Guide [Issue 79] eSports Player's Guide: Defending in XP BP

[Jaaames 1,622]

 

Greetings Tankers, today we're back with another highly anticipated eSports guide! This is a new series that will help newbie eSports players and experienced players alike grasp the key elements of positional play in eSports. This series of guides will cover the likes of defending, midfield and attack in the most common formats and observe the characteristics of some of the top players in the game. This specific guide will focus on defending in the XP BP format. Read on to find out how you can become one of the best!

 

Disclaimer: I will try and cover as many of the eSports formats as I can, but to avoid repetition; many equipment choices, and techniques can be transferable across multiple formats where the same equipment is permitted. Enjoy!

 

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XP/BP - Equipment for Defending

 

With the XP/BP format, it's as easy as it gets when you look at the foundations of defending. There are many great ways to defend and things to look out for as a defender in this format. You'll want to use the XP combination to defend in this format, due to the larger surface area compared to Wasp, as well as a greater pushing force. This will come in handy to block off incoming attackers, which I'll touch upon later.

 

Defending techniques:

 

#1 - Knowing Where to Stand

 

So, you've equipped yourself with Hornet and Railgun, now we'll have a look at the best positions to adopt as a primary defender. For now, we'll use the map "Barda" as a case study, as it's a common eSports map and the techniques can be applied to many of the other maps as well. As you can see in the picture below, it's best to camp out behind an object or building in your base with a clear sight of enemy paths (highlighted by the arrows). Not only are you guarding the base by being able to shoot at incoming opponents nearby, but by thinking outside the box, you can shoot deeper into the enemy base to do more damage early on.

 

 

 

Whilst in this position, you can also be looking out for drops, as these are the key to winning any match. You can do two things in relation to the drops. The first of which is to guard drops nearby that are not as much use to you as a defender, for example the Nitro and Double Armour. Often attackers from the enemy side will try and push for these drops in your base so it's your duty to put your tank on the line for the benefit of your team.

 

The second thing you can do is move to the Double Damage drops when your base is clear. In this example in Barda, you've got one just in front on the short bridge on the right, and another on your left behind the wall. As a defender looking into the enemy base from back in your own base, taking either of these drops will distract and take out your opponent early on, making the job for your attackers much easier. Obviously you can do this ONLY when your base is clear, and when your team is on the front foot as you don't want to be caught "out of position". To be completely honest, grasping the right positions as a defender is common sense most of the time, and it's the only position where you have to ensure there are no risks taken.

 

#2 - Blocking Your Opponents

 

Being in the right place at the right time is one thing to becoming a great defender, but the main thing to understand is how you control yourself during situations where you need to withstand oncoming attackers. 

 

The first technique in this guide is known as blocking. As the word suggests, you need to literally "block" attackers from taking the flag, or even drops from your base. Rather than cowering behind a building then shooting when the enemy is near, it's much more effective to come out of hiding, and use your tank to stand in the way of the flag. By doing this, you're being so much more efficient than waiting to shoot, and with this you can block off more than one player. The correct way of going about blocking is shown in the picture. Take note of the angle of the tank which aids the technique. You want to be facing the tanker in front of you, head-on, so it's harder for them to push you away. This also has another advantage, that being that there is less surface area for them to aim at when shooting at you.

 

 

Not only can you use this idea for directly preventing players from taking your flag, you can use it further up the map, in more advanced positions. Tactically, it can be very smart to push up the map and block players from coming along a useful passageway. This can buy your team extra time to keep the enemy flag moving in order to capture, as you're doing your bit by doing what you can to prevent any sort of enemy counter attack.

 

#3 - Utilise Your Camera Angle

 

The next technique to give here in this guide is one that may be overlooked by many players. To some, it may seem really obvious, but to others, it is something new to try. That would be the utilisation of the camera angle, the "Q" and "E" keys to vary the camera angle of your tank. Many of us players use these keys subconsciously, and it's to be expected of any experienced player. You'd be surprised at the number of players that still never use these keys as often as they should be. Using them to your advantage in times that matter is extra important. It won't directly help your defending, but will improve your vision so you can see any oncoming attackers in many blind-spots which aren't spotted by many defenders in battle. It makes a massive difference using the "Q" and "E" keys to heighten the camera view, even when you think you don't need to. For a realistic example, the below image shows the difference between the "typical" screen view and the more observant view.

 

 

So, this is the incorrect way of using your camera to defend, you can't see all of your base and it could cost your team

 

 

This is the correct camera view, and enables you full vision around your base. Vital when you need to check your base for incoming attackers.

 

Knowing this, you'll be able to pivot around and 360 shot your opponent modestly block them off, potentially saving your team. Funnily enough, these techniques usually can be used in every position, not only defending. For example if you're an attacker trying to guard your drops to get ready to make a push, these techniques can be handy. All in all though, these are the basics that make for a great defensive player.

 

That brings us to the end of this guide to defending in XP BP format. I hope you've learnt something from this article and helped you to polish up those defending skills. There are probably tons more techniques when it comes to defending, but to me, these are the fundamental ones and will help you get on your way. These techniques can always be applied to other formats too, especially the Light Format, with similar equipments. Keep your eyes peeled for articles to be published on the Medium and Hard Formats in the near future, to keep you sharp on the battlefield!

 

As always, thanks for reading and stay tuned for more articles like this to come!

 

[GrandExecutioner 1,403]

This was a nice read. Don't get to see many eSports guides.

[Pythor 1,354]

@James next article should be "A Guide to ESports Commentating." ;) Really enjoyed the read btw

[arnouS1 2]

Nice tips I hope everyone I apply

 

Thank you :)

[Adab 2,896]

Good tips, I expected something new but anyways its still good even if many payers like me already know about these.  ;)

But I would say these are the main basics that everyone must know to succeed in XP/BP Battles.  :D

And it was realy a nice read!

[Mjro7 2,837]

Well Done.

[Best_of_thunder_2015 1,354]

The video guide explains better than reading bunch of texts.

 

Visual communication > Reading

[Total_SkiIl 1,983]

The video guide explains better than reading bunch of texts.

 

Visual communication > Reading

Which video guide?

 

It depends on whether or not you can grab something off of a text article, and anyway its a Newspaper not a Tanki TV.