Matchmaking imbalance: New Marshal thrown into chaos

[Mr.Blitz 57]

Hello fellow tankers,

I recently advanced to the Marshal rank, and instead of feeling rewarded for my progress, I’ve been thrown into complete chaos. The matchmaking system is absolutely brutal - as soon as I reached this rank, I was placed in battles against Legend and other top-tier players. 

Here’s the issue: the gap in power between us is astronomical. These players have fully upgraded hulls and turrets that I can barely scratch. I’m using Shaft, which already has a long reload time, and even when I land perfect shots, it feels like I’m poking a bear with a toothpick. Meanwhile, their turrets obliterate me in two hits.

If that wasn’t enough, these high-ranked players are often using those ridiculous hovering hulls. Not only do they move faster than anything I’ve encountered, but their agility allows them to control the map in ways that make it impossible to counter. On larger maps, I feel like I’m just a sitting duck waiting to be destroyed.

What’s even more frustrating is that crystal rewards for battles are pitifully low. Grinding for upgrades at this stage feels like an endless punishment. It’s as if the game is telling me to either swipe my credit card or suffer in silence.

I can’t help but feel that the matchmaking system is deliberately placing lower-ranked players like me in these battles to serve as cannon fodder for higher-ranked players to boost their stats. This completely ruins the enjoyment of the game and makes me question why I even bother playing.

I know I’m not alone in this... I’m sure there are plenty of others who’ve experienced the same frustration. Is this how the game is supposed to work once you hit Marshal and beyond? Is this the “reward” for progressing?

I believe it’s time for the devs to take a serious look at the matchmaking system. Players should be matched with others of similar rank and equipment strength, not thrown to the wolves as soon as they rank up. The current system isn’t just unbalanced.. it’s demoralizing.

I’d love to hear from others who’ve faced this issue.
How are you dealing with it?
What changes would you like to see?
Let’s discuss and push for a better system.. one that rewards skill and effort, not bank accounts.

[TheCongoSpider 8,942]

On 2/2/2025 at 9:52 AM, GhostLynx said:

I’d love to hear from others who’ve faced this issue

Before an update half a year ago, you would have been fighting those same Legends at Brigadier. Maybe even before Brigadier if you were playing near the server restart. It feels bad now with the sudden jump in difficulty from General to Marshal but before then, you'd be having that difficulty long ago. You also have 8.2k GS. That's quite good for just reaching to Marshal. The way you were worded your post made me initially think you had somewhere between 5k and 6k GS. 

 

On 2/2/2025 at 9:52 AM, GhostLynx said:

Let’s discuss and push for a better system.. one that rewards skill and effort, not bank accounts.

Just because a person has a fully upgraded tank does not mean they are a buyer. You've not been at Marshal for long so your sample size of battles would be small. For all I know, you actually could have fought a group of players that do buy and use strong equipment to do well with any the expense of the enemy team, multiple times in a row. 

 

The main thing there is the difference in time periods players had been playing the game. Players who have been playing for many years and have already been acclimatised to the changes in progression would not have a huge issue with this MM. They've already climbed the ladder, so to speak. Who suffers are the players who started playing in very recent years, or those who haven't played in a very long time and are returning during these recent years. Recent years where restrictions were made on progressing accounts. New accounts after mid-2021 only have 1 module slot instead of 3 and until recently, they costed Tankoins to buy. Drones were required to be upgraded and used to have your supplies' strength back to maximum. Modules are much more expensive for the average player now and they unlock all the way at General rank. Shop overhauls had their pros and cons in different time periods. Currently there is no way to get higher upgraded equipment early for crystals like there were 3+ years ago. 

 

In my opinion, the restrictions and experience on new accounts became the worst after the huge Token of Apology given out in December 2022. I couldn't see myself intentionally creating a new account after January 2023. It is harder for me to guide newer/returning players recently because there are lots of precautions and things to explain, as well as preparing them for any announced future updates and traversing through balance changes. The progression experience of a returning player with X garage at Patch #683 can be very different to a returning players with Y garage at Patch #697, for example. 

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/2/2025 at 3:54 PM, TheCongoSpider said:

Before an update half a year ago, you would have been fighting those same Legends at Brigadier. Maybe even before Brigadier if you were playing near the server restart. It feels bad now with the sudden jump in difficulty from General to Marshal but before then, you'd be having that difficulty long ago. You also have 8.2k GS. That's quite good for just reaching to Marshal. The way you were worded your post made me initially think you had somewhere between 5k and 6k GS.

I understand your point, but I think GS doesn’t accurately reflect the true strength of a tank. GS includes many elements like drones, modules and other extras that inflate the number but don’t directly impact the power of the hull or turret. Currently, I’m using a turret that’s nowhere near fully upgraded, and I haven’t even started upgrading my hull due to the huge costs and the minimal crystal income.

The damage output example I mentioned perfectly illustrates the problem.. my turret is listed as having 3200+ aiming mode damage, but in reality, in full zoom without damage boost, it deals only 1600 damage. So, GS might look impressive on paper, but in practice, my tank can’t compete with opponents who are truly maxed out. The game simply throws me into matches with players whose hulls and turrets are way ahead of mine, making any attempt to fight pointless.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

@TheCongoSpider 

I get that not everyone with fully upgraded tanks is a buyer, but that’s not the main issue here. The issue is that the current system heavily favors those who’ve been in the game for years and benefited from older progression systems that were much more forgiving. Players like me, who’ve only recently reached Marshal, are at a massive disadvantage.

I completely agree with you that the experience for new and returning players has become much tougher than it used to be. However, I don’t think just accepting the status quo is enough.. we need to push for discussions on how to create a more balanced matchmaking system that doesn’t punish lower-level players for their slower progression.

[JustBlackWolf 875]

Hello and welcome to tanki online, how may i help you?

[Jeers4U 665]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:52 AM, GhostLynx said:

I’m using Shaft, which already has a long reload time, and even when I land perfect shots, it feels like I’m poking a bear with a toothpick. Meanwhile, their turrets obliterate me in two hits.

 

I feel your pain.

 

 

Edited February 2 by Jeers4U

[Acecaddy 40]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:22 PM, Jeers4U said:

 

I feel your pain.

 

 

Issue with bots is that they are given a passive 50% resistance to damage, to cater to one of the worst bot designs I have ever seen
NOT ONLY THAT, but if you do kill them, you get only 1/3rd of a normal kill's rewards, if you are a freeze/firebird/tesla, those enemies are probably free points, but to every other turret, they are painful meatshields that deter you from hitting actual player targets.

[POWER-OF-ONE 163]

On 2/2/2025 at 1:52 PM, GhostLynx said:

It’s as if the game is telling me to either swipe my credit card or suffer in silence.

That's exactly what the game wants from you.

 

On 2/2/2025 at 1:52 PM, GhostLynx said:

i recently advanced to the Marshal rank, and instead of feeling rewarded for my progress, I’ve been thrown into complete chaos. The matchmaking system is absolutely brutal - as soon as I reached this rank, I was placed in battles against Legend and other top-tier players. 

This is why crystals to XP should be x2. This is also why the XP needed to rank should be doubled all the way to Marshal rank. This is the main reason why I do not play my lower ranked accounts and because there are no protections available.

The ranking and scoring process is abysmal and players who want to play get heavily penalised for doing so when ranking up, which also has a pathetic reward for doing so.

The P2W mentality of this game is the overriding factor that has crippled how the game plays out, across all ranks, but mainly the low to mid ranks up to Marshal. 

Ranking to quick is the downfall of "MOST" players, unless they are very heavy buyers. Also having premium is a big no, unless you can buy your way through the ranks. 

On 2/2/2025 at 5:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

I understand your point, but I think GS doesn’t accurately reflect the true strength of a tank.

Agree. You could have maxed out MK6 hull/turret/drone and grenade, but have the lamest excuse for an augment in the entire game. Prots also play a role in G/S. I was G/S 8500 at General rank, didn't mean I was powerful, just meant I was maxed out with my combo and my prots were all reasonable-25/35. 

As I have said on MULTIPLE occasions, augments dictate the outcome of most battles, along with the hack trashcans, especially paladin. 

On 2/2/2025 at 5:23 PM, GhostLynx said:

The issue is that the current system heavily favors those who’ve been in the game for years and benefited from older progression systems that were much more forgiving

And here is the crux of the matter.

Starting afresh in TO with the current system is a one way trip to A-empty wallet, or b-being dismantled every battle you go into, or a combo of both.

More crystals to XP by a factor of 2 and double the XP needed to progress at each rank, up to marshal. This will greatly help out the low rankers when progressing through the ranks.

Also being able to unlock protection slots along the way should be added, with a 4th module slot being available to unlock at colonel.

My proposal would be 50k cry for the 1st prot at master sergeant, the next prot at WO2, also for 50k cry, then 75k for the 3rd prot at WO5. As for the 4th slot at colonel,100k cry.

This would be a fair (but still quite a high price in crystals) to pay for being able to acquire protections.  

Lower ranks have never had it so bad in TO, It's about time the huge disadvantage that they suffer is rectified asap.

Can't believe I overlooked this.

Quick edit to clarify on the protection slots.

I neglected to state that being able to acquire protection slots also means every "protection" is available to upgrade from the get go (recruit)

No point having the 4 slots if you can't allocate protections to them.

 

Edited February 3 by POWER-OF-ONE
.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:24 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

More crystals to XP by a factor of 2 and double the XP needed to progress at each rank

Thank you for your detailed response. I agree with many of the points you've raised...

This is an excellent suggestion and one I fully support. It would give players a fighting chance to progress without being thrown into matches where they’re hopelessly outclassed. Additionally, increasing the XP needed to rank up would slow down the progression, allowing players to properly upgrade their equipment instead of rushing into ranks where they’re unprepared. To be honest... who needs millions of crystals on your profile balance and when you are at Legend rank? What to spend them on?
This is where the mistake lies... during the game we get crumbs, you need to sell a kidney to upgrade the turret and hull and then when you get to a level where you don't need anything then you store the crystals.. and what should I do with them? - If you understand what I mean.. and I've seen that with many players who did gameplay on YT.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:24 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

augments dictate the outcome of most battles

 

Completely agree. Augments have a disproportionate impact on the game, often more than the raw stats of hulls and turrets. This is why GS is such a flawed metric.. it doesn’t reflect the synergy (or lack thereof) between augments, protections, and other equipment.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:24 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

Starting afresh in TO

This is probably the biggest issue right now. New accounts face an insurmountable challenge without significant financial investment. The game’s progression system has become a trap for newcomers, and the lack of balance only exacerbates the issue. Your proposal for adjustments to crystals, XP, and protections is a step in the right direction.

In conclusion, the game’s current state disproportionately punishes players who are progressing naturally, especially those in the low-to-mid ranks. The solutions you’ve outlined, like doubling crystals to XP and adding protections at earlier ranks, could help restore some balance. It’s clear the community needs to advocate for these changes to create a more inclusive and fair gameplay experience.

Edited February 2 by GhostLynx

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/2/2025 at 7:22 PM, Jeers4U said:

 

I feel your pain.

 

 

Honestly, the current state of Shaft and its mechanics feels like a bad joke. With 3227 aiming mode damage, I shouldn’t even need a damage boost box or an augment. At that number, figuratively speaking, it should be able to take a chunk out of a mountain. Yet, here we are, where full aim barely scratches 1500–1600 damage, and half-aiming gives me a pathetic 800. It’s like I’m playing with a starter tank.

Let’s not even talk about the absurd prices for upgrades. Grinding crystals feels like a soul-crushing task, and when you finally scrape enough for an upgrade, the improvement is so minimal it’s laughable. The costs skyrocket with every upgrade, yet without a damage boost box, those upgrades are meaningless.

Protection modules? Same story. Unlocking a slot costs tens of thousands of crystals, and each 1% upgrade feels like taking out a second mortgage. By the time you reach 50% protection, it’s basically an illusion, because every other turret has tripled in strength by then. What’s the point of having a high GS if it doesn’t translate into any noticeable advantage? Shaft feels like it’s operating at half power compared to everyone else.

Now, let’s talk about bots. They’re more of a liability than an asset. Bots deal more damage than they’re worth and often feel like bigger enemies than the actual players on the opposing team. Even on my own team, they seem programmed solely to annoy. They appear out of nowhere, block shots, and push you out of position. If I set up to defend teammates from a distance, some deranged bot inevitably shows up to shove me off my spot because its movement path is so poorly programmed it doesn’t know how to go around me. I’ve lost countless shots, even been destroyed, because a bot decided to ruin everything.

When I came back to the game after a few years and created a new profile, bots were the first thing I noticed. At first, I didn’t even realize they were bots.. I had to ask other players because their behavior was so bizarre.

And don’t get me started on the terrible crystal and XP rewards. The earnings are laughably low. Is it so hard to set a fair reward for each tank destroyed? Why should only premium players get double rewards, while I have to grind for half a day just to upgrade my turret by a single line? This entire system reeks of unfairness.

At this rate, I’ll have to sell a kidney or start saving for the devs’ next yacht to feel like I’m making any progress. The imbalance and grind are that unreal.

[mjmj5558 2,346]

On 2/2/2025 at 2:52 PM, GhostLynx said:

Hello fellow tankers,

I recently advanced to the Marshal rank, and instead of feeling rewarded for my progress, I’ve been thrown into complete chaos. The matchmaking system is absolutely brutal - as soon as I reached this rank, I was placed in battles against Legend and other top-tier players. 

Here’s the issue: the gap in power between us is astronomical. These players have fully upgraded hulls and turrets that I can barely scratch. I’m using Shaft, which already has a long reload time, and even when I land perfect shots, it feels like I’m poking a bear with a toothpick. Meanwhile, their turrets obliterate me in two hits.

If that wasn’t enough, these high-ranked players are often using those ridiculous hovering hulls. Not only do they move faster than anything I’ve encountered, but their agility allows them to control the map in ways that make it impossible to counter. On larger maps, I feel like I’m just a sitting duck waiting to be destroyed.

What’s even more frustrating is that crystal rewards for battles are pitifully low. Grinding for upgrades at this stage feels like an endless punishment. It’s as if the game is telling me to either swipe my credit card or suffer in silence.

I can’t help but feel that the matchmaking system is deliberately placing lower-ranked players like me in these battles to serve as cannon fodder for higher-ranked players to boost their stats. This completely ruins the enjoyment of the game and makes me question why I even bother playing.

I know I’m not alone in this... I’m sure there are plenty of others who’ve experienced the same frustration. Is this how the game is supposed to work once you hit Marshal and beyond? Is this the “reward” for progressing?

I believe it’s time for the devs to take a serious look at the matchmaking system. Players should be matched with others of similar rank and equipment strength, not thrown to the wolves as soon as they rank up. The current system isn’t just unbalanced.. it’s demoralizing.

I’d love to hear from others who’ve faced this issue.
How are you dealing with it?
What changes would you like to see?
Let’s discuss and push for a better system.. one that rewards skill and effort, not bank accounts.

Playing in legend battles after getting used to playing with lower ranked players is indeed much harder, however I'd like to note that it's actually good news if you only experienced this at the marshal rank. This rank was always able to play with legends, and before bots were introduced, you'd find yourselves in such battles much earlier. Even few years ago when i was 1-2 ranks before marshal, i already played in legend battles. Of course, the economy changed a bit since then, but as i see you have pretty decent equipment to fight with legends. Don't think that all legend players are  buyers, actually, most of them are just f2ps who played long in enough to max their garage and unlock many augments. Of course, they have the ability to change their equipment and protection modules can help a lot, but generally speaking, a maxed drone (if you don't have enough crystals, brutus) and mk7 equipment should be enough to stay somewhat competent. If you want to achive better result, i recommend you to max 1-2 combos at sales, and only then spend your crystals on modules, as the latter is really expensive. Also, camping in legend battles is probably much less rewarding than it was before, so you might want to try out other playstyles as well and be more active in battles.

 

On 2/2/2025 at 6:23 PM, GhostLynx said:

@TheCongoSpider 

I get that not everyone with fully upgraded tanks is a buyer, but that’s not the main issue here. The issue is that the current system heavily favors those who’ve been in the game for years and benefited from older progression systems that were much more forgiving. Players like me, who’ve only recently reached Marshal, are at a massive disadvantage.

I completely agree with you that the experience for new and returning players has become much tougher than it used to be. However, I don’t think just accepting the status quo is enough.. we need to push for discussions on how to create a more balanced matchmaking system that doesn’t punish lower-level players for their slower progression.

So basically, what I wanted to say here is that playing with legends while just reaching marshal indeed makes it harder for you, but it's not as significant as you'd first think (imo). 

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/3/2025 at 11:08 AM, mjmj5558 said:

Playing in legend battles after getting used to playing with lower ranked players is indeed much harder, however I'd like to note that it's actually good news if you only experienced this at the marshal rank. This rank was always able to play with legends, and before bots were introduced, you'd find yourselves in such battles much earlier. Even few years ago when i was 1-2 ranks before marshal, i already played in legend battles. Of course, the economy changed a bit since then, but as i see you have pretty decent equipment to fight with legends. Don't think that all legend players are  buyers, actually, most of them are just f2ps who played long in enough to max their garage and unlock many augments. Of course, they have the ability to change their equipment and protection modules can help a lot, but generally speaking, a maxed drone (if you don't have enough crystals, brutus) and mk7 equipment should be enough to stay somewhat competent. If you want to achive better result, i recommend you to max 1-2 combos at sales, and only then spend your crystals on modules, as the latter is really expensive. Also, camping in legend battles is probably much less rewarding than it was before, so you might want to try out other playstyles as well and be more active in battles.

Thank you for your input, but I’d like to clarify the core issues here...

It's not about whether all Legend players are buyers or free-to-play (F2P). I understand that many Legends have maxed their garages and unlocked plenty of augments through time and dedication. The real problem lies in the vast imbalance created by how matchmaking works and the inaccessibility of upgrades for players like me who have just reached Marshal rank.

Let me present this in this way so that you all can understand me more easily..
 

1. Upgrade disparity:
   Legend players, even if F2P, have already completed the critical upgrades for both their turrets and hulls. In contrast, I’m just begining the process of upgrading my turret, and I haven’t even started on my hull due to the exorbitant crystal costs. Earning crystals through gameplay is painstakingly slow, and it takes an enormous amount of time to accumulate even a small amount for a single upgrade. Since turret and hull upgrades are the backbone of competitive play, this puts newer Marshal players like me at a severe disadvantage.
    
2. False damage representation:
   The displayed damage for my turret is nothing more than a theoretical number on paper. In actual battles, my turret performs significantly below the stats provided. The damage output is effectively halved, and I’m unable to utilize its full potential. This makes it much harder to compete, especially against turrets with faster firing rates or those that are better optimized for Legend battles.
    
3. Economic imbalance:
   While I appreciate the suggestion to focus on maxing 1-2 combos during sales, the reality is that crystal earnings are so low that even achieving this feels like an impossible grind. This is especially frustrating when the damage output of my turret doesn’t match its stated values, making every upgrade feel like a waste of time and resources.
    
4. Playstyle limitations:
   You mentioned trying out other playstyles, but the current matchmaking and equipment imbalances make it incredibly difficult to experiment or adapt effectively. Camping, for instance, becomes unviable when the damage potential of my turet is so severely restricted, and being "active" often means becoming an easy target for maxed-out player s with far superior setups.
   
    

The issue isn’t just about players who have maxed their equipment or about me needing to adapt to tougher battles. It’s about the fundamental imbalance in how matchmaking pits partially upgraded players against fully maxed-out Legends while simultaneously limiting our ability to earn crystals and properly upgrade equipment.. Unless these disparities are addressed.. whether by improving matchmaking, adjusting crystal earnings, or ensuring that turret damage reflects its stated values players like me will continue to struggle and feel discouraged.

Thank you again for sharing your perspective, but I hope this clarifies why these issues go beyond just "getting used to playing against higher-ranked players."

[mjmj5558 2,346]

On 2/3/2025 at 1:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

Upgrade disparity:
Legend players, even if F2P, have already completed the critical upgrades for both their turrets and hulls. In contrast, I’m just begining the process of upgrading my turret, and I haven’t even started on my hull due to the exorbitant crystal costs. Earning crystals through gameplay is painstakingly slow, and it takes an enormous amount of time to accumulate even a small amount for a single upgrade. Since turret and hull upgrades are the backbone of competitive play, this puts newer Marshal players like me at a severe disadvantage.

On 2/3/2025 at 1:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

Economic imbalance:
While I appreciate the suggestion to focus on maxing 1-2 combos during sales, the reality is that crystal earnings are so low that even achieving this feels like an impossible grind. This is especially frustrating when the damage output of my turret doesn’t match its stated values, making every upgrade feel like a waste of time and resources.

The main source of crystals is not from the battles, and that's how it has been since years. Actually, you'll get most of your crystals from containers, so make sure to go for completing all missions if possible. With that, you should have enough income to max a few combos quickly. 

 

On 2/3/2025 at 1:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

False damage representation:
The displayed damage for my turret is nothing more than a theoretical number on paper. In actual battles, my turret performs significantly below the stats provided. The damage output is effectively halved, and I’m unable to utilize its full potential. This makes it much harder to compete, especially against turrets with faster firing rates or those that are better optimized for Legend battles.

I'm not sure what do you mean by this. What is the upgarde level of the drone you are using? (I assume you are using DBs when it's possible).

On 2/3/2025 at 1:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

Playstyle limitations:
You mentioned trying out other playstyles, but the current matchmaking and equipment imbalances make it incredibly difficult to experiment or adapt effectively. Camping, for instance, becomes unviable when the damage potential of my turet is so severely restricted, and being "active" often means becoming an easy target for maxed-out player s with far superior setups.

Maxing out your hull and protection modules definetely makes you a bit harder tartget, but the difference is not huge. So it's not like if you start being more active you have no chance if you don't have a maxed garage.

 

On 2/3/2025 at 1:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

The issue isn’t just about players who have maxed their equipment or about me needing to adapt to tougher battles. It’s about the fundamental imbalance in how matchmaking pits partially upgraded players against fully maxed-out Legends while simultaneously limiting our ability to earn crystals and properly upgrade equipment.. Unless these disparities are addressed.. whether by improving matchmaking, adjusting crystal earnings, or ensuring that turret damage reflects its stated values players like me will continue to struggle and feel discouraged.

As long as the rank gap is normal, this is not about matchmaking, rather game design: how to make 'new' engame players competent enough, but not let players max their garages too quickly? It is not an easy question, and cannot be solved perfectly, but i think one of the main issues is that the power gap between paylocked and normal augments is too big, but you'll suffer from that even if you're a legend f2p. Imo this has been probably worse though, during the status augments era where you met a lot of them, yet with brutus the effect for you was much more significant. These days status augments are generally weaker, thus you come across less of them.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/3/2025 at 7:14 PM, mjmj5558 said:

The main source of crystals is not from the battles, and that's how it has been since years. Actually, you'll get most of your crystals from containers, so make sure to go for completing all missions if possible. With that, you should have enough income to max a few combos quickly.

I understand that containers have been the primary source of crystals for a long time, and I do complete daily and weekly missions to earn keys. However, from my personal experience, the rewards from containers are far from being a reliable income source. 

Most of the time, I end up with a bunch of damage boost boxes, speed boosts and armor, which are fine in some cases but not nearly as valuable as crystals or useful augments. When I do receive crystals, it's usually just 1,000, which is not enough for any meaningful upgrade. On rare occasions, I might get 10,000 to 15,000 crystals, but that happens maybe once a week, if I’m lucky  and that’s only when I get a rare container key. 

Even when I do get an augment, it's never for the turret or hull that I actually use. It almost feels like the system deliberately gives out augments for the least useful setups just to keep players grinding for more. The same goes for paints.. who actually needs another hull paint instead of an essential upgrade? 

The idea that containers provide a steady crystal income is misleading. Sure, they give some resources, but not in a way that truly helpss progression, especially for newer players who just ranked up and need serious upgrades. If the system knows what turrets and hulls I use, why doesn’t it provide augments or modules that are actually useful for my setup? Instead, I’m stuck grinding for weeks with little to show for it... So yes, while missions and containers technically provide an alternative source of income, they’re nowhere near as rewarding as they should be. The imbalance in progression remains, and it only gets worse the higher you climb.

 

On 2/3/2025 at 7:14 PM, mjmj5558 said:

I'm not sure what do you mean by this. What is the upgarde level of the drone you are using? (I assume you are using DBs when it's possible).

I think you misunderstood what I meant by false damage representation. My issue isn’t related to my drone or how long the boost lasts.. I’m fully aware that Saboteur doesn’t increase my raw damage but only extends the duration of boost boxes. My drone is maxed out, so that’s not the problem here.

The real issue is that the displayed turret damage is completely misleading. On paper, my turret should be dealing a certain amount of damage per shot, but in actual battles, the damage output is significantly lower, almost as if it’s halved. This is not just about armor or protections from enemies; even when I shoot directly at an unprotected target, the damage I deal is nowhere near the expected value.

- Without damage boost around 1.112
- With damage boost: about 1,600
- My current aiming mode damage: 3,237
And then someone will be found to say... look, there are players who use the protection module... ok, but all of them? No way!
Now do you understand when I say that these numbers are only on paper and on the battlefield the reality is completely different.

This puts me at a severe disadvantage, especially against turrets with faster fire rates, since they can continuously chip away at my health while I struggle to land damage that should, theoretically, be much higher. If the system advertises a certain damage value, then I should be able to actually deal that damage.. but that’s simply not the case.

[POWER-OF-ONE 163]

On 2/2/2025 at 9:44 PM, GhostLynx said:

Let’s not even talk about the absurd prices for upgrades. Grinding crystals feels like a soul-crushing task, and when you finally scrape enough for an upgrade, the improvement is so minimal it’s laughable. The costs skyrocket with every upgrade, yet without a damage boost box, those upgrades are meaningless.

Spot on.

This is yet another factor that leaves low rankers at a huge disadvantage. Trying to acquire enough crystals for any meaningful upgrade to your garage is nigh on impossible.

Lets be brutally honest, TO is not geared for balance, It's geared to make cash and nothing else. 

TO is a game which blindsides a lot of players into not realising that It's a business first and as game a very, very distant second, James Webb telescope distant second and even that analogy is being very optimistic.

On 2/3/2025 at 12:20 PM, GhostLynx said:

.The issue isn’t just about players who have maxed their equipment or about me needing to adapt to tougher battles. It’s about the fundamental imbalance in how matchmaking pits partially upgraded players against fully maxed-out Legends while simultaneously limiting our ability to earn crystals and properly upgrade equipment.. Unless these disparities are addressed.. whether by improving matchmaking, adjusting crystal earnings, or ensuring that turret damage reflects its stated values players like me will continue to struggle and feel discouraged.

Thank you again for sharing your perspective, but I hope this clarifies why these issues go beyond just "getting used to playing against higher-ranked players."

All of this boils down to two words. I defy anyone to prove me wrong. These two words are why the game is so frustratingly unfair and impossible to enjoy unless your a buyer.

CASH - GREED.

TO "MALICIOUSLY" incorporates strategies to get your cash, this is their single and only objective for making this game.

This is why I hardly play it now and when my General rank reaches Marshal that will be my 4th high account that I will stop using, which leaves me with my main, which I hardly play, because of trashcan hacks.

The sad fact is that TO has never been so bad and unfortunately if changes are not made then players will just give up and not bother.

On 2/3/2025 at 1:44 PM, mjmj5558 said:

this is not about matchmaking, rather game design: how to make 'new' engame players competent enough, but not let players max their garages too quickly? It is not an easy question, and cannot be solved perfectly,

I think you will find that it is very easily solved.

Look at my previous posts to find the "SOLUTION" to this problem.

On 2/3/2025 at 1:44 PM, mjmj5558 said:

Actually, you'll get most of your crystals from containers, so make sure to go for completing all missions if possible. With that, you should have enough income to max a few combos quickly. 

 

Max a few combos "quickly" FOR REAL.

Seriously, are you even on the same page. 

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/3/2025 at 11:16 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

Spot on.

This is yet another factor that leaves low rankers at a huge disadvantage. Trying to acquire enough crystals for any meaningful upgrade to your garage is nigh on impossible.

Lets be brutally honest, TO is not geared for balance, It's geared to make cash and nothing else. 

TO is a game which blindsides a lot of players into not realising that It's a business first and as game a very, very distant second, James Webb telescope distant second and even that analogy is being very optimistic.

Absolutely nailed it.

At this point, TO  isn’t even pretending to be a balanced game anymore.. it’s just an elaborate cash grab with a matchmaking system designed to frustrate players into spending money. The crystal grind is deliberately soul-crushing, because the goal isn’t for you to enjoy playing.. it’s for you to break and reach for your credit card. And let’s be real, the upgrade system is a joke. Spend weeks grinding, spend a fortune upgrading, and what do you get? A microscopic stat boost that only matters if you stack it with another twenty upgrades. And even then, without a damage boost box, you might as well be firing rubber bullets...

If I wanted to burn my savings on something ridiculous, I’d at least buy something useful.. like a yacht. Oh wait, many of them already financing someone else’s yacht by playing this game.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 2/3/2025 at 11:16 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

All of this boils down to two words. I defy anyone to prove me wrong. These two words are why the game is so frustratingly unfair and impossible to enjoy unless your a buyer.

CASH - GREED.

TO "MALICIOUSLY" incorporates strategies to get your cash, this is their single and only objective for making this game.

This is why I hardly play it now and when my General rank reaches Marshal that will be my 4th high account that I will stop using, which leaves me with my main, which I hardly play, because of trashcan hacks.

The sad fact is that TO has never been so bad and unfortunately if changes are not made then players will just give up and not bother.

You’re 100% right.. this isn’t about skill, balance, or competition anymore. It all comes down to CASH & GREED.

Matchmaking imbalance?  That’s not a mistake.. no,no.. that’s intentional. It’s designed to push partially upgraded players into battles against fully maxed-out Legends, forcing them into an unwinnable loop: either grind endlessly for crumbs or pay up to even stand a chance.

And the worst part? The core identity of TO is being destroyed in the process. Instead of refining and improving what made the game great, developers have turned it into some bastardized Star Wars ripoff with hovering hulls that have no business existing in a tank game. What’s next? Lightsabers instead of turrets? Jedi rank instead of Legend?

At this point, TO isn’t just unplayable, it’s unrecognizable. And unless something drastically changes, the only thing developers will have left to monetize is an empty player base... I, for one, have no reason to keep playing anymore. When you’re constantly forced into one-sided slaughter matches while your opponents fly around on sci-fi hovercrafts, it stops being a tank game and becomes a bad joke.

Honestly, with the way things are going, I wouldn’t even be surprised if a UFO landed in the middle of the battlefield next.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

It’s no longer a secret that the matchmaking system is blatantly broken and designed to frustrate players like myself, forcing us to face opponents with vastly superior GS. As evident from another match I recently participated in, I was the only Marshal among a sea of Legend-ranked players, many of whom had the maximum GS of 9999.

What’s worse is that this isn’t a rare occurrence.. it happens consistently. The system deliberately places us lower-ranked players against these overpowered opponents. Why? To push us toward frustration, hoping we’ll pull out our credit cards to "even the odds."

At this point, players like me are just cannon fodder for those who’ve either been playing for years or have spent a fortune upgrading their hulls and turrets. Yet, when I manage to outplay these overpowered opponents and destroy them on the battlefield, their egos take a hit, and they rage harder than ever. It’s almost ironic, the very players who crave dominance turn out to be some of the most insecure and toxic individuals... I understand that developers want to generate revenue, but doing so by alienating and exploiting your community is not the way to sustain this game. Instead of creating a fair and balanced environment, they are catering to those who have spent the most, further widening the gap between players.

The real question remains: Will the developers finally listen to the overwhelming demand for balanced matchmaking, or will they continue to bury their heads in the sand and pretend this issue doesn’t exist?

If the current trend continues, don’t be surprised if players start leaving in droves. Nobody wants to feel like they’re just food for someone else’s domination fantasy.

[Jeers4U 665]

On 2/4/2025 at 11:10 AM, GhostLynx said:

The real question remains: Will the developers finally listen to the overwhelming demand for balanced matchmaking, or will they continue to bury their heads in the sand and pretend this issue doesn’t exist?

If the current trend continues, don’t be surprised if players start leaving in droves.
 

They know it exists. They made it that way.

Players have left. They increased prices to compensate.

Some returned. Some didn't. Others left.

Others...

Edited February 4 by Jeers4U
what makes you think they HAVE to listen to you?

[POWER-OF-ONE 163]

On 2/4/2025 at 4:52 PM, Jeers4U said:

hey know it exists. They made it that way.

Players have left. They increased prices to compensate.

Some returned. Some didn't. Others left.

Others...

I toyed with the idea then thought better of it. The thought lasted a couple on Nano seconds. 

I do not no if players have left in their thousands or not because of the complicated mess of the game and the jacked up price hikes. What I do no is that a player who has played the game for over 10 years no longer considers it worthwhile anymore, hence I never enter any events, I am not bothered about completing daily or weekly missions and I never play the objective. I camp my ass off and destroy as many enemies as I can and deliberately go after trashcans whenever I feel I can get the drop on them.

Other than the satisfaction of obliterating trashcans, I don't really engage in the game the way I used to, nowhere near. 

 

[Jeers4U 665]

On 2/4/2025 at 6:17 PM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

I am not bothered about completing daily or weekly missions and I never play the objective. I camp my ass off and destroy as many enemies as I can and deliberately go after trashcans whenever I feel I can get the drop on them.

Other than the satisfaction of obliterating trashcans, I don't really engage in the game the way I used to, nowhere near. 

 

Exactly.

Tanki 2025.

 

And it's also the reason why they are attempting to introduce classic tanki. Profits here are coming down and they need to do something to re-generate interest and profits. So, why not re-introduce the game when it was at it's peak profitabilty (ish) and max players? They can't evolve this horseshoe crab of a game any further, really. Someone at head office here thinks it's a great idea.

So, they are trying to go back in time and recapture the glory days of a game that has become fat and bloated--much like Elvis near the end of his career (and life). Will it work? We shall see.

Edited February 6 by Jeers4U

[Gabe2607 215]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:52 AM, GhostLynx said:

Hello fellow tankers,

AVOID MatchMaking battles! Marshal or Legend, if you are not a Buyer, you will end up 3/20 at every battle. 

PLAY Pro Battles! OP equipment is limited here and your skills might make a difference. 

[Spangles 10]

What if the solution to this problem were this way:

The system separates legend rank players from non-legend players... just curious to know if that would work out for this problem or not (given that you max out at least one combo by legend 1)