[Issue 36] Combo of the Month (Twins/Hornet): In Practice

[Kevred 1,586]

Click here to read the quantitative assessment of the combo, by Shedinja

 

 

Combo of the Month

Shedinja & Kevred

 

 

 

 

In Practice, by Kevred 

i'm such a noob compared to shed's big pro vocab

 

...to my fellow reporter and friend, Kevred.  ~Shedinja

Aww, luv you too Shed <3

 

My First Thoughts

Logically speaking, Hornet/Twins shouldn't be an effective combo. Everybody should know that Twins relies on long-term exposure to damage in order to kill something, and in Tanki, long-term is synonym of lots of hp. However, I'm sure Shed's already got you covered on that.

 

So let me tell you a secret instead: theories don’t always prove in practice. You can punch your teacher, shout at your parents that they lied to you, slap a chicken for absolute no reason, but it’s true. Now whether this applies to our situation is my job.

 

Hornet/Twins.

 

*sigh accompanied by deep stare*

 

Hmm. Previously, for another similar article, I played with Rico/Wasp quite a bit. It honestly wasn't too bad. As such, my expectations weren't lower than Fen when I began using this contraption. At my rank, I see these peculiar specimens quite often, so I guessed, gotta have something fun to it if there's people using it, no? And so I reached an agreement with good ol' Sheddy: he takes care of the boring stuff the data, facts, and logical reasoning, whilst I go into battles, melt baddies with my Twins, blow stuff up with mines and catch Golds, aka the fun portion of the bargain. It worked for him, it definitely works for me, so lez do dis thing!*

 

*Note that I used Helper paint during the entirety of the games, because it gives the same protection against all weapons, thus making sure my judgement isn't biased in any way. And because it’s sexyyyyy

 

 

Killing Stuff

Twins is the pinnacle of mass murdering weapons. It fares particularly well in large, open spaces, provided there aren't any Shafts hiding in the outskirts. For example, take Serpuhov. One of the best maps for Hornet/Twins, in my opinion (after I tested a whole bunch of sloppy maps, like Noise. I hate Noise. Hate it.)

 

Serpy’s generally consisted of sections of open areas. Its two bases and middle sections offer generous space for manoeuvring. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for the other team, Hornet/Twins relies completely on said manoeuvring!

 

 

Yes! I indeed said 'manoeuvring'. You didn't think Twins is just about putting a brick on the space bar and never turning your turret, did you? What?! What do you mean, you did?

 

Honestly, Hornet Twins is not unlike a Hornet Freeze, without the freezing effect and with a range bonus. Since Hornet is lacking the health necessary to give Twins the time to finish off his targets, you must create the crucial time from scratch by evading: the whole point is to circle your opponents, or at least constantly move around to dodge their fire. This is why many people consider Hornet/Twins to be an ineffective combination: they don’t turn their turrets, and good luck circling someone without turning your turret (or you can install a machine gun on your hull; that works too).

 

When I was faced with enemies, I relied on Twin’s mythical impact force in order to knock off my opponents aim, buying myself enough time to get in close with his tank. From there, it’s nothing else but child’s play.

 

 

Step 1: Approach the enemy, with guns firing, alongside bonus zigzags and sudden stops, economising as much of the thin HP as possible. Step 2: Circle your enemy, bashing him to death with plasma balls, occasionally doing more manoeuvring if he manages to charge another shot. And there ya go! Another job well done. Of course, higher-level players have learned to readjust their turret when under fire by weapons such as Twins. However, nothing is impossible. With some expert dodging and some chicken distraction, there’s a good chance for the Railgun to miss you. A higher chance than Fen growing two centimetres this year, at least.

 

(Note that I did not sustain any damage AT ALL from the enemies depicted above. The first one was damage from another Smoky, whilst in the second screenshot it was a nub Shaft.)

 

If this Freeze-inspired tactic still sounds like a risky endeavour, than you can always rely on a Tanker’s best friend (after Semyon. Everyone wants to be his friend.): drugs. No, don’t shoot me that outraged look; I'm not talking about being me drugging 24/7, using repairs every 3 seconds and ruining the game for everyone else. Nuh, nuh, nuh! Instead, you can go lighter and still achieve some pretty colossal results:

 

 

Another thing to keep in mind: Armors and Nitros drop often on the battlefield. Take advantage of that! Find one of the two drugs, equip the other one, then go kill stuff with your double-barelled death machine. You heard me right: speed and armor is all that is needed to be Godmode_ON Junior (Less fatter Version 2.0). Speed for the previously mentioned circling and dodging, and armor to give Hornet/Twins what is was previously critically lacking. Either way, with or without drugs, Twins/Hornet, when controlled by the right hands, is a true killer. Especially tanks with less weight and/or power, such as XPs. They. Don’t. Stand. A. Chance.

 

 

(Again, though it may not seem like so, none of the enemies in the screenshots above managed to damage me in any way, except for the firebird.)

 

Comparatively, here’s the result of not doing any sexy and epic moves and just charging like a doofus towards your enemy, in a non-open area:

 

 

Bigger tanks aren't impossible, either. After all, like they say: It’s all in the circling. Take the common Viking/Hunter with Rail as an example. My favourite tactic when dealing with them is the following:

 

 

First, the classic approach-without-getting-killed. Using Twin's rapid shooting and a handful of sudden stops in order to ensure your Hornet's hp is still full when you reach him; Second, proceeding to circling once or twice before finally ramming into his side (constantly firing, of course). At #3, the Viking/Hunter is caught in sandwich between your Hornet and the wall, and is unable to use his hull to turn faster. Indeed, ramming a tank, especially a heavier one, brings multiple advantages. To point his gun at you, the rammed tank can no longer rely on his hull to turn: instead, his sole option is his turret. This explains why I often use this tactic on Railgun, a very SloooooOOOOoooow turning turret. And if he manages to still be alive when his gun finally points at me, the shot nearly always flies into the sky, harmless, due to the constant bashing my plasma balls are doing on his tank. All this ensures the kill is in the bag.

 

As for the Mammoth of the Mammoths (You get it? Mammoth?), they don't prove to be too problematic either. Assuming you manage to get in close and personal, as long as there's space, there's hope for victory. 

 

 

Believe it or not, I actually charged this mammy head-on. But it turns out he was a total nub, since he missed all his shots. Although you're better off doing some dexterous turns instead of charging and hoping the enemy is a noob. So the equation is quite simple, really:

 

Hornet/Twins + Enough Space + Only One Enemy At a Time + Decent Skills= Assured Win

 

"But Kev, what's enough space?!"

 

By that, I mean enough space for Twins to be able to turn around an enemy hull, with extra room to compensate for Hornet's drift. This means an area of about four Mammoths (or about 1.3 quadrillion Fen-Harels) would be optimal. An area this large is quite common really, assuring an era of dominance for the Twins user.

 

The Game Styles

Moving on from the general functioning and into the quality of performances in specific conditions. We start off with the most popular of the game modes: Catch the Flying chicken. Or CTF. My first map choice was of course Rio; it’s infamous for his legendary unfairness for his intense CTF games. During the usage of this pair, I failed to notice a big difference from using another combo when going for the flag, in this case XP. The dual barrelled weapon's impact force does help knock off one or two tanks aim, maybe saving you that extra bit of help, however usually, in the enemy base, there are trillions more players shooting at you, so one shot missed or on target doesn't do much, especially if your own aim is being knocked off as it is! In addition, only a nub would stay in the enemy base when he has the flag; usually people try to shorten their stay in that particular location as much as possible. Consequentially, Twins doesn't have enough time to do any damage. In fact, in my opinion, Railgun would fare much better. Admit it- a quick one-hit kill at least rids you of one defender, whilst Twins would take way too much time to do the same thing. 

 

Nonetheless, CTF is still a great game mode for Hornet/Twins. After all, who said that all you did in CTFs was capture flags? There's still tons of killing on the list.

 

In single Control Points, you don't kill nothin' 'cause every'un's got double armors, and you don't activate your own double power 'cause the score is 438-34 and you don't even remember why you're staying in the battle.

 

Multiple Control Points have no difference with TDMs, except for the fact that you have to keep running around like a headless fly. Twins fast-firing double barrels sure come in helpful when a stampede forms next to a Point, but otherwise, similar to other game modes in tactics and effectiveness. I actually didn't get to play much in this mode, for they're harder to find than Fen in a crowd of kindergartens. So I tried making my own, but I was left alone. No one joined. Its as if I was carrying Goldy's used sports bag. So lonely. So, so lonely...

 

Deathmatches are average. You can of course use the circling technique on your enemies, just as usual, but one-on-ones are much more rare. The Sandbox DM I joined gave me a rather gratifying score:

 

 

But it was plain boring. Vulcan/Vikings were sucking the life out of me while Freezes took care of my escape route. And the crucial thing to remember when being the one inside a Twin mounted on a Hornet, is the fact that you should always take on one enemy at a time. Unless you're fully drugged with repairs to spare, of course. Remember that episode of Johnny Test when they said "Knowledge is Power"? Well that was a load of lies. Repairs are Power. Very costly Power source, though, eve more pricey than nuclear reactors. Back to topic.

 

 

The above screenshot depicts a common occurrence in DMs. A group of tanks fighting each other, with many people shooting the lightest hull and/or the one with the less health left, a.k.a. me. Maybe my opinion is being biased by the fact that I hate DMs even more than Noise, or by the fact that the Vulcan was a trigger-happy drugger, OR the fact that they LITERALLY ALL SIDED AGAINST ME, who knows. I just don't believe a death match is the right place for Twins/Hornet to thrive. I mean seriously, he's like 'lets all kill kerved' and then this other guy is all 'yeah ok bro' and then my ex-ally backstabs me and goes all 'lol' such a dirty little backstabber grnrnnrnr

 

Team Deathmatches. The mode where Twins/Hornet shines. No more flag to occupy your attention; everything is based on killing, killing and more killing. And Twins' middle name is Killer (no actually it's Lee-Roy Roberston Junior. Long story). Especially in large maps (such as the 2042 I played), finding an enemy alone is not a rare occurrence. What I did was simple: I sneaked into one of the corners of the map in enemy territory: there, I BASHED THEIR PUNY FACES HAR HAR HAR I ambushed several unsuspecting victims, leaping out from behind cover and circling them to death. Worked very well, I must say :3

 

As for long-rangers, Railguns weren't much of a hassle. Surprising, eh? Indeed, by making sure you stay in cramped areas until your time to strike arrives, you ensure no Railgun beam has the chance to gobble up your HP bar too early. And cramped spaces definitely isn't what 2042 is missing!

 

Guess what? There weren't any Shafts in that battle! No camping Mammy spawn-killing you every time! No Shafts AT ALL!

 

Just kidding.

 

 

Shafts are the most horrible inventions ever made by the Devs (after Noise, of course). They're super Under-Powered when you're using them, and super Over-Powered when someone else is using them.

 

Also, don't forget to be selective of your targets: don't be the fool who shoots everyone he sees. Be smart enough to know when to attack, and when to remain silent. No matter what your skill, a Viking/Ricochet on armor and double power is simply too tough of a take.

 

Catching Gold

Luckily, chance had brought upon me the occasion to test Hornet/Twins in catching golds. And not once, but twice! Both were in Serpuhov, and both were standard massive-rush falls. The first dropped in the very middle of the battlefield, appearing from the blue sky, causing tankers to stomp the speed pedal...

 

"Kev did you get it did you get it did you get it?"

 

Their hearts beating at a thousand miles an hour, their hulls raced to the spot, as I was pushed and shoved in the medley...

 

"So did you get? did you get it? did you get it? did you get it?"

 

Loosing hope, I threw a dictionary onto the spacebar pressed the spacebar, desperately trying to carve a path through the mass of metal and cheap ugly paints....

 

"did you get it? did you get it? did you get it? did you get it?"

 

Finally, as the mystical golden cube was this far "illustrates a size equal to Fen with fingers* from touching the nearest Dicator, a stray Shaft sent a bullet straight into my Double-Armor-reinforced Hornet, flinging me on top of the group, towards the Gold...

 

"SO DID YOU GET IT?! YOU GOT IT DIDN'T YOU! YOU GOT THE GOLD, RIGHT? I KNEW IT!"

 

Unfortunately the dictionary was blocking the '1' key on my keyboard, so it was my corpse which flew through the Gold without doing much of anything.

 

After this completely noobish enraging rather annoying event, my hopes of catching a Gold with this combo were slim. However, never loose hope, as another Gold dropped in the same battle.

 

This time, my eyes were full of determination to get this gold in the bag. Hardcore preparation followed the alert. I threw out the previous dictionary and bought a pocket edition to put on the spacebar instead, allowing me better access to the rest of the keyboard. Although turns out it was useless, because I catched the Gold with nothing but a Double Power. Apparently, everyone else turned into noobs during the 20 minutes separating the two Golds. Go figure.

 

I mean seriously, the Gold was on the ground when I approached it, and it was in the enemy base. Then this nub Thunder/Hunter just passes at one centimetre from it, without taking it, and instead goes for a Double Armor. 

 

^me

 

Seriously, its like passing a KFC store and seeing that they're having a 50% sale on chicken, and not immediately rushing into the store with your eyes popping with excitement; it's simply inhuman.

 

So, yeah, I took the Gold, and only after did he turn around and shoot me. Do it with me: 3...2...1...*collective facepalm*

 

Anyway, I would never turn down an occasion to show my glory, so...

 

 

Playing Parkour

I hate parkour.

 

Kev's Rating

Hornet Twins is a well-oiled machine with the potential of a top-scorer. This combination is all about killing, killing, and more killing, so what better place to put it in than a game that is all about killing, killing and more killing? (because we all know no one cares about flags. Am I right? *extended high-five hand meets nothing but air*).

 

I especially recommend Freeze users like me to give it a shot, as its gameplay is not all that different from the latter: its OP and is unstoppable on full drugs it requires the same tactics to be effective in combat situations.

 

And, if you actually do try out this duo, make sure you try full-drugging a couple of times too. I promise, you'll be more murderous than a Rambo filled with 6 gallons of Red Bull.

 

^My idea of some fun time.

 

Plus, when this happens, you can be assured you're doing the right thing:

 

 

True, Twins is utterly helpless when thrown against devastating long-range weapons, such as its nemesis, Vulcan. 

 

 

For example, in the above situation, I had no way to escape. Both sides were large, open stretches, and the Vulcan would've made quick work out of my thin health. Though this isn't much of a problem in my opinion, for these situations don't occur often, with Hornet's speed ensuring you're close enough to hit enemies. Most of the time.

 

Another pro of this pair is the fact that its auto-aim feels like its better than Rail's, for example. I don't know if this is "technically" true, however it sure does feel like it when you're on the giving end of the shooting. This can be useful in a number of circumstances.

 

In short, with all pros and cons put into the equation, I think this month's combo deserves a good 8/10. 

 

'Wow, that's a big difference with Shed's rating (a meager 4/10)." Well there you have it, the answer to my question: theories don't always prove themselves in practice, including in Tanki. Shed gave it a meager 4/10; my rating is two times higher. The moral? When you find a 50% discount on chicken, never, ever forget to rush into the store with your eyes popping from excitement.

 

...And we now reach the conclusion of this month's text wall logical analysis stuff and other thingimagigs. Tune in in (ugh) 30 days for more. As for now, I got a bunch of pictures to upload via the most annoying and ad-filled image uploader in history, aka Tinypic.com. So cya. The end.

 

But my rating is the correct one, right guys?

...

Guys?

 

Edited June 23, 2015 by conanthedestroyer

[Kevred 1,586]

Twins' other name is NOOB.

Not really, you have NO idea the skill needed to shoot a target moving perpendicular to you. Its nearly impossible, I swear!

[NewbieCake 3,067]

I used Hornet/Twins from Major - Colonel. Needless to say, it's fun to use.

[momy950666 960]

good one

[arnav0506 2,777]

Unbelievable article written by Kev ! I'm in love with his writing :wub:

[Kevred 1,586]

I used Hornet/Twins from Major - Colonel. Needless to say, it's fun to use.

 

Out of curiosity, are Twins/Hornets common at your rank? If not, what's the most commonest combo? ('commonest' may or may not be a word)

 

This article is DA BOSS!

I think it's the first time I saw you use incorrect english for once :D

[AN_602 280]

My pet chichen disapproves this article 

But i now feel like buying the next M of twins  :( For a colonel with Twins M0, that's kinda embarrassing..

[El_Jefe_Supremo 7]

I found this interesting. Both accounts I have started used twins until about corporal and have let them collect dust since. I still see that combo at warrant officer 1, though, so this article gave some useful insight into their mindsets. (Or maybe they just haven't tried anything else.)

Thanks for the laughs, your constant humor was very entertaining.

[Ben 644]

Funny and well done. M1 Twins was completely dominant at its unlocking rank, especially in the hands of Kevred druggers

Edited June 29, 2015 by Ben

[BTM22 268]

Interesting...I went Twins early in the game and liked them. I have used the M2 Twins/Hornet Combo quite a bit, as well as M2 Twins/Dictator. I tend to stock my drugs. Sometimes Twins/Hornet can help run a map versus Druggers. That being said, 8/10 isn't illogical. 4/10 isn't surprising either. 6/10 is fairly "middle of the road", which is what M2 Twins/Hornet is. I have not paired M2 Twins w/ my fresh M3 Hornet, so I will let you guys know.

 

I can tell you one thing: It is tough being a pick up artist in a drug war...

 

This article was around an 8 or 9/10, so I am betting I will see a lot more Twins/Hornet Combos soon--regardless of Rank. This will be the "IT" thing until the attention span snaps elsewhere, right?

 

Huh? Did someone say Rail or Thunder?

[BTM22 268]

aniketsharmarocks098, on 26 Jun 2015 - 11:12, said:

Twins' other name is NOOB.

Noob's other name is Drugging Newb?

 

[Edit] Or Coined-Up Nub?

Edited June 29, 2015 by BTM22

[A_R_A_K_E_L_Y_E_N 503]

I used hornet freeze for a third my tanki life. And hornet/Viking twins for another third + randomns for the rest and now I a. Titan twibs

[P_E_R_S_I_A_N 246]

yes u right 

[pizzaslad 471]

Psst. My Fire/Wasp loves to roast these things. So does Thunder :D

[ryanisduhbest 10]

Super funny!!!! :lol:

[BlazingCoder 108]

lol

[mundee 107]

Really good article, Twins Hornet is one of my favourite combos actually.

[fightermalikio20115 374]

do not tell me hate noise. -_- :blink: :( .my favorite map.you have bad taste <_<

[fightermalikio20115 374]

what the flip,beginner,no wonder :rolleyes:  http://prntscr.com/7n7mkn

[The.Little-Prince 1,669]

you told me you love parkour and play this format a lot :lol:

But now you hate parkour?

[Kevred 1,586]

you told me you love parkour and play this format a lot :lol:

*innocently puts hand into pocket, holding a shape  resembling a gun*

 

I never ever said I liked Parkour, riiiight? *smile*

[Guest]

nice

[opidude 437]

My pet chichen disapproves this article 

But i now feel like buying the next M of twins  :( For a colonel with Twins M0, that's kinda embarrassing..

dude, im a general and still dont have m1 twins. You're not alone

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

Out of curiosity, are Twins/Hornets common at your rank? If not, what's the most commonest combo? ('commonest' may or may not be a word)

 

I think it's the first time I saw you use incorrect english for once :D

Late response but, let me just say this, bro - 

 

Welcome to the world of SLANG. :D

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Good article.

 

My combo of the month is Railgun M1/Wasp M1 and Mary color :)