Guide [Issue 21] Railgun: Aiming for Dummies

[jokjinari 160]

 

Railgun, one of the most powerful turrets in the game, is both fun and challenging to play on. At first, this gun may seem simple, but its gameplay is about as challenging as gameplay gets. It takes lots of skill, and lots of practice. That is one thing that makes Railgun so enjoyable - there is always room to for a player to improve, even if they are amazing at using it already. Unfortunately, however, Railgun takes a long time to reload, and as a result, missing even one shot can be disastrous. Here are a few tips on aiming with Railgun that I hope will help you hit home every time.

 

Shooting High and Low:

 

Railgun shots are straight, and they continue forever, so if all the maps in Tanki Online were flat, hitting any target would be simple. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Almost every map has different heights. Here are a few ways to hit enemies above and below you.

 

1. Above: If your enemy is in front of you, first press the space-bar and drive backwards. Just before you are about to fire, press forward to stop your tank. If you did it right, your shot should go up, because of the inertia of your tank. This works the same way for driving backwards, but with the opposite keys.

 

Below: This is basically the reverse of the method above. Here you must drive forward in the beginning and then stop your tank by pressing back. Thus, you will shoot down.

 

2. Above: If you are parallel to the enemy that you want to hit, drive your tank forward as you shoot, and although it may take a bit more practice than the first method, your shot should hit your target just as well. It also works to combine the two methods, driving somewhat diagonally as you shoot.

 

3. Make use of the surrounding terrain. By using ramps or uneven places, you can tilt your tank in order to hit people above or below you.

 

Timing it Right:

 

With Railgun, timing is everything. It takes approximately 1.1 seconds for Railgun to fire after you hit the space-bar, so knowing how to time it right is especially important, whether you are popping out from behind cover, or simply on the move.

 

If you’re driving fast, try to predict where your target will be relative to your tank when Railgun fires. Aim accordingly, instead of directly at your enemy. That way your shot will hit the right spot without having to adjust your turret at all. Practice this often, trying to memorize how long it takes for Railgun to charge. That way you can hit perfectly every time.

 

This also applies if your target is moving. Aim at the place you think they’ll be when Rail fires.

If you think you can move your turret fast enough, it is also plausible to try turning it and keep your enemy in your sights at all times.

 

Patience:

 

Its easy to shoot at whomever, whenever, but with Railgun, patience can be key.

 

1. If there’s a drugger, try to shoot him right when he is jumping off a ramp or making a big turn so that he flips over. This often works.

 

2. I’m saying it now, and I’ll say it again: Railgun has the ability to pierce multiple targets. If you can muster the patience to wait for your enemies to line up, you can score multiple kills using only one shot!

 

3. Many people will drive partially out from behind cover and then quickly go back, in order to trick you into shooting. Be ready for this. If you’re close enough, you can use the E, Q, [, or ] keys to change your perspective and see when they are actually coming out.

 

4. Railgun takes a long time to reload, so make sure that every shot counts.

 

Shooting corners:

 

Railgun may have a long reload time, but its impact force is incredibly powerful, which makes it great for throwing off the aim of other weapons.

 

Aim for the corners of enemy tanks who are shooting you to make them miss. This useful against any weapon.

 

VS Long Range: Their weapons may reload faster, but even making them miss one shot could save your life. For example: that Smoky shot that just missed you might have been a critical hit. Also, if you can time your shot to fire just before your enemy’s, it is possible to make a fellow Railgun miss as well.

 

VS Short/Mid Range: It may seem strange to try throwing off the aim of short range turrets, but if you can get in a well placed shot, it is possible to spin your enemy around, at least partially. Though it may not seem like much, it could mean the difference between life and death. Most short range players have light tanks equipped, so doing this trick shouldn't be too difficult.

 

Maintaining stability:

 

Just as you strive to make other tanks miss, they will be trying to hinder your aim as well. This is very annoying, and although it is often difficult, there are a number of ways to combat it.

 

1. If your tank is being battered so that maintaining aim is hard and you can’t retreat to cover, try pressing up against a nearby wall or other such surface. This will stabilize you sufficiently  enough to be able to hit your target.

 

2. When there is no surface nearby, try pressing up against the enemy tank, if possible. This will also stabilize you. Be careful, though. If it’s a Thunder, you don’t want them to self-destruct instead of you getting a kill.

 

3. Keep the front of your tank facing the enemy, and stay on the move, so that it is harder to hit your corners and knock you around.

 

4. If you are popping out from behind cover, drive out a little, but not all the way, in order to trick your enemy into firing early. That way they won’t be able to throw off your aim when you do shoot.

 

5. Just stay under cover. You won’t need to worry about anyone shooting at you.

 

Correcting Aim:

 

Even if you use one of the above methods, a lot of times the enemy is still able to mess up your aim. The nice thing, however, is that Railgun has a slight charge time before it fires. So even if somebody does throw you off, there is still the possibility to correct your shot and hit your target.

 

1. If somebody hits your corner or disrupts your aim in some way just as you are firing, quickly turn both your turret and your tank at the same time in the same direction to get your shot back on track.

 

2. If there isn’t enough time to do correct your aim and hit the original target, look around and see if there is any other enemy who might be easier to hit. Quickly adjust your aim to hit them. You can also use the momentum given to you by the enemy shot to spin and find your new target. This may be hard, but it is possible, and sometimes it can work by luck.

 

Taking Advantage:

 

My friends, Railgun has amazing features! Don’t waste them. Railgun goes on forever, and you can hit multiple targets, so take advantage of this. Line up multiple enemies in your sights and fire! This is easiest in large maps, and works to the most advantage with Double Power equipped. The more tanks you pierce, however, the weaker your shot becomes.

 

This feature is also fun for ranking up parties. Line up a bunch of wasps, activate DP, and enjoy watching yourself rank up with ten kills in one shot.

 

Prioritize:

 

There are so many enemies to shoot at! But which one to choose? There is a right answer to this question.

 

1. Always go for the weakest and lightest tanks. Unless you have to, try not to shoot at heavy, or even medium hulls, for that matter. Still, don’t be afraid to take risks. However, if there is an easier kill, always take it.

 

2. Even if they aren’t your current target, keep track of every tank shooting and being shot at. Try to remember who has been hit and has less health, and when your next shot comes, let them be your target.

 

3. As I’m sure you know, always shoot at the enemies who pose the greatest threat. However, if you don’t think that you can kill them before you yourself get killed, try to find a tank that you can be sure to kill. Even if you are being attacked by a certain enemy, it is not always the wisest to shoot at them. Unless, of course, you think it will be helpful to your team. Everything depends on the situation.

 

4. Memorize which paints have Rail protection. Try to shoot tanks without those paints when possible. Even if you think a paint has too little Rail protection to be noticeable, beware: there’s always the chance of it being micro-upgraded.

 

Paints with Rail Protection:

 

Forester - 10%

Dirty - 8%

Corrosion - 10%

Tundra - 30%

Sandstone - 20%

Digital - 35% (Paint I use)

Winter - 5%

Savanna - 20%

Emerald - 10%

Prodigi - 46%
Picasso - 25%
Clay - 30%

 

Making it Simpler:

 

Always try to find the best angle. What seems like a hard shot could actually be very easy from a different perspective.

 

Also, you have the E, Q, [, and ] keys which allow you to change your perspective and aim better. Don’t be afraid to use them.

 

If you’re a camper, find the best positions to shoot from in maps and stick with them. Focus on areas of high traffic - that way you’ll be more likely to acquire a target.

 

Close Combat VS:

 

It is always best to stay under cover instead of versing enemies one on one. That isn't always possible however, and here are a few tips of what to do against certain turrets when the situation arises.

 

Freeze/Firebird/Isida: Unless they have low health, facing short range weapons often means certain death.

 

1. If possible, keep away and try to make it to cover.  

 

2. If the enemy is circling, turn your tank and turret simultaneously to keep up.

 

3. If you can’t escape, ram against them in order to keep them in front of your gun.

 

4. Repeatedly press space bar so that you shoot as soon as Rail is fully charged; wasting time could lead to death.

 

5. If the enemy is pushing you, take advantage of the situation and place a mine. Then retreat backwards and watch with glee as they explode. Now remember, mines take a second to arm, so give the mine sufficient time before you let your opponent drive over it. If you can't keep the enemy tank off of the mine until it arms, try shooting them to buy the extra time. 

 

Twins/Ricochet: These guns batter your tank heavily, so they can be very difficult to overcome.

 

1. In order to stabilize yourself, press up against a nearby wall or surface. If none is available, press up against the enemy.

 

2. Twins and Ricochet are medium range, but they do run out at some point, so back away if possible, zig-zagging in order to confuse them until you make it to cover.

 

3. Shoot at the corner of their tank to make them miss you, at least for a moment. It may not seem like much, but even a little thing can make a difference.

 

Thunder/Smoky: Powerful and annoying guns, Thunder and Smoky can make for formidable opponents.

 

1. They will always be trying to mess up your aim, so if possible, use any method to trick them into thinking you are shooting, even when you’re not.

 

2. Keep the front of your tank facing them, so that it is harder to hit your corners and throw off your shot.

 

3. Shoot at their corners - as I said, you can make them miss too!

 

4. Back away and zig-zag. This lowers the power of their shots and makes it easier for them to miss you.

 

Shaft/Railgun: The weapons of choice for every camper, Shaft and Railgun aren't to be taken lightly, even in close combat.

 

1. Always be moving. Don’t let them lock on. Although Shaft is meant for long range, it can one-shot kill you from close up just as well. Don’t sit in front of its turret.

 

2. Shoot at the corners of your enemies. If you time your shot right, you can make a Railgun not only miss, but also flip over due to its immense recoil.

 

3. Sometimes ramming their tanks can also cause them to miss, and it gives you a fixed target to shoot at.

 

Conclusion:

 

As you can see, there is a lot to know about Railgun, but with practice, you can become a master of the battlefield. Despite its long reload time, Railgun is very formidable and offers exciting gameplay. I hope that you found my guide useful and are on your way to making every shot count. Remember - practice makes perfect! If you have any tips of your own that I didn't cover, be sure to post them in the comments. See you in the battle, tankers!

 

 

*Note: You are not necessarily a dummy if you found this guide helpful.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[I-Iero 823]

When fighting against isida in close range u can keep moving back and forth, it makes it hard to isida to lock onto u.

[hogree 4,179]

Very decent guide. Detail is good. Even though when I tip I prefer to let go of the arrow I am travelling in, rather than to press the opposite arrow. GJ jok.

[DynamiteBang 119]

Best guide this issue by far >.>

[doduobird 315]

I think it's the only guide about turrets so far in this issue

Edited March 3, 2014 by doduobird

[GoldRock 6,165]

I'm extremely impressed by this, jok. I'd think it'd be very difficult to match the usual high standard of guides that hog has displayed once again with his Courage one this issue, yet it looks as though you've achieved that standard, if not exceeded it. Clearly, you've put quite a bit of effort into this one, and it shows. It's exceptional, actually.

[the_enemy 22]

A few extra things I've thought about:

 

Shooting two (or more) tanks at once is good, however I've noticed that if you do that, it does less damage to *both* the tanks. So if it's important to get a kill from one tank (especially a flag carrier in CTF) then it may be better not to have them lined up.

 

Shooting through your own team also seems to reduce damage, also dead tanks.

 

Careful not to fire sideways if someone is also firing at you (and never at all with wasp).

 

Especially at lower ranks, the rotation speed is slow, so use a lighter hull so you can turn the hull faster instead.

 

If you're jumping down from somewhere, like the blue base in silence, try to time it right so you hit an enemy on the way down, not just so you land the right way up. Maybe even wait a little bit until there's a good candidate.

[Invincitron 888]

The guide is a great guide. If only you made this when I first joined and not when I already am very good with the Railgun. Still, I learned :)!

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

And guys, NEVER shoot when going up a ramp. If you are mid-air when charging to shoot, and if you have a light hull, there's a high chance of flipping.

 

Great guide joki, good information.

[BlitzPanzer12345 241]

if a shaft is near you , and u r reloading then go very close to it

shaft fire at point blank does very less damage.

:)

[D1E 257]

:/, found it hard to gain anything practical, but I've used rail for ages, decent dummy guide tho ;)

[blasterbros 7]

Hmmmm nice guide. I choose it the best article of the month.

[Hermit8 0]

I find this really helpful for not so skilled players or players which start playing this game.. ;)  well, more experienced players can learn something useful, too :)

 

If you're playing against enemies with railgun and you're hidding behind some wall or something, you can show yourself (your tank) to your enemy for a while and go back to cover yourself- the enemy will think you're shooting him and he will try to shoot you, too- but he will miss you, because you're hide again.. then you just shoot your enemy without problems and your HP loosing (the enemy won't have change to shoot you again- long reloading)

 

I hope this will help someone :) ;)  I use this tactics to play against non-skilled enemies with rail, but more experienced players too.. Be careful! If u won't cover yourself fast, your enemy can hit you and you will loose your advantage (he can mess up your aim)

Edited March 4, 2014 by Hermit8

[Xenophobia 457]

A great guide which contains everything. I have sandstone to be protected from M3 rails

[ATHENA123 56]

nice!

good job ;)

[Remaine 4,687]

"Dummies" seems to be your thing, doesn't it?

 

Anyways, it was a great read.

[Pathfinder 1,690]

Very decent guide. Detail is good. Even though when I tip I prefer to let go of the arrow I am travelling in, rather than to press the opposite arrow. GJ jok.

me as well, I think it means you stay in a good angle for a longer time

[VIP_LT 0]

Cha-Cha....So as I think according to their skills with Railgun, because as we have seen many people do not use the gun ... I am not one to learn to play with a player Railgun and my advice to Savor ... mean I'm looking proo Railgun For who are paying to play well ... Good luck to all .. the game.

[Tiger1915 44]

very nice

[robotbeep 22]

hang on 10 level partys wth i thought thats banned

[MyLife_MyReign 256]

Nice guide :)

[whizclips 232]

Amazing guide!

[lordmostafa 3,821]

i just want to tell you how much i LOVE you this is the best guide ever made about railgun thanks  

 

 

 

 

 

 

(allthough iam good at rail but its very handy)

Edited March 26, 2014 by lordmostafa

[jokjinari 160]

^Haha, you're welcome! :) 


Thank you guys for the tips and positive feedback! :D I'm very happy that I could help! At least some of you ;) 

[blackseac 183]

nice guide :) bought m2 rail :D