Guide [Issue 34] Choosing a Medium Hull!

[S.C.Y.T.H.E 1,072]

Many tankers wishing to choose a medium tank face a dilemma. Should they go with the agile Hunter, the dependable Viking, or the heavy-duty Dictator? This article will cover the pros and cons of each hull, and which to buy. 

Dictator

A massive, heavy hull adored by Gold hunters and tankers who want to be a tyrant on the battlefield. Though its armor is not quite as strong as Titan or Mammoth, this hull is remarkably tough for its slightly lacking speed. Dictator is not the best choice for capturing flags, but in smaller, intense maps, it can excel in gathering score and making kills. Dictator feels similar to Viking, though is certainly slower and with noticeably higher armor. 

 

This hull certainly does not perform well in all maps and game types. In Capture the Flag, you will rarely capture flags unless it is in a small map such as Island or Ping-Pong. And in very large maps, Dictator’s lacking mobility will prove ineffective at finding and destroying enemies, which will be a challenge. But in medium to close rang maps, particularly Polygon, Highland, Arena and others, this hull can frequently be the best option due to its large armor pool and decent mobility. In these smaller maps, its low top speed will not be such a disadvantage, and many other traits lead to excellent performance.

 

One of these traits is Dictator’s height. Dictator is currently the tallest hull in the game, nearly a turret taller than any other hull. This height is usually an advantage, particularly when mounting high impact force weapons. When using Railgun, shots will usually strike enemy turrets rather than hulls. This can make them flip and is very useful at knocking enemy shots off. The same thing occurs with every other turret with impact force. However, this is not the only advantage provided by Dictator’s height. A rather annoying problem many tankers face is corpses. Corpses get in the way and block shots. Dictators huge height will allow you to shoot over corpses, and these corpses will not get in the way of shots. But besides this, probably the most well known advantage of Dictator’s height is its ability at catching Gold Boxes. Whoever touches the Gold Box first takes the gold box, obviously. Because of Dictators massive height, it takes the Gold Box before any other hull, even if the tiniest corner of the hull is underneath the gold. But Dictator's height and enormous size does not come without disadvantages. It is obviously a much larger target, and is hit a lot easier than other hulls. Cover will not be as effective due to its height. Also, Dictator is shaped a bit weird. It is easy to get stuck or slowed by walls and is generally difficult to maneuver. 

 

So what should one mount on Dictator? This is a difficult question, as this hull is works well with just about anything. In all, my personal favorite turret to use with this beast is Thunder. Thunder/Dictator works well in most battles, and is highly effective in CPs, particularly Polygon. Thunder is not the fastest paced weapon, but is in no means slow. These characteristics are quite similar to Dictator itself. Thunder Dictator proves itself to be one of the best Dictator combos overall. Another great combination is Dictator/Ricochet. Its nickname, ‘Boar’, is quite a good description. Bursting with sheer damage power, this combo is a fearsome foe. Dictator’s large health pool allows Rico to unload many clips in one spawn. Boar is probably one of the best combinations in the game for charging enemies. In all, this is a highly effective combination and gameplay is fast paced and exciting. Another legendary combination is Dictator and Hammer. I’d guess that this is many gold hunter’s favorite combination. Hammer’s high damage and impact force will decimate any lighter hulls that stand in your path. This combination is a tyrant at keeping control points and pushing takeovers to their limits. But there is one combination that stands above all the others. Dictator/Railgun is a combination that has been adored for years. Long before XP or BP battle, KP (Dictator/Railgun) was very common. This combination excels at flipping enemies and keeping control of an entire map. This is a favorite among many old and new tankers and will not disappoint. Other great combinations are: Smoky and Dictator and Firebird/Dictator. I would not recommend using Dictator and Freeze. To maximize Freeze’s protection, one needs to have a quite mobile hull for circling tactics, tactics that Dictator fails to perform very well. Nevertheless, Dictator and Freeze can still be a good combination. 

 

In CP mode, Dictator should always be trying to capture the point. Use its heavy armor to your advantage, and devour enemy shots while capturing or keeping the point. Once you have a control point, continue to guard it unless there are other control points that need capturing. In battles containing a single point Dictator may do the best. Overall, Dictator can be one of the best hulls for CP. Just remember to focus on the control points. In CTF mode, Dictator should be more of a defender or midfielder. In certain maps, Dictator can be a very effective defender, although enemies may criticize you as a ‘camper’. Find a good, protected position by the flag, and set up a defense with a longer range weapon such as Railgun and Thunder, and you can be unstoppable. Another very great strategy to use in CTFs is on the mid field. Target enemies approaching your base, and help your allies get close to the flag with firepower and distraction. When a faster ally takes the flag, charge into the enemy base and slow down enemies by getting in their way. An awesome tactic in Red Alert, if you ask me. In DMs, Dictator can be one of the best hulls to use. Use a turret with high damage per shot, such as Thunder, Railgun and Hammer. Then target enemies that are almost dead. Prepare to be called a ‘kill stealer’. Use your armor to stay alive as long as possible and make as many kills as possible. DM is quite a simple mode for Dictator. Finally, TDM. TDM isn’t a particularly interesting game mode for Dictator, in my opinion. Play as you would in a CTF, but focus on destroying enemies.

 

 

Viking

Some would say that this is the only true medium hull. The widest and possibly most versatile hull, Viking will never let you down. More armored than Hunter and faster than Dictator, this could be the best choice for a medium hull. Viking is a quite common tank, and there are several good reasons for this. But it does not come without some disadvantages. Probably one of the most well known disadvantage is Viking’s poor talent at taking golds. Viking is one of the shortest hulls in the game, roughly the same height as Hornet. Almost any other hull will take the gold box before Viking. Also, because of Viking’s low height, it lets enemies climb on top easier. This can be pretty frustrating in Gold Rushes. However, Viking is one of the widest hulls in the game, so if it is in the correct position, stealing the Goldbox from a Viking can be quite a problem. Viking’s low profile make it harder to hit, while its low stature can occasionally make it difficult to hit enemies. Also, due to its wide shape, cover isn’t as effective as it would be for a Hornet or Wasp. But, Viking’s wide and stable form make it extremely difficult to flip. In all, Vikings shape is quite desirable for a hull. Besides a low profile, Viking has the advantage of speed and weight. Though not nearly as fast as Hunter, Viking is much more mobile than Dictator, Titan or Mammoth. This characteristic can make a large difference in just about any scenario. At the moment, Viking is a heavier hull than Hunter, though not quite as heavy as Dictator. Weight is always a useful trait and makes it significantly harder for an enemy to shove you around. Viking is an excellent medium hull, and I recommend it for practically any map. This is one of my most played hulls and will always be one of my favorite.

 

Which turrets should be mounted on Viking? Another difficult question. Viking is likely considered the most versatile and well rounded hull in the game, and is great with nearly all turrets. Above all, I would recommend using Viking and Freeze. A favorite of mine and , this is one of my all-time best combinations. Viking gives Freeze the maneuverability to excel in flanking tactics and demolish every enemy that comes in your path. It is decent in all maps and game types. Perhaps not a particularly common combination, under the right hands this can truly be the best combination in the game. Another highly effective and common combination is Viking/Thunder. I’d presume that this is the most common turret to be used with Viking. In most instances, this combination unlocks fairly early. At M3, Vik/Thunder can be equipped at General, long before many other M3s, and any other medium hulls. Putting this aside, Viking/Thunder is an awesome combination. Personally, I’ve never been a huge fan but I’ve seen its stunning performance by other players in battle. A great mixture of agility and damage power, this is a combination to be respected. Although, personally I would rather use Hunter or Dictator with this turret. A third notable combination is Viking and Isida. Isida is an exceptionally unique turret that pairs magnificently with Viking. Useful in a wide range of maps and gameplay, this combination requires much skill to be effective. Heal your allies and attack when necessary, this combination is powerful on all sides of the battle. Isida works synergistically with your allies. Attack in a group, and you will be nigh invincible. Basically every turret is good with Viking, but some stand out. Smoky, Ricochet and Firebird both work excellently with Viking. One thing to note is that if you are using Ricochet and Viking and you land sideways on your hull, you will no longer be able to shoot yourself back upright due to the Viking-Hunter weight swap. One turret that I wouldn’t personally recommend to use on Viking is Twins. In my opinion, Twins does well on heavily armored hulls such as Titan or Mammoth. But I do know some great players who like Twins/Viking (Rommel, I’m looking at you). 

 

How should one use Viking in the various game modes? In CTF, Viking is a great all-rounder. It can defend, midfield, and capture flags, and do almost anything you want. In certain situations Viking’s slightly low armor may be a problem, but throw on a health kit and you should do fine. Stay away from powerful weapons such as Firebird, and always be on the lookout for the flag. Viking is one of the best hulls for returning your own flag, as its speed is more than adequate to find the flagger, and its armor is usually sufficient to destroy the enemy. In CPs, Viking can do fine. I would prefer to use Viking in maps with multiple control points, as one can use Viking’s fine maneuverability and speed to your advantage. But Viking can do great in Control Points, specifically with powerful turrets, particularly Freeze. Viking may be a bit lacking on armor, so being a Point-charger isn’t usually the best option. Avoid dying and attack your enemies while distracted. Then, take the Point and move on. Be sure to know where your allies are. Without team-unity, many teams are destroyed in CP. In TDM, Viking is a very decent hull. Once you see an enemy, focus on it until it is destroyed. Try to trick your enemies, and use Viking’s low profile to make excellent use of cover. You will dominate the battle if played correctly. In DM, Viking can be one of the most powerful hulls. Play it stealthy, using alleyways and gaps. Attack where no one is expecting. In DM, I prefer using Thunder or Rico, as high damage and rate of fire are perfect for stealing kills. Focus on one enemy at a time, and be sure to live as long as possible. 

 

Hunter

Now we will move on to the final medium hull: Hunter. Easily my favorite medium hull of the three, this hull has excellent maneuverability but maybe a bit light on armor. One of the most common hulls used in Star Ladder yet one of the least common hulls seen in the game, many people dismiss Hunter as just another medium hull and don’t use it frequently. But Hunter is just as unique as any hull in the game, and never ceases to impress me. I feel like this hull is a happy medium between Hornet, Viking, and even Dictator (if that makes any sense). Its not quite as tall as Dictator, but its taller than many hulls and does great at taking Golds and drop boxes. It's not quite as fast as Hornet, but it has amazing armor, comparable to Viking, especially at M1 and M3. It has a rather small shape, smaller than Viking or Dictator. Over all, I consider this the funnest medium hull to use. It does great with a wide variety of turrets, like most of the medium hulls. 

 

Like I previously mentioned, Hunter is tall. It is just about the same height as a Titan, and is significantly taller than Wasp, Hornet, and Viking. Combined with great speed, maneuverability and weight, Hunter is one of the best hulls for Gold Hunting. Using its speed, it can make spectacular jumps, taking gold boxes and drop boxes with very unexpected moves. In fact, I prefer Hunter to Dictator in Gold Hunting. Hunter’s height generally allows it to shoot over corpses, and flips enemies with ease. Yet it does not quite have the height of Dictator, which is in my opinion an advantage as it makes you harder to flip. An intriguing change that occurred in the recent update is the Hunter/Viking weight swap. Previously, Hunter was heavier than Viking. Now, Hunter is the lightest of the Medium Hulls which results in more flips than usual. Hunter is certainly the most easy to flip of the Medium Hulls, but it is still quite stable. The reduced weight does contribute to more flipping, but it also makes it easier to use turrets’ impact to shoot yourself back upright. Hunter’s small size reinforces its stealthy vibe. This hull can be very hard to hit due to its small shape and excellent maneuverability. Cover is extremely effective, and this hull can hide in the smallest spaces. 

 

Perhaps because Hunter is the starting hull to appear in your garage, tankers do not mount it much. I dislike Hunter at M0, and it is my belief that the Developers made it feel a bit sluggish and low armored to persuade you to experiment with other hulls. Players’ opinions on Hunter may be poor due to the fact that they haven’t upgraded it. Even by looking at Garage statistics, it is quite evident that Hunter is one of the best M1s. At M2 it may not stand out much, but M3 it really rocks, with armor very slightly lower than Viking but with much higher speed. Hunter is a very worthwhile buy. 

 

Ok, what to mount on Hunter?  Like the other medium hulls, Hunter is good with nearly everything. My personal favorite to use with Hunter is certainly Smoky. To quote GoldRock, “Well, this combination certainly shouldn't be overlooked. Hunter's stability and health provide a good base for Smoky's rapid fire and recoil, with a good speed meaning that this is an especially effective midfield/offensive combination. Those critical hits can definitely come in handy, too, if you're looking to achieve a high rate of damage. Also, the fact that Smoky has a decent range means that Hunter's slightly slower speed relative to the other hulls isn't really too much of a downside. Overall, this seems like a strong combination, with no major disadvantages and with quite a few advantages which make this combination worthwhile.” Hunter and Smoky is a very fun combination that I use in just about every map. It can destroy enemies from afar and upclose, and you can almost never go wrong with this combination. Another awesome turret to use with Hunter is Firebird. Firebird is a turret based on sheer damage power. It has extremely high damage per second, (the highest in the game) along with extremely powerful burning effects. When a Firebird gives you a good spraying, it is almost impossible not to die. Hunter gives a Firebird user enough armor to stay alive for a long time and destroy many enemies. But Hunter also has the maneuverability to perform excellently. In all, the ‘Firewall’ is one of the best combinations to use with Hunter, and probably my favorite hull to use with Firebird. The final combination that really stands out is Hunter and Ricochet. Hunter was truly built for Ricochet. Deadly, agile, powerful and aggressive, this combination is really outstanding. I especially like this combination in Polygon CP, where the ricochet angles are spectacular. A very good attacker and great at destroying enemies, this combination never lets me down. Some other great combinations with Hunter are Freeze/Hunter and Thunder/Hunter. 

 

How should one play Hunter in the various game modes? Well, this combination really depends on what turret you mount. But generally, I wouldn’t recommend defending with it. In CTF: Its a great offensive and midfield hull, but should still be played carefully. Don’t careen into the enemy base and try to steal the flag. Hunter really is a sneaky combination, and excels at nabbing the flag when no one is expecting. Play with mild caution, and always support your allies. Tear down enemies when your faster allies take the flag, and clear room for your allies to take the flag in the first place. But Hunter still is a very mobile hull, and if the situation arises can capture flags quite well. Play however you see fit, Hunter does well just about anywhere, but Support is its primary skill. In CP: All in all, a good hull for Control Points. It can do well in single-point or multiple point battles. Its armor is a bit low for capturing point, but Hunter is great at destroying enemies before they can reach the point. An excellent guardian in CP modes, go on a patrol looking for enemy armor and capture points when you can. In TDM: Performs quite well, specifically with high damage turrets. See and enemy, and take it down. An awesome search and destroy hull, Hunter is very decent in TDM. In DM: I wouldn’t really recommend using this hull in DMs. It doesn’t quite have the speed nor the armor to do amazing, but it certainly won’t fail. Try to stay l alive, but focus on destroying enemies. Perhaps other Medium hulls would be better for this game mode. 

 

 

That’s all for now! Hopefully this will help you decide which medium hull to get. They all have their advantages, and in my opinion are about balanced. Its up to your play style and decision to find what's best for you!

But, of course, Hunter wins. 

Edited July 29, 2017 by Hexed

[deadtoyou 2,502]

My personal vote is Viking. :D

 

Big  to this article! Great job Scythe!

[LeIouch_Vi_Britannia 6,163]

Hunter FTW ;)

[jazz20 1,181]

Viking FTW!!!

[tanker538N 394]

HULL FTW :P

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

DICTATOR FTW !!!  :D

Edited May 1, 2015 by Darren4Turbo

[genak138 950]

Right now I use Viking M1, but when I get the Boar kit with Dictator M2, that's what I'm using! ;)

[lukey0 27,543]

Nice review. 

[liverpoolaum 811]

nice

[Nimtiz 7]

Viking is my favourite  :) and I use twins with it. I was kinda sad you said it didn't pair with it beautifully, because it does. But like you said, some players excel and love and it.

[roadkill78 39]

 

 

 

 

Many tankers wishing to choose a medium tank face a dilemma. Should they go with the agile Hunter, the dependable Viking, or the heavy-duty Dictator? This article will cover the pros and cons of each hull, and which to buy.

Dictator

A massive, heavy hull adored by Gold hunters and tankers who want to be a tyrant on the battlefield. Though its armor is not quite as strong as Titan or Mammoth, this hull is remarkably tough for its slightly lacking speed. Dictator is not the best choice for capturing flags, but in smaller, intense maps, it can excel in gathering score and making kills. Dictator feels similar to Viking, though is certainly slower and with noticeably higher armor.

 

This hull certainly does not perform well in all maps and game types. In Capture the Flag, you will rarely capture flags unless it is in a small map such as Island or Ping-Pong. And in very large maps, Dictator’s lacking mobility will prove ineffective at finding and destroying enemies, which will be a challenge. But in medium to close rang maps, particularly Polygon, Highland, Arena and others, this hull can frequently be the best option due to its large armor pool and decent mobility. In these smaller maps, its low top speed will not be such a disadvantage, and many other traits lead to excellent performance.

 

One of these traits is Dictator’s height. Dictator is currently the tallest hull in the game, nearly a turret taller than any other hull. This height is usually an advantage, particularly when mounting high impact force weapons. When using Railgun, shots will usually strike enemy turrets rather than hulls. This can make them flip and is very useful at knocking enemy shots off. The same thing occurs with every other turret with impact force. However, this is not the only advantage provided by Dictator’s height. A rather annoying problem many tankers face is corpses. Corpses get in the way and block shots. Dictators huge height will allow you to shoot over corpses, and these corpses will not get in the way of shots. But besides this, probably the most well known advantage of Dictator’s height is its ability at catching Gold Boxes. Whoever touches the Gold Box first takes the gold box, obviously. Because of Dictators massive height, it takes the Gold Box before any other hull, even if the tiniest corner of the hull is underneath the gold. But Dictator's height and enormous size does not come without disadvantages. It is obviously a much larger target, and is hit a lot easier than other hulls. Cover will not be as effective due to its height. Also, Dictator is shaped a bit weird. It is easy to get stuck or slowed by walls and is generally difficult to maneuver.

 

So what should one mount on Dictator? This is a difficult question, as this hull is works well with just about anything. In all, my personal favorite turret to use with this beast is Thunder. Thunder/Dictator works well in most battles, and is highly effective in CPs, particularly Polygon. Thunder is not the fastest paced weapon, but is in no means slow. These characteristics are quite similar to Dictator itself. Thunder Dictator proves itself to be one of the best Dictator combos overall. Another great combination is Dictator/Ricochet. Its nickname, ‘Boar’, is quite a good description. Bursting with sheer damage power, this combo is a fearsome foe. Dictator’s large health pool allows Rico to unload many clips in one spawn. Boar is probably one of the best combinations in the game for charging enemies. In all, this is a highly effective combination and gameplay is fast paced and exciting. Another legendary combination is Dictator and Hammer. I’d guess that this is many gold hunter’s favorite combination. Hammer’s high damage and impact force will decimate any lighter hulls that stand in your path. This combination is a tyrant at keeping control points and pushing takeovers to their limits. But there is one combination that stands above all the others. Dictator/Railgun is a combination that has been adored for years. Long before XP or BP battle, KP (Dictator/Railgun) was very common. This combination excels at flipping enemies and keeping control of an entire map. This is a favorite among many old and new tankers and will not disappoint. Other great combinations are: Smoky and Dictator and Firebird/Dictator. I would not recommend using Dictator and Freeze. To maximize Freeze’s protection, one needs to have a quite mobile hull for circling tactics, tactics that Dictator fails to perform very well. Nevertheless, Dictator and Freeze can still be a good combination.

 

In CP mode, Dictator should always be trying to capture the point. Use its heavy armor to your advantage, and devour enemy shots while capturing or keeping the point. Once you have a control point, continue to guard it unless there are other control points that need capturing. In battles containing a single point Dictator may do the best. Overall, Dictator can be one of the best hulls for CP. Just remember to focus on the control points. In CTF mode, Dictator should be more of a defender or midfielder. In certain maps, Dictator can be a very effective defender, although enemies may criticize you as a ‘camper’. Find a good, protected position by the flag, and set up a defense with a longer range weapon such as Railgun and Thunder, and you can be unstoppable. Another very great strategy to use in CTFs is on the mid field. Target enemies approaching your base, and help your allies get close to the flag with firepower and distraction. When a faster ally takes the flag, charge into the enemy base and slow down enemies by getting in their way. An awesome tactic in Red Alert, if you ask me. In DMs, Dictator can be one of the best hulls to use. Use a turret with high damage per shot, such as Thunder, Railgun and Hammer. Then target enemies that are almost dead. Prepare to be called a ‘kill stealer’. Use your armor to stay alive as long as possible and make as many kills as possible. DM is quite a simple mode for Dictator. Finally, TDM. TDM isn’t a particularly interesting game mode for Dictator, in my opinion. Play as you would in a CTF, but focus on destroying enemies.

 

 

Viking

Some would say that this is the only true medium hull. The widest and possibly most versatile hull, Viking will never let you down. More armored than Hunter and faster than Dictator, this could be the best choice for a medium hull. Viking is a quite common tank, and there are several good reasons for this. But it does not come without some disadvantages. Probably one of the most well known disadvantage is Viking’s poor talent at taking golds. Viking is one of the shortest hulls in the game, roughly the same height as Hornet. Almost any other hull will take the gold box before Viking. Also, because of Viking’s low height, it lets enemies climb on top easier. This can be pretty frustrating in Gold Rushes. However, Viking is one of the widest hulls in the game, so if it is in the correct position, stealing the Goldbox from a Viking can be quite a problem. Viking’s low profile make it harder to hit, while its low stature can occasionally make it difficult to hit enemies. Also, due to its wide shape, cover isn’t as effective as it would be for a Hornet or Wasp. But, Viking’s wide and stable form make it extremely difficult to flip. In all, Vikings shape is quite desirable for a hull. Besides a low profile, Viking has the advantage of speed and weight. Though not nearly as fast as Hunter, Viking is much more mobile than Dictator, Titan or Mammoth. This characteristic can make a large difference in just about any scenario. At the moment, Viking is a heavier hull than Hunter, though not quite as heavy as Dictator. Weight is always a useful trait and makes it significantly harder for an enemy to shove you around. Viking is an excellent medium hull, and I recommend it for practically any map. This is one of my most played hulls and will always be one of my favorite.

 

Which turrets should be mounted on Viking? Another difficult question. Viking is likely considered the most versatile and well rounded hull in the game, and is great with nearly all turrets. Above all, I would recommend using Viking and Freeze. A favorite of mine and , this is one of my all-time best combinations. Viking gives Freeze the maneuverability to excel in flanking tactics and demolish every enemy that comes in your path. It is decent in all maps and game types. Perhaps not a particularly common combination, under the right hands this can truly be the best combination in the game. Another highly effective and common combination is Viking/Thunder. I’d presume that this is the most common turret to be used with Viking. In most instances, this combination unlocks fairly early. At M3, Vik/Thunder can be equipped at General, long before many other M3s, and any other medium hulls. Putting this aside, Viking/Thunder is an awesome combination. Personally, I’ve never been a huge fan but I’ve seen its stunning performance by other players in battle. A great mixture of agility and damage power, this is a combination to be respected. Although, personally I would rather use Hunter or Dictator with this turret. A third notable combination is Viking and Isida. Isida is an exceptionally unique turret that pairs magnificently with Viking. Useful in a wide range of maps and gameplay, this combination requires much skill to be effective. Heal your allies and attack when necessary, this combination is powerful on all sides of the battle. Isida works synergistically with your allies. Attack in a group, and you will be nigh invincible. Basically every turret is good with Viking, but some stand out. Smoky, Ricochet and Firebird both work excellently with Viking. One thing to note is that if you are using Ricochet and Viking and you land sideways on your hull, you will no longer be able to shoot yourself back upright due to the Viking-Hunter weight swap. One turret that I wouldn’t personally recommend to use on Viking is Twins. In my opinion, Twins does well on heavily armored hulls such as Titan or Mammoth. But I do know some great players who like Twins/Viking (Rommel, I’m looking at you).

 

How should one use Viking in the various game modes? In CTF, Viking is a great all-rounder. It can defend, midfield, and capture flags, and do almost anything you want. In certain situations Viking’s slightly low armor may be a problem, but throw on a health kit and you should do fine. Stay away from powerful weapons such as Firebird, and always be on the lookout for the flag. Viking is one of the best hulls for returning your own flag, as its speed is more than adequate to find the flagger, and its armor is usually sufficient to destroy the enemy. In CPs, Viking can do fine. I would prefer to use Viking in maps with multiple control points, as one can use Viking’s fine maneuverability and speed to your advantage. But Viking can do great in Control Points, specifically with powerful turrets, particularly Freeze. Viking may be a bit lacking on armor, so being a Point-charger isn’t usually the best option. Avoid dying and attack your enemies while distracted. Then, take the Point and move on. Be sure to know where your allies are. Without team-unity, many teams are destroyed in CP. In TDM, Viking is a very decent hull. Once you see an enemy, focus on it until it is destroyed. Try to trick your enemies, and use Viking’s low profile to make excellent use of cover. You will dominate the battle if played correctly. In DM, Viking can be one of the most powerful hulls. Play it stealthy, using alleyways and gaps. Attack where no one is expecting. In DM, I prefer using Thunder or Rico, as high damage and rate of fire are perfect for stealing kills. Focus on one enemy at a time, and be sure to live as long as possible.

 

Hunter

Now we will move on to the final medium hull: Hunter. Easily my favorite medium hull of the three, this hull has excellent maneuverability but maybe a bit light on armor. One of the most common hulls used in Star Ladder yet one of the least common hulls seen in the game, many people dismiss Hunter as just another medium hull and don’t use it frequently. But Hunter is just as unique as any hull in the game, and never ceases to impress me. I feel like this hull is a happy medium between Hornet, Viking, and even Dictator (if that makes any sense). Its not quite as tall as Dictator, but its taller than many hulls and does great at taking Golds and drop boxes. It's not quite as fast as Hornet, but it has amazing armor, comparable to Viking, especially at M1 and M3. It has a rather small shape, smaller than Viking or Dictator. Over all, I consider this the funnest medium hull to use. It does great with a wide variety of turrets, like most of the medium hulls.

 

Like I previously mentioned, Hunter is tall. It is just about the same height as a Titan, and is significantly taller than Wasp, Hornet, and Viking. Combined with great speed, maneuverability and weight, Hunter is one of the best hulls for Gold Hunting. Using its speed, it can make spectacular jumps, taking gold boxes and drop boxes with very unexpected moves. In fact, I prefer Hunter to Dictator in Gold Hunting. Hunter’s height generally allows it to shoot over corpses, and flips enemies with ease. Yet it does not quite have the height of Dictator, which is in my opinion an advantage as it makes you harder to flip. An intriguing change that occurred in the recent update is the Hunter/Viking weight swap. Previously, Hunter was heavier than Viking. Now, Hunter is the lightest of the Medium Hulls which results in more flips than usual. Hunter is certainly the most easy to flip of the Medium Hulls, but it is still quite stable. The reduced weight does contribute to more flipping, but it also makes it easier to use turrets’ impact to shoot yourself back upright. Hunter’s small size reinforces its stealthy vibe. This hull can be very hard to hit due to its small shape and excellent maneuverability. Cover is extremely effective, and this hull can hide in the smallest spaces.

 

Perhaps because Hunter is the starting hull to appear in your garage, tankers do not mount it much. I dislike Hunter at M0, and it is my belief that the Developers made it feel a bit sluggish and low armored to persuade you to experiment with other hulls. Players’ opinions on Hunter may be poor due to the fact that they haven’t upgraded it. Even by looking at Garage statistics, it is quite evident that Hunter is one of the best M1s. At M2 it may not stand out much, but M3 it really rocks, with armor very slightly lower than Viking but with much higher speed. Hunter is a very worthwhile buy.

 

Ok, what to mount on Hunter? Like the other medium hulls, Hunter is good with nearly everything. My personal favorite to use with Hunter is certainly Smoky. To quote GoldRock, “Well, this combination certainly shouldn't be overlooked. Hunter's stability and health provide a good base for Smoky's rapid fire and recoil, with a good speed meaning that this is an especially effective midfield/offensive combination. Those critical hits can definitely come in handy, too, if you're looking to achieve a high rate of damage. Also, the fact that Smoky has a decent range means that Hunter's slightly slower speed relative to the other hulls isn't really too much of a downside. Overall, this seems like a strong combination, with no major disadvantages and with quite a few advantages which make this combination worthwhile.” Hunter and Smoky is a very fun combination that I use in just about every map. It can destroy enemies from afar and upclose, and you can almost never go wrong with this combination. Another awesome turret to use with Hunter is Firebird. Firebird is a turret based on sheer damage power. It has extremely high damage per second, (the highest in the game) along with extremely powerful burning effects. When a Firebird gives you a good spraying, it is almost impossible not to die. Hunter gives a Firebird user enough armor to stay alive for a long time and destroy many enemies. But Hunter also has the maneuverability to perform excellently. In all, the ‘Firewall’ is one of the best combinations to use with Hunter, and probably my favorite hull to use with Firebird. The final combination that really stands out is Hunter and Ricochet. Hunter was truly built for Ricochet. Deadly, agile, powerful and aggressive, this combination is really outstanding. I especially like this combination in Polygon CP, where the ricochet angles are spectacular. A very good attacker and great at destroying enemies, this combination never lets me down. Some other great combinations with Hunter are Freeze/Hunter and Thunder/Hunter.

 

How should one play Hunter in the various game modes? Well, this combination really depends on what turret you mount. But generally, I wouldn’t recommend defending with it. In CTF: Its a great offensive and midfield hull, but should still be played carefully. Don’t careen into the enemy base and try to steal the flag. Hunter really is a sneaky combination, and excels at nabbing the flag when no one is expecting. Play with mild caution, and always support your allies. Tear down enemies when your faster allies take the flag, and clear room for your allies to take the flag in the first place. But Hunter still is a very mobile hull, and if the situation arises can capture flags quite well. Play however you see fit, Hunter does well just about anywhere, but Support is its primary skill. In CP: All in all, a good hull for Control Points. It can do well in single-point or multiple point battles. Its armor is a bit low for capturing point, but Hunter is great at destroying enemies before they can reach the point. An excellent guardian in CP modes, go on a patrol looking for enemy armor and capture points when you can. In TDM: Performs quite well, specifically with high damage turrets. See and enemy, and take it down. An awesome search and destroy hull, Hunter is very decent in TDM. In DM: I wouldn’t really recommend using this hull in DMs. It doesn’t quite have the speed nor the armor to do amazing, but it certainly won’t fail. Try to stay l alive, but focus on destroying enemies. Perhaps other Medium hulls would be better for this game mode.

 

 

That’s all for now! Hopefully this will help you decide which medium hull to get. They all have their advantages, and in my opinion are about balanced. Its up to your play style and decision to find what's best for you!

But, of course, Hunter wins. so true XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

 

 

I don't feel like reading huge paragraphs

 

Please use spoiler next time.

Edited May 2, 2015 by I.Pro.the_best_re

[Miahak 1,596]

That is some long article, I will read tomorrow :p

[Indra_Otsutsuki 329]

Viking FTW though it is certainly not the best for gold but still Viking FTW!

[Guest]

Nice article ;) , but my favorite hull besides Hornet is Viking. I get most of the golds with my Viking. :D :P. Viking  - Thunder us the best combo

Edited May 3, 2015 by HeroofTimeZ

[Armoured_Phoenix 294]

Many players may over look hunter but it's my personal fav.Hunter FTW!!!!

[assolik 134]

Hunter FTW