Tankers Workshop #1: Look at the Lineup

Starting this weekend, and over the next week let's work on the first item on the list of things I started here: "5 Things Good Players Do More Often Than Average Players"  and that item is "Look at the Lineup".

What is it?

The lineup in World of Tanks is the list of tanks in the battle. Naturally there are two: Greens and Reds.

Exercise 1

For the next few battles, during the countdown, take a look at the lineups. In this exercise we're looking at the make up of the teams. I generally look at:

• How many TDs?
• How many arties?
• How many light tanks?

You can prioritize what matters to you, maybe you care more about heavies than TDs for example, but get a feel for the makeup of the teams.

TIP: It may be easier to scan across the top bar and count squares, triangles, etc.

When you're feeling comfortable with that we'll add Exercise 2.

Note: Don't feel like you need to rush through these. Really try to master one skill before moving on - it's fine if it takes quite a few battles, even days or weeks. The reward is in mastering the habit, not in getting to the end of the workshops the quickest. 

Exercise 2

For the next few battles, after you've identified the make up of the teams, during the countdown, scan the red lineup and identify the three tanks on the enemy team that most concern you. And by concern you I mean which three tanks you think are likely to be the biggest obstacles to your team winning.

Which tanks those are may depend a lot on what kind of tank you're driving, and which map it is. Also take into account how good you think the tank is. You might prioritize an AMX 13 57 over a Leopard; or a WZ-111 1-4 over an O-Ni. However you prioritize them is fine, but when the battle starts you should have an idea of which three enemy tanks you most want to watch out for.

Example:  You're in a fast medium (Pantera) on Westfield and you're thinking about pushing to K0 corner in the deep SE at the outset. Looking at the sample lineup to the right, which enemy tanks are most likely to meet you there?

Well, you know that the Lowe, the STRV S1, the T32, the M12, the T29, the O-Ni, the AT 7, the Challenger, and the G.W. Panther are not likely going to K0. They're heavies, arties and mostly slow TDs.

On the other hand the LT-432 and/or the LTG could go there. You're probably not that worried about an LTG, but the LT-432 bears watching.

So the big question is the enemy mediums. The T-44 COULD go there. The Chi-Ri, 40TP and Eagle 7 are all pretty slow, though, so it's not likely any of them will make it to K0.

So...now you know that if you take your Pantera to K0 you MIGHT encounter an LT-432, a T-44, and an LTG - or some combination of those three. If I'm pushing towards that corner I'm keenly watching who is coming with me and if any of those three tanks get spotted. If the T-44 or the LT-432 get spotted somewhere else on the map I feel better about continuing to push to K0.  If none of those three get spotted by the time I get to the last cover before K0 (or if none of my teammates are coming with me) then I might pull up instead of pushing into that potential problem.

Other Examples:

• You're in a light tank on Mines and you're thinking about going hill. Which enemy tanks are most likely to meet you there (LT-432, LTG, maybe T-44)?
• You're in a heavy tank on Redshire and you're thinking about going to the blimp. Which enemy tanks are you likely to have to deal with (Lowe, T32, O-Ni, T29...?)

When you're feeling comfortable with that we'll add Exercise 3. Remember: no hurry. The prize is in successfully building the habit.

Exercise 3

For the next few battles, after you've identified the makeup of the teams and identified 3 tanks on the red team that you're most concerned about, identify the three tanks on the green team that you think could be the most important allies.

Which tanks those are may depend a lot on what kind of tank you're driving, and which map it is.

Example: You're in a light tank (LTG), you're planning to play the scout role in this battle, and you want to identify the big guns who can shoot what you light. Use the sample lineup on the left for this exercise.

As a light tank looking to scout you want to work with the guys with the big guns and the snipers. That's usually sniper TDs and arty. Accuracy and range are important. Why? Because tanks that tend to fight up close (like your O-Ni in this lineup) will spot their own shots so you're not as useful and won't get as much benefit.

Is the SU-100M1 a key ally for you? It's a TD but it's not terribly accurate so I wouldn't prioritize it as a sniper. It's more of an assault TD that is going to fight up close.

However, the SkorpG, Challenger, and the STRV S1 are good snipers who can do a lot of damage to what you light.

Also, you have two arty. Why does that matter? When I have arty I'm more willing to spot people that my other teammates won't have shots on. For example: running the middle ridge on Prok is useful, but it's not AS useful (at least at the very start) if you don't have arty. Anybody you'd spot on the other side can't be shot by your non-arty teammates...at least not until you have teammates on the hill or who have pushed up on the 1/2 line. So while I will still poke the hill once or twice just to get intel, I'm less aggressive about it with no arty because I know the rewards are limited.

So given that you've identified the SkorpG, the Challenger, and the STRV S1 as key allies you'll want to think for a moment where they're likely to go, and what they can shoot from there. Then plan to spot those areas. You want to keep your big guns hot. If your Skorp and S1 are sitting around not shooting that probably doesn't bode well for your team.

As the battle begins, keep an eye on where those tanks ACTUALLY go. The fun thing about pubbies is that you can expect them to do the unexpected. If they go hide in K1, or somewhere else you didn't expect...you may have to change your plans. If you went hill, but they're camped on the 2 line and nobody is spotting for them, consider relocating to their side of the map and see if there are enemies for them to shoot.

Other examples: 

• You're in the STRV S1 and you want to identify the teammates who are likely to give you vision and spot for you (LT-432, LTG). 
• You're in a support heavy or medium (the Eagle 7) and you want to identify the teammates who are likely to be most effective on the front line that you want to be in position to support (T32, maybe the O-Ni).

Understand that just because you think during the countdown that your SP1C is going to be your spotter that doesn't mean they're going to cooperate. When the battle starts you may find that your identified scouts, or shooters, or front-line brawlers have other ideas. Be prepared to be flexible if that scout or brawler goes and hides in the corner, or never loads in to begin with and sits quietly in the spawn while the rest of your team moves out.

We'll deal more with that next week when we work on using the Minimap. :)

Don't rush through these. Really feel comfortable with Exercise 1 before you add Exercise 2. Get comfortable doing 1 AND 2 before you add 3. Practice, practice, practice is how you build these habits.

What did you think of this workshop? Was it useful? Suggestions for improvement? Comments or questions? Let me know in the comments section below.

Mastered these? Let's move on to Tankers Workshop#2 then, using the minimap!

GLHF!