Playing Tanki without Buying Anything - Completed

[Critical_Mass 8]

TL;DR Been playing Tanki just using micro-upgrades and finally own a Mk7+ green Smoky-Hunter tank.

Back in 2016 I challenged myself to progress without buying anything with crystals. Yes, I realize that Micro upgrades are sold for crystals. I wrote about the challenge here. I have finally completed my challenge. Well, sort of anyways. I haven’t reached the rank of Legend yet, but I have finally got a fully upgraded Smoky and Hunter combination

There have been a lot of changes to Tanki since I started so it’s difficult to really evaluate how good an idea it is to do what I did, but it has been fun and generally it worked out well. Here are a few of the factors that made it challenging and how they affected my challenge.

Cost of Micro-Upgrades: When I started it cost about twice as much to upgrade to the next modification than just buying the next modification. Now it’s the same price. Previously it was generally recommended not to fully micro-upgrade at lower levels as the cost was so high. My theory was  that the extra cost was worth it to have the best tank at all times, and it certainly turned out to be true. Now I see no reason to not fully upgrade if you want to continue using a particular combo. The only proviso would be if you intend to buy kits which allow you to get the next modification at an earlier rank, in which case it might be better not to spend too much on micro upgrades. But the way kits rotate you might have to buy something you don’t really want.

Paint /Protection: Previously low level paints gave protection against 1 or 2 turrets, at higher ranks the protection was better and you would buy a new paint never to use the low level paint again. With the new system you can buy a low level protection and continue to upgrade it. This is obviously more cost effective. However I do still think spending crystals on upgrading your hull gives you more versatility in that the extra HP  can be used to tank extra damage from any turret, as opposed to taking up specialized protections against 3 turrets as the current module system allows. The difference between an upgraded and non-upgraded hull is about 10% so at low ranks I still think it works well. Even now I’m not at a disadvantage against most tanks in a battle if they don’t have protection against my smoky. Usually, only 2 or 3 tanks do have protection against my Smoky though.

In summary I think my plan to upgrade only one hull and one turret works pretty well Several times I felt I was OP with a fully upgraded tank several ranks before other tankers could buy the next modification. The last couple of ranks have been a drag. I’ve had the crystals to micro-upgrade for a while but been too low a rank to buy a Mk7 item. Whether this difficulty was to the constraints of the challenge or just the mid-rank slog I’m not sure. With the change to modifications I received a Mk7 earlier than I expected. The rights or wrongs of that are for another discussion but I was happy . I’ve been able to get my Mk7+ tank two ranks early and a lot earlier than most people will have fully upgraded equipment.

So what now? I could just continue playing as I am until I reach the rank of Legend. However I’m not sure where the challenge is in doing that. I can get there given enough time. I have over 1.5 million crystals still left so I might buy a drone. Brutus appeals to me as it is in line with my philosophy of having maximum protection against all turrets, along with more damage! I might try some of the alterations for smoky, and maybe eventually some protection modules. One thing that won’t change is my nice green paint . I have several paints from containers but I’m sticking with green!

Would I recommend it?  Yes, but maybe only on an alternate account. I also have a Legend account with several Mk7+ turrets and hulls so that gives me some variety when I feel like a change.

Maybe I need to start a new challenge, any ideas?

 

 

[LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH 1,921]

Approved!

A well-written review for the most part. It was interesting to hear of your journey. Certainly one of the few of its kind if not the only. I did find a few small problems when reading through it though:

• A few strange sentences/phrases: These didn't particularly get in the way of what you wrote, but it could be improved. The solution is quite simple. Just re-read what you wrote. Often times, you'll catch instances of the nature I am about to mention. Three examples of Phrases I changed are:
  • "...started a challenge for myself where I don’t buy anything but just used micro upgrades (yes I do realise I buy micro upgrade)..."
  • "...I might buy a drone, Brutus appeals as it continues..."
  • "...Legend level"
• A more clear structure: Not a major deal. Ideally, you want to come up with sections, sub sections and sub sub sections where possible and give these identifiers. That is to say, you develop a code. For example, a section can use 16 point, bold and orange. A sub section can be a bolded 14 point orange font. Lastly, you can use regular bolded font with white for sub sub sections. Just an example.

[Viking4s 10,791]

Nice short report.

Yes optimising one combo is the way forward, it is bliss at the start, but at the end it is become difficult as other players catch-up, until you get enough money to buy another product kit (but it is not easy to get the kit anymore, check shop twice a day for 2-3 months).
M2+ to MK7 is Tanki logic for good game balance or a gift to buyers, and for a few F2P like you who spent crystals in the right place.

Probably not worth to MU anymore, but buying product kit only. 
If you buy a drone take one that do not consumer extra supplies (Brutus seems good).

[Pythor 1,354]

1 hour ago, TSY_the_crazy said:

I have an idea for you mate.

Get to Legend with M0 Smoky Hunter. I don’t care how you do it, just get there without buying any new equipment or MUing your existing tank.

Here's a better one.. 

Make it to WO1 without dying. It's been done before, but I think only once. 

[F41TH 483]

First off, congratulations!! I'm sure your journey would've been pretty tough, especially because of all the changes that have happened to TO since 2016. But now that you've made it this far, you would be overjoyed.

Secondly, it was a great article to read!! I've been doing something similar too!! Except that I picked it up very later. I started to MU only Smoky-Viking after I bought Striker Kit. Later due to some fallacious tips I ended up wasting nearly 50k on items I didn't need. Welp, they just collect dust in my Garage now. I was just thinking of purchasing another combo for myself and your article came in for the save! After reading it I feel like I too could get to a higher rank with Smoky-Viking only!! Though I bet it'll be tough! But I'll make it through!

[Critical_Mass 8]

On 4/25/2020 at 10:30 AM, LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH said:

Approved!

A well-written review for the most part. It was interesting to hear of your journey. Certainly one of the few of its kind if not the only. I did find a few small problems when reading through it though:

• A few strange sentences/phrases: These didn't particularly get in the way of what you wrote, but it could be improved. The solution is quite simple. Just re-read what you wrote. Often times, you'll catch instances of the nature I am about to mention. Three examples of Phrases I changed are:
  • "...started a challenge for myself where I don’t buy anything but just used micro upgrades (yes I do realise I buy micro upgrade)..."
  • "...I might buy a drone, Brutus appeals as it continues..."
  • "...Legend level"

Thanks for the feedback and the layout changes. It does read better now.

On 4/25/2020 at 2:30 PM, TSY_the_crazy said:

I have an idea for you mate.

Get to Legend with M0 Smoky Hunter. I don’t care how you do it, just get there without buying any new equipment or MUing your existing tank.

Not sure you would like me joining your team with M0 equipment!

On 4/25/2020 at 3:32 PM, pythor20000 said:

Here's a better one.. 

Make it to WO1 without dying. It's been done before, but I think only once. 

That would be so annoying if you got near ranking up and then died. 

18 hours ago, F41TH said:

First off, congratulations!! I'm sure your journey would've been pretty tough, especially because of all the changes that have happened to TO since 2016. But now that you've made it this far, you would be overjoyed.

Secondly, it was a great article to read!! I've been doing something similar too!! Except that I picked it up very later. I started to MU only Smoky-Viking after I bought Striker Kit. Later due to some fallacious tips I ended up wasting nearly 50k on items I didn't need. Welp, they just collect dust in my Garage now. I was just thinking of purchasing another combo for myself and your article came in for the save! After reading it I feel like I too could get to a higher rank with Smoky-Viking only!! Though I bet it'll be tough! But I'll make it through!

Yes I was very happy to get to the end of the challenge, but it has been fun. Not being able to sell anything in Tanki does make buying the wrong thing an expensive mistake but it can be turned around. Smoky-Viking is a strong combination so good luck with you progress.

[Hex 11,522]

On 6/14/2016 at 6:34 PM, Hexed said:

 Nice article. I kind agree. But I like to see you M4 your combo

Well done and congratulations!

[Critical_Mass 8]

2 hours ago, Hexed said:

Well done and congratulations!

Ha ha, great to see that old comment of yours, glad I could fulfil your wish, eventually  . Thanks for the congratulations it's appreciated.

[printing_now 59]

impressive!

i thought this could be a tad longer though.