[BUG?] Tank performance nerfed after reaching Legend rank - urgent dev response needed

[Mr.Blitz 57]

 This could be a bug or a deliberately inserted "hidden mechanic" and that's why I'm asking for a transparent answer from the devs..
 

Hello devs and community,

I’m posting this as a formal report and public request for clarification. I reached Legend rank last night. Immediately after rank promotion, my tank’s movement speed, turning responsiveness and damage output felt drastically reduced.. not by a small margin, but to the point my tank behaves like a “starter” vehicle. Maneuvering is sluggish, reaction windows are smaller and previously reliable shots now fail to register equivalent damage.

This is not normal latency or a single-match glitch. I tested across multiple matches, the effect is consistent and highly reproducible. It also correlates directly with the moment of rank promotion. The result: high-ranked, skilled players are suddenly far less effective and become easy targets for players who still have boosted damage or speed. This looks exactly like either:

• a hidden rank penalty system that reduces tank specs on rank-up, or

• a serious bug in the post-promotion player state/flags.

Both possibilities are unacceptable without explanation. If this is intentional balancing, many of us demand transparency: explain the mechanic, the reasons and the thresholds. If it’s a bug, we ask for an immediate investigation, logs, and a hotfix/rollback.

Evidence & reproduction steps (what I did):

1. Reached Legend rank on server last night.

2. Immediately queued and played 4 matchmaking matches across maps A, B, C.

3. Observed consistent reduction in movement speed, responsiveness and damage (measured subjectively across identical engagements as before rank-up).

4. Compared with teammates and previous replays: the same hull/drone/module/augment setup performed markedly worse after rank-up.

Request:

• Devs, please confirm if there is any post-promotion performance modifier applied.

• If there is such a mechanism, publish the exact details and rationale.

• If this is a bug, provide a timeline for the investigation and a rollback/hotfix.

• Provide an in-game compensation plan for players affected by unintended downgrades.

I’m leaving this under [Game Discussion]..
Other Legends and high-ranked players, please report if you experience the same, add timestamps and specs so we can build a shared evidence list.

We don't deserve to be an easy target for those who have fallen into the 'pay to win' program to be a means to feed their complexes, earn crystals and experience quickly. I think the TO devs need to consider that, not put us in front of them like toys while we can barely move around the battlefield. This thing is obvious.

- Mr.Blitz

[Positive 1,136]

Never heard or experienced something like this before. You're saying the stats are likely reduced, this can simply be checked using the wiki for comparison, right? Have you tried that?

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 9/12/2025 at 6:42 PM, Positive said:

Never heard or experienced something like this before. You're saying the stats are likely reduced, this can simply be checked using the wiki for comparison, right? Have you tried that?

I know exactly what the wiki says, and that’s not the point here. The problem is not with the listed stats, but with the actual in-game performance after reaching Legend or every other rank. Wiki values don’t explain why my tank suddenly feels like it’s moving through mud, reacting slower, dealing noticeably less damage, and losing maneuverability the very moment I ranked up.

So please, don’t treat this as if I don’t know how to “read wiki numbers.” This is about hidden mechanics or intentional balancing that is not publicly disclosed. If this is a bug, say it. If it’s intentional  admit it. But don’t redirect players to wiki when the issue is clearly game behavior vs. paper stats.

[TheCongoSpider 8,942]

On 9/12/2025 at 11:54 AM, Mr.Blitz said:

I reached Legend rank last night.

The same thing I said about your complaint with Shaft long ago is the same thing I'll say here. Back then, Marshal rank and above were sectioned off from the other ranks. Now in recent months, Legend is the rank that's sectioned off from the others under normal circumstances. You had a relatively good GS (albeit with a single combo) but when you reach to Legend battles, you won't be stomping anyone anymore, as you'll be fighting other Legends. Legends that have varying equipment levels with a variety of augments in every lobby to produce different experiences that may or may not be overwhelming for you. 

On 9/13/2025 at 11:33 AM, Mr.Blitz said:

So please, don’t treat this as if I don’t know how to “read wiki numbers.” This is about hidden mechanics or intentional balancing that is not publicly disclosed. If this is a bug, say it. If it’s intentional  admit it. But don’t redirect players to wiki when the issue is clearly game behavior vs. paper stats.

I don't know what it is about the game that you're seeing differently but just like I told you about your Shaft, the game is not lying to you. You can see all the parameters on the wiki. If you have questions about what you saw in a battle that confused you, you are free to ask about it here or preferably in the official Tanki Online discord server for a much faster and/or accurate answer. If you are making a claim this big, back it up with video recordings of your battles. 

[Maf 32,300]

On 9/12/2025 at 7:54 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

Observed consistent reduction in movement speed, responsiveness and damage (measured subjectively across identical engagements as before rank-up).

When was the last time your tank had an oil change? Also recommend checking your transmission, track alignment, and brake fluid. Hope this helps.

Edited September 13 by Maf

[Mr.Blitz 57]

I see that you have won the heart of the Moderator, so he likes your comments because they care that others "suffocate the topic" instead of them having to answer seriously... Never mind.. Let's continue..

It’s funny how every time someone raises a serious issue, the default answers are either:

1. “Go read the wiki” (as if the problem is my ability to read numbers),

2. “You’re just weaker now because Legends fight Legends” (which doesn’t explain why my tank literally slows down like it’s driving through glue), or

3. Jokes about “oil changes” (which is basically saying “don’t take this seriously”).

I’ll say it again: stats on paper - performance in battles. I’m not talking about matchups or GS differences, I’m talking about a sudden mechanical downgrade the exact moment I reached Legend. That is not explained by “different opponents.”.. And yes, I can provide recordings if needed - but let’s be real: the issue here is whether devs are intentionally applying hidden balancing mechanics at rank-ups. Players deserve a straight answer, not dismissive jokes or copy-paste wiki replies.

[TheCongoSpider 8,942]

On 9/13/2025 at 5:30 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

which doesn’t explain why my tank literally slows down like it’s driving through glue), or

Show us proof of this. 

 

On 9/13/2025 at 5:30 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

I’ll say it again: stats on paper - performance in battles. I’m not talking about matchups or GS differences, I’m talking about a sudden mechanical downgrade the exact moment I reached Legend. That is not explained by “different opponents.”.. And yes, I can provide recordings if needed - but let’s be real: the issue here is whether devs are intentionally applying hidden balancing mechanics at rank-ups. Players deserve a straight answer, not dismissive jokes or copy-paste wiki replies

The onus is on you to provide proof of such claims. I am taking you seriously, but there is only so much you can do with words. I can say that an enemy Destroyer Magnum was getting 90% critical hits in a battle through cheated methods. I can say that Opex-Rah entered a battle, instantly destroyed everyone's tanks in the battle and then left the battle. And would you believe me if I don't provide you proof? Why or why not? 

 

Video record your battles. Make sure you check the scoreboard at least every few minutes, drive around attacking different people. Show us the upgrade levels of your equipment. Give us the full picture so we can tell you what is happening. 

[Opex-Rah 5,375]

Fascinating

[Akame 4,577]

On 9/13/2025 at 10:30 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

And yes, I can provide recordings if needed - but let’s be real: the issue here is whether devs are intentionally applying hidden balancing mechanics at rank-ups. 

I'm interested, not because I think it's true, but because if you can think this way, how many others could there be.

Frankly there may even be mechanisms you're not aware of and you've now only witnessed it on the pure endgame somehow. So yes, every time you make a claim, you should by default back it up with media for people to understand your viewpoint as congo said.

Moreover, there are event modes where some upgrades are off, etc, so yes, please provide as much info and full recordings, nothing cropped or cut to ensure we see the full pov.

Lack of responsiveness, I've heard the servers have been a bit on the unstable side recently for some players too.

[POWER-OF-ONE 163]

@Mr.Blitz Congo is right. Although I do not disbelieve you "VIDEO" evidence would clarify your claim.

On 9/13/2025 at 10:30 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

I see that you have won the heart of the Moderator, so he likes your comments because they care that others "suffocate the topic" instead of them having to answer seriously... Never mind.. Let's continue.

No one, "AND I MEAN NO ONE" likes to point out the "GLARING ISSUES" of TO more than I do.

I do not lambast TO because It's something to do, I do it because the mechanics of the game are complicated and wrong. This is putting it in It's simplest form as I have already went into great detail about the shortcomings of TO many, many times in various topics. And shame on me if I mention augments and skips should be scrapped to improve TO by orders of magnitude.

Whether @TheCongoSpider has won the praise of the mods or not is secondary to his "VALID" and correct response to your query. Again I do not doubt that you are having issues with TO (there are far to many to mention) so video evidence would go along way to getting the "fixes"/answers you are asking for.

On 9/13/2025 at 10:30 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

Players deserve a straight answer,

On this I 100% agree.

Getting a "straight/honest" answer from the devs is like asking a leopard to change It's spots to stripes and then turn itself into a unicorn. Impossible I no, which makes this analogy even more apt. 

Short answer-never gonna happen.

On 9/14/2025 at 12:34 AM, TheCongoSpider said:

The onus is on you to provide proof of such claims

He's right you know.

 

On 9/14/2025 at 12:34 AM, TheCongoSpider said:

I am taking you seriously,

@TheCongoSpider  is "THE" most serious anarak in TO and dedicates a lot of time, and effort no doubt, sifting through and explaining the mechanics of TO to the general population of the player base who get dismayed and confused by the ever increasing complexity and seemingly inadequacies of "the devs" to explain most things to players in a sensible and easy to understand format/wording.  Example- Co-efficient in TO gets used a lot and I know for a fact that most players will not have a clue what it means.

 

On 9/14/2025 at 3:11 AM, Opex-Rah said:

Fascinating

Excellent response. As always, keep up the good work. Or you could just let @TheCongoSpider deal with it and explain how this can be resolved saying as how your clearly far to busy flexing your sarcasm AGAIN.

 

On 9/14/2025 at 8:40 AM, Akame said:

I've heard the servers have been a bit on the unstable side recently

A bit unstable.

Understatement of the year.

[Maf 32,300]

On 9/14/2025 at 7:21 PM, TheRealHZFJ said:

Does @POWER-OF-ONE ever get tired of grifting?

This forum wouldn't be the same without him 

[Hypersomnia 1,695]

On 9/14/2025 at 6:22 PM, Maf said:

This forum wouldn't be the same without him 

??
no it wouldn't be the same without me and only me.

clap clap lock in buddy where is my special forum frame

[Akame 4,577]

On 9/14/2025 at 10:40 AM, POWER-OF-ONE said:

 

A bit unstable.

Understatement of the year.

I've played for around 2 weeks of dailies this whole calendar year, so I'm just going on stuff I've heard here and there

[Jeers4U 665]

On 9/12/2025 at 11:54 AM, Mr.Blitz said:

1. Observed consistent reduction in movement speed, responsiveness and damage (measured subjectively across identical engagements as before rank-up).

On 9/13/2025 at 1:05 PM, TheCongoSpider said:

You had a relatively good GS (albeit with a single combo) but when you reach to Legend battles, you won't be stomping anyone anymore, as you'll be fighting other Legends. 

I feel Congo's statement is accurate.

Sometimes, I notice that my wasp isn't zipping around the arena as fast as it normally would be (compared to previous battles). I've never compared the arena's gear scores to assess the reason. I just assumed it was most likely a server issue. Although your explanation for your experience wasn't denied, indeed it is 'fascinating'.

 

[TheCongoSpider 8,942]

On 9/30/2025 at 5:05 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

But don’t worry, we’re not stupid. We can see when something’s wrong with the mechanics, and no amount of “fascinating” comments is going to hide it.

We're still waiting on that video evidence, by the way. 

[Jeers4U 665]

On 9/30/2025 at 8:29 PM, TheCongoSpider said:

We're still waiting on that video evidence, by the way. 

I can't imagine he'd post anything after some of the comments in this thread.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

On 10/1/2025 at 9:29 AM, TheCongoSpider said:

We're still waiting on that video evidence, by the way. 

Yet every single time a serious concern is raised, you’re right there demanding “video proof” as if players’ experiences are invalid without your stamp of approval. Let’s be honest: you’re not solving issues, you’re protecting them. By insisting on endless “recordings” and “scoreboards” you’re just burying the problem under red tape until it disappears. Convenient for the devs, of course they stay silent, and you get to play the hero who “handled it... So no, I don’t owe you anything. If the developers need evidence, they can ask directly. Until then, stop pretending you’re the arbiter of truth in a game that’s already lost most of its balance.

Edited October 2 by Positive
Please avoid personal attacks

[2shots2kills 2,364]

"I'm not bad at the game, it's the game that is sabotaging me!!"

"and all of you who want video proof because mine sounds like a crazy conspiracy, who do you think you are?! you are not a dev!!"

"and you are all wrong!!"

 

Funniest topic I've ever read in this forum, the level of entitlement that people have reached is nothing sort of absurd.

People asking for a video were too kind already. 

[Hypersomnia 1,695]

On 10/1/2025 at 5:17 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

you’re right there demanding “video proof” as if players’ experiences are invalid without your stamp of approval.

i hate this game more than you. x5 times more actually but i have to say this is stupid.

i can just say 100,000,000 crystals were removed from my [H.o.F] Hypersomnia account. i want my refund. i will not provide any proof or even simplest piece of evidence.

do you see how stupid this sounds? this is what youre saying just with different words

[krokorok 836]

Its funny how your evidence is simply: "I ranked, I played some games, it sucked, so somehow the system is rigged against me because this is how I feel.  "

People dont ask for video evidence without a reason. First, it actually proves there is something happening to you that should not be in the game environment, and secondly it provides people with oppotunity to help you resolve the issue.

I will give it to you that there are some pointless, aggravating posts here (funnily enough, from exmod and dev himself xD), but the fact you feel offended by people who actually provided explanations or asked for a tool to help you is saddening. You frankly sound like Karen who claims something is true because she simply said so. Either provide evidence so people can help you resolve your issue, or swallow the hard truth that you simply werent good enough (whether its skill issue, or the rather poor balance of this game) to compete in those battles or other things occured like lag, server locations delay, etc you are not factoring in.

I also dont see how or why you are somehow the only one affected by this. I have seen heavy offenders, with multiple bans, blocks or whatever performing or outperforming just fine in battles. I dont see why you would be specifically selected for this hidden nerfing you claim experiencing.

Edited October 1 by krokorok

[JustBlackWolf 874]

If you want to complain, do it about Isida being trash if not using a specific augment that idk was released years ago so what's the point.

[Mr.Blitz 57]

@Hypersomnia The difference between your “100M crystals” joke and what I’m saying is simple: my issue is not imaginary, it’s repeatable and consistent every single time I rank up. That’s not coincidence.. And no, a video won’t magically capture how a tank suddenly feels like it’s been reset to rookie mode, because that’s something you play and experience, not something a scoreboard screenshot explains. Developers already know exactly what I’m talking about, whether they admit it or not.. so I’m not here to entertain side-commentators demanding “proof” just to bury the discussion. The fact remains: each rank-up brings an unnatural slowdown, and anyone who’s honest enough with themselves can see it.

@krokorok Ah, here we go again.. another self-appointed detective telling me what I ‘must’ be experiencing. Thanks, but I don’t need a lecture in the form of a Karen analogy just because I noticed something you didn’t. Funny thing is, you admit the balance is poor, you admit the game environment has issues, you admit servers can be unstable.. yet somehow the second I point at the exact problem, it magically becomes a ‘skill issue’ or me imagining things. Convenient, isn’t it?
And no, I don’t owe you a video diary of my gameplay to validate what I experience. If you need ‘proof’ before you can even process someone’s words, maybe you’re not here to understand.. you’re here to dismiss. That’s the difference between genuine discussion and forum gaslighting.

@2shots2kills Thanks for the parody, but maybe try quoting what I actually said instead of what you made up.. otherwise you’re just arguing with yourself.


I have something special to mention, it would be a sin not to say something about it:
- I see the same pattern repeating itself here. The moment I hit the nerve and point out something that is obviously wrong with the game, suddenly the “video evidence” chorus begins, as if a clip could somehow replace the lived experience of a player... And when all of you finally run out of arguments, what happens? Some of you starting to hide behind forum rules and throw penalties at those who criticize, instead of addressing the issue itself... The irony couldn’t be bigger..

 

On 10/2/2025 at 3:01 AM, JustBlackWolf said:

If you want to complain, do it about Isida being trash if not using a specific augment that idk was released years ago so what's the point.

Sorry to disappoint you, Wolf, but I can’t really complain about Isida since I’ve never used it. From the very start I’ve been rolling with just one hull and one turret. I prefer to stick to what I know rather than suddenly become an expert on something I don’t even touch. 

Edited October 2 by Positive
Discussing moderator actions is not allowed

[NikmanGT 4,362]

Alright, since the topic is getting heated up, it's time to intervene.

If you can't provide a constructive argument, then maybe it's best not to start personal ping wars, and this goes for everyone in the topic.

I will close the topic if you guys are unable to argue without understanding each other, all I see both the sides blindly sticking up to their agenda without concerning the heed of the other, and as for warns we have a very definitive proof and reasons for this, that can be discussed via Forum PM.

The sole reason I'm mentioning this is to captcha check the people who believe we hide behind a system of mutes, if this situation still doesn't provide some valid argument sense here, then its best to pass on this feedback/issue silently and let the topic be closed for the sake of further provocations/insults.

[Hypersomnia 1,695]

On 10/2/2025 at 1:19 AM, NikmanGT said:

Alright, since the topic is getting heated up, it's time to intervene.

If you can't provide a constructive argument, then maybe it's best not to start personal ping wars, and this goes for everyone in the topic.

I will close the topic if you guys are unable to argue without understanding each other, all I see both the sides blindly sticking up to their agenda without concerning the heed of the other, and as for warns we have a very definitive proof and reasons for this, that can be discussed via Forum PM.

The sole reason I'm mentioning this is to captcha check the people who believe we hide behind a system of mutes, if this situation still doesn't provide some valid argument sense here, then its best to pass on this feedback/issue silently and let the topic be closed for the sake of further provocations/insults.

*Taps the sign*

also i think you forgor to close this topic cuz this is definitely not going anywhere

[Akame 4,577]

On 10/1/2025 at 11:08 PM, Mr.Blitz said:

And no, a video won’t magically capture how a tank suddenly feels like it’s been reset to rookie mode, because that’s something you play and experience, not something a scoreboard screenshot explains. Developers already know exactly what I’m talking about, whether they admit it or not..

So, seeing that there is only you, in the whole, what is left of the forum, and the players on discord that has been  'subjected' to this so called 'nerf user mechanic' which the game has clearly not implemented.

Every other player is playing a lie and the drone damage calculations are false.

You've consistently been raising heresy and have been consistent in being unable to provide experiences for people to understand. Because again, to point out, there is only YOU who has seen this effect out of the remainder of the playerbase. YOU are clearly not the only one who ranks in this game, ranking is a lot more common than ever.

So you could be constructive and provide actual instances, because we can certainly back calculate protections, drones, augments for all encounters. Yes, it is that simple.

To implement a mechanism which would reduce players ability in games, yes exists in some games. It's called multiplayer ranks, etc, where levels are typically capped so you can't fully pummel lower levelled players in the same rank. Ultimately there is always a powergap in these ranks and it requires a vast set of players. But in the end, where you will eventually be maxed, that gap does become far smaller, negligible and almost equal.

Naturally the same does not apply to this game. There are not enough players, and there is no item limitation in matchmaking aside special event modes where some things may be turned off to allow 'fair equipment levelling'. Though not always the case in all event modes. Pro battles do have settings where they can turn off upgrades etc, but no, there has been no mechanism implemented for matchmaking. Which is why, the game is often called 'PAY 2 WIN' due to the harsh lack of balance and unfairness among lower ranks for unspecialised players who don't carry strong combos. Which isn't entirely different at the endgame because augments just become common then. You will be facing a lot more Excelsiors, and so on, it does not get easier unless you play a powerhouse combo.