Review [Issue 19] New Physics: Ricochet, Twins and Shaft

[Raphael2 3,263]

 

Recently, we've had the launch of the new physics. This update changed quite a lot of things; mostly the hulls but also Shaft, Ricochet and Twins. We'll review the changes made to these guns and see everything you need to know about it.

 

 

RICOCHET

Firstly, the biggest changes are with Ricochet. You can see them by watching this video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUNaor93ba8

 

For the correct use of this gun, you have to predict the enemy's movements and speed, so you fire where you think that they will go. As you've seen, the bullets' traveling speed has increased a lot; but the reload time did not change. Ricochet used to be hard to use at medium range - the speed of the plasma balls was so slow that your opponent could change his direction and not have a single scratch. With the new speed, which is incredibly fast compared to what it used to be, it is much easier to use Ricochet's full potential: its range of 80.

 

 

From the video, you may think that Ricochet's recoil has been reduced, because the Viking almost doesn't move. However, it is not the case, it is only due to the changes made on the hulls. Unfortunately, as you've seen, parkour isn't possible anymore. It is probably because hulls have been changed to make them more stable, as Rico's shot doesn't influence the hull as much as it used to. When you get hit by the plasma charges, you are so confused that it is almost impossible to aim properly at the attacking tank, and it becomes very hard to move.

 

 

 

SHAFT

Next, another big change is with Shaft. Shaft's playing style has totally changed. A lot of players thought it has been nerfed, but it was buffed in my opinion. To have a great score, you only had to stay in an open place where you can see a transit point, charge your scope, shoot when you see someone, and if someone else shows up, the reload time was so fast that you wouldn't have much damage before you kill him. Now, the scope charge loads quicker than ever! But the reload time is slow. You can't just stay in an open space. You have to hide, Shaft is now perfect for peek-a-boo tactics. When you see an enemy, load the gun, kill him or damage him, run away, then look for another target and resume. You can see the loading time changes here:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7PBUOqKQsQ

 

The improvements made on the hulls made Shaft effective with light hulls such as Hornet. You can see a gameplay of this combo here.

 

 

TWINS

 

Finally, last but not least, Twins. We were told that the traveling speed for all modifications will be the same, and that it will be reduced by a third. All of us were thinking that Twins will be nerfed. We all have been surprised when we saw the speed of 180 for all Ms! So Twins hasn't been nerfed, but buffed. That is a chance to take at M0 ranks!

Unfortunately/fortunately, Mammoth has been nerfed, because light and medium hulls have seen their speed increase; while Mammoth and Titan's speed has almost not changed. The nitro formula change from "speed+30%+2" to "speed+30%" disadvantaged Mammoth even further. So you will never see drugging Mammoth/Twins owning the battlefield again. Oh well, maybe once, but Hornet/Freeze or even Viking/Shaft can now compete with Twins!

 

I hope that you will be able to take advantage of this update, using these buffed weapons at their fullest potential. What do you think of the update? Is Shaft buffed or nerfed in your opinion?

 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[falcosenna1 8,320]

Nice article. In my opinion shaft isn't nerfed, but it doesn't hit enough with a full loaded shot. Ricochet became very good, it can now hit hornets and wasps. Twins is nerfed in my opinion, it became very hard to hit hornets and wasps with twins. 

[doduobird 315]

Yay for rico! Boo for twins! Great article btw I enjoy your videos :) Earned yourself a like ^^

[r_GoldRock30 68]

Well summarised; the tests performed on the weapons in the videos are especially useful. Good stuff :P

Edited December 30, 2013 by r_GoldRock30

[r_brandybabyxx0 737]

Nice article. In my opinion shaft isn't nerfed, but it doesn't hit enough with a full loaded shot. Ricochet became very good, it can now hit hornets and wasps. Twins is nerfed in my opinion, it became very hard to hit hornets and wasps with twins. 

This is a very good first comment.

[yomamaisso 3]

Thank you tanki team for giving the newspaper and explaining how we should change our tactics I was mad at first about the update but now i'm used to it can u look into the shaft because if i have double power and use it i only need a little energy and a little reload time can you fix this thank you

[doughnut2100 763]

Good job raph. I saw your shaft gameplay video. Gosh, I need shaft now. That gameplay is so similar to railgun, the reloading id get used to. Wow, my plan needs to be thought over once again. Thanks raph. I will PM you soon.

[HaloScorpion 79]

Hey Ralphie, <3 ur YT channel btw. Is it true that ur 8? Does ur mom help with the videos or somethin'? Anyway, I too am interested in Shaft, and would be very appreciated if you could do a guide on it. Or, atleast recommend a hull with it. Thanks!

[r_Damn_Slow0 12,476]

i rarely get chances to read tanki newspapers nowadays, but i'm glad i came here :)

 

Nice article. In my opinion shaft isn't nerfed, but it doesn't hit enough with a full loaded shot. Ricochet became very good, it can now hit hornets and wasps. Twins is nerfed in my opinion, it became very hard to hit hornets and wasps with twins. 

here's a tip for you and i think raph should include it in the article above.  Twins is no longer the noobs' weapon, i.e. not anyone can just drag it and start pwning with it without any clever knowledge like it had always been in the past.

 

the new twins is not too complicated either,,, the main thing to account for now is the slower speed, of course at lower ranks this shouldn't be a big problem and they won't feel it as much as high ranks.  At higher ranks having an M2 / M3 twins shooting at the same rate as an M0 and plasma flying at the same speed as with M0, it gets trickier.  Even more so with enemies moving faster and faster, wasps going like crazy !!! 

 

What many complainers at these higher levels don't get is that its not a nerfing or robbery.  No its something very well taken into account by devs and testers.  We wanted to make it more of a challenge to use at higher ranks without undermining lower ranks.  And at higher ranks we anticipate players have matured more than the newbies to take into account the speed difference and start developing an anticipative game-play,, very much like with ricochet.  I think this picture of raph's best describe what i'm talking about

 

 

Twins is no different now,,, you need to anticipate where the enemy will be by the time your bullet travels to meet him and make the necessary adjustments.  It is definitely more hard to play with it, or in more appropriate terms, more technical to play with, but the beefiness is still very there :)  oh and its been designed to get those big fat lazy 'bastanks' sitting on a flag with twins to get more exercise for their own health :p