BTRB's Writings

[Quarks 2,255]

This took way too long, but here it is.

 

 

Firebird:

One of the strongest turrets in the game. Unless you have  a good paint, your best strategy is to stay away. It is based on the real life flamethrower(obviously), however, tanki is known to insert their own pseudo-science behind actual real life weaponry to create their new turrets.

 

Physics of Flamethrowers:

Portable, man held flamethrowers actually have a surprisingly effective range of about 50-80 meters, but it is sadly lacking compared to other weapons of the time. And vehicle mounted flamethrowers (yes, they are real), have an even greater range. It is a straight line of liquid flame, making it fairly easy to control. However, the limited range makes usage difficult, and fairly obvious when firing. Hand help flamethrowers actually have a greater range than “M4” which has a range of 25 meters. Contrary to popular belief, hitting the fuel tank of a flamethrower would not cause the fuel to explode in flame. However, it is pressurized so that if it is punctured, the force would be great, but survivable.

 

Tanki’s Flamethrower:

The American and British used a tank mounted flamethrower (fun fact: One of the tanks the British used for this was the wasp). However, the tanki firebird is much more refined. At M3, it looks almost too clean to be real. However, it is probably the most realistic looking. Except for the tiny fuel pack, which would probably last only 3-4 seconds, not seven.  And the cone shape of the flame is not actually accurate, it would be more of a straight line. Does it make a difference though? No, not really, the cone looks better. However, the interesting thing is the sudden range nerf that nobody really ever thought to notice.  As mentioned above, the range on handheld is 50-80. In the 1940’s, the range of a tank mounted flamethrower was reaching 100m. So that 23.5m range at M3 is quite sad. The futuristic Tanki is no match for 1942 England.

 

Tanki’s Pseudo Science

We all know the description behind the Firebird. Short ranges only, and it fires napalm. Napalm burns at a temperature between 800-1,200 Celsius, (1,500-2,200F). Under the presumption that the tanks are made of steel, as most tanks are, It has a melting temperature of 1370 Celsius. That means that Napalm you insist on firing is barely warming the tank, not enough to cause the Afterburn damage we all hate. What is more likely used is Thermite. Burning at thousands of degrees, it would make short work of that steel chassis. However, it would not be enough to melt the tank, it would cause the overheat and Afterburn we all love to hate. It is possible that M0-M1 uses napalm, considering M0-M1 tanks just are not that great, and presumably have worse materials. But beyond that, they need to make the upgrade to Thermite. This would mean, however, that the small fuel tank in M3 might actually work. But that tank is still really small, and I might be stretching it a  little.

 

Another popular use of Firebird is defrosting. Heating up the tank to remove the effects of freeze completely. However, using the therminite fire, it would be causing damage. This also means that defrosting a tank would actually do more damage, as the extreme and rapid change in temperatures and expansion would cause a cracking and breaking of steel. An interesting fact, considering that you might actually want to stay frozen with this mechanic in mind. However, that would make way to overpowered, so I will let that machinic pass. But think about it the next time you go to defrost your friends tank. You are actually hurting the tank.

 

Conclusion

So who would’ve thought that 1940’s would make a better ranged flamethrower than tanki. And that tanki does not understand the temperature of flamethrowers (normally around 80) makes a difference. But aside from those facts, the Firebird is fairly accurate, between design, fuel capacity and use. However, most of these things can be overlooked due to the fact of Tanki is a game. And let’s admit that Thermite does not sound as cool as napalm, and if Firebird had a 100m range, that is just insane. It would be like the old days of yore hacking and using an OP firebird. It would be no fun. So while it is fun to investigate the science and possible pseudoscience(next time, I promise), most of it can be ignored due to the fact that making a game as balanced and appealing as tanki is hard.

[thunderousrailgunner 1,934]

This took way too long, but here it is.

Nice ;)