Guide [Issue 55] How to Expel Personal Imperfections

[Flexoo 6,980]

 

Greetings to all tankers and beings alike! I am dead sure you encountered frequently used saying; ‘Nobody’s perfect!’. These two simple words retain a deeper meaning and summarily describe the Naked Truth. We’ve been ‘endowed’ with flaws, locked  in Pandora’s box that is ready to open at ever so little blunder. Please, don’t expect a detailed expertise on growing halos. In this article, I'll help you settle up or least mitigate major flaws that deteriorate the TO journey.

 

For this purpose, I made an alphabetically ordered list of tanker's flaws. I am fully aware I am just scratching the surface of the problem, as there is so much more to be covered, but I want this to be as compact as possible, thus I am listing only the generally common and problematic character features that we are daily dealing with. So let's get started with the first item in the menu.

 

Anger

 

I read some literature about this particular emotion (freely translated; I checked Wikipedia) and I came to know how common and natural this negative feeling is. After some time spent here in TO, I can verily confirm that anger is the number one emotion you will encounter at the tiniest hint of failure, disapproval or provocation. Practically everyone succumbs to unforeseen anger impulses at some point, but it's rather shocking how far can some be driven - verbal  attacks, gaming vengeance, numerous violations and even sporadic property damage. 

 

 

Lord, have mercy upon the innocent keyboard.

 

Anger management

 

The first step in solving the anger problem is acknowledging we have one. If you often feel out of control, follow these steps:

• try to stay zen, walk away from the situation that bothers you, cool down and solve it with cool head.
• do not take things way too seriously - it's important to remember you are playing an online game, don't be over-dramatic over online successes and fails.
• don't express yourself in the game when angry - there's really no point in sending hurtful messages or creating abusive topics.
• release the tension - don't hold the anger inside, let it all out effectively - do a physical activity or just scream it all out.
• identify the reasons behind the outburst and try to avoid situations that result into the blaze of anger. 

 

Arrogance

 

Confidence vs arrogance. Whilst first is rather admirable, the second can pose a threat. I am usually unaffected by messages in game chat or forum topics, but these 'xaxa nub, I em bes t in XP, com 1v1 Ill destroi u'  just really annoy the hell out of me. This character trait is generally not as destructive as others on the list, but can easily incite vicious confrontations. Therefore, it should be kept on a leash.

 

 

Shamelessly honest!

 

 

Remedy for conceit

• bite your tongue and think twice before you speak/type.
• get a feedback from a friend, it's hard to self-evaluate when you are crossing the line. Based on honest feedback, you will know what needs to be changed.
• learn to apologize - I caught myself being arrogant at times and simple 'sorry'  proved to be powerful enough to correct the blunders of my attitude.

 

Dishonesty

 

Dishonesty symbolizes the flip side of truth. Unfortunately, it's such wide-spread trait among the TO players that we need constant interventions to keep the lies, facades, cheats and trickery away from innocents. Tankers resort to deception from the very beginnings of the game. The number of undoubtedly working (*sarcasm) cheat sites, free crystal generators, free account giveaways (i.e. phony-baloney) is uncountable. Be careful around these tankers, as their actions can cost you your greatest possession - your account.

 

 

'Good Bargains' everywhere? Don't be fooled by baits!

 

Being honest with others

• be honest with yourself and then with others - honesty is necessary for healthy relationships, whether it's family, friends or online fellows.
• value truth - no matter how confronting or awkward it is.
• replace the deceitfulness with kindness and helpfulness - get rid of cheap tricks and lies, be a better person who doesn't have to feel ashamed for himself.   

 

Greed

 

No matter what your rank is or which game mode you play the most, you will most certainly come around individual who's only focused on profit maximization. I didn't mean to say you should not try to be best, but reconsider if you let nothing and no one stand in your way no matter what the sacrifices are. In my not so long career, I noticed that players are willing to use dirty practices (e.g. sabotage), just to get a few hundred more crystals. Ironically enough, their actions often backfire terribly, which leads to bitter savor of dissatisfaction.  This egoism wreaks havoc with teams, negatively affecting its sync.

 

 

Sharing is caring - be a team player.

 

Dealing with the cupidity

• leave that 'me-myself-and-I' attitude behind.
• the best cure for greed is generosity - be helpful rather than a hurdle in the way - it pays off.
• be a team player - Tanki Online is mainly a team based game, the greatest achievements and rewards can be only attained thanks to co-operation.

 

Immaturity

 

I mentioned that TO should not be taken way too seriously and I definitely stand behind these words, but there's a line you should not cross while fooling around. Reality proves that tankers are easily driven by displeasing emotions and impulses caused by lack of personal leadership. It's more than imperative to imprint a jot of maturity in our actions, despite the average age of Tanki's population.

 

 

 

Server chat - bonanza of Immaturity!

 

 

 

 

Amending this behavior

• enhance your self-awareness skills - it will help to better your control over the actions and feelings.
• become more responsible - demonstrate a respect in the game, be honest with others, show that people can bank on you.
• keep away from iffy situations (e.g. don't use chat for flooding, trolling, love talks, etc.)

 

Irresponsibility

 

A sense of responsibility is an attribute of  significant importance, I would definitely mark it as the primary one, one that every person should cultivate and harbor. In truth, habit of responsibility is something that many tankers don't possess. If we form a sense for responsibility, perchance, we're guaranteed nip other flaws in the buds.

 

 

 

Example: How to responsibly leave a battle.

 

 

Taking on responsibility

• train your discipline - improve your willpower, adopt a few rules, set some gaming goals you want to achieve.
• try to be reliable - realize what obligations you have and what consequences result from neglecting or procrastinating your duty.
• master your personal management - arrange your tasks, always fulfill the resolve, make a list of things you need to do.
• think responsibly - accept the responsibility for yourself and your actions in the game or life.

 

Naivety

 

Starting with naivety, the rest of the list may instigate a controversy among readers, as these character features can't be described as purely bad. I should therefore aim to acquaint you with what is considered undesired. The child-like innocence of naive people wouldn't be a problem, it's the  absence of knowledge when it comes to discerning between good and bad what makes it a serious difficulty. A naive person is probably the easiest prey for the dishonest predators. Learning how to face the intrigues waiting in the online environment of Tanki Online is a key to survival.

 

 

 

Truth has been spoken.

 

 

How to be less naive

• open your eyes to how Tanki Online functions - there are lot of great, friendly, intelligent tankers out there, but thinking that everyone is good is irrational. Stay sharp!
• be constantly on alert - learn that not everyone is trustworthy.
• determine if the person is honest - control the verity of information (use Help site, Wiki, or other official sources), don't get limed by sweet talk or empty promises (do not check suspicious websites promoting an easy way to  obtain the crystals, don't give out any account information).

 

Talkativeness

 

Yes, I am fully aware of the positives that heavily outweigh the negative side of this character trait. But, let's set this more into the Tanki Online environment. In many instances, tankers run their mouths (um, fingers to be more precise) in the worst possible moment. Gift of speech is admirable, but control when and how you use it. Sometimes, quietness garners more appreciation.

 

 

 

Wish I could smack such a button when I need to!

 

 

Being quiet

• assess the situation - exchanging few complimentary phrases is all right, but turning the server chat into the never-ending discussion that would cover a two hour political speech should be realized in the appropriate place (e.g. Forum PM)
• avoid chatting when other actions are required from you - a typical case of chit-chats in battles - focus on battling and avoid excessive talk. 
• don't start voluminous debates with no end and definitely no purpose.

 

Stubbornness

 

Stubborn tanker is a tough nut to crack. You will hardly persuade this tanker about anything other than what he accepts and you will hardly ever reach any sort of compromise.  Stubborn tanker remains unshakably confident about his view and is seemingly  immune to any change. Every battle has at least one - just to mention few - an M2 Mid Ranker completely convinced he can take on M4 enemies or that Thunder guy who won't change equipment despite the Thunder protection paints being everywhere around. These tankers are a pain to deal with, nevertheless, their protective barriers of stubbornness must be taken down.

 

 

 

Wasp/Fire format player - unwilling to accept a change.

 

 

Growing into a flexible tanker

• open yourself to changes (if your equipment is ineffective, change it; if you can't match the power level of others in the battle, look for a different one)
• accept different views - don't be ignorant of other opinions, review and understand the points stated, be open-minded.
• repress the fear - lots of times, a fear of change or difference holds us down. Trust others.

 

---

We made it to the end of the list! I hope you found something useful here, something that will help you with the imperfections we all have. Thank you for reading. Feel free to leave any questions, thoughts and views, they're always welcome. Catch you later!

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by Hexed

[Supernatural 2,053]

Just. Amazing.

[St.Guardian 514]

great flexooo you made an outstanding first impression. very flexible tanker ))

very informative, true and revealing

[DESTROYER_13 1,019]

Great.

[DESTROYER_13 1,019]

I am unwilling to buy other m1s, so that I can effectively save up crystals. I am just like the wasp/fire player.

 

I am stubborn.  :blink:

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

I am often called up to be my teams Medic cause i frequently join low ranked battles to completely REKT noobs with M0S get my missions done faster (its real easy to finish a 40 kill mission with my M1 rail when your facing alot if M0 wasps and Hornets and few M1 wasps that are easily 1 Shotted) . But i often refuse cause i really only ever use my Isida M2 when i have alot of drugs and am able to drug alot .does that mean im stubborn? ?

[Khan_27_FX 6]

lemme add one for the anger or few

1. when you are mad count to 1-10 to stop the anger

2. eat a ice cuz it will cool you down 

[Zanlasha_G 119]

Nice

[Killieman 36]

Just. Amazing.

u should learn something from it ...

[TNTMattTheWarlord 2]

In the immature part, i know that chat. It was today morning, on EN 3. HAH

[Abderrahim12345 35]

I like this topic !!! I'll show it to my little brother bcz he is always raging when playing games xD .

[I.ZEUS.I 865]

Nice

[Gordiel_Belizar 4]

the green font for 'imperfections' at the title looks awfully familiar... suicide squad-ish?

btw all those gizmos in chat wondering how to type AAA... really? LOL everyone at en3 was like: *one look* *oh i know how he did that*

Edited August 3, 2016 by Gordiel_Belizar

[M4ShermanUSA 926]

Nice artice!  Well done @Flexoo.

[Hate 5,582]

I honestly didn't like it.... @Flexoo

I LOVED IT! Well done!

 

[Spit_Fyre 334]

A worthy read. I often wonder why a game like tanki brings out the worst in people. I think it's the 'virtual' abyss that gets in the way. Can't see, hear or touch anyone. 'Others' become non-existant. Only the "I" remains. The 3D human being "Body+mind+spirit" needs more than the internet to become whole.

[Night-Sisters 2,139]

A worthy read. I often wonder why a game like tanki brings out the worst in people. I think it's the 'virtual' abyss that gets in the way. Can't see, hear or touch anyone. 'Others' become non-existant. Only the "I" remains. The 3D human being "Body+mind+spirit" needs more than the internet to become whole.

Good point... it's awfully easy to forget that there is a person behind every tank. Of course, this also makes it rewarding to push beyond the 'typical' boundaries of the internet and actually develop real friendships. 

[Spit_Fyre 334]

Good point... it's awfully easy to forget that there is a person behind every tank. Of course, this also makes it rewarding to push beyond the 'typical' boundaries of the internet and actually develop real friendships. 

Very true. Friendships or any relationship for that matter can teach us a lot about the other person and ourselves. I guess it does come down to how people relate too. Only if all people were open to looking for friends over the net...