Guide [Issue 27] The Updated Guide to XP Etiquette

[Valletta 834]

  For anyone who hasn’t been acquainted yet with the basics and essentials of the proper etiquette of the XP (хоре-рель) battle format, please visit @hogree's extensive guide here, @GoldRock's XP guide here, as well as @Tommy60's battle etiquette guides here and here.

 

The Hornet-Railgun (Or Хорнет-Рельса, hence the abbreviation “XP”) battle format started out as an unofficially organized tournament between clan members who want to practice their skills for certain clan war formats (i.e. the “Light” format in CS)

 

As it gained popularity, this type of battle attracted a more casual community of lower ranked, mid-tier players, who aren’t necessarily in a clan. Such players aren’t necessarily there for team building or exercise, but to test their skill against friends or random opponents, or simply to mimic what others do in the at this point numerous XP videos on YouTube.

 

 

One thing hasn’t changed much about the battle composition, however, and that is the set of unwritten rules every self-respecting XP player follows. Хоре-Рель simply doesn’t work out if the rules aren’t followed, hence XP players’ disgust towards unprofessional players and such who sabotage battles with a set of equipment other than the one specified. Those rules have never fundamentally changed and are unlikely to ever do so. The following tips have been adapted from the official XP regulations by and translated by

 

 

First of all the XP enthusiast must be acquainted with the required configuration of hull and gun for one to use in the varieties of XP games and to have an enjoyable stay, as well as a fair one.

 

• XP (Хоре-Рельса) = HR (Hornet Railgun)

These battles are mostly referred to as XP due to the large number of Russian speaking players in the servers. Features a Hornet equipped with a Railgun.

 

• BP (Васпо-Рельса) = WR (Wasp Railgun)

Some battles feature a wider variety of hull choices, primarily Hornet and Wasp. If an XP game allows the use of another light hull, it will be indicated in the name. Ex. Battle name “XP/BP-1”, where XP/BP stands for either an entire team of Hornets or a team of Hornets with one or two Wasps, where the number indicated after “BP” shows the number of allowed Wasps in the battle.  

 

Having chosen the hull, one has to settle with both teams for the amount of protective paints used in the game. Sometimes a mere 10% protection can mean a life for lower modifications or some hulls. The admitted paints and protection values for XP/BP are as following:

 

·      Wasp/Hornet M1 – no greater than 30% resistance: Tundra, Clay.

·      Wasp M2 – 20% resistance (10% is allowed): Forester, Corrosion, Emerald, Sandstone, Savanna.

·      Hornet M2 – 20% resistance: Savanna, Sandstone.

·      Wasp M3 – no resistance (10% sometimes allowed): Forester, Corrosion, Emerald.

·      Hornet M3 – no resistance.  

 

 

When M3 Railguns are present in the battle, protection paints are allowed for light hulls weaker than Hornet M3. The maximum resistance level is stated in the battle name. “XP-K/BP+10%” means that the battle could contain Hornet-Railguns with no paints and Wasp-Railguns with a maximum of 10% Railgun resistance paint. Needless to say, all protection paints with or above 35% are prohibited (Digital and Prodigi). More information found in @Lord-of-the-Snipers’ article.

 

 

MICRO UPGRADES AND SUPPLIES: By default almost all XP games are made in Pro battle mode, where supplies are turned off. Some battles may have supply drops on, but that is an isolated instance and will be discussed later. All MU (Micro upgrades) must be OFF so that no unfair advantages are created for certain members.

 

MAPS: XP can be played on any map that features a center location around which the fighting is conducted. The most commonly referred maps are Sandbox or Island.

 

LANGUAGE: Communicating is key to success, and a polite player gets much further than a rude and vulgar one. And has less of a risk to get himself banned.

 

 

Afterwards, comes the actual etiquette part. Following the rules is one thing, but being a respectful player is just as important. The newcomer’s prime tips include:

 

1.   Upon starting the battle, leave a time gap for both teams to discuss when to start playing. In this interim players can be substituted, configurations can be edited, paints can be swapped. Usually one is to create a 16 minute battle with 15 minutes left for playing each round (time changes proportionally for different battle lengths). If there is no time limit, and there is rather a flag capture limit, both teams have to communicate for that extra one minute. The start of the game is indicated with a mutually agreed “go” (or Го; ro). Any shooting before the official start is to be punished.

 

2.   No flags are to be captured and no shooting is to be done before both teams have 4/4 (And respectively 3/3 and 2/2) players who are ready to play (Meaning no difficulties due to AFK, lag or sabotage). If a player leaves in the middle of battle the battle is put on halt by saying стоп/stop – (number of players you have left in the team). Battle is resumed when the missing player returns or a substitute comes. If flags are carried by a team or both teams, and a player on either one leaves, the capture is to be resumed after the player(s) return.

 

3.   No supply crates are to be picked up before the battle starts. Players can target supplies they want to pick up, but if they do pick them up it is considered an unfair advantage.

 

4.   No self-destructing is allowed. If playing on a map with no physical borders, such as Island, players may not self-destruct to prevent enemy kills or regain HP.

 

5.   If someone’s equipment doesn’t match what’s specified in the map name and the player doesn’t respond to others’ appeals to change his combo, he can be shot with no penalty and screenshots/reports can be sent to the authorities.

 

6.   Do not shoot flipped opponents. First of all its not practical as you are giving you enemy an advantage by respawning one of its members faster, and you can also face personal consequences from the player you shot without penalty.

 

7.   If you are winning with a big flag difference and most of the other players leave, it is acceptable to capture the remaining flags without the other team’s approval (if some still remain); however it is more polite to ask them first. You can try and wait for the losing team to fill with new players again, but it is highly unlikely and may take a long time. It is often better to finish the game and start over.

 

8.   Don’t block your teammates’ path – this can often thwart a potential capture, make them miss a shot, or get team killed and classify yourself as an incompetent teammate. However, get in the way of flag capturers – if you haven’t reloaded, ram the player to immobility with your hull until assistance comes.

 

9.   Don’t steal supply drops from your teammates. This includes: collecting a first aid when someone can use it and you have full HP; collecting any power-up that you already have activated and you neighbor doesn’t. However, it is good to steal drops from enemy players, even with the cost of your life, for the sake of them not getting an advantage.

 

10.  If FF (Friendly Fire) is on, shoot your flipped teammates to boost their respawn time. Do mind enemies nearby as you might end up in front of someone’s barrel and unable to shoot back.

 

11.  If on low HP, drop the flag near full HP teammates with a higher chance of survivability before going to return your own flag.

 

Some useful phrases for team chat:

 

• L2/R2 – two enemies on the left/right (or any number of incoming enemies).

• C 1 rail – 1 tank on the center, which was previously shot and will take 1 more shot to kill.

• F, ff, ffff, or any variety of F’s – problems at base, the flag is about to be taken with a high chance of it being driven out of the base. Number of F’s can be used to represent level of danger, but mind the danger of spam.

Alternately, the number of f's could indicate the number of enemy players in the friendly cap (Suggested by @Lankbouv)

• L/R 1 DA– 1 tank on the left/right has double armor and received 1 or more hits. (Respectively DP for double power)

• Corner DD – there is a double damage box on the corner

• House – there is a sniper behind the building (for sandbox)

 

• L/R full – an enemy is approaching on the left/right with at least two boosts (DA/DD/nitro)

You can be creative with such abbreviations, as long as you make them clear, and don’t accidentally post them in the mutual battle chat.

 

 

Some useful translations:

 

• XP (Хоре-Рельса) = HR (Hornet Railgun)

• BP (Васпо-Рельса) = WR (Wasp Railgun)

• Го = go; ro (used by some EN players)

• Ф, F = flag

• Стоп = stop

• Выйди = leave

• Краску офф = remove paint

• По б/ по базам = return to your base

• Довоз = capture remaining flags

 

And of course, if you are receiving commands from a Russian speaking teammate you cannot understand, promptly reply with "Я не говорю по-русски, пишите мне по-английски".

 

But wait, there’s more! What are the changes to XP with Tanki’s latest patches?

 

Primarily, the changes to the battle format aren’t in the rules themselves, but in te battle dynamics. With the introduction of “Smart Cooldowns”, for example any XP game with enabled supply drops will face tremendous changes in terms of play style. While not enabling player-activated supplies, there are games in which drops are meant to spice up the battle’s dynamics. After “Smart Cooldowns”, pickup supplies will now last for 45 seconds, rather than 30 seconds, resulting in game-changing shifts in the required play style. An extended supply duration means more time a Wasp can cruise in circles and capture flags; More time for a double powered Railgun to dominate a flank. Camping for supply spawn sites will become more interesting. Drop points will be more demanding to defend and more demanding to conquer. The latest tanki update spices the XP format’s dynamics, tempting a lot of people to be more reckless and alter some of the previously instated rules. There’s only one way to find out how much more fun it has become, and that’s to go and try it out yourself!

 

~ Special thanks to @hogree for supplying reference material ~

Edited July 31, 2017 by Valletta

[lordmostafa 3,821]

Ah the old XP games, I'd say you have done a simple yet very informative guide on the matter, I would also suggest that the readers should take a look at this topic for more Russian translations as it might help in some situations, but your overall work is pretty damn good ;) 

[Fruit 6,570]

Nicely done :)

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Great! Let 's hope it gets the attention it deserves. :)

[ALEXBOKA 12]

The updated regulations fights XP.

 

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=209627&page=2&do=findComment&comment=3962267

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

The updated regulations fights XP.

 

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=209627&page=2&do=findComment&comment=3962267

Good job! :)

[Valletta 834]

The updated regulations fights XP.

 

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=209627&page=2&do=findComment&comment=3962267

The following tips have been adapted from the official XP regulations by and translated by

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

 

The updated regulations fights XP.

 

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=209627&page=2&do=findComment&comment=3962267

The following tips have been adapted from the official XP regulations by and translated by

 

Oops sorry, thought he translated them himself. :blush:

 

Honour towards you guys and especially to the translator Mafioza121!

Edited October 4, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[sre123 595]

Liked this: 

[Lankbouv 6,347]

 

MAPS: XP can be played on any map that features a center location around which the fighting is conducted. The most commonly referred maps are Sandbox or Island.

 

 

• L2/R2 – two enemies on the left/right (or any number of incoming enemies).

• C 1 rail – 1 tank on the center, which was previously shot and will take 1 more shot to kill.

• F, ff, ffff, or any variety of F’s – problems at base, the flag is about to be taken with a high chance of it being driven out of the base. Number of F’s can be used to represent level of danger, but mind the danger of spam.

 

Ok article, but unfortunately it isn't very well informed.

 

Here are two of the more obvious errors:

 

Firstly, Sandbox is undoubtably the most common map, but island is seen relatively rarely.  Barda, bridges or zone are far more likely.

 

Secondly, the number of f's you use when someone has your flag is based on how many shots needed to kill them.

 

f meaning 1 shot

ff 2shots

fff three shots

 

Also, it is more common to say "f1, f2 or f3".

 

Also, no one says C1 or L2/R2

 

Another error is this: you say that pickups last a minute.  That isn't true, it's 45 seconds for both garage and drop box supplies.

Edited October 4, 2014 by Lankbouv

[hogree 4,179]

f meaning 1 shot

ff 2shots

fff three shots

[JJ410 221]

Great XP guide  :wub:

[Lankbouv 6,347]

It's true.

[hogree 4,179]

It's true.

Then what does "ffffffff" mean? "8 Shots Needed"?

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Then what does "ffffffff" mean? "8 Shots Needed"?

Sure, Mammoth with Prodigi: not that uncommon in "XP 's" nowadays. ;)

[trombone_ftw 734]

30% leaves M1 Wasp being 1-shotted by M3 Railgun, Wasp actually needs Digital or Prodigi at M1 :) Ask @GoldRock for the maths .-.

[Thekillerpenguin 1,731]

30% leaves M1 Wasp being 1-shotted by M3 Railgun, Wasp actually needs Digital or Prodigi at M1 :) Ask @GoldRock for the maths .-.

You have a point. I did the math, and a M3 Railgun will be able to one-shot a M1 Wasp with Tundra.

 

M3 Railgun deals about 164 points of damage. Tundra reduces Railgun damage by 30%, so it multiplies Railgun's damage by 0.7. Multiply 164 by 0.7, and you get 114.8, which is higher than M1 Wasp's 95 HP.

 

Then again, M1 Railgun deals slightly more damage than 114.8, but you don't see M1 Wasps getting one-shotted that often. I'm not sure. Still, it's a possibility that might need to be addressed.

[Lankbouv 6,347]

Then what does "ffffffff" mean? "8 Shots Needed"?

It's for people who use it wrongly.  Most pro russian-XP players use it like that.

[falcosenna1 8,320]

I hope lots of players read this Guide to XP Etiquette. Amazingly useful!

[ALEXBOKA 12]

I hope lots of players read this Guide to XP Etiquette. Amazingly useful!

The main thing that the moderators have helped to maintain order on the basis of

 

(2.1.13. Other forms of unsporting behavior that hinder the normal game process which will be recognized as such by the Administration.)

[Valletta 834]

Liked this: *avatar*

Yeah, I needed to update it :P

1) Firstly, Sandbox is undoubtedly the most common map, but island is seen relatively rarely.  Barda, bridges or zone are far more likely.

 

2) Secondly, the number of f's you use when someone has your flag is based on how many shots needed to kill them.

 

 

f meaning 1 shot

ff 2shots

fff three shots

 

Also, it is more common to say "f1, f2 or f3".

 

 

3) Also, no one says C1 or L2/R2

 

4) Another error is this: you say that pickups last a minute.  That isn't true, it's 45 seconds for both garage and drop box supplies.

1) I was naming examples and was running low on specific maps that I could think of. But yea, those you mentioned are definitely on the list.

2) I legitimately never knew that. Thanks for pointing it out, added to the guide.

3) That's from the russian compilation of rules I referenced, so who knows, maybe they use it.

4) Thanks, my math was wrong. Fixed. 

---

Thanks for your contribution Lank  :wub:

[lukey0 27,543]

Brilliant article! Maybe some might start playing by the rules.  :ph34r:

[Kotooshu 30]

Wow, that fabulous avatar!

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

It looks great 

[r_Judgement.Day0 76]

Great Job looking forward to xp battles get expanded on the entire english community i barely see one on the english server on russians servers every sandbox map is an xp battle :D