[Issue 38] The Comprehensive Guide to Ranking Up

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

 

SAVOURING THE SATISFACTION 

AND ENSURING THAT DAYS OF HARD WORK CONCLUDES IN STYLE

 
Every tanker wants to see that golden pillar of light illuminate his tank, and make it stand out among others. Every tanker wants to see that glaring icon of his newly achieved rank be announced to the whole server. And above all, every tank wants to make sure he signs off his old rank with a bang!
 
Of course, one might do this by smashing the computer into bits, or detonating @TriNitroToIuene on it.
 

But, however, one must choose how he wishes to rank up; simply killing a random person in a random battle doesn't have the moolah to be called a proper rankup. And similarly, capturing the flag doesn't have the effect. What one needs, is style. Style is a major factor during a proper rankup, and decides whether the tanker is a pro or a nub (seriously, many people rate each other by YouTube skills.)

Therefore, the objective of this guide - how to effect a proper rank up party, and ensure nothing goes wrong, and that you attain the next rank in the snazziest way possible.
 

 

THE PROTOCOL

 

 

Please welcome your holy grail for today - the protocol. A set of *ahem* guidelines which you may or may not follow to get the best possible rankup scenario possible. Follow these rules, and people will be hailing your rank-up video as 'worthy of Rent-A-Spec', albeit without spectator mode.
 

Firstly, decide if you want to take the easy way out or the hard way out. The easy way is so easy, it can be done within seconds! Here's how:

• Go join a random CTF battle. 
• Kill people and cap flags till your XP bar fills up.
• Voila! You have been promoted!

To all you non-nug people out there, d'you seriously want that? 
 

Now, you want to do it the 'pro' way - all those flashy Firebirds creating a wall around your tank as the rank symbol magically appears without shooting anyone - that's the kind of rankup everyone looks for. The glamour quotient is what gets rankup videos their, um, popularity.
 

Video Quality
 
So first up, the video quality should be excellent! Nobody wants to see a pixellated tank magically teleporting to another end of the map, and the rankup symbol appears, then disappears as suddenly as it became visible, right? 

You can either go for the best by asking a spectator to preside over your rank-up : these guys are the best things that can happen to it! Popular YouTubers like @Ilia.ArchangeI and @shayanshiny possess this mode and use it to great advantage to record videos. They certainly won't miss a chance to record an opportunity like this - namely, your rank-up! And as far as I know, Chat Mods have Spectator Mode to bust people secretly in the game.

If you don't have the patience to arrange for a spectator to come and record your rank-up or are too scared to request one to do so, you can just turn your graphics to full blast and record it yourself, or ask some other player who is attending it to record it for you.

Either way, quality is the fundamental unit of rankup videos, guys, keep this in mind while getting 'promoted'!


Whom to Invite
 
You can't just rank up alone, you know. There has to be some tank/tanks waiting to be killed by you for you to achieve the next rank. I mean, you could atleast kill some tanks who are in a particular formation, like a pyramid, or line, or tower.
 
The question is, who do you rank up with?
 
Let me tell you one thing - you certainly can't type 'plz someone attend my rankup party' in the battle chat, and wait for someone to say 'yes.' If you do that, the players will most certainly mult in the final stages and ruin the whole thing. You'll have a fail rankup. Go cry.
 
You can't even just invite some of your known friends moments before you rank, because they'll not know what to do, and you'll end up having a really disorganized rankup.
 
Therefore, my advice is - plan it out with trusted friends at least two or three days in advance through PM, and decide mutually as to how you can rank up.
 
Also, the question arises, how many players do you need? It all depends on the way you want to rank up. If a quiet procedure is fine by you, one friend is enough. However, if you want to up the ante and go for the glamour quotient, invite no less than ten people.
 
Surely, your rankup can't go wrong after such planning!
 

Choosing the right battle
 
Now, the next issue one must address is, which battle to choose?
 
Again, it depends on how many you want to kill. If the number is somewhere in between five and ten, create a player-specific DM, and fill the vacant spots as fast as possible, otherwise some random tank who doesn't know English will amble in and be delighted and puzzled to see tanks queueing up to get killed by him (or so he thinks).
 
If you need to kill many people at the same time, create a TDM - but this will mean shelling out five thousand crystals as the only way in which everyone other than you will be in the opponent team is creating a PRO battle with autobalance off. However, this is worth the price (if you don't already have a pass) as you get more time, as well as more enemies to destroy and complete your rankup!
 
If killing tanks isn't enough for you, and you want to commemmorate your rank up with something more, then go for a CTF battle. The second half of this paragraph will be the same as that of TDMs.
 
I don't, however, recommend CPs. Ranking up while capturing a point doesn't have any feel of aestheticness - at all. The point will, in all likelihood, hide your tank from view and the 'capturing line' looks rather ugly compared to the golden glow of your rankup.
 
Again, these are my opinions and just some general guidelines which you can use as the framework of your rankup battle! Each man to his own!
 

Choosing the correct location
 
Aha! No rankup can ever be complete without a map, right? But, finding the right map to rankup is important. You can't just rankup in a random place like Station or Gubakha, you know! The minimum requirements for a 'beautiful' map are symmetry and props.
 
A map has to be symmetry, no matter how you rank up, because when you look back at it, months later with a tinge of nostalgia, you'll be looking more at how beautiful the map was, rather than what rank you attained. Also, ranking up in the center of a symmetrical map can give a feeling of unmatched satisfaction.
 
However (and unfortunately), all maps are not suitable for something like rankups - choosing the wrong map puts a dampener on the celebrations, really, it does. How does one avoid such mistakes? Simple! By reading the list below, which comprises of trusted rankup maps with plenty of testimonials to their name! (Some of them are from me, though. That's your spoiler alert!)
 
1. Stadium. Say no more. A lot of open space in the middle for all sorts of rankups and events, and the perfect place for setting lineup records (other than Dusseldorf). With a rich skybox and an elegant ground texture in summer mode, it goes perfectly with the rankup colour. Ranking up in the center of the map/center of the 'goals' with symmetrical arrangement of either tanks or props is one you will remember for a long, long time. The video will look cool, and the screenshot will be a keeper!

To have an idea of what I'm saying, look at this picturesque rank-up - 

 

 
2. Rio. Believe it? Nah, of course you will! Now you'll be telling me, 'Rio ain't symmetrical, homie, you contradicted what you just said!' True, it's not symmetrical, but it has some of the best rank-up spots in the world of Tanki. The beach is perhaps the most romantic and picturesque place to rank up. Why? The yellow sand and the blue sky contrast beautifully, and it's surrounded by palm trees all around. Perfect for sunbathing. Also, one could rank up atop the skyscraper or atop the building connecting the red and blue bases. Either way, it's one of the top rank-up destinations you can get!

Here's valid proof - 

 

 
3. Iran. This might seem like a slightly quirky choice, but if you observe the centre of the map closely. you'll notice a green oasis sheltered by palm trees with symmetrically arranged buildings on all four sides. Oh, and not to mention, the buildings around that spot are draped in blue carpets. What's the word? Correct again, it's contrast! The buildings gel as well as contrast beautifully with your tank, and people will be staring open-mouthed at the video for aeons to come (assuming the Earth lasts that long, obviously).
 
Now, I want to spare the arduous task of making you read on and on and on, therefore I'm just listing three maps here. However, there are many more available on the server for you to choose! Take your pick, and all the best with a picturesque rankup!
 

Rank-up Styles
 
How does one rank up? Is it by killing one person? Many? After scaling a building? With a flag in hand? By a spin shot? The basic questions are endless. And even once I answer those, more still flow like a waterfall. Do I use Firebird? Do I make use of Railgun's impact force? Do I have a multiple rank up?
 
All these questions can be answered by this single bit of information - rank up categories. 
 
As we all know (by observing YouTubers), the most gala rank-up parties have a distinctive style to them - they're not just the boring old killing-people-till-your-XP-bar-is-full routine; they're special - that's one big reason why they're famous.
 
Rank-ups can be of many types - from a single kill and capturing a flag, to seemingly rank-up in midair without appearing to shoot at all!
 
This is how I (the unbiased judge as always!) classify types of rankups :
 
1. Single Kills - The most rudimentary kind of rankup, single killing involves killing one person in a secluded spot, in a secluded map, in a secluded server in a not-so-secluded game. Once you arrange yourself in some sort of basic formation (facing each other, V-shaped, etc.), just HIT THE SPACEBAR! Watch your opponent die, totally at your mercy, and best of all, voluntarily! Hee hee hee.
It's really easy to execute, just do this - 

 

2. Multiple kills - The act of killing many tanks at once, multiple killing is a totally badass way to rankup, but can further be classified into subdivisions - 

•  Line Killing - When you arrange your victims in a straight line, and finish 'em all at once with a double damage equipped, fully MUd Railgun M4 (after enduring allegations of 'drugger noob'), it's called 'line killing'. It's pretty simple to understand, yet one of the toughest to master, as you have to invite many people and co-ordinate them. I mean, how many people will actually do  that for you? All you have to do is create a Dusseldorf DM (Remember, it is a 'beautiful' map!) and invite fifteen of your friends to it, and tell them to come in Wasps and a protectionless paint. Make all rebel Mammoths rage-quit. This is your special moment! Once they're all in a single file, watch the ethereal orange glow at the tip of your barrel come to life, and eliminate the opposition! Oh, joy!

          Perhaps, a pretty good example will be @GoldRock's rankup to Marshal, where he killed 16 tanks at once - 

 

 

•  Pyramid killing - This needs slightly less tankpower, and a lot more co-operation than line killing, because your victims need to be arranged in a stack - each row will have one tanker less than the row below. Then, you pick a weapon with splash damage, reduce their health to almost zero, and then, before the final shot, arrange them into a pyramid and shoot! It's a beautiful way to rank up, and the fruits of your labour will certainly pay off. However, there is only one weapon you can use in such circumstances - Railgun won't do because it can only shoot in a straight line (and so does Shaft, by the way). Firebird and Freeze require you to be near the opponents when you kill them, but however, that doesn't look good and it completely spoils the effect. Hammer, too, for that reason, fails to impress. Therefore, the only turret remaining is : Thunder. Yes, a turret capable of killing many tanks at once and also having a high rate of splash damage, Thunder along with a pyramid will ensure a successful rank-up.

         A pyramid cannot be exemplified more than this one, which featured in 's final rankup - 

•  Wheel of Fortune - This is a little-implemented, yet one of the best and simplest ways to rank up. All you need is five friends max (and 5 kills to go till your rank up). Make them stand in a circle around you. Then, start spinning your hull and turret around and press spacebar randomly and kill one person. Since you're continuously turning, there's no way of telling who you're going to kill, since you're continuously spinning. Repeat this process till you've achieved your rank-up or you've run out of enemies. If you've still not ranked up after the latter, repeat this process again till you do rank up. Don't worry, you need only five of your trusted friends for this, so there's almost no chance of it going wrong. Also, remember that your opponents should close in after the death of one of their comrades. Any turret is good for this, but I recommend Firebird and Railgun - Firebird as all opponents are experiencing afterburn and anyone can die (hence the name!) and Railgun because of the shot delay. Happy ranking! 

         A pretty good example of this will be @Tareq.Jami's rank-up to commander (he was known as omarzidan then) -  

 

3. Accessory-included rankups - This one is kind of obvious, isn't it? Accessories include anything other than tanks..... yes, beams too! But, there are easy pickings for this one. I mean, how many accessories do you find in the game? Let me tell you. It starts with F, ends with S and contains the word 'lag' in between. It's flags! I had complete faith in my readers to get that one correct! Or did I? Anyway, holding a flag while ranking up makes the whole experience a lot better - it makes you look more tankly. It kind of gives the message somewhat like presenting *insert nickname here*, bearer of flags, forerunner of rankups! And it's absolutely right. Especially when you use props to their maximum advantage (keep reading), a flag is something that can enhance the quality of rank-up videos. An an alternate note, you can also rank up by capturing a flag. It so reduces the hassle of killing people! And this tactic is particularly effective when you powerlevel let your friends let you capture everything. Either way, a flag is something that is sure to catalyze or beautify your rank-up!

Take this rankup for instance, starring Shaft Beams - 

 

 

 

Or, if you wanted to have an example involving flags, refer this - 

 

 
4. Parkour rank-ups - The most amazing and adrenalistic kind of rankup, parkour involves ranking up atop a building (obvious). For example, on top of the skyscraper in Rio, or the flat-topped towers in Madness. This escalates your feeling of importance (probably because you're located above everyone else) and the video is a keeper. With a flag, you'll look like a mountaineer scaling an especially treacherous peak! On YouTube, half of the rankups are done by parkour. Need I say more?
Here's a picture to demonstrate the best use of such a mode - 

 
5. 'Magic' rank-ups - So called because rankups happen by magic here. Just joking. Ranking up without appearing to shoot is known as a 'magic' rank-up. This is simply done by placing a mine somewhere in the map (and out of video recording view) and at the time of rank up, ask someone to step on it. BOOM. You've got your rankup. (Unless your victim had used double armour).
 

Optimal Rank-Ups
 
So, what is the optimal way of ranking up? Well, based on the four tips given above, an optimal rank-up will be one in which two or more elements above are combined into one. However, to achieve a feasible result, be practical. You won't achieve your rankup anytime soon if you try and kill eight people in a pyramid formation atop a building in Kungur or you try and do a wheel of fortune above a hut in Iran.
 
However, two among the list which I think can make it to every single rankup are points 3 and 5. Flags are really easy to pick up, and planting mines is easier. Just one key to the right of the Speed Boost button! Honestly, these two are what gives your rankup its charisma. Think about it. You take a flag and stand in a strategic location, and then you pose comfortably for the cameras when you rank up majestically, as if influencing the servers. Feasible, no?
 
And, point 4 can also make it through if you're not planning on a multi-kill (actually, you can do a multi kill from atop a building, but staying on the ground is preferable) and you know how to do parkour. Don't just stand on a tank and call it a 'parkour' rank up, because it ain't one.
 
Anyway, try these tips, and people are surely going to break the upvote button when you post the video in POTD!
 

Coronations
 
If you're not satisfied with the regular effects, you can go in for something I like to call 'coronations' - it means ranking up amidst tanks shooting away from you, or upwards, forming a sort of wall of honour. This is best exemplified through Firebird and Freeze - making them shoot upwards creates a mystical wall between which you can rank up. Also, if possible, create a PRO battle with autobalance off and make people stand on either side of a road and fire at you. Then, pass through the flames and voila!
 

For example - 

 

Here, you'll observe that there is no shooting going on, but there is in fact a guard of honour. That does the trick as well, you know!

 

However, Fire and Freeze are the best turrets for this effect as their shots are the only ones in the whole game which can be seen clearly even without an enemy around.
 
That was 'coronation' for you, have fun ascending to the throne!
 

Iron out the Niggles
 
Every thing has a flipped phase to it. Yes, even rank-ups! In fact, there's a lot to keep in mind while attaining the next rank. For one, you need timing - a sense of when to kill people will be much appreciated. This is especially important when you're doing a coronation - you need to wait for the shooting to start, and at the same time, be aware of when the shooting will stop. Find the perfect time window, and that's one niggle covered.
 
Next, you need to make sure none of the people attending the party are AFK (and check yourself too, for that matter,) and be on the lookout for lag. Lag is something that has wrecked the best rankup parties there are - it's not nice to see the culmination of weeks of hard work being washed off by a simple shift in figures.
 
Thirdly, be aware of your surroundings. Plan beforehand which mode you're going to use - Summer Mode or Winter Mode. For both scenarios, you need a contrasting paint for best effect. In Summer, try using a light paint like Tundra or Swash (there are many more, check it for yourself) and for Winter Mode, don't use a white paint. Simple. How many white paints are there anyway? Let's see, White......Irbis........ I dunno. Anyway, the next thing you need to see is whether you want to rank up in Day Mode or Night Mode. In Day Mode, you're spoilt for choice of maps. However, in Night Mode, there are only six maps from which you can choose, so it makes decision-taking a lot easier. Honestly, I feel Night Mode generates better rankups (one such example is @P_A_N_T_H_E_O_N's famous 'high above Rio' rankup). As for choices, see Summer Mode for Night Mode reference, and vice versa.
 
Last (but obviously not the least), be practical. Don't get carried away by what you're trying to do, but at the same time, don't do too less. Go in for just the right method that suits you. I mean, it's useless trying to do the coronation if your friends don't co-operate with you, and it's absolutely ridiculous to even attempt doing a pyramid kill when you don't know how to climb another tank.
 
All the same, there are restrictions for everything, nothing is flawless, you know. Stick within the limits and pay attention to all the minor details; get the creases smoothened out, and your rank-up will be just as smooth!
 

Be Practical
 
I guess that's it from this article, then. Just a collection of a few tips and tricks, plus some personal experience to make your rank-up as smooth as silk! You should, I repeat, should become a pro at ranking up after reading this. Don't come at me saying 'TNT, I still can't climb the skyscraper in Rio, now how do I rank up?' These were just my humble opinions.
 
As for the lack of illustrations, jeez, how many times can one rank up in time to write this article? All the same, I have inserted a few illustrations in here, the pics and the words combined should take you through comfortably into your next rank!
 
But, before I take your leave, I guess it's only fair for you to have an insight into the way I rank up :
 

The 'Pro' Way

• Goes to a Polygon CP.
• Shoots a random person and ranks up.
• Forgets to press 'PrintScreen'.

 

:lol:

So that's it from this article, tankers! Follow the steps given above and avoid following my example, and you could be the next hit YouTuber of Tanki Online! See you in the battle!
Although, to become a hit YouTuber, you need to know a lot more than just ranking up.
 

 

Edited August 14, 2015 by TriNitroToIuene

[Scientist 4,224]

This is great! Keep up the good work! :)

[sirogo 3,624]

Great topic… Guess my knowledge in Rank Ups won't be of any use anymore, after that people read this  ^_^

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

Great topic… Guess my knowledge in Rank Ups won't be of any use anymore, after that people read this  ^_^

Coming from a guy who's been a rank-up organizer in RAS, that is high praise! Thank you! ^_^

[N.o.6.o.d.y 575]

nice c;

 

ma pic was used :rolleyes:

 

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

nice c;

 

ma pic was used :rolleyes:

 

Haha, it was completely random. Actually, I picked up all the pictures from RAS.

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

WOO-HOO!, First article made by TNT! :D

 

My best way to rank is to get Score Multiplayer Pass 100% and then ........ rank up!!!  :lol:

[arnav0506 2,777]

I didn't even realise this was TNT ! Too good an article for his debut !

[Penguin40 1,714]

Good job TriNitroToluene, (a chemical compound with the formula C₆H₂(NO₂)₃CH_3. I am a genius!) tho what to do when you're below WO1?

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

Good job TriNitroToluene, (a chemical compound with the formula C₆H₂(NO₂)₃CH_3. I am a genius!) tho what to do when you're below WO1?

It's not an article on how to rank up fast, it's an article on how to have the best rank up party. :) People of any rank can use these tips ;)

[Helindu_2014 830]

YAY lets PARTY!!!

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

It's not an article on how to rank up fast, it's an article on how to have the best rank up party. :) People of any rank can use these tips ;)

You'll help me in the party when I'll rank up  :ph34r:

[robbie56 2,403]

Topics like this should be made by high ranked players , IMO.

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

Topics like this should be made by high ranked players , IMO.

It actually doesn't matter, you see. High rank does not always mean more knowledge :ph34r:

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

I have a question.

 

TNT, when you write an article and you finished it, it goes to a reporter admin to be previewed then it goes to the Press, right?

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

I have a question.

 

TNT, when you write an article and you finished it, it goes to a reporter admin to be previewed then it goes to the Press, right?

Hmm.

Well, we store articles in the Newspaper Materials section (a section accessible only by reporters). There, it gathers dust undergoes further editing as well as a look-see by other reporters and Lham (the admin). You can release it anytime after you store it (notice how hog's 'if the english community switched planet' was created in January).It's release is decided depending on how ready it is, and on the deadline, Lham transfers all the articles in the Newspaper Materials Section into the Tanki Online Newspaper.

 

Hope that answered your doubt.

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Hmm.

Well, we store articles in the Newspaper Materials section (a section accessible only by reporters). There, it gathers dust undergoes further editing as well as a look-see by other reporters and Lham (the admin). You can release it anytime after you store it (notice how hog's 'if the english community switched planet' was created in January).It's release is decided depending on how ready it is, and on the deadline, Lham transfers all the articles in the Newspaper Materials Section into the Tanki Online Newspaper.

 

Hope that answered your doubt.

Okay, Thanks!

[fightermalikio20115 374]

nice

[zaintahir 458]

im going to rank up to colonel soon,i need to have a party,and its going to be the WHEEL OF FORTUNE cuz thats a pro way to rank plus its awsome not knowing who is gonna die,i lnow who i am gonna invite,i'm gonna type in the battle chat "come to my rankup party" XD,just kidding,TNT can you come to my rankup party,i know your a completely random person but your not a mult!,and you made a rankup article soooo......

Edited August 16, 2015 by zaintahir

[shayanshiny 1,925]

Nice Job :)

[TriNitroToIuene 4,765]

Nice Job :)

Oh, so you are okay with your name being put in this article..... *whew* For a moment I thought you were gonna object :P

[shayanshiny 1,925]

Oh, so you are okay with your name being put in this article..... *whew* For a moment I thought you were gonna object :P

It's ok :D

[anuclearbomb 220]

Topics like this should be made by high ranked players , IMO.

RANKIST!

that is rankisim, i will not stand for such things! 

Edited August 18, 2015 by anuclearbomb

[SmexyGiraffe 584]

Me gusta

[applications_tanki 129]

 

 

• Goes to a Polygon CP.
• Shoots a random person and ranks up.
• Forgets to press 'PrintScreen'.

 

thats how my marshal rankup was like ;-( except it was a sandbox xp battle. I was very excited in the battle my team was winning then i caped a flag causing me to rank up. next time ill make sure i dont do that.