Map promotion I - Valley

[Flexoo 6,980]

Insight to the problem

 

If you are acquainted with the game, you surely have knowledge of the fact that some maps are played more frequently than others. The current version of Tanki Online offers exactly seventy-four maps to explore. You can play open maps or maps with inbuilt barriers, small ones, medium ones, big ones, maps with only one altitude level or maps with many floors where you can look down on your enemies. Simply said, the variation stretch is quite huge.

 

However, with higher ranks the map structure becomes less diversified. As we grow through our Tanki careers,  we uncover combinations most suitable for our gaming style and stick to short scale of battle modes and maps we enjoy spending a few hours of daily free time. If you already reached the last ranks in the game, the battle list will most likely consist of Polygons, Sandboxes, Islands, Serpuhovs, here  and there some random infrequently played Gubakha will pop out of nowhere as a reminder that there are several other options to choose from when creating new battles.

 

Topics centred around rareness of certain maps are not a novelty in English forum. If you bury yourself deep in the archives, you are sure to dig up some. But since this pending problem remains unsolved, a minor propagation campaign might be beneficial. The ultimate aim is to uplift some maps from the dust (or at least give it a try) and bring them under the spotlight. The first victim of our ignorance, that I want to write about and one that desperately needs a helping hand to acquire the spot under the sun is Valley.

 

 

Prologue to Valley

 

 

*Quick look in the chronicles* .... Valley belongs to the group of maps with quite a long history in Tankiverse. It was added to the list on the first of January 2010, which means it already celebrated sexennial. All the credits for admirable map making skills goes to her creator, a tanker called 123egor. Currently,  all four battle modes are supported on this map. Maximum number of players that can join the battle is ten players (in team gameplay, it represents five on each side). Players unlock it on Warrant officer 1 rank.

 

 

Why to click on Valley?

 

After some adequate introduction, it is time to get to the bottom of the things.  So, why should you as a Polygon loving tanker or Sandbox worshipper join or rather create a battle on this map? Here are some reasons that may convince you.

 

1. Symetry

 

As you can see on the picture above, blue base´s A quarter is a mirror image of red base´s A´ quarter. Same applies to B and B´ quarters. The only things that make the difference are those always-following bushes in bases. There is no other inequality. Both sides must travel the same distance to supply drops, to the flags and share the same camping spots or hiding places. It can look a bit boring to play such homogenous map, but since both sides starts with identical conditions, no one will gain an advantage from field structure, which creates an optimal background for playing.

 

2. Suitable  for most turret/hull combinations

 

It is not so long ago I played side by side with Shaft/Wasp M3 user on this map. He proved to be very skilled, having no problems handling the likes of Mammoth/Vulcan with Isida supports. Was it because of the map itself? Definitely not. It was mostly because of that player´s ability and knowledge. However, I somehow feel that this map suited his style and helped him utilize the full potential of the combo.  It shows that many combinations that are considered  inadaptable have potential to dangerously surprise unaware enemies with their effectiveness.

 

3. Dynamic gameplay

 

Valley can offer a very fast-paced gameplay. It can be classed as a medium map where you won´t find buildings or many inbuilt barriers, which means it is harder to avoid a combat. You won´t be forced to travel miles to spot your enemies (which is sometimes the case with bigger maps), even with slow hulls you can move to enemy base/or to your opponent relatively quickly. This way you will engage in fights more often which creates a premise of decent income in the form of experience points and crystals. Ok, it will never be an income like in Polygon CP, but maybe you will finally discover a slightly different gameplay.

 

4. Stereotype killer

 

The same old maps everyday. Initial state of experimenting with new maps on lower ranks evaporates off and we slowly sink into the mainstream. There is nothing wrong with loving Polygons or Sandboxes, they truly meet the criteria of well-made map. But once, after those zillion times of Polygon fury, when you will realise that @greyat´s Polygon CP tactic - go to middle, die and repeat – is getting dull, match on Valley (or any other rare map) can be like refreshing cool breeze.

 

5. Easy gold box spot detection

As the picture shows gold box drop spots are located in or near the middle „caldron“. Unlike maps like Kungur, Serpuhov or Dusseldorf, you will not have problems detecting that gold-coloured crystal sign on the ground. You are almost guaranteed to find the drop spot even with heavy hull, but since the spots are perfectly located for light or medium hulls that have the ability to jump over other tanks, I would  recommend using Wasp, Hornet or Dictator for gold hunting.

 

For those who enjoy spending time in pro supply-less battles with disabled supply drops, there is also a high possibility that gold sign will appear in the corners of the map (place of double damage boxes and double armour drop spots). This is the situation when a problem with spot detection can occur. In that case, try to make a quick circle around the perimeter (if you have equipped lighter speedier hulls, press self-destruction button immediately after the gold box notification and use those 10 seconds to locate the drop spot), if you have equipped heavy hulls, advance to the middle where most gold spots are located. You can also travel by the upper level of the map, this way you will have the best view and will reveal the gold spot  where tankers are gathering more easily.

 

How can you help with promotion?

 

Create battles, join the battles if you see some, invite players to try Valley out, and share your viewpoints on the map. It can be painfully hard to create a battle that will be fully booked up, especially if you are a lonely wolf. If you have at least a few good online buddies in Tanki that are willing to join a battle with you, or even better, you are a member of a clan, this will make the filling process much much easier. There is always bigger chance that the battle will fill up when there are already some players fighting.

 

The more people will encounter these scarcely played maps the brighter will be the prospect of battle list diversity. Perhaps we will provoke curiosity.

 

Tips to begin with

Hopefully  an interest, arouse in you. If you are determined to make some Valley battles here are a few advices:

1. Create team battle modes (mainly CTF and CP), have in mind it is a pretty small map with a maximum of ten players. These modes can offer the highest crystal fund values. I advise you to play TDM and DM only if you are confident that more players will join (friends or clan mates). From personal experience TDM and DM battles were also harder to fill up.
2. Take possession of the map´s upper level. Team that dominated this part of map with supplies of the highest importance (Double damage boxes, Double armour boxes and Repair kit boxes), had the upper hand usually coming victorious in the battle.
3. Wisely use the drop spots – if you check the pictures provided, you will see there are  great supply roads for capturing the flag, also a great camping spot between repair kit and double damage box. Supply drops greatly alleviate the capturing of flags or points.

 

Figuring the rest is up to you. If you came up with more detailed tips, tricks, tactics and strategies share them with us.

 

My personal experience

 

15th January.  Flexoo determined to prove you that Valley is worth of effort and time, created a multitude of Valley battles. Check out how it all shaped up.

 

First battle - Valley CTF

 

.... zzzz.... *snore*.... zz ..zzz.... after three minutes of nothing happening two opponents joined the blue side. Fine handicap to begin with. Shortly after my first flag catch the battle finally began to fill up. It was 4v3 when we totally took control over the flow of the battle. Close to the end some low ranked players left from both sides. Good game. I was shocked by the fund, taking into the consideration it was not a full 15 minute battle and not fully stocked with players, the fund raised to decent numbers.

 

After aplenty of these...

... ,finally someone joined. Big YAWN, it ended being a boring 2v1. That conversation,  though!

 

Last third match - Valley CP

 

We continued next round, Ares stayed, seemingly looking for his imaginary buddy. It all went well, but suddenly two generalissimo players came to take over. They were in a good way to kick our butts. In the middle of our desperate struggle to change the outcome, gold notification appeared.

As I mentioned before, drop spots are located  around the middle caldron, or inside it, so I got no problems locating it. It looks that no one was interested besides me. Sadly the takeover miracle did not happen.

This time we lost the match, still a worthful prize.

 

Afterwards, delighted Flexoo recalled those few good Valley memories from his low rank days and left the battle with a smile on his face.

 

Fin.

 

Conclusion

 

It surprises me this map is not more popular. I must say I really enjoyed the quick dynamic gameplay on the Valley. Even more, it exceeded all my expectations. I hope I encouraged you to give it a try. That´s all from my side. Wait! No. I dare you guys to create some Valley battles! Share with us your experience whether you like the map or not.  I want to know how many Valley lovers are out there. Air your opinion and impressions on the matter!

Edited January 19, 2016 by Flexoo

[Maf 32,308]

That's a lot of text for a single map   :blink:

 

P.S. I agree that Valley is a great map, but there are plenty of other rare maps that need attention too.

[Flexoo 6,980]

I plan to promote other maps in the future :P.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Flexoo

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

What about maps like red alert or wolfenstein

[eminem9870 605]

I play on valley with friends sometimes. XP usually

[eminem9870 605]

What about maps like red alert or wolfenstein

Red alert is very popular in high ranks

[lukey0 27,543]

Its defiantly a good map.

[a7x_Pedro48 13,999]

Yes it is. I mostly play XP BP in it.

 

But for standard battles, i'm not sure. It's easy to escape with the flag on the side, but you always see 2 heavy hulls camping on the flag, so getting the flag is a real challenge.

[eminem9870 605]

Btw

Greatly written article 

[Jwimmer 2,835]

Nice. Decided to make a game on valley. It filled up in abt 5 minutes, but a few times, somebody left and their spot was filled immediateley. First round was a blowout for them while teams filled up, then it evened out and was a nice game.

Heres the results of the second game:

The score says it was a blowout, but it had a little competition.

Third round was nice and even, and we got a gold to drop. Nice drop zone- next to a ledge but in the trough. After the gold 3 of my team members left so it was 5v2 and the game fell apart.

 

Best combos were thunder viking, twins viking, and smoky titan. Strange mix of close quarters and long range, so a good xp player can even flourish if playing well. Overall, great map, it really should be more popular. I have no idea why it is not.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Jwimmer

[dilsharox 2,395]

Good job

Hopefully this might increase the popularity of this map

[LaserShark 2,095]

This is a map that actually exists? Well no wonder this map ain't popular, this thing is really tiny!

[Zenyth 6,494]

Never played on Valley but I will do so now. Gonna create some CTFs tomr.

 

Well written article, I like it.

[VaudeVille 1,428]

P.S. I agree that Valley is a great map, but there are plenty of other rare maps that need attention too.

agreed I definitely like valley and I have played on it but rarely because no one wants to try any unconventional map. Well written article, can be published in the newspaper. Also how about adding this map to the starting few maps of Tanki X. It isn't a very tough map to recreate on unity. Also the best way to promote maps that get unpopular is by adding missions to these maps.

 

100th post

Edited January 17, 2016 by VaudeVille

[Jwimmer 2,835]

This is a map that actually exists? Well no wonder this map ain't popular, this thing is really tiny!

If maps are only popular because of size, why is island and arena popular and Berlin not? Its actually close to the size of polygon and a bit larger than sandbox because of the bridges on the sides.

 

Also, there are a few more gold drop zones than what was listed on the original topic. However, it is a small enough map to find it. Just go the the middle on the upper level and you will automatically be in a good spot

[HaloScorpionV2 438]

It was fun despite the technical difficulties I was experiencing. Lets organize another! :D

[LaserShark 2,095]

If maps are only popular because of size, why is island and arena popular and Berlin not? Its actually close to the size of polygon and a bit larger than sandbox because of the bridges on the sides.

 

Also, there are a few more gold drop zones than what was listed on the original topic. However, it is a small enough map to find it. Just go the the middle on the upper level and you will automatically be in a good spot

I think the reason this one is not popular is it looks difficult to move around in, it's filled with obstacles, walls, ramps and bridges. Many of the sections can only fit one tank, as there is no room to drive around another teammate in. Both Island and Arena are more open maps, even if the size is similar.

[Jwimmer 2,835]

I think the reason this one is not popular is it looks difficult to move around in, it's filled with obstacles, walls, ramps and bridges. Many of the sections can only fit one tank, as there is no room to drive around another teammate in. Both Island and Arena are more open maps, even if the size is similar.

That is true. It makes for a more technically challenging game though. One problem I think there is with the map is that all of the places you spawn are in the valley section of your base, so you have to take a ramp or go through a bottleneck section to get out.

[Mr.Ace 1,116]

This map is one of the endangered species :P have only played it twice

 

any way nice guide

[Flexoo 6,980]

Another set of pictures from Valley battles, 3k fund in 15 minutes, gold box, and great rewards. Special thanks to players and @RRMI who helped with filling the map up.

 

 

First battle, slow start, but it ended up being a good game.

 

Funny fail a.k.a. when self-destruction goes wrong.

 

The map did not die, we continued in winning streak.

 

Another gold drop on Valley, this time I failed.

 

We lost, but 3k fund? I did not expect that!

 

Battle slowly fades away, only five players stayed, still a good fight.

 

 

Edited January 17, 2016 by Flexoo

[greyat 2,972]

The last battle I played in Valley was a while ago - quite a long time, actually. I was a Colonel. A DM lasting a few hours, I eventually got a reward of some five thousand crystals. Quite lovely.

I've always thought it was a quaint map.

[LaserShark 2,095]

The last battle I played in Valley was a while ago - quite a long time, actually. I was a Colonel. A DM lasting a few hours, I eventually got a reward of some five thousand crystals. Quite lovely.

I've always thought it was a quaint map.

 

 

Small maps do seem to offer the benefit of a large amount of crystals and EXP.

Edited January 18, 2016 by LaserShark

[HaloScorpionV2 438]

Map promotion II? ^_^

[Flexoo 6,980]

Planned! :)

[TG159 734]

Friend me, invite to this map, I'll never decline.

What will map promotion 2 be?

Edited January 22, 2016 by TG159