to use shaft to the maximum performance, it helps to know what is needed to kill your enemy.

 

Turret/Hull Combos: What is ok and what to avoid.

 

Shaft/Wasp: This is just begging for trouble. Shaft always needs a reasonable health bar to give it some leaning space while you aim at your target. Because you are always going to be singled out, you need to have at least 100 on your health bar.

 

Shaft/Hunter: Use this combo only when saving cystals to get a better one. It will get you through, but just barely. It gives average performance in drug wars.

 

Shaft/Titan: This is a highly functional combo that works well for most sniping. It offers more speed than Mammoth, but less armor.

 

Shaft/Dictator: Though some players make good use of this combo, I do not recommend it. Dictator raises the gun dangerously high, giving enemy shafts a good target. That, combined with its turning base, makes the user need extra skill. It does work reasonably well in drug wars.

 

Shaft/Hornet: This is a favored combo for a reason I have never figured out. Perhaps people like it because it makes up for the speed lost in shaft's turret. This combo, however, will not suit you sniping needs, since it is the second-least armored hull in the game. Use plenty of double armor.

 

Shaft/Mammoth: This is my favourite combo. It has the best lifespan, but does not turn or move well. I suggest you use it only in team battles.

 

Shaft/Viking: This combo is in the exact middle. It has good armor, good speed, a good rotation gradient, and good performance. This is your average MBT.

 

Enemy Turret/Hull Combos: Who to avoid attention from.

 

Smoky/Wasp: Easily destroyed.

 

Smoky/Hunter, Dictator: Not much of a hassle, if you catch it at a distance.

 

Smoky/Titan, Mammoth: Try to stay out of sight while shooting.

 

Smoky/Hornet: Quickly destroyed (if you can keep you sights on him!)

 

Smoky/Viking: You will need two shots, so use the wisely.

 

Firebird, Freeze, Isida/Wasp, Hornet: Take care of them at a distance, they cause trouble if you miss.

 

Firebird, Freeze, Isida/Titan, Mammoth: Their slow speed gives you a lot of time for multiple shots, but they are to be killed with the utmost caution. Drug wars means imminent death to you.

 

Firebird, Freeze, Isida/Hunter: This won't be hard if you play it right. Beware of one using nitro.

 

Firebird, Freeze, Isida/Dictator, Viking: A very dangerous foe, on not to be taken lightly. Use drugs if they are necissary for keeping your tank safe.

 

Twins/Wasp,Hornet: Kill them before they get close.

 

Twins/Hunter, Dictator: Not much trouble, but kill them quickly.

 

Twins/Titan,Mammoth: Shoot them far away, stay out of sight while they're close.

 

Twins/Viking: Same as with Mammoth, but not so hard to kill.

 

Railgun/Wasp, Hunter, Dictator, Hornet: Not much trouble if they don't see you.

 

Railgun/Titan, Mammoth, Viking: Stay out of sight, even if it means losing the shot.

 

Thunder/Wasp: Easily taken out. Not nessisarily a dange, but can be a real bother.

 

Shaft/Small hulls: Easily killed, but don't catch their eye.

 

Shaft/Big hulls: Kill this tank without being seen if possible, but duel it out if you are fired upon.

 

Ricochet/Small hulls: This tank requires your best skill.

 

Ricochet/Big hulls: Hide or relocate. This is not worth fighting.

 

I'm still kind of iffy on my knowledge of Hammer and Vulcan. I will post my thoughts on them as soon as I can.

 

How to fight: What to do in battle.

Deathmatch:

This will be the most uncertain of all you battles. Every tank works better with a friend, and shaft is no exception. Once you are put into the game try to move to a good sniping position (a place where you are only exposed from 1-2 sides). If you are far away from them, shoot from where you are until you are killed, the try again once you respawn.

Picking out HVTs:

High Value Targets are always a sniper's priority. When aiming, kill your biggest threats first.

Polygon:

Polygon Deathmatches are the hardest battles a shaft will ever fight. Until you respawn at a sniping location, you will be exposed from all sides. This battle is for the guys who know what they're doing.

 

Team Deathmatch:

This will be you easiest battle class, and the one you should use until confident in you skills. Find an area at the rear of your team's side and pick off tanks at you leisure.

Silence and Moon Silence:

These are the easiest maps you will ever face, and they are sniping fields full of good spots.

 

Capture the Flag:

Shaft should never be used at close range, so don't try capturing any flags. Set up somewhere safe where you can watch the enemy's flag, your teamates going after the flag, or the routes your enemy will use to attack you flag. Always remember to keep a constant look-out for approaching enemy troops.

Team Support:

During CTF's your Highest Value Targets are the enemys that stop your troops from getting the flag.

Crash:

Crash map has the most sniping locations of any map. Find a good spot and stay there, or else!

 

Control Points:

Follow TDM and CTF rules, but keep a very close watch around you.

Iran:

Iran map has plenty of cover, but because of the interlocking paths, sniping through the scope is extremely dangerous.

Dueling:

 

Duels fought against Smoky, Firebird, Twins, Freeze, and Isida should be very easy if you are sniping properly. It's the others you have to worry about.

Railgun/Small hull: Wait for your shaft to have full killing power before firing. You should remeber certain stats for you second shot.

Railgun/Big hull: Try to aim for the corner of the hull, in order to nock you enemy of balance. Wait until you have full power and fire as soon as the blue flash comes out of the rail. (This tactic may not work on Mammoth or Titan, in some cases).

Thunder/Anything: Duel it out one-on-one or change positions between shots if possible. Remember stats to calculate your shots.

Shaft/Small hull: Aim for the corner again, and fire when you have full power.

Shaft/Big hull: Dueling it out may kill you unless you use double power (and sometimes double armour to). Try to relocate between full-power shots.

Ricochet/Small hull: Aiming for corners is essential here.

Ricochet/Big hull: Aviod this if you can, but if it is in your way, use full power shots (and double armour if you have it), and relocate between each shot.

Tip: If any of these tanks are being replenished by Isida, give it up and go somewhere else.

 

Sniping: Straight-forward facts

These principles apply to all tanki snipers.

1. Always be on your guard. Keep a constant watch around you and check your score only when you die.
2. Never stay in one place. If you are sighted or shot at, relocate.
3. Be conservative with your shots. Shoot HVT's first before other Tanks. Use this guide to find HVT's.

• Shoot your biggest threats first.
• Shoot you team's biggest threats second.
• Shoot possible threats third.
• Leave those you are not worried about for last.

My favorite battlefield, for those who want to get used to sniping is Serpuhov. Play in a team battle, preferably TDM or CTF. You can't go wrong.

 

This is not a complete guide but it should get you well on your way. Happy Sniping!

Edited August 16, 2016 by bwana

[bwana 16]

Please PM me if you have questions.

[Andrewhero100 65]

very nice  :)

[I3loodShot 3,119]

 

1. Shaft is the most powerful weapon in tankionline.

No, it's only powerful at low ranks when everyone has m0 hulls.

[bwana 16]

 

No, it's only powerful at low ranks when everyone has m0 hulls.

The fact that you say that indicates that you have never properly learned how to use shaft. Shaft is the most powerful gun in Tanki Online starting from M0 and going through M3. As for you hulls, proper use of the weapon will fix your problems nicely.

[FC_BayernMunchen 1,941]

The fact that you say that indicates that you have never properly learned how to use shaft. Shaft is the most powerful gun in Tanki Online starting from M0 and going through M3. As for you hulls, proper use of the weapon will fix your problems nicely.

Statistically it has the highest damage per shot, but as modifications move up, then the hulls have higher armor. M0 Shaft can't one-shot M0Viking, M0 Titan, or M0 Mammoth. At M1, it still cannot one-shot those hulls (when they are M1), but now it cannot one-shot M1 Dictator. Also, keep in mind that Shaft only has high damage when it is fully charged, and when fully charged, the turret moves insanely slow; not to mention the crappy view from the scope. And, in drug wars, Shaft fails completely, especially with everyone using Medikits.

[whodat34 58]

I use m2 shaft m2 hornet digital in 1 hour 10 i got 1440 xp and for sometime the other team was drugging.With 2x damage far out i love that wepon it and one shot every tank m2.And it can one shot quit a few tanks any tank at m1 is a goner it one shots them at m2 shaft i get lots of xp with it i love it its the boom if u know how much charge to kill tanks with then your gona own up.Happy tanking people

[r_The-Player20 313]

This is, no.

 

Also, false facts here.

 

 

 

1.  
2. Shaft's sniper scope can be blocked by Firebird, Freeze, Isida, and Ricochet.
3.  
4. When sniping your shot will sometimes fire automatically if tanks are bumping into you.

If tanks bump, you might just release the space bar, and Shaft's scope can be blocked by any weapon/hull.

[bwana 16]

If any readers have suggestions on how to improve the guide, I'm happy to hear them.

[r_DidYouKnowThat0 1,662]

Shaft+Mammoth+Drugs = Awesome when going against low Ranks. I remember at your rank I was using Shaft/Mammoth combo. I was good at it. And when my team was losing in Silence Blue team, I just drugged and captured a flag without Isida. Lol it was funny seeing how they tried to kill me at no prevail. And killing with no-scope is just grand with 2x Power. :) Good memories with Shaft. :lol:

[bwana 16]

I've had the same experiences. The first battle I played after I fought shaft was a fort knox ctf (before they changed it). I joined with 2 teammates, and both left quickly. I was able to keep 4 enemy players from reaching the flag without dying once!

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

          2. Shaft has the slowest reload in the game.

False, firebird has the slowest reload/recharge in the game. Infact shaft has one of the fastest reloads.

Edited July 24, 2013 by ExtremeKiller26

[bwana 16]

I will change that, thank you for telling me.

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

I will change that, thank you for telling me.

Shaft doesn't have slow reload. .-.

[Remaine 4,687]

Shaft doesn't have slow reload. .-.

Uh, yes it does. It just may be fast compared to others.

[bwana 16]

Will some more people please vote?

[dark_assassin007 0]

Bwana, my brother(or sister) u have gained respect in my sight(or however it is said)

b4 i wasthinking tht i have made a huge mistake to buy shaft but thanks to ur Guide i have learnt many things so i m gonna try to play with it for few days and i'll tell u the result after few days :)  ;)  

[Destruct99 3]

Where did you copy this from?

[gamefreak2000 0]

The fact that you say that indicates that you have never properly learned how to use shaft. Shaft is the most powerful gun in Tanki Online starting from M0 and going through M3. As for you hulls, proper use of the weapon will fix your problems nicely.

That not really true i have another profile with everything maxed out + the rating is 25 I have gunouts all the time with railguns and thunder all the time and sometimes i loss sometimes I win and im in M3 shaft +M3 mammoth 

[gamefreak2000 0]

Uh, yes it does. It just may be fast compared to others.

i acually does have fast reloud though it may take some time its faster then firebird/railgun/and i think it faster than thunder. ^_^

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

The fact that you say that indicates that you have never properly learned how to use shaft. Shaft is the most powerful gun in Tanki Online starting from M0 and going through M3. As for you hulls, proper use of the weapon will fix your problems nicely.

 

Only damage is high, it isn't overall most powerful.

Uh, yes it does. It just may be fast compared to others.

Take shaft, shoot it with anywhere, notice the reload speed. Then come back and edit that post.

[Remaine 4,687]

Only damage is high, it isn't overall most powerful.

Take shaft, shoot it with anywhere, notice the reload speed. Then come back and edit that post.

My opinion has not changed.

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

My opinion has not changed.

Dude, the reload is fast. The only things that are slow in shaft is the turret rotation speed and the amount of time it takes to CHARGE when we hold the space. You probably meant the charging when we hold space. It ain't the reload speed.

[toomai51 55]

nice 1  :D

[Wutami 0]

how do i get the sniper mode up