[Issue 36] Becoming a Tanki Pro

[GoldRock 6,165]

Becoming a Tanki Pro

Pro: Internet slang, a shortened form of the word 'professional' meaning to be skilled or competent in a particular activity.

What sets one Generalissimo apart from another? Many experienced tankers have accumulated millions of experience points over the years they've been playing, yet only relatively few have established a name for themselves due to their prowess on the battlefield. Those that have often showcase their talent in streams of top matches as part of Starladder (SL) leagues/tournaments, through gameplay videos and Duellist topics - and many look up to and emulate such players.

However, it's easier than it seems to join the ranks of the game's stronger players yourself. All it requires is a willingness to put in the time and effort, the motivation and drive to achieve your goals, and an awareness of how you should actually improve upon the various important aspects of your own ability. Whilst the first two factors are up to you, I can make use of my own knowledge to help throw some light onto the last one. Here goes... 

 

Turret Rotation and Hull Manoeuvring

"Pfft" I hear you mutter, "this is hardly difficult..." But wait! Take some time to read on before you skip to the next bit. Numerous studies may or may not have shown that the strongest players in the game do benefit from being more proficient at the basics than others, let alone the more flashy moves. Personally, I've noticed this myself in many battle situations. For example, the weaker XP players tend to spend too much time with their turret facing in the direction that they're driving, whether that be forwards or backwards. The less time you spend with your turret looking straight ahead, the more likely you are to be able to keep track of your opponents and spot them before they spot you.


Forget the 'C' key - this is where not to have your turret aimed most of the time, else you'll be smashed into a pulp when playing against any stronger players. Don't say I didn't warn you...

It's not enough just to drive around the battlefield with ease; you've got to be able to do so whilst focusing your turret on multiple targets, driving blindly in the opposite direction back to your base with the enemy flag. And even that's just the 'basic' level of ability for stronger players. Those at the highest level play with much more fluid movements than the vast majority of other players. They're not afraid of spinning around crazily to pull off impossible shots or to dodge their way out of a seemingly grave situation, because they know they can pull it off. That comes with combination of experience, practice and technique. 

At the peak of your performance, you should never be stood still on the battlefield, and you shouldn't have to slow down or alter your hull movements in order to aim your turret and hit your intended target 9 times out of 10. In essence, it's all about being consistent. To play like a pro, you've got to be able to drive like one - and the fewer mistakes you make, the better.

Camera Angling and Timing Shots 

This is where the strongest players start to distinguish themselves more. Quite a few higher-ranked players will know the importance of changing your camera angle regularly during a battle to make sure you have the optimal perspective on the situation at all times. However, I'd go further and recommend that in particularly high-paced battles, you should be changing your camera angle almost as much as you turn your turret. Zoom upwards for close-ranged duelling scenarios to peer over walls, and pan downwards to better aim for more distant targets. This is something that every tanker worth his salt should make use of, as a rule.


If you know your opponents are in their base, check for any immediate danger 'round the corner... then as you turn, press down hard on that 'E' key, spin your turret and hit space simultaneously to pull off that long-range shot at any opponents your appearance has inevitably enticed out of cover.

However, it's not just about getting the best angle on a situation - stronger players know how to take advantage of this. Making the effort to time your shots to hit an opponent before they hit you, whatever your weapon, can make the difference between life and death. If you're using a weapon with a good impact force, you'd also find it quite straightforward to knock off your opponent's aim in the process. But many good players already realise this. What sets the pros apart from the rest is their ability to outwit almost any opponent on the battlefield by consistently timing their shot to land just before an opponent's, even when their opponent is trying to do the same to them. 

In XP/BP battles, instead of just shooting an opponent as soon as they cross paths with one, they'll often wait and save their shot, guess when their opponent is about to fire and shoot just before them. The stronger players will often make their opponents miss and waste shots as a result, and it won't be uncommon to see them flipping a few opponents even when on relatively flat ground. 

Combat Skills

Every shot counts. There's no such thing as a 'good time' to miss a shot, even if a miss seems inconsequential at the time. Looking at XP/BP battles once more (which provide an excellent case study for many of these points), there have been many occasions when I've missed someone coming into our base, and privately regretted it later as the same player went on to pull off a capture or to support another in successfully doing so. Of course, none of my team-mates could have known that it was indirectly my fault, but that doesn't make such a miss any more excusable. Everyone makes 'unforced errors', but the pros always seek to minimise these; because they of all players realise just how important it is to stay focused.


Yep, shooting in a straight line can be more difficult than it seems. Quite a lot of space between my shot and my opponent there. Nice one, Goldy. Nice one.

As well as maintaining a high level of accuracy, stronger players try to maximise the damage they do with their shots. Using Railgun's penetrating effect and lining up opponents where possible allows players in the top Starladder leagues and tournaments to effectively cause 2 or even 3 times the normal Railgun damage to an enemy team in one go. For those weapons which can, the ability to damage multiple targets at once can and should be taken advantage of at all times. The stronger players not only keep this in mind, but also seek to avoid allowing their opponents to do the same. The most aware players will always try to predict risk, and act to reduce it.


Spin and... strike! It's a decent idea to aim at the turrets or edges of your opponents hulls once you've got 'em lined up, just so you can knock off any retaliatory shots they'll try to make if they survive. In this case, it didn't matter. Maybe you're not such a noob after all, Goldy (smug smile)

Last but not least... the more fancy one-versus-one moves can actually be very effective in team situations. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to spin your way to a difficult close-ranged shot. Whilst team-play and communication is most important in many battles, it definitely doesn't hurt if each individual player is highly skilled in his or her own right. Such skills take a lot of practice to perfect, and can often be the deciding factor in a close-run battle.

Prioritising Targets and Co-ordinating Play

We've all been in that situation before. You and a team-mate are up against a couple of opponents... and you both shoot at the same one even though only one of your shots was needed, allowing the other to escape unharmed. Or maybe you've seen some embarrassingly bad flag drop-offs on the battlefield. I certainly remember having to control my laughter on one particular occasion when I entered the enemy base, and the damaged flag-holder (who was looking the other way) dropped off the flag to me in error thinking I was a team-mate. I didn't even need to hit the spacebar at all! Anyway, this is precisely the sort of thing that any good team player will be careful to make sure they don't do. Whilst you might be a very skilled solo player, not only do you need to predict your opponent's moves, but also the moves of your team-mates.

 

Pro tip: it's never a good idea to shoot an opponent who's already in the process of being destroyed by a team-mate. Probably would've been a better idea for me to look 'round for another target... 

 

Are they duelling an opponent and are about to finish him or her off? If so, there's just no need to slow down and help - your energy would be better spent focusing on more important targets. Similarly, if you're in your own base and about to capture but your flag is lying a few metres away, think fast as to what you'll do. Drop the flag near the capture point and go for the return yourself, and your team-mate should understand what to do without explanation. If you're attacking an enemy base with the intention of returning a flag being held, note that it's not always wise to shoot at the flag-holder. If the flag-holder's low on health but you know you wouldn't be able to return in time, damage another defender to limit the options for the flag-holder to pass off the flag to any team-mate.
 

Decided to go for the guy blocking my trustworthy colleague whilst he aimed at the already damaged flag-holder. He just about got his shot off in time to take out the flag-holder before he hit me, leading to a pretty straightforward return. TY for the help, Foot Rest.

 

These are all important points that any aspiring pro should take heed of. Sometimes, it's best not to destroy an opponent on purpose. Whilst I'm not saying you should waste your shots, it's often more advantageous to leave an opponent alive and damaged for a bit than to destroy him or her straight away, for then you can control your opponent's respawn. By the time they materialise back in their own base, you'll hopefully be long gone and about to capture.
 
Map Awareness

The Starladder maps are notorious for being some of the most difficult maps to crack in the game. Whilst Barda's a more comfortable classic, Red Alert's very fast-paced and Parma can be a nightmare if you're having an off day in terms of your aiming. As a result, each map takes a lot of practice to master. Here's an important 'pro tip': get out of those Sandbox XP/BPs once in a while! And no, that doesn't mean you should mix it up with the occasional Poly CP - challenge yourself to explore the larger, more dynamic SL maps. Yes, it's true that Sandbox is helpful for practicing the basics (after all, a 'sandbox' is quite literally a development and testing environment for all your software geeks out there). However, I think a lot of Starladder players would agree with me that being a good Sandbox player does not mean you'll be good at Light Format or at playing in the SL maps.

If you aspire to improve yourself in that respect, trying to join a team active on Starladder by applying in the appropriate manner (so no, not on their SL pages) is always a good way to get started. Watching a few streams of top-level matches on the Tanki eSports channel could be useful too, as long as you take note of the tactics unfolding in front of you. As you'd see in those streams, you need to be completely aware of the routes you can follow when carrying the flag, and their various pros and cons. The shortest route isn't always the best route - a lot of cover and support from drop-box sites, friendly respawning points and fellow team-mates is always preferable. And as I mentioned before, a pro should be able to 'drive blind' around most of these maps from one flag to the other, so you can keep your attention focused on opponents.
 

It's never great when you're trying to be pro but you accidentally drive backwards into a wall, and then get shot even further off course by the opponent you were 'expertly' keeping an eye on. Heh.

 

Capturing routes aside, even if you're an offensive player you should be familiar with the best positions and routes for others. Remember where the most effective defensive spots lie, and keep track of winding midfield routes. In a fast-paced battle, top players often have to switch around and cover for each other's roles as a necessity. Any pro will know how each role in a map is performed best, and how to play in each one effectively, whether specialised in that role or not.

Game Instinct and Mindset

This one's for all you more experienced players out there. A lot of this article has been dedicated to 'covering the basics', so now's a good opportunity to get a little more advanced.

What distinguishes many SL Star and Pro Series from the rest is their instinctive ability. Often, they can just tell when an opponent's hiding around a corner, or when they're about to get shot from behind (keeping your battle sounds on is useful in this respect). Not only do they understand the workings of the game inside-out, but they can also quite literally read the minds of their opponents. They can assess the playing style of the teams and individuals they face, and react accordingly. Reaching this stage is a vital part of becoming a pro. You shouldn't just be able to physically drive and aim accurately, and mentally plan your moves - you should also have some gut instinct in terms of how to handle a variety of battle situations formed over years of playing the game.

Many players do have such instinct, but it's the strongest players who manage to focus it. A pro should be able to predict events before they happen without any prior warning, and react to them before they even take place. But how can you actually this? Don't worry, there's no special keys on your keyboard you've been missing out on or something - it's all about getting yourself in the right mindset. Don't allow yourself to be distracted, and constantly think about what's going on everywhere on the battlefield, not just in your immediate vicinity. After a while of consciously thinking about this psychological aspect of the game whilst you play, you should start to feel that you can manipulate and make use of your own gut instincts more effectively.

 

I'm sure there's someone around that corner... He'll pop out of cover to conveniently get hit by my shot any time now...

 

This factor is heavily affected by natural ability, but can definitely be improved upon with experience and practice. The best players in the game often started out with an innate aptitude for it, but that doesn't mean that every successful player was a pro gamer right from the start. Again, the more you play and practice/train yourself to think in such a way, the easier it'll be to form correct instincts under pressure.

And last but not least... Attitude and Fair Play

So here we have it: the final and possibly the most crucial point of this article. If there's anything you take from this article, take this. It doesn't matter if you have all the skills, tactical know-how and instinctive ability in the world. You'll never ever ever succeed if you don't have the right attitude. Both highly successful and not-so-successful players start out from the lowest ranks and lose many battles during their Tanki career. The difference lies in how successful players react to their losses. On too many occasions, I've seen EN teams with strong players and a lot of potential break apart and fail due to their members and leadership not being able to hold the team together after being knocked out of a league stage or tournament. Many of these teams were very good at all the other points mentioned above, but fell down at this last hurdle, blaming and pointing fingers when they lost a match.

What the EN community's stronger Light Format players need to realise is that staying mature and not giving up is vital for them to reach their goals. However, this isn't the only part of what makes up a successful player's attitude. As well as having a level-headed approach, it takes real determination and drive to achieve success as a player, such as by reaching Star Series. The vast majority of such players will have had a 'perfectionist' attitude, continuously working to improve their playing ability and gaining experience in teams with close friends. And eventually, after a lot of time and effort, they would've managed to break through into the elite. Persistence and commitment - both are absolutely necessary to achieve success and become a pro player. If you don't have the motivation, you won't make it.

 

A decent example of a pre-game etiquette chat in a Sandbox 3 vs 3 XP/BP, where I used my amazing knowledge of the Russian language. The conversation seemed polite enough, though I may or may not have had any idea what that Cazok guy was saying.

 

On your quest to professionalism, take some time to consider the value of fair play. In XP/BP battles, it's basic courtesy not to capture flags when your opponents are short a few players, and to generally respect the players you face. The strongest players in the game never under-estimate their opponents. This appreciation of the ability of others means that such players can both adapt their playing style to combat others rapidly, and achieve a solid reputation amongst their peers.

 

"Being a pro isn't just about skill, control or tactical awareness. It's about setting the right example for other players as they progress through their own Tanki careers." ~ Goldy, 2015. 

 

 

That pretty much covers everything. Hopefully you learnt a thing or two, and any feedback or comments would be appreciated. What do you think it takes to be a pro? Join in the discussion and post your own thoughts below!

Edited June 24, 2015 by GoldRock

[samlauncher 106]

just have fun.... :mellow:

[TankDestroyer890 135]

just have fun.... :mellow:

yes, but losing ain't no fun

[arnav0506 2,777]

Becoming a Tanki ProPro: Internet slang, a shortened form of the word 'professional' meaning to be skilled or competent in a particular activity.What sets one Generalissimo apart from another? Many experienced tankers have accumulated millions of experience points over the years they've been playing, yet only relatively few have established a name for themselves due to their prowess on the battlefield. Those that have often showcase their talent in streams of top matches as part of Starladder (SL) leagues/tournaments, through gameplay videos and Duellist topics - and many look up to and emulate such players.However, it's easier than it seems to join the ranks of the game's stronger players yourself. All it requires is a willingness to put in the time and effort, the motivation and drive to achieve your goals, and an awareness of how you should actually improve upon the various important aspects of your own ability. Whilst the first two factors are up to you, I can make use of my own knowledge to help throw some light onto the last one. Here goes... 

 

Turret Rotation and Hull Manoeuvring"Pfft" I hear you mutter, "this is hardly difficult..." But wait! Take some time to read on before you skip to the next bit. Numerous studies may or may not have shown that the strongest players in the game do benefit from being more proficient at the basics than others, let alone the more flashy moves. Personally, I've noticed this myself in many battle situations. For example, the weaker XP players tend to spend too much time with their turret facing in the direction that they're driving, whether that be forwards or backwards. The less time you spend with your turret looking straight ahead, the more likely you are to be able to keep track of your opponents and spot them before they spot you.Forget the 'C' key - this is where not to have your turret aimed most of the time, else you'll be smashed into a pulp when playing against any stronger players. Don't say I didn't warn you...It's not enough just to drive around the battlefield with ease; you've got to be able to do so whilst focusing your turret on multiple targets, driving blindly in the opposite direction back to your base with the enemy flag. And even that's just the 'basic' level of ability for stronger players. Those at the highest level play with much more fluid movements than the vast majority of other players. They're not afraid of spinning around crazily to pull off impossible shots or to dodge their way out of a seemingly grave situation, because they know they can pull it off. That comes with combination of experience, practice and technique. At the peak of your performance, you should never be stood still on the battlefield, and you shouldn't have to slow down or alter your hull movements in order to aim your turret and hit your intended target 9 times out of 10. In essence, it's all about being consistent. To play like a pro, you've got to be able to drive like one - and the fewer mistakes you make, the better.Camera Angling and Timing Shots This is where the strongest players start to distinguish themselves more. Quite a few higher-ranked players will know the importance of changing your camera angle regularly during a battle to make sure you have the optimal perspective on the situation at all times. However, I'd go further and recommend that in particularly high-paced battles, you should be changing your camera angle almost as much as you turn your turret. Zoom upwards for close-ranged duelling scenarios to peer over walls, and pan downwards to better aim for more distant targets. This is something that every tanker worth his salt should make use of, as a rule.If you know your opponents are in their base, check for any immediate danger 'round the corner... then as you turn, press down hard on that 'E' key, spin your turret and hit space simultaneously to pull off that long-range shot at any opponents your appearance has inevitably enticed out of cover.However, it's not just about getting the best angle on a situation - stronger players know how to take advantage of this. Making the effort to time your shots to hit an opponent before they hit you, whatever your weapon, can make the difference between life and death. If you're using a weapon with a good impact force, you'd also find it quite straightforward to knock off your opponent's aim in the process. But many good players already realise this. What sets the pros apart from the rest is their ability to outwit almost any opponent on the battlefield by consistently timing their shot to land just before an opponent's, even when their opponent is trying to do the same to them. In XP/BP battles, instead of just shooting an opponent as soon as they cross paths with one, they'll often wait and save their shot, guess when their opponent is about to fire and shoot just before them. The stronger players will often make their opponents miss and waste shots as a result, and it won't be uncommon to see them flipping a few opponents even when on relatively flat ground. Combat SkillsEvery shot counts. There's no such thing as a 'good time' to miss a shot, even if a miss seems inconsequential at the time. Looking at XP/BP battles once more (which provide an excellent case study for many of these points), there have been many occasions when I've missed someone coming into our base, and privately regretted it later as the same player went on to pull off a capture or to support another in successfully doing so. Of course, none of my team-mates could have known that it was indirectly my fault, but that doesn't make such a miss any more excusable. Everyone makes 'unforced errors', but the pros always seek to minimise these; because they of all players realise just how important it is to stay focused.Yep, shooting in a straight line can be more difficult than it seems. Quite a lot of space between my shot and my opponent there. Nice one, Goldy. Nice one.

As well as maintaining a high level of accuracy, stronger players try to maximise the damage they do with their shots. Using Railgun's penetrating effect and lining up opponents where possible allows players in the top Starladder leagues and tournaments to effectively cause 2 or even 3 times the normal Railgun damage to an enemy team in one go. For those weapons which can, the ability to damage multiple targets at once can and should be taken advantage of at all times. The stronger players not only keep this in mind, but also seek to avoid allowing their opponents to do the same. The most aware players will always try to predict risk, and act to reduce it.Spin and... strike! It's a decent idea to aim at the turrets or edges of your opponents hulls once you've got 'em lined up, just so you can knock off any retaliatory shots they'll try to make if they survive. In this case, it didn't matter. Maybe you're not such a noob after all, Goldy (smug smile)Last but not least... the more fancy one-versus-one moves can actually be very effective in team situations. Don't underestimate the importance of being able to spin your way to a difficult close-ranged shot. Whilst team-play and communication is most important in many battles, it definitely doesn't hurt if each individual player is highly skilled in his or her own right. Such skills take a lot of practice to perfect, and can often be the deciding factor in a close-run battle.Prioritising Targets and Co-ordinating PlayWe've all been in that situation before. You and a team-mate are up against a couple of opponents... and you both shoot at the same one even though only one of your shots was needed, allowing the other to escape unharmed. Or maybe you've seen some embarrassingly bad flag drop-offs on the battlefield. I certainly remember having to control my laughter on one particular occasion when I entered the enemy base, and the damaged flag-holder (who was looking the other way) dropped off the flag to me in error thinking I was a team-mate. I didn't even need to hit the spacebar at all! Anyway, this is precisely the sort of thing that any good team player will be careful to make sure they don't do. Whilst you might be a very skilled solo player, not only do you need to predict your opponent's moves, but also the moves of your team-mates.

 

Pro tip: it's never a good idea to shoot an opponent who's already in the process of being destroyed by a team-mate. Probably would've been a better idea for me to look 'round for another target... 

 

Are they duelling an opponent and are about to finish him or her off? If so, there's just no need to slow down and help - your energy would be better spent focusing on more important targets. Similarly, if you're in your own base and about to capture but your flag is lying a few metres away, think fast as to what you'll do. Drop the flag near the capture point and go for the return yourself, and your team-mate should understand what to do without explanation. If you're attacking an enemy base with the intention of returning a flag being held, note that it's not always wise to shoot at the flag-holder. If the flag-holder's low on health but you know you wouldn't be able to return in time, damage another defender to limit the options for the flag-holder to pass off the flag to any team-mate.

 

Decided to go for the guy blocking my trustworthy colleague whilst he aimed at the already damaged flag-holder. He just about got his shot off in time to take out the flag-holder before he hit me, leading to a pretty straightforward return. TY for the help, Foot Rest.

 

These are all important points that any aspiring pro should take heed of. Sometimes, it's best not to destroy an opponent on purpose. Whilst I'm not saying you should waste your shots, it's often more advantageous to leave an opponent alive and damaged for a bit than to destroy him or her straight away, for then you can control your opponent's respawn. By the time they materialise back in their own base, you'll hopefully be long gone and about to capture.

 Map AwarenessThe Starladder maps are notorious for being some of the most difficult maps to crack in the game. Whilst Barda's a more comfortable classic, Red Alert's very fast-paced and Parma can be a nightmare if you're having an off day in terms of your aiming. As a result, each map takes a lot of practice to master. Here's an important 'pro tip': get out of those Sandbox XP/BPs once in a while! And no, that doesn't mean you should mix it up with the occasional Poly CP - challenge yourself to explore the larger, more dynamic SL maps. Yes, it's true that Sandbox is helpful for practicing the basics (after all, a 'sandbox' is quite literally a development and testing environment for all your software geeks out there). However, I think a lot of Starladder players would agree with me that being a good Sandbox player does not mean you'll be good at Light Format or at playing in the SL maps.

If you aspire to improve yourself in that respect, trying to join a team active on Starladder by applying in the appropriate manner (so no, not on their SL pages) is always a good way to get started. Watching a few streams of top-level matches on the Tanki eSports channel could be useful too, as long as you take note of the tactics unfolding in front of you. As you'd see in those streams, you need to be completely aware of the routes you can follow when carrying the flag, and their various pros and cons. The shortest route isn't always the best route - a lot of cover and support from drop-box sites, friendly respawning points and fellow team-mates is always preferable. And as I mentioned before, a pro should be able to 'drive blind' around most of these maps from one flag to the other, so you can keep your attention focused on opponents.

 

It's never great when you're trying to be pro but you accidentally drive backwards into a wall, and then get shot even further off course by the opponent you were 'expertly' keeping an eye on. Heh.

 

Capturing routes aside, even if you're an offensive player you should be familiar with the best positions and routes for others. Remember where the most effective defensive spots lie, and keep track of winding midfield routes. In a fast-paced battle, top players often have to switch around and cover for each other's roles as a necessity. Any pro will know how each role in a map is performed best, and how to play in each one effectively, whether specialised in that role or not.Game Instinct and MindsetThis one's for all you more experienced players out there. A lot of this article has been dedicated to 'covering the basics', so now's a good opportunity to get a little more advanced.

What distinguishes many SL Star and Pro Series from the rest is their instinctive ability. Often, they can just tell when an opponent's hiding around a corner, or when they're about to get shot from behind (keeping your battle sounds on is useful in this respect). Not only do they understand the workings of the game inside-out, but they can also quite literally read the minds of their opponents. They can assess the playing style of the teams and individuals they face, and react accordingly. Reaching this stage is a vital part of becoming a pro. You shouldn't just be able to physically drive and aim accurately, and mentally plan your moves - you should also have some gut instinct in terms of how to handle a variety of battle situations formed over years of playing the game.

Many players do have such instinct, but it's the strongest players who manage to focus it. A pro should be able to predict events before they happen without any prior warning, and react to them before they even take place. But how can you actually this? Don't worry, there's no special keys on your keyboard you've been missing out on or something - it's all about getting yourself in the right mindset. Don't allow yourself to be distracted, and constantly think about what's going on everywhere on the battlefield, not just in your immediate vicinity. After a while of consciously thinking about this psychological aspect of the game whilst you play, you should start to feel that you can manipulate and make use of your own gut instincts more effectively.

 

I'm sure there's someone around that corner... He'll pop out of cover to conveniently get hit by my shot any time now...

 

This factor is heavily affected by natural ability, but can definitely be improved upon with experience and practice. The best players in the game often started out with an innate aptitude for it, but that doesn't mean that every successful player was a pro gamer right from the start. Again, the more you play and practice/train yourself to think in such a way, the easier it'll be to form correct instincts under pressure.And last but not least... Attitude and Fair PlaySo here we have it: the final and possibly the most crucial point of this article. If there's anything you take from this article, take this. It doesn't matter if you have all the skills, tactical know-how and instinctive ability in the world. You'll never ever ever succeed if you don't have the right attitude. Both highly successful and not-so-successful players start out from the lowest ranks and lose many battles during their Tanki career. The difference lies in how successful players react to their losses. On too many occasions, I've seen EN teams with strong players and a lot of potential break apart and fail due to their members and leadership not being able to hold the team together after being knocked out of a league stage or tournament. Many of these teams were very good at all the other points mentioned above, but fell down at this last hurdle, blaming and pointing fingers when they lost a match.

What the EN community's stronger Light Format players need to realise is that staying mature and not giving up is vital for them to reach their goals. However, this isn't the only part of what makes up a successful player's attitude. As well as having a level-headed approach, it takes real determination and drive to achieve success as a player, such as by reaching Star Series. The vast majority of such players will have had a 'perfectionist' attitude, continuously working to improve their playing ability and gaining experience in teams with close friends. And eventually, after a lot of time and effort, they would've managed to break through into the elite. Persistence and commitment - both are absolutely necessary to achieve success and become a pro player. If you don't have the motivation, you won't make it.

 

A decent example of a pre-game etiquette chat in a Sandbox 3 vs 3 XP/BP, where I used my amazing knowledge of the Russian language. The conversation seemed polite enough, though I may or may not have had any idea what that Cazok guy was saying.

 

On your quest to professionalism, take some time to consider the value of fair play. In XP/BP battles, it's basic courtesy not to capture flags when your opponents are short a few players, and to generally respect the players you face. The strongest players in the game never under-estimate their opponents. This appreciation of the ability of others means that such players can both adapt their playing style to combat others rapidly, and achieve a solid reputation amongst their peers.

 

"Being a pro isn't just about skill, control or tactical awareness. It's about setting the right example for other players as they progress through their own Tanki careers." ~ Goldy, 2015. 

 

 

That pretty much covers everything. Hopefully you learnt a thing or two, and any feedback or comments would be appreciated. What do you think it takes to be a pro? Join in the discussion and post your own thoughts below!

u rock goldrock

Edited June 26, 2015 by hogree
Please put large quotes in spoilers

[canadarules 1,938]

goldy is a pro plz

[Phoenix-Warbird 1,329]

very nice ^_^

 

one problem - i have all that down, and im still not a pro ok

Edited June 28, 2015 by Phoenix-Warbird

[BlazingCoder 108]

It takes skill and enjoyment  to be a pro

[genak138 950]

"That Cazok guy" was saying "Vania, I saw your nitro" ;)

 

Not sure if Vania is another Russian word or a name of somebody in the battle though. :unsure:

[momy950666 960]

It takes skill and enjoyment  to be a pro

just right

[Lankbouv 6,347]

TL;DR

 

Will read when I have an abundance of time

Edited June 28, 2015 by Lankbouv

[St.Guardian 514]

The best article I have ever read, written by my favourite member of staff of all time. Well said and done, @GoldRock ;)

[El_Jefe_Supremo 7]

I was reading this while talking to somebody at the same time. I'm afraid to say I had to stop my convo mid sentence when I read this line:

"there's no special keys on your keyboard you've been missing out on"

I misread it: "There are special keys on your keyboard you've been missing out on." I was halfway through running a search for little known tanki control keys by the time I reread and saw the crucial no in that sentence.

*Facepalm*

Sorry humanity.

 

On a more serious note: very well written article. I haven't watched many starladder matches in the past, but I may start after that you suggested the tactics evaluation.

Edited June 29, 2015 by El_Jefe_Supremo

[cosmic666 1,055]

i enjoyed the article made a good read . i consider myself (like every tanker i suppose) a good player my d/l is usually 7to1 in my favour has been since i started playing over a year ago.this is my point im hopless on rail never used it BUT apart from smokey can any other turret be used in pro battles my main weapons are shaft rico and twins. got to admit i do aspire to mixing it with the pros one day ....cos666. 

[cosmic666 1,055]

ah yes 1 more thing (what does it take to be a pro)....a telepathic like understanding of how each player on the team will react to any situation in battle. last point isidas are essential in team battles how come we never see them in pro battles.

[Hex 11,520]

Good Job! Loved the article! :D looking forward to seeing more great work from you :)

[Indra_Otsutsuki 329]

That was pretty...

 

http://i61.tinypic.com/1zvy80x.jpg EPIC

 

Edited June 29, 2015 by Indra_Otsutsuki

[r_Arabiannoble0 1,756]

Very nice read :D I'm impressed

[tankkipankki 72]

loved this article!!! because it tells you all the truth about meh  ^_^

[Jaaames 1,622]

Really great tips here. Excellent read and keep up the great work! :)

[slycleaversmart 1,154]

Now I read this and thought, I do most of these things effectively at my rank but I still always lose... but when i got  back to low ranked accounts i gte 80 kills in 15 minutes so I realized its my rail gun and wasp's lack of Armour and damage. so what I am trying to say is good guns and hulls are a must to being a pro.

[Penguin40 1,714]

Very nice job, GoldRock. This improved me a lot with Rail/Hornet or Rail/Wasp. 

[suhas_best 334]

I have those elements in me ^_^ .... Am i a pro then?  :wacko:

[qinwan9 125]

Very good Article,golden  ;)

[Guest]

nice

[lucasedy 10]

 

I have read the article...It's very nice, gj...but I have a question. How do you become a pro player, are you chosen by the admins?

Edited July 2, 2015 by lucasedy